Some years ago I moved to a new town in Germany to start a study course. At first I rented a room with a familiy, which did not suite me very well. But by chance I found a great flat around the corner and a person to share it with. It was short notice though and my flatmate could not move in so quickly, and I myself could not go home to pick up my furniture until the holidays. But I moved into the empty flat anyway for 1 month on my own. Just with a matress to sleep on in one room, my PC to work on in another and my clothes in a suitcase in yet another. I must admit the flat did have an fitted kitchen though. What I need in cutlery etc. I borrowed from fellow students. And I must say I really enjoyed living with so little stuff around me in all that empty space. It was freedom in a way and I almost felt sad, when I finally brought in all my furniture and stuff. So, my advice would be to enjoy the empty canvas for a while and setlle in little by little, getting a feel for the style of the flat. I have moved houses often (in Germany and in Great Britain), and I love to furnish every place in its individual style, usually being guided by the architectural style of the building. Have fun in Hannover!

If you are taking American DVDs, make sure to take your American player. The different regions have different formats! What a pain! Best of luck to you all. My husband and I recently have our first trip to Germany. We fell in love and I completely understand why you would want to live there part-time. I love America but it's great to see what else the world has to offer.

I'm a former military wife, and while I never had a chance to live abroad, I have moved - a lot - and often to parts of the country that are a long way from home.
I would say take copies of all your favorite family pictures and reframe them once you're over there, as permanent pieces in the house. Take whatever other small items especially remind you of home in your suitcase.
Buy just the basics at first - towels, sheets, etc., to get you started and the house somewhat livable. Then decorate with what you find as you live in-country. I knew families who brought back some of the most beautiful German decor after being stationed there. I doubt you'll have to go to IKEA for very much.

I believe we are kindred spirits- my husband is also from Germany(came over 15 years ago to marry me), I am an interior decorator in the Midwest, and we have a second home. Ours is in the south since my husband is still working out of a office, and we have a child (and dog) that needs to go to school. One day, however, we will also live abroad.
Anyway, furnishing a home from the ground up. I would check into the cost of shipping overseas, since you probably have some duplicates of things. If this is extremely costly, then you are right on with personal items only. Always travel with as many suitcases as allowed, and fill them up!! Sheets, (although bed sizes are usually only twins over there), towels, table linens, all pack nicely and will remind you of home. IKEA is a good option for just about everything else. We furnished our second home last year, and I concentrated on the kitchen, since I also love to cook. Bring or buy the bare essentials for the kitchen right away- a homemade casserole is heaven after a long day of moving in.
Furniture that is needed right away: bed, chest of drawers, table and chairs, sofa or futon. We also bought a television and had a stereo to play. Painting goes much faster with music!
Treat yourself to fresh flowers that first couple of days- even if you have to put them in a glass. It will make your apartment instantly welcoming!
I am so envious! Would love to hear how things are progressing. Keep us posted!

I'm moving to The Netherlands for a few years this August with nothing more than the stuff I cram into 2 suitcases. I'll have to buy EVERYTHING to fill an apartment, and, like you, don't want to end up buying things just to have them & regreting purchasing some things later. I've been compiling a list of things to order once it's closer to moving time so that I can start off with a few key pieces early on and go from there. I look forward to following your progress! I'll definitely be keeping track of things on my end on my blog too. :)

Wow, that sounds like a great adventure.

IKEA does have kitchen cabinets, some very cool modern ones made to fit in small euro spaces.

Get the bare minimum to start: bed, table and chairs, lights, linens and basic dishes from IKEA or a local flea market.

Then carefullly consider what would be the perfect piece of furniture and object (scale, style, color) for each space in the house and Take Your Time! Wait until you have lived in the space for a while so you know what you really need (a table by the door, and chair near this window). Then find and buy only things you truly love.

I think people rush to decorate right as they move in, then have to live with poor decisions they made because they didn't really know how they would use the rooms, or the lighting/flow of traffic.

I’m a list person so I’d probably start by making an itemized list for each room. Then I’d mark down which of these items I’d bring with me from America. I’d restrict the bring list to things that either remind me of home (photos, art, special decorative items, favourite food items), things that are expensive or difficult to get abroad, and a few ‘home in a box’ items (towels, linens, some toiletries, medicines, clothes). Everything else, I’d start to hunt online for sources in Germany… you could buy online once you’re there, or visit some places in person. I’d also start to put some inspiration boards (polyvore.com is great tool for that)… you’ve got a blank slate to play with and you could do something exciting and different from your current home. What a great adventure you’re about to embark on!

What a wonderful adventure you will be having Holly! I am so excited for the two of you!
I second what Tracy said: Fresh flowers in a vase or even a little drinking glass on your first day (and in the days to come) will brighten the empty space right up and inspire creativity in your new surroundings!
Perhaps you could make a project out of photographing each fresh bouquet you bring into your new home (I know you are wonderful with a camera). You will begin to see the rooms around them taking shape and those photos will become a lovely time capsle of your amazing journey together! Just a thought.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart. -Confucius

xox
Ez

hmmm... I actually wouldn't bring cds and dvds. Burning music to a laptop and/or an ipod is a much more convenient way to take music with you. Also you can generally rent dvds abroad just like you would here in the states. But of course everyone's entertainment tastes are different... For me,when I moved overseas, it was much more important to bring things like my favorite pillow, favorite bath towel, favorite deoderant, tampons, etc.

