I retired at age 55 and enjoyed a year of 'retirement' but decided to venture out to do several other things after that period. That year provided my wife and I some time to get reacquainted and enjoy some distant time together. Following that first year I felt that I needed to spend time in projects that I enjoyed. It wasn't long after that that I found myself back to work full-time in a couple other endeavors. Now that I am 63 years of age I retired again and this time working on projects that I truly love involving social activities. Retirement is an evolving process. Even though your husband may route retire at 55 it is very likely that you will find other things to do that will be more fulfilling than the job that he's doing now. This is a good time of life for both of you so take advantage of what it has to offer. Best of luck in whatever you choose to do. Here is a link that might be useful: Active Empty Nesters

We started downsizing today. We've lived in this house for 33 years, raised 3 kids and had the pleasure of having my Dad live with us for the last 5 years of his life. We've done so much to this place that it's hard to leave - we put on a 1,000 sq ft addition, added a porch and a pool but now's the time to transition and we've decided to move to an over 55 community near our home. DH went through his closet, chest of drawers and easily eliminated 90% of his clothes. Now that he's retired he no longer needs multiple suits, sport coats and ties, plus he's slimmed down and most are too large. Unfortunately I haven't slimmed down and my closet is full of clothes that will fit at various weights. But you have to start somewhere and since DH has made the first move it's up to me to continue. Now that we know where we're going and when it will be much easier. Most of our furniture will go with us and actually look better in the new place. We'll offer some of the bedroom furniture to the kids and then donate what they don't want. A realtor is coming tomorrow to give us an appraisal and then we start getting the rest of the house ready.

We skipped Christmas this year at home and went to my mother’s. I donated a TON of Christmas decor to Goodwill two weeks before Christmas and every last speck of it was sold right away. I know this because Handy Guy who comes down for the Christmas decorating week asked me to buyback the flocked garland that was in the blue bedroom. He swore we would need it (turns out he was right as there are two sets of bookcases to decorate) so I went to the goodwill store and there was NOTHING left of our donations. That made me very happy! But now, you will all be horrified to know, I am already amassing blue and white chinoiserie ornaments and blue velvet ribbons in different hues. Gotta be ready o<(:-)

Are you going to paint the grandfather clock too? Don't be so quick to create a monotone room. I would darken the coffee table top with a gel stain so it works with the darker end tables and clock. HERE is how one person did it. I might also darken the dining chairs. I'm confused as to how the end tables have the perfect width, but you want them to look larger! Perhaps you are overthinking the design. It looks balanced to me. Live with it for a while.