I don’t know about you, but I second-guess every decorating decision. We moved into this house coming up on 4 years, and most of the rooms still feel “unfinished” because I just can’t figure out what I want a room to look like.
I know, I’m lame.
I would like to contribute my lack of decorating productivity to being super busy (just blame it on the kids, right? LOL). But the truth is that I have been making 5 bad decorating habits ever since moving into this house.
And it’s time to knock it off, already!
1. STOP asking for permission on how to decorate.
If you want turquoise on every square inch of your walls, do it! Why do we need to ask our friends…..our mom…..post it on Facebook to let social media decide how our homes should look? If you like a look, just do it.
For me?? I love turquoise. Seriously, nearly all the painted walls in my house are some shade of turquoise-y goodness (my favorites are Sherwin Williams Rainwashed) like my bedroom, and Sherwin Williams Sea Salt in my master bathroom and foyer. My blogging room is Sherwin Williams Window Pane, with is the lighter version of Rainwashed.
You see where I’m going with this, right….? 😉
Decorate how you love.
(Oh, and my thrifted craft room was also turquoise!)
2. STOP ignoring your feelings.
I am tired of cringing every time I come home. I want to come home and feel like a queen in a pretty, clean, well-organized home (um, I wish my kids could read this–clean, I say!!). If you’re walking into your home and you’re not feeling like it’s your oasis, it’s time to change some things. That’s what I’m trying to do! Listen to what your gut is telling you, and if something is not working, change it.
3. STOP comparing your home on Pinterest.
I have a love/hate relation with Pinterest. This is why:
My house looks nothing like what those other chicks’ places look like. My house feels like an “Eclectic Nightmare” because everything doesn’t fit well together yet, and I have limited time and money to pull a room together to look so Better Homes and Garden-worthy. But you know what? We’ve got to stop this comparison. Inspiration is good, but let’s not have inspiration cause frustration. Let’s appreciate the fact that we even have homes, when so many people are homeless, living out of cars. The home we have, we’ve got to be thankful for it. And make that home as pretty as it can be. And love it for protecting us in cold winters and cooling us in hot summers.
Here’s a video I recorded to bring home this message — Stop Thinking You Have an Ugly House
4. STOP buying “anything” and “everything.”
Okay, you know how we thrift divers love a good deal (and if you’ve been a long-time reader of this blog, you know I fully support impulse buying at the thrift store.) I have bought many ‘a things just because it was a smokin’ deal. But later, I realize that it’s either “not me” or that I just don’t LOVE it. But for some reason, I’ve got it sitting around for whatever reason. I’m on a new kick now to start buying only the things I love, and leaving the things I “like” for other people that may “love” it!
5. STOP trying to be perfect.
I spend too much time trying to make things look and feel perfect. Do you do this, too? Going forward, I’m going to fill my house with the things that I love and that make my house my oasis of coziness and comfort! Every picture won’t have to be perfect. My sofa won’t have to be manicured perfectly with pillows. In fact, it may even be milk-stained with mashed veggie nuggets underneath of it 🙂 But as long as it’s cozy and cheerful, it will be perfect for my family 🙂
Do you struggle with any of these bad decorating habits, too? Leave a comment below and add to the discussion!
Photo: Courtesy Free Digital Photos
Really??? Did you REALLY just say STOP BUYING ANY AND EVERYTHING??? Do you have any idea how much that hurt? I mean, IT’S ONLY A DOLLAR…. I CAN GET EIGHT OF THEM…. I’LL FIND SOMETHING TO DO WITH THEM…. Yep, that is my thrifty life story. And sometimes I really do find good things to do with my stuff. But more times than not they land in the ‘”someday project” pile. I just spent the better part of FOUR HOURS cleaning out my garage and guess what I found? No less than SIX suitcases! You know why they were there? Because I saw ON PINTEREST these really cool vintage suitcase up-cycles and SWORE I was gonna make them. ALL of them! So every time I saw one, I bought it. After all, some of them were literally one dollar! But how many up-cycled bedside tables does one girl need?
