Our Florida Faux Farmhouse

Caitlyn Torres
Jan 16, 2019
3 min read

Updated: Jan 28, 2019

I'm laughing as I write this post titled "Our Florida Faux Farmhouse from my Florida builder-grade, gated community home. Where if you sneeze your neighbor says "God bless you!" It's funny because it's true. When we left the military, we had the option of moving anywhere we wanted. Seeing as though I am 100% solar powered, Florida was where we had our hearts set. My mood is seriously directly impacted by the weather. Don't get me wrong, I love a cozy rainy day here and there, but we chose to raise our family in the sunshine state and I wouldn't ever change it! In my heart I wanted to get a fixer upper and start from the ground up, but it made more financial sense to purchase a newer home with fewer potential risks. A location that has great schools and is very family oriented was a priority. Plus, the reality of renovating an old home while being a pregnant mommy of a two year old was quite the stretch.

Anyway, we have had a farmhouse inspired home since my husband and I got married and lived in the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina. I ditched the bachelorette decor and dainty white couch because, although it was super cute, my husband truly looked like Thor sitting on a doll couch. It was time to make our house a home together and this was what made us the happiest. So let this be the gateway for all my future posts.

Eventually I'd like to take you on a tour of the rooms and give you all the details on the why's, where's and how's I designed it - along with before and afters. Keep in mind, my husband is a very function over fashion kind of guy and marriage is all about compromising right? He does everything I say, and I say everything he does. JOKING. Kind of. Well, with the exception of my excessive Rae Dunn collection, he truly loves and supports my ideas and is proud to live in a home designed with thought, care and love.

Although I lean toward farmhouse inspired, I also am kind of a classic, clean lines, less is more kind of girl so I am always decluttering and trading out decor rather than adding & adding to my existing decor. I love the look of classic vintage farmhouse but my anxiety gets through the roof when the clutter takes over. I've always been a DIY enthusiast, I emphasize enthusiast because honestly, doing anything these days with a toddler and an infant in tow is a task. I love a good deal and I look at things in the "I could totally do that myself" light. I'm super fortunate to have the handiest dad who is like a real life Mr Fix It. He is the real MVP behind most of my genius ideas because he spent his life in the biz and his talents make my dreams a reality.

Designing a home for my family to thrive in is something that brings me a deep sense of wholesome happiness. If you take anything from the my home decor blog posts now or in the future, let it be this: design a home that first and foremost makes you and your family happy. Don't compare your home to others because comparison is the thief of happiness. The best part of making your house a home is YOU, so what works for me or for others may not be what makes you and your family happy. Drill these into your head because even though the images look pretty on social media, the reality is that behind the scenes there is usually a sink full of dishes, or your perfectly made bed becomes a trampoline, or laundry piles rising all over the living room. Especially if you live with kids. Laundry. Never. Ends.

I guess that was just a background on who I am and a little peek into things to come! Home decor, motherhood & lifestyle. Check out my bio to learn a little more about this blog! Thanks for being here and sticking with me, I can't wait to share my journey with you all!

With grace & gratitude,

Caitlyn