Hello friends, and welcome back to the weekly update. This week I wanted to talk a bit about decorating with heirlooms that are meaningful, a bit of planning, and pivoting.
I was able to get some work done this week, and when I did, my mind always starts to wander. As I was moving items in the house to get to the spot I needed to work (why is there sooooo much crap all around?) I was thinking about the provenance of all this stuff.
Where did it all come from, you ask? Oh, soooo many places. But the most important spot of acquisition is the stuff I got from my parents. These are the goodies that I have been looking at my WHOLE life! The artwork that hung in our family home, items my Dad found or purchased, along with things we collected while we were together.
These are the treasures that bring back memories, and remind me of the life that we had together. This has always been something that has tugged at my heartstrings, but now that they are both gone, it means even more. What do you have that brings you meaning?
I am always hearing designers say that “each item ‘tells a story’ in a room”. To me, it’s more that each item REMINDS me of a story, or a place, or a person. It makes me recall a different time in my life, and that is something that makes me feel soooo human. Because as time ebbs by, and I have gone along keeping, collecting, and cherishing all this stuff, it has all been the backdrop to my life.
Think of your favorite Nancy Meyers movie. All the homes in the stories were characters themselves, and they told you about the person living there without TELLING you about that person. You just knew.
Some of my faves are It’s Complicated, Something’s Gotta Give, Home Again, The Holiday, Father of the Bride, and The Parent Trap. Who didn’t want to go and live in Kate Winslet’s little cottage in Surrey? I certainly did! It was so cozy and quirky! Plus Jude Law was in it, come on!
Tip: Take a minute to think…does your home remind you enough of the stories you have and the people you love? Is it a reflection of your personality and how you live? If not, what needs to change?
Maybe take a bit of a walk around your space, and make sure everything in it still serves your needs and makes you happy. A home should always evolve, as you do. I think this notion of ‘heirloom’ and ‘special’ has really been sitting with me for this house.
I’m dying to get everything done so I can just start hanging out here, instead of doing construction all the time. What’s that saying? “All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl.” Hmmm, luckily far from too dull at the moment, but I could be getting there.
That’s why I was super excited to get all the embroidery done on the pieces of the craft project I told you about last week (12 Days of Christmas song ornaments)! Yippee! I love a productive week.
Making Plans
This week I had a few areas that I needed to figure out what an upcoming project would look like. So I took measurements, figured out the space of what needed to go where (I am doing some picture moulding paneling) and sketched it all out.
Many times I am winging it over here, but once in awhile, I gotta get it planned so I know what materials to buy. Not that I am closing anything out over here, but each day, I am getting closer to NOT living in a construction zone.
Back in 2020, when we were doing the reno in our last house, nobody wanted to work due to CoVid. The few trades that I could hire were charging RIDICULOUS prices! One doofus, who I had worked with for many years before, even agreed to the job, then came over and decided he was over it and left without starting!
I met him at the front door “oh hi!”, he came in and then I went into the other room to take a call, and when I came back he was gone. Dude! I texted him thinking he had gone out for supplies, but he responded, “my dad taught me to never start anything you can’t finish”. What? Soooo that’s when I bought my own industrial paint sprayer and finished the job myself.
I guess I have learned to make plans, and then hire myself. Lately, this has proven to be the slow route to completion.
Pivot When it’s Needed
Once in awhile, you may need to change course. I don’t mean when you’re on the road, and realize that you just passed by a McDonald’s and now you are really craving a Diet Coke and you gotta hang a U-ie.
Once in awhile, when you make plans to do something to your house, you have a certain vision, but then something happens and a better plan arises. This happened earlier in the week.
I had been thinking that I would paint something in the snug a specific color and add some wallpaper, and then my idea completed shifted. And I have to tell you, I like it better.
This is why sometimes after a big change in your life (without moving) or when you make a big move, you gotta live in the space and see what will best suit you for awhile.
Allow ideas to flow and inspiration to spark something for you. Pivoting is good and many times the second idea is best.
This is where I will tell you, trust your gut. Don’t look at trends or what anyone else is doing. Engage in your world and you may see something in nature that could spark a good color scheme in a room. Observing is free and the best teacher out there!
Where is Kevin?
Kevin has been showing up every night to eat his snacks, but we have not seen him in weeks. I went out last night after 10pm to pick up hubby at the local bus transport that goes to and from the airport, and I saw his food still waiting on the feeding rock when I left.
When I returned 30 minutes later from the round trip into town, his snacks were gone. So clearly we are keeping him fat and happy (and spoiled) but he hasn’t shown his face in daylight lately. A trail cam will definitely keep us more entertained, so I gotta put that on the list of things to buy!
What I Bought This Week
I hit an estate sale when I went up north to the cottage for a few days. This is what I found:
I bought this milk glass shaker (cause why would I pass it by for a few dollars?), this book (I have a cool project I will be doing with vintage books soon), and this cute mirror for the guest room. My 13-year old granddaughter stays in there a lot, so I figured she would love to look at her cute face.
I love really unique things, and purchased this pressed brass scene that is a large wall pocket. I am thinking it might end up in the mudroom for mail, as it is pretty good size. Like plenty big for all the magazines and catalogs that end up in my mailbox.
A few months ago a bought a full set of dinner plates, bowls, saucers, etc. from a lady on Marketplace while I was up north. She contacted me and said she had platters to sell too, so I was all over that! I finally got them from her last weekend and I love them.
I first saw this pattern when I was a teenager in like 1980, and have wanted it ever since. My friends mom (who was super stylish) had these. Yea, no biggee, just had to wait like 45 years. Yes, I am slapping my head over this!
Final Thoughts
I have some good working weeks ahead of me, and then I am going to relax a bit. I found this comfy top, matching cropped pants, and sweater for travel, and it might just be the next thing I buy! I am loving that color for fall!
Okay friends, that is it for this week. I have a full week planned for projects that hopefully will COMPLETE a few rooms! What??? I can’t wait to show you what I get done next week.
Drop me a comment below and let me know the heirloom that is most meaningful to you!
