Loving an old house

“Old houses have baggage.” — Candace Olson.

I laughed when I heard that.  It resonates with me because I have loved, and worked on, a 100-year-old house, for the past 20 years.

What were we thinking?

It certainly didn’t have curb appeal – look at those bushes!

A year after we moved in, I realized that the house looked just like the sketch I drew as a kid over and over again.   And, it closely resembles the doll house my dad and brother built for me.

Years later, I know why we bought it.  We needed to leave our mark on something.

A few years later.

Home as a haven from the world

When so much of the news is doom and gloom, I clean the house; move a piece of furniture; rearrange my ceramics collection; and, buy fresh flowers.

Redesigning my nest gives me the illusion that I have control over what is going on in the world.  It’s comforting to have a home that is welcoming.

What is your idea for holding the world at  bay?

Finding the “perfect” house

I stayed up late reading “Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived In That House” by Meghan Daum.  It’s a funny and poignant look at her home search.  The underlying message is that we can’t have perfect but we can have pretty darn good!

Have you ever obsessed over a house or region of the country?

Hip furniture for a stylish outdoor space

The Montauk Nest Chair from West Elm is appealing.

This isn’t your grandpa’s chair with the criss-cross poly strips, which sagged under his weight. (At least that’s how it was in our house).

The chair is a bit pricey, but oh, what style.  I’d use two in an enclosed front porch

http://www.westelm.com

Patchwork with a twist

I like this Patchwork Pouf at http://www.vivaterra.com/

I’ll bet some of you talented people could create your own version.  I’m a firm believer in supporting artists, so I’ll be whipping out the credit card!

Find it at:

http://www.vivaterra.com/patchwork-pouf.html

Squirrel Decorating

Last fall, branches were trimmed from the giant Oak Tree next door.

The squirrels have returned.  They are frantically trying to create a new home in the crook of the tree, while the wind wails.

Have you ever noticed someone making themselves crazy, trying to make a room perfect?  What results is a room that doesn’t reflect the homeowners’ personalities; OR, the room is abandoned, out of frustration.

The warmest, most inviting rooms evolve over time – not carted out of a store.

Let’s not spin into a decorating frenzy, like the squirrels.

What makes a comfortable conversation area?

This arrangement makes it easy to connect.

To create a comfortable conversation area, you can’t beat the classic “U-shape”.  Here are some ideas…

Two chairs flanking a sofa or love seat.  The chairs would face each other across a coffee table.

Two love seats facing each other, with a table between the love seats.  Place a chair or ottoman at either end.

Two chairs facing a sofa and squared off; a table between is optional, or add a small table next to each chair.  Add a low bench or two seating cubes at either end of the arrangement.

You can try a variation on these ideas by angling the furniture.  It doesn’t work in all rooms, but can be an interesting option.  Try placing two chairs across from the sofa, angled towards each other.

Ideally, you want your family or guests to easily reach a drink or refreshments on a table.

Let me know if you try any of these approaches!

Winter Home Styling Tips

• Three vases or pitchers in the same color, filled with flowers, will add a cheerful touch to a foyer, kitchen, dining table, etc.  There are botanicals out there that look very real.
• Keep a lamp on a timer at both entrances.  When you return home and it’s dark, the house will be welcoming.
• Look at your before photos of your home.  You’ll feel good about the changes you’ve made.  (Can you believe that awful color the previous owner used)?
• New fabric can bring furniture back to life.  And, repurposing is green decorating.
• Sick of your bedding?   Try a duvet cover – they are on sale now.
• Paint a shelving unit a glossy white or a bright primary color to lift your spirits.
• Put together a folder of photos from decorating magazines or websites to help narrow the focus of what you find attractive. Common themes of color, texture or a furniture style will emerge.
• Think about how you want your home to feel.  Then, call me and I’ll help make it happen!

Do parents influence your decorating?

Growing up, I never realized that my parents were pretty hip in their decorating choices.  Check out the original mid-century modern furniture and accessories in their living room.  This was taken the day of my grammar school graduation.

To this day, I like rooms with clean lines and just a few accessories to add a touch of warmth and personality.   However, I will never have peacocks on my living room walls!

How did your parents or older adults influence your choices as you were growing up?

Holiday Decorating Tips

Eclectic ornaments add a personal touch.

Decorating Tips

 This month it’s all about holiday decorations.

1.   Battery operated candles are useful and safer if you have a fireplace and a real Christmas tree. Scent free will not compete with the other holiday scents.

2.  Concentrate your holiday décor in the room(s) where you spend the most time.  Small items scattered about won’t have visual impact.

3.  Try multiple trees in the family room.  Have fun – a small one for the kids; perhaps a themed tree; and a large “anything goes” tree. Tie the look together with the same fabric or coordinated tree skirts.  Fabric stores have loads of remnants that are good for this purpose. 

4.  When you haul those boxes down from the attic, take a good look – are there decorations that you’ll never use again?  Donate them.

5. Please don’t mix the secular with the religious.  The giant snow globe?  The nativity scene?  Better if they are separated (front yard / back yard).

6. You can still have a festive feeling, even if you don’t follow Christmas.  Buy solid color ornaments in your holiday colors and place them in a vase or glass bowl; use white and gold runners/linens; bring in branches from the yard and place them in colorful vases.

7.   Put away your year round treasures and substitute your holiday collections.  Example:  remove the pottery from the armoire and fill it with your collection — Santas, Snowmen, etc. 

8.  Don’t stress out.  Your friends don’t really care about your house; they want to spend time with you.  Home Decorating is like a relationship – you can’t have perfect, but you can have pretty darn good!