Hello and welcome back to our weekly chats! This week I had ‘a thing’ happen that I am so excited about. So maybe I can finally get to creating a space for the life I want to live in this house.
This project that we are knee-deep in has been anything but easy. Trust me, there have been many times that have been enjoyable, especially when I realize how well suited I am to the ‘hermit in the woods’ life. But mainly, getting people to actually show up when they say they will has not been a highlight at all.
But this week, the door FINALLY got put on the pull barn. Why is that such a big deal you ask? Hmmmm, well now, I can finally get some boxes and clutter out of the house so I can go hard and fast on some finishing before the holidays!
Creating a space that suits your lifestyle
I have been daydreaming a bit about our last house. Not because I miss it, and frankly I don’t. It was great, and beautiful, and perfect for us at the time. And living in the woods gets me excited about the future coziness of this house. But the other one was ‘done’ (as done as I believe a house gets, which isn’t very DONE at all).
Just having everything in its place seems really exciting to me right now, and I am far away from that. In the last house, I knew where everything was. There was lots of space for the things I like to collect. We had extra rooms that were just there waiting for guests. And the house was layered nicely, even though I could have easily added more as I find things along the way.
That’s how a house should be. Done but not done. I’m making total sense, right? Here are a few things I think are important when you’re tweaking your home:
- There should always be room for you to add the things that you pick up along the way. Buy what you love!
- Rooms should never stay stagnant. They should reflect your current needs.
- You should always have things that you love and use around. And if you find something that you love more, then switch things out.
- Do not follow trends. Let me say that louder for those of you in the back. NO TRENDS! Make classic choices that you will always love. If you want to feel a bit of “right now”, choose a new paint color that can make a big impact and easily be changed if you want.
- Beauty is glorious, but function is key. Make it make sense for how you need to live.
Don’t apologize for how you live
Yes, it is true, I am at that age where I am all about unapologetic living. I have lived long enough that I know how to behave, but if I don’t want to, well…you can’t make me. But too many times, I feel like we are always saying “sorry” for things that we perceive to be not perfect.
Newsflash, things don’t have to be. In this house, with all the delays, I have accepted that the timeframe is what it is. Will I get everything done? Yes, eventually, but it doesn’t have to be this second. And if you come over, and I still have tools out, or the house of my house is yet to be organized and color-coded like I prefer, oh well.
You will be met with hospitality and comfort, but I just have to move forward being unbothered by the delays. Because sadly, they cannot be controlled. If they can, then they are. But I don’t want to be crazy about it.
Set up the things in your home that you use everyday just the way you like, and then work toward your goals of beauty and better function. Our home is slowly being revealed, as the ugly duckling is becoming the swan. But things will always take time. And I want moments of wonderful living inbetween.
Note: All the above photos are from the house we moved from. I have yet to have pictures of the new one that does not include a pile of something in the background that shouldn’t be there, or something very undone.
Get a clue
If you have something in your space that isn’t quite right, then change it. Think about what currently isn’t working. This might be the pain spot in the house, that always seems a mess. The continual challenge will be your clue.
What can you do to improve its function?
What would you like to add to make it more beautiful? Now, let’s go hunting for those things!
One of my focus words for this house (I usually choose at least 3) is the word bold. Whenever I need to make a decision on lighting, paint, fabric, layout, I remember this word and it leads me to the best choice.
I want this house to be bold, and collected, and comfortable. And I know that once all the tools are put away, it will be the backdrop to this wonderful life that we are curating in this space.
A few favorite things
I ordered this shirt months back and it has become my favorite. It runs true to size (I bought a large) and I finally decided it was time to buy another color because I love it so much. Brown gingham was my first choice, and I just ordered the green.
It is getting to be flannel sheet season, and these ones are on sale this week. I buy a lot from this company (the winter coats are my fave) but the home stuff has not disappointed at all.
Well my friends, we are sailing full speed into the holiday season, and it will be here before you know it. Do what you can do, and what you want to do. Then let the rest ride. It will be here before you know it. Stay sane. Let’s chat next week.
