We promised photos of our old house emptied out and ready for the new owners, so here they are. I’m posting from a Panera because our Wi-Fi at the new place won’t be hooked up until tomorrow, so thanks to their internet for making this possible. We intended to share more updates yesterday, but coordinating a “domino” closing—where one closing funds the next—rarely goes smoothly. Both the buyers of our house and we encountered unexpected delays, so the closing didn’t actually happen until this morning. Thankfully, the previous owners of our new house were generous enough to hand over the keys early when they learned we had nowhere else to go and a truck full of belongings. We are so grateful to them. To add to the chaos, we were hit with an unexpected snowstorm that turned the moving process into a real adventure; I’ll share more on that soon.
In short, after hours of unpacking and coaxing the bean and the pooch into settling down, we finally collapsed around 1 a.m. on our mattress on the floor. We were exhausted but couldn’t stop smiling—there’s something special about the first night in your new home. Clara and Burger seem to be adjusting well too; so far they’re taking the transition in stride. We’ll post more about moving day and share photos of the new house as soon as we can pull them together, likely later today. For now, enjoy a look back at our former home—the Casa Petersik—showing those final empty rooms alongside memories of when we first moved in.
Below is a look at the exterior of the old house as it was when we moved in, compared with how it looked this past week. Seeing the before-and-after of the exterior really brings the idea of closing a chapter into focus.
The living room when we first moved in was full of promise and the usual moving-day clutter. It felt instantly like our own even before we had everything unpacked. Over the years it collected toys, blankets, and lots of quiet evenings. On the final day, the living room felt both familiar and strangely empty—the place where countless small moments lived, now ready for someone new to make their own memories.
The kitchen was one of the busiest rooms from day one. When we moved in it was a mix of function and possibility: new routines, Sunday pancakes, and hurried weekday dinners. On our last day, the counters were cleared, the pantry emptied, and the last box carried out—an odd mix of sadness and satisfaction knowing the space had served us well.
The den has always been a cozy retreat for reading, TV nights, and catching up. When we first arrived it felt like a quiet, promising space. As we left, it had that same sense of comfort but with the mark of everyday life—slightly scuffed floors, a favorite chair, and faint traces of laughter.
The master bedroom was a private sanctuary from the beginning: the one place to reset and recharge. Early photos show a room full of potential. The last snapshot before we closed the door captures the end of a long list of nights and mornings—quiet, settled, and ready for the next owners to make it their own.
The office doubled as a guest room and playroom. When we moved in it was a flexible space with big ideas. We used it for work, for guests, and for play; when we left, it reflected that versatility, made cozier and more lived-in by the little touches we added over time.
There was also a room that started as a formal dining area and eventually became our nursery. We removed a few treasured items—Clara’s light fixture and curtains—that we couldn’t bear to leave behind, and the room transformed into a gentle, lived-in space full of small toys and bedtime routines.
Finally, the sunroom began as a bright, slightly awkward corner with potential. Looking back at the early photos shows the rough angle of the shot, reminding us we didn’t know we’d want a perfect before picture. The sunroom evolved into a peaceful spot for morning light, plants, and quiet moments—another small space that helped make the house feel like home.
Closing that final door was bittersweet—surprisingly, I didn’t cry—but it felt wonderful to turn the key on a new chapter. We’re excited to share the next phase of our lives in our new house with you. Expect more photos, updates, and stories about moving day, the snowstorm, and unpacking as we get settled. Thanks for following along on this moving journey.
P.S. We need to update our header and rename the House Tour tab to “Old House,” and add a new “New House” tab with before photos. Fingers crossed we find time to do that in the next few days.