Italy with Deborah Main

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Italy with Deborah Main Formerly The Pillow Goddess. Now retired and moving to Italy, with my husband David, in 2026. Please follow along for inspiration! Hi.

I'll be sharing my journey + adventures along the way to live the Italian way of life. I'm Deborah Main, a retired pillow designer (previously known as the small business, Deborah Main Designs/The Pillow Goddess). Now that I have closed my Austin design studio and am retired, I am planning to move, with my husband David, to Italy in 2026. This page will be like a mini-blog about all the ins and ou

ts of getting ready to move to Italy - from downsizing and selling our home, to obtaining a Visa, to selecting a town and finding a place to live, to eventually living every day in Italy, the Italian way. There are a lot of details to take care of, but this is a very exciting next chapter. I hope you will follow our journey and new life in Italy and get inspired yourself to visit Italy!

Happy Friday friends! I'm feeling great today cause tomorrow is all day sunshine!! 🌞🤗🌞Super excited for our BIG neighbor...
01/05/2026

Happy Friday friends! I'm feeling great today cause tomorrow is all day sunshine!! 🌞🤗🌞

Super excited for our BIG neighborhood OPEN HOUSE Saturday, 2-4 pm, by Lacey Oak Realty

Perfect timing to tour these beautiful SIX homes, while also catching the Austin Outdoor Living Tour.

From vintage bungalow to modern and ranch style homes, evaluate how much indoor/outdoor living comfort these homes offer you. It's going to be a fabulous day!! 🏡

ABOUT THE 78704 NEIGHBORHOOD TOUR:

"Most people hit an open house and call it a day…The smart ones hit six in two hours and actually figure out what they want.

This Saturday from 2–4 PM, we’re making it even easier for you.

Start at 1906 Collier St, then follow the route through some of the best homes in 78704:

• 1906 Collier St
• 2503 Rockingham Dr
• 1120 Bluebonnet Ln
• 2303 Westworth Cir
• 2508 Spring Creek Dr
• 2302 Rundell Pl

No guessing. No wasted time. Just a clear plan to see what’s out there—and what your money really gets you in Austin.

Here’s the move:
👉 Come to the first house and I’ll map out the rest for you
👉 Tour one… or tour them all
👉 Ask the questions most buyers forget to ask
And if you can’t make it?
📲 I’ll walk it for you on FaceTime—no excuses.

Thinking about buying in 78704?

This is how you get ahead of everyone else still “just browsing.”

Message me for details or directions. 512.574.6216👍" - Heather Vitko, Lacey Oak Realty

OPEN HOUSE ALERT! THIS SUNDAY, 2-4 at 1906 Collier St., Zilker Austin, TX 78704.Discover The Collier St Cottage, a rare ...
24/04/2026

OPEN HOUSE ALERT! THIS SUNDAY, 2-4 at 1906 Collier St., Zilker Austin, TX 78704.
Discover The Collier St Cottage, a rare beauty in the heart of 78704. Situated in a sought-after, premier location - the vibrant Zilker neighborhood - history breathes alongside modern elegance, character & authenticity.
This 1790 sq ft sanctuary, featuring 3 generous beds, 2 baths & multiple living/eating spaces, is a masterful blend of comfort, style and functionality. A chef-inspired kitchen, w/luxury Italian appliances & porcelain countertops, provides a high-performance cooking environment.
With a circular layout woven into the home's design, a cozy breakfast nook flowing into the welcoming front living room and a vast, light-filled great room, it feels both open & intimate. Meticulously maintained, Collier St Cottage is a unique gem in a prime location w/modern convenience and refined upgrades.
Beyond, a detached 218 sq ft studio awaits, a flexible canvas to imagine a serene retreat, an art studio, or a home gym. A picturesque backyard oasis promotes relaxation and entertaining. Seamless indoor-outdoor living defines privacy, where elevated interiors evoke comfort & connection to nature.
With outstanding curb appeal, the front yard welcomes you with, ‘You Are Home.' This peaceful, tree-lined street offers a quiet haven; yet coffee houses, restaurants, film & music are blocks away.
With an impressive 78 walkability score, step into Austin’s unparalleled access to nature: Zilker Botanical Garden, Barton Springs Pool, Lady Bird Lake & Umlauf Sculpture Garden. Downtown Austin's dining, music & recreation are a short ride away.
This property provides potential for future additions, like generous ADU or pool. At The Collier St Cottage, you are in the heart of it all, surrounded by subtle reminders of a life well-lived. Your legacy is waiting to be written.

