Starting fresh isn’t exactly new to me. When you’re diving into a large-scale home renovation, figuring out where to start can be tricky. There is so much to consider – budgets, timelines, and preferences. But with a few houses already under our belt and five kids eager to feel at home, we’ve got a pretty good idea of how to make it work. Honestly, renovating major spaces is tough. It’s an honor and privilege to do this, but let’s be real—it comes with its challenges.
Renovations can cause a lot of disruption, but we’re determined to keep that to a minimum. That’s why we create a project priority list to snag a few easy wins that make a big impact in our first few months here.
This is both a new and an entirely new chapter for our family — and we are SO excited to be here in Nashville! Welcome to our Monarch Colonial.
Today I’ll be sharing all our current project priorities! There’s a lot to do in this new home (and phase of our lives), but I couldn’t be more excited to get started.
If You Missed It… We Moved!
I cannot fully believe this is real life, but YES we have moved from Knoxville to Nashville. After a season of life full of grief, fog, and simultaneous healing, starting a fresh chapter (with close friends so near and dear to our hearts) felt like the right the next step.
While I truly believed The Monarch Revival was our forever home (and it was incredibly bittersweet to put it on the market), I’ve learned “forever” is not a place, but it’s with the people you share it with. Craig, our five boys, friends, and sweet pets have made both Arizona and Tennessee feel like forever to me.
If you’re curious to read all about what caused the move, read my Life Update here! It’s long and detailed, but also full of appreciation for a great new chapter.
New House Means A Whole New Renovation Checklist
While some of you asked if The Monarch Revival was “complete”…the answer is “kind of!” It was more than ready to sell and for another family to enjoy, but I had a few more intricate details I was always planning on adding. It did feel like I was rounding home bend and finishing up a lot of “bottom of the list” projects. Now? We are starting over from square one and to tell you the truth, I could not be more excited!
The home we purchased in Nashville is (you guessed it) a fixer-upper. I don’t think I would have it any other way. It has incredible bones and a gorgeous backyard but it still needs that touch of love.
I’ve decided to call this renovation series The Monarch Colonial because it fits the aesthetic really well. I’ve been asked about why we name our homes and the honest reason is that it helps me keep all the photos and videos in one place! As a creator, that is a huge part of my content creation process.
THE Monarch Colonial Renovation Priorities:
- Boys’ Rooms
- Basement Kitchen
- Workshop
The Boys’ Room
First things first, it’s my top priority to make sure all the boys feel comfortable in the new home. They were THRILLED to move to Nashville and be closer to our family friends, but a transition of any kind takes some getting used to.
We are almost finished with the boys’ rooms (the reveals will be coming when the final touches are done), but spoiler alert – for the little boys, it’s very similar to their previous room. We all loved the design of it so much and keeping everything the same will help them grow more comfortable with the new home.
Basement Kitchen
BEFORE
After finishing The Monarch Revival Kitchen Remodel, I look back on this time as when I felt the most comfortable in my creativity. I rediscovered my love of design and trusted myself to build the heart of our home from the ground up. Now, I’m gearing up to do it all over again.
Since the kitchen is such a crucial part of everyday life, I learned years ago the importance of a makeshift kitchen. If you’re curious to see all my tips for a temporary kitchen, read my post here.
We are going to use this basement space (instead of the pool house like last time) to cook temporarily until I begin working on The Monarch Colonial kitchen. Having a secondary eating space is a game changer during a kitchen renovation. We won’t have a stove but thankfully, it’s warm outside so we’ll be grilling a lot and able to cook outside too! Our covered patio is connected to the basement so this will be super convenient!
Mallory’s Workshop (Part Two!)
On a personal note, one of my most emotional days was packing up Mallory’s Workshop. While to some it just looks like a place I hang my tools, this was my creative playground. So many ideas came from late nights tinkering around out in my garage. Even my boys loved it. I’ll forever look back at this iteration of my workshop with so much love.
So of course, I’m building it again! I have to have a home base for all The Monarch Colonial chaos somewhere. This workshop will be the foundation for all of my projects over the next few years, so it needs to come first so I know where my tools are.
“Mallory, don’t you get tired of renovating?”
I’m getting this question A LOT. And the honest answer is that these projects are often what is fueling me. Other than my roles as a mom and wife, Mallory Nikolaus Home is my life’s passion! Long story short, yes, I get tired of the hard work (and I take a rest when I need it), but I’m never tired of creating and working on our homes!
It’s an honor to leave them better than I found them.
THE Monarch Colonial Introduction: Wrap-Up
I am so beyond excited to begin a fresh renovation series! This feels like the breath of fresh air I’ve needed to revamp my love for design. I have so many ideas in my head, some similar to our last home and some not. Most of all, I’m excited to bring you along with me.
What do you think of the new house project priorities? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest on the blog, check out my recent posts:
Mallory- you are so inspiring! You are not afraid of the hard work that comes with your creative gift. You’re courageous and not afraid to say yes to new things and places. I get that creating more and new is your passion- and you get to create new spaces as you renovate! I love your style and how you share your process with us. I love how your family is involved when you work together. I love how your boys are learning some amazing life skills. And I love that you get to do life with your friends who are like family. Everybody wins! Congratulations and all that is happening- I am grateful, celebrating and cheering you on from St Louis!
Mallory- I’m happy you are happy for the move! You are the busiest Mom of 5 !!! You thought last week was hot in Arizona? Today 114 degrees! 🥵 The monsoons are said to be on the way! Looking forward to see what you do with this new home!!! Wish you the best!!
The most important thing is have a happy and healthy family and if that means moving, then you go for it. I loved the previous house and still think of that backsplash in the pool house but I’m excited to see all the new designs.