Melissa -- Good thinking. I'm part of an expats yahoo group for the city I'm moving to (not far from Amsterdam actually - 4 hrs), and find it quite helpful though kind of quiet. I need a more chatty expat group so I'm going to check out meetup.com Thanks for that!

@Jessica - Your point is such a good one. I am rushing like a mad woman to set up house rather quickly but because this goes against my personal mantra -- to build slowly and decorate from the heart -- I think that is why this is creating stress for me. You're right. Start slow and work my way up.

@ Jo - I'm letting my husband handle the electronics in the house, he already has a 'region free' dvd player in mind so we can watch them. I've been loving the 'Bones' series lately on DVD so I know those are coming with me. David Boreanaz can keep me company when my husband is not at home. :)

@Andrea - Your encouraging words mean so much. It's weird to just land someplace without sheets, pots, and pans. I guess I was spoiled that way, when I moved on my own for the first time my friends gave me presents and my mother gave me a bunch of furniture and even a used car to get me started. I won't have a car or any of these things in Hannover, all of our relatives there live very urban-like, they only own what they need so not much to borrow or giveaway. I wonder if there's a German store like the Salvation Army? I know there is a Woolworth's, so I can find cleaning rags and stuff there.

@Tracey - I agree, we appear to be kindred spirits only you have a child and I'm about to start working on that next year. :) Wow, you're married to a German too. How cool. Where in the south do you have a second home? I was raised in South Carolina.

@Sarah - Congrats, that is very exciting! Amsterdam is beautiful and lots of people speak English so you're sure to find your transition a delight. I'll be in Amsterdam in September for vacation, maybe we can have coffee? Keep in touch with me!

@Furpants - Great advice. I am so happy to know that many of you have some solid advice for me. I will share my journey in the months to come, most likely over on my blog decor8, but maybe here too if it doesn't put anyone to sleep. :)

@Wanderluster - Lists are good! So I'm going to do this tonight and see what I come up with. Some of the most practical advice I sometimes forget!

@Ez I love your tip, that sounds like a lot of fun. I will do that for sure. Maybe I'll start a little blog about this journey for those who want to read along. Or a Flickr set or something. Thank you again

Amanda -- I have some TV series on DVD that I want to bring and about 25 of my favorite DVDs but I think I'll leave the rest here. When we've traveled there in the past, we stayed in a hotel and I couldn't handle watching German television all of the time. I understand the language to a degree but didn't click really with the programs there -- no one does a crime drama like American television and I'm a Law & Order SVU and Bones kind of girl. Watching Sex in the City in German is odd, but funny odd. :) But you're right, I'm going to burn a bunch of music on my laptop and iPod so I have some fuel to keep me going for the times that I'm over there. I am laughing over your tampons comment too. You know I was thinking the other day, what am I going to do without Swiffer, Jonathan Adler hair products, and Anthropologie!!

Sorry to break down all of my comments like this, but no matter what tags I inserted, text keep falling together in a single paragraph so my reply was 10 miles long so I had to break these up into bites. I need to speak to someone at Real Simple because I think our comments need to have automatic line breaks.

I agree with the German television thing (its a bit odd to hear your favorite actor with a different voice speaking german- and I speak the language!). Don't think about what you are missing (hair products and stores- enjoy what you are gaining)! My girlfriend lived in Germany, and truly missed books in English- I would pack a couple if you are an avid reader. Even though I speak German, reading is still work for me and takes the joy out of a good mystery. There are consignment stores and garage sales/flea markets in Germany. Also great box stores like Home Depot type places. I would also keep a journal for all those moments that you know you will NEVER FORGET! Good luck with the budget to keep both houses- thats a full time job for me! Happy moving and start making lists! PS Our second home is in the Gulf Shores area of Alabama- love the humid weather and water! We also love the southern hospitality- everyone is so nice!

Tracey - Oh yes, nothing like southern hospitality and that region of Alabama is beautiful and super friendly. You are so fortunate to maintain homes in the midwest and the south. You're right about what I am gaining - I've been going back and forth to Germany since 1999 and for the past 9 years purchasing Dr.Hauschka products at a massive discount. Now the discount isn't as strong, the German Mark was way better than the Euro, but still you're right -- they have perfumes and things that we don't see in the states for sometimes a year later, and sometimes never.

my husband and i sold almost everything we owned almost two years ago to live in London for a year. When we showed up to our flat we had 4 suitcases and that was all. We has some books and sentimental items shipped, but they arrived about a month after we arrived. I am a huge nester and my instinct was to fix it quickly, but I actually had more fun taking a but of time. I will not lie - IKEA helped out a lot....
I think if you take it steps at a time- focusing on what is most important- or most immediately needed- like a wonderful bed- and then move out from there. I think bringing art is the best idea- For me, if I can hang something of mine on the wall it starts to feel like home- so the Etsy prints are a great idea.
I think the best thing is to be patient. It will all come together beautifully. Germany has beautiful options and you will so much fun putting it all together- as long as you aren't racing to the finish line. Have fun and take your time and then your new home will be wonderful..... Have much of the fun.
Tschüß,
jen

