Good Monday to you, friends.
Warning: scary pictures ahead.
Waaay back when, when I decorated my house in a fine way, but not really the way that spoke to me most, and then I realized it, it was time for a change.
When we craved the lighter and more casual, I first changed the things that bothered me most and cost the least money. In this order, we covered the sofas in white slipcovers, painted the coffee/end tables, changed the drapes, then painted the whole downstairs white.
P.S. You can read about Our Home Before & After the drastic change in our style & some ways to Lighten & Brighten your Home.
I found that after those very large amount of work/changes, I skimped on the walls. I was happy with them, sure, but really, I was just trying to quickly and inexpensively fill the walls. There are a few walls in our home that I consider “done”, and I’m ready to finish. Reading my buddy, Ashley’s new eBook, Handmade Walls, has certainly spurred on my creativity.
And just like my sweet friend, we are simplifying. We are purging, donating, recycling, and truly settling into our home for a more simple lifestyle. More on this later.
Also, the life & projects of a home decor blogger call for rotating decor. But, in the name of simplifying & paring down to live a less complex life, I have begun to only work on projects that are relevant for us–for the keeping.
The point is: it’s time to stop rotating so much.
Sure, I’ll get tired of this here and that there & I’ll move things around some…but I think I’m ready to make some investments to finish our walls. I’m truly ready to live in our home, and create only when I’m inspired.
To just be here without the list looming overhead.
Now, we enjoy tackling the list, but I also crave more fully completed spaces.
Kind of like our dining room. Done. Top to bottom. We certainly change the tablescape & the decor on our built ins, but for the most part, it’s settled.
I know we’ll switch things around, but I’m excited about putting the finishing touches on much of our home.
I can’t wait to share the process here with you, too.
Have an inspired day, friends!
Do you like your wood floors in your family room? I am debating if I would rather have carpet in that area instead of wood floors and a rug. I love the look of wood floors but like the comfort of a soft carpet.
Hey Aleece! We do! We love our rug, and don’t really mind the wood surrounding it…but I would invest in a great rug!
🙂
shaunna
That is an amazing transformation! It has given me inspiration to refurbish my own living room. Don’t have much of a budget so this has given me some ideas.
Thanks!
I love your coffered ceilings in your dining room! Have you ever thought about painting the ceiling a soft color as an accent? I love antiques, so once a year I like to buy a “keep forever” piece and put it in our home. That way, I can rotate some things, but have some really beautiful heirloom quality furniture that remains timeless. Love your living room!
oooh, excited for this- today I was like- I need to donate what is not great (since i accept lots of stuff that people dont want when they move etc) and i need to buy what I like not what is on sale! waiting for more- thanks- also I have blue walls and I know everyone is doing white – how can I get that same fresh look? thanks
I feel exactly the same way! I think you need to find your style and what makes you truly feel comfortable and at home, then you don’t feel the need to be continually changing things. I feel like I’m almost there. Good luck! x Julie
What a breath of fresh your post from today is! I had a very traditionally decorated home, looked inside & out like a page from the Southern Living magazine. When we moved up north and had to buy a smaller home of a different genre, I turned to home dec blogs to get a feel for what is “on-trend”. While I have enjoyed, learned from, and imitated some of what I have seen, some days just reading about all the never ending changes and changing out the mantle for every holiday and constantly moving things around just exhausts me! While I do want to change out some things periodically to keep things looking fresh, to lighten up from the dark fabrics and dark woods, wnd want to have some ontrend things in my house, at the same time I don’t want it to be a revolving door. Your article today put my feelings into words. I bet others are feeling the same way!!!
I’ve been lightening and brightening too over the past several years. I love it and so does my hubby 🙂 Our current home has even more light spaces.
You mentioned learning to sew so you can make your own throw pillows. Yes, get on board with that! I’ve been sewing since I was a kid but it’s totally amazing how much money you can save by doing your own pillows! Then they’re exactly what you want too!
Pillows, runners, tablecloths, etc…..all straight seams, all easy to do 🙂 Hoping to see some of your pillows some day soon 🙂 Throw pillows are the easiest way to change up a room quickly and it’s even less expensive when you can sew your own. You can even make envelope style ones and just put the existing pillow into the new ‘pillow case’. Super easy and a very quick change up!
I’m feeling the very. same. way. Since we moved in December, I have hardly unpacked any decor stuff. Just my very favorites. Granted we are renovating the kitchen, but still. I’m thinking a big garage sale in the spring will be lovely!
xo,
Shannon
After years of rental living, I felt the need to “color” my walls when we bought our house in 2001. Now, I’m a tired of all the color. I want brighter and simpler. I will keep my bright yellow walls in the kitchen, but I will purge the terra-cotta in the dining room and definitely the blood red walls of the master bedroom (which I have been dying to change for about 3 years now…finally convinced the hubs to paint a soft gray, have the paint, now to move the furniture and paint!).
Thanks for all the inspiration!
I couldn’t agree with you more!!
our society as a whole…me..my family needs some simplifying!
we are starting this weekend by bringing in a dumpster..and it begins!
love your heart friend
xo
Well said, Shaunna! As I close down my Willow House business, I, too am purging and simplifying, slowly but surely. Feels good to get down to what TRULY speaks to me. 🙂
Have a blessed day!
xo Heidi
wow, this home is really fantastic . furniture is also very good and beautiful..
I really like this home design. thanks for sharing with us.
What a huge difference, love the all white look.