WEEK 3 progress report for the One Room Challenge Not much progress this week, except that we dragged stuff out of close...
16/04/2026

WEEK 3 progress report for the One Room Challenge
Not much progress this week, except that we dragged stuff out of closets to sort through.
But I have a very good and legitimate reason!
It was our anniversary/birthday week! 🥳🍾🥂🎉🎂🎉🥳

It was David's and my 42nd anniversary on Tuesday and we treated ourselves to a fantastic dinner at AND my birthday was yesterday. My son sent me gorgeous flowers and dear friend .bloom took me to lunch at one of my faves so I could have a slice of their delicious coconut cake. 🎂
Still celebrating, as these were our last ones in the USA; next year we'll be celebrating in Italy. 🇮🇹
So this wknd and next week we're going to really catch up. Promise!!
I'm finally going to organize and downsize my jewelry, from family heirloom pieces and jewelry my daughter made me, to my vintage collection of necklaces, bracelets, and 5 more cases of vintage brooches.
I sold 6 of my cases to and you can currently shop for my vintage brooches there and at . Both fantastic Austin vintage/antique shops!
And David is still king of shredding and recycling!! I think he only has one more box to go. 🗑
So onward to digging thru closets, cabinets, and drawers. Cant remember if I told you we sold 2 family antiques last week and one was my Moms desk and the drawers were stuffed to the gills. We threw everything into boxes and we're tackling all that stuff too.
Thanks for your support as this is the final downsizing step before we sell and move out of our home. Italy is waiting for us!! ❤️🇮🇹❤️🇮🇹

WEEK 2 Progress of Mini Project #2 - Studio CleanoutWe're off and running and had really great luck in Week 2 of the D...
09/04/2026

WEEK 2 Progress of Mini Project #2 - Studio Cleanout
We're off and running and had really great luck in Week 2 of the
David and I cleared out a sofa and desk so we could get to the antique coffee table someone wanted to buy.
See Stories for "In Action" clips.
The student's parents loved the coffee table, but it was the other desk they wanted too. (Of course, the one that I have never had time to go through!) 😬🫣🤪
So while they went to get cash, I scrambled to dump all 4 drawers and more into boxes so they could have it, which freed up even more room.😝
Major progress: We can see the floor. ✅️ And we sold an antique mahogany coffee table AND my Mother's desk. ✅️
Even though it's hard to let go of family heirlooms in this last stage of downsizing, I at least now know theyre going to a college grad who loves antiques and is becoming an interior designer.
Plus, the biggies - we have at least started on this final downsizing journey to move out of our home by June. Yikes!! Thats now only 6 weeks away.....😬
#1 MAJOR DOWNSIZING TIP:
Start before you're even thinking of moving or retiring. It is taking us exactly one year from spring 2025 ORC to spring 2026 ORC.
Please see link in Stories to all the major and mini projects partipants are working on.
You will definitely get inspired, and perhaps transform a room or clean out a closet too. Theres still time to join the fun! Registration ends Sunday.

It's spring and the bluebonnets are blooming and tulips too.Happy Spring. Happy Easter. Happy Passover. It's a time of r...
05/04/2026

It's spring and the bluebonnets are blooming and tulips too.
Happy Spring. Happy Easter. Happy Passover.
It's a time of renewal. May your holiday weekend be filled with love, joy, peace, and fresh beginnings.
Here are a few spring tablescapes I did these past few years in collaboration with . Her beautiful placemats and textiles always make me happy. 🤗
Wishing you a meaningful holiday and lovely spring season! Xo💞🐰🐣🩷💛💜🐤🐇

01/04/2026

Sparkly on-trend fashion brooches at
Shop owner, and vintage aficionado, Allison, has a wonderful selection of all sorts of vintage goodies - from jewelry, to fur coats, to furniture and home goods.
Stop by and tell her Deborah Main sent you! Then grab one of the vintage store fliers and hit them all. Thats what my daughter and I did with lunch at for coconut cake of course. What a fun day!!

01/04/2026

Gearing up for the spring (ORC) kicking off tomorrow, April 1st!
And no, its not an April Fools joke. 🤣
To remind you of how difficult it was to downsize our bookshelves during last years fall ORC, take a look at this video. Be sure to see the last photo for a glimpse of the "After" and see the entire space at www.1906collier.com.
If you were to ask me today, would we be able to pull that off in 8 weeks? Id say "Hell No!"
But we did! And we'll be doing the final downsizing for the next 8 weeks. So come along for the ride!! 🤠
Stick around to see whats left for David and I to tackle in order to move out of our home of 41 years by June. And no, we have not sold the house yet, but we are accepting offers!
And join me in tackling a space in your home by signing up for the 🤗

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