I've moved within the US and abroad with just suitcases and a few boxes of kitchen supplies (and I'm about to do it again...), so I know how overwhelming it feels to start from scratch. On one of the moves, the airline also managed to misplace my luggage so I almost spent the first night in my new apt sleeping on a cardboard box! I don't know about Germany, but in the US I would consider renting an ugly couch and a dining room table for a few months until you find one you like. I think this can free you from having to make a snap decision but also provide plenty of motivation to get something better before long. Also, there's no way I can afford new furniture at the moment so I'm all about used. I'm sure that you -- of all people -- know how to pep up a second hand dresser if it's got the right bones. :)

HI there we moved to New Zealand 4 years ago and had just our suitcases and an unfurnished house.
By the very basic kitchen stuff a pan 2 plates etc to get started take some cool tea towels to brighten things up and then hire all your appliances till you have time to work out where to get a good brand at the right price , we lived with a bed and two beach chairs for weeks and it was like beeing on holiday - you will be amazed at what you don't need.

I have to agree with helen. I've moved a lot, and find the best moves have been to take almost nothing, live on an air mattress, and then truly embrace your new city. Good design is always reflective of the geographic location and how you truly live.

Given the restraint you've shown so far, I think your best bet is to not let it all burst out at the last stage. Don't buy everything at once. Accept that it will be a bit more time before it's a fully furnished home. Take the time to learn what basics are very expensive in Germany that you might be better to bring over in luggage. Shop second-hand stores or boot sales or whatever they have there for things that will be part of your German home and part of your story in that country. Don't expect to have a fully decorated house on day 1. Live with boxes for a coffee table or whatever for a bit and build it slowly. It will be more frugal because your purchases will be considered individually rather than as a bulk fill-the-flat rush. You'll also probably gravitate towards a slightly different style of decorating there whether because of space differences between your home there and in the US or because of what's available there or because of the quality of light or how you live your life there. Let that happen and develop naturally and you'll only really get to see that once you've spent time in your space there. It's quite possible to live comfortably for several months with only a bed, table, and two chairs for furniture.... leave as much open space as you can for the life you will discover there to come in. How exciting, to be sure!

Hi Holly! Congratulations! My husband and just moved to Japan with the US Navy and we currently still have not received our house hold goods, so I know exactly what you're going through. If you have any contacts in Germany I highly recommend you speak to them to find out where they suggest you can find the necessities like towels, etc at decent prices. When we came over we had to buy sheets, towels, floor mats, coffee maker, you name it. If I had known about 100 Yen stores I would have gone there first instead of to the trusty old NEX (government shopping area) where I ended up spending a fortune. 100 yen stores are like dollar stores in the US and they carry everything!

Once you have an idea from the locals on where the best place is to purchase these necessities, you can focus on the furniture pieces that you may want to spend more money on. My husband and I did that and we just purchased a beautiful tv stand made from real wood and bamboo from a Chinese vendor. It was worth over the $600 we paid for it because it is going to last us a life time.

Bringing photos of friends and family is a wonderful idea. I had my family send us some once we had our address. Don't forget since you know your address that you can ship yourself a lot of things to your home from stores in the US that they might not have in Germany. I really miss Target believe it or not. Also look into getting a vonage phone (www.vonage.com). You can pick any area code in the US and you can keep in touch with your family in the states with out having to pay for international calling. It is just like using your cell phone in the states and there is no long distance charges! That will save you a ton of money. Having the vonage has really made my life easier and has made the transition to living overseas much easier.
I wish you much success in your adventure and if you ever need to vent or talk to someone who has been there feel free to contact me!
Sincerely,

Moriah

Hello Holly!

I don't know you and you don't know me but I can say that I can sort of relate. I am moving from NJ to England with my civilian husband in August. Definitely a huge transition. We were actually looking for Weisbaden, Germany to be his place of work but the job openings just weren't the right ones. The military is going to ship our stuff but it is going to take 80-120 days to arrive. We are making a lot of sacrifices to be happy over there but in the end I think that it will be worth it. It's a new life, a big challenge, and a golden opportunity that just doesn't come to every one. I am actually looking forward to decorating all over again!

I wish you the best of luck!!!!! After reading your post here and being a reader of Decor8 I think you seem to be very positive and your creativity level is strong, so I think you are going to be just fine.

-Scarlett

I moved once from Paris to SF with just one suitcase.
I took with me 5 art books, 5cds (this was before ipods), an external drive with a copy of my computer files, a tiny bronze sculpture and my old favourite doll.

This done, it was not my first "from scratch" experience. Done with the basics ( a bed, a few dishes, flat ware, towels, soap) I would say that a good cup of tea, some colorful cushions, a nice carpet and flowers in a beautiful vase will make any place look like home, instantly.
You can always change them later when you will have settled for a style or another.