I think I received this so well from you because, unlike my son who thinks it’s all JUNK (my heart is breaking to think that), hearing another Thrifty say it has value—because non-thrifty’s just don’t understand! Love your blog and I will definitely be back! Keep up the good work!
PS… I found you on PINTEREST of all places lol! Searching for vision board ideas and came across your diy wheel of life post– which I’m definitely gonna try!
THANK YOU tons! I am guilty of trying to make my Home perfect because of Pinterest.When as you stated it is.I have a home,roof over my head.I can’t express how thankful I am for this blog!!!
Awww…thank you, Mac! Pinterest is pure evil! LOL. It has it’s good things, but it’s overwhelming to me. I can’t take much of it before I just have to shut it down! LOL 🙂 Glad you are enjoying my blog!!
Oh and we pretty much have the same bedspread too! LOL
Wow!! We are the same person! I have Rainwashed in family room/kitchen and seasalt in my master! I just bought a teal rug for my living room and thought OMG am I doing too much teal? let’s go on Pinterest and see what others do, only leaving myself wanted to change everything because I loved everyone else design. This was exactly what I needed to read! Thank you!!!
My home is, and always has been eclectic, and I love it this way. It is serene and comfortable, and I’m always told how cozy it feels and complimented on different aspects. I’ve noticed that people always spend time looking around and seem very interested. Now in my mid-50s, I’ve bought a one family home with a finished basement, which is my living space, with my daughter and her family living on the main level. Aside from 3 spacious closets and a full bath, the basement is completely open and reminds me of a loft apartment. I’ve used furniture and wall decor to break the space into 4 separate areas. Everytime I enter my home, I feel a sense of calm and peace – and the pitter-patter of my grandsons running around upstairs is music to my ears. Loving where I live is the most important thing in the world to me, and I think this is reflected in the decor of my home, that although mismatched, magically comes together with love and happiness by reflecting all that is me.
Sarah, that is awesome! I think we all strive to live in a home like that. And it sounds like you’ve been able to create that environment! Doesn’t it make you feel light and airy?! 🙂 Way to go!! Thanks for commenting!
This is the perfect post for me!! I totally relate to #4!! How can I stop the obsession??? I find a great deal and impulsively buy it no matter if i need it or not!! Is there a 12 Step program for me? Haha! Thanks, as always, for another great post, Serena!! You and I are best friends and you didn’t even know it yet! LOL
Hey, Mary, my bestie! 😉
I wish there were a 12-step! I have figured out how to walk away, though, just because of the amount of stuff in my garage, and the fact that I reeeeeallly need a workshop space. Can’t do that if I have stuff everywhere! Also, I’m seeing some spaces of my house filling up (like the dining room), and I am wishing for less-cluttered days! LOL
I think the key is to buy what you love, and when you DO buy, the rule should be that you have to get rid of 1 similarly sized item! 🙂 Problem solved!
I’m a colbalt blue person and I don’t care who doesn’t like it.I have a friend with the same obsession and we always include something cobalt in our birthday and Christmas presents to each other.her husband once said can we have a moratorium on colbalt .we just looked at him as if he had two heads and laughed
HAHA! Oh, these poor husbands! I always think about the husbands and how they don’t stand a chance with us women and our preferences! LOL
I completely agree with this and I’m very guilty of them all! I found this post on Pinterest and really enjoyed reading it. I’ve pinned it also for a reminder later on when I’m going off track. 🙂
Just found your blog, I couldn’t agree with you more. Our homes such reflex us and no one else! I’m in love with Pinterest however with that being said you can come away with my house doesn’t quite measure up. Or if only… Really you can make yourself CRAZY!! You are a breath of fresh air. Thank You!!
Right! If we plan to do, we have to do. great. I am starting right now……………………………………..Thanks to share.
Your blog is awesome and thank you for all the tips!
Awww…thanks, Amy! Your blog is awesome, too! I love your “About” page where you describe yourself as an “exceptionally mediocre student.” HA! I was, too! Must be something about creativity that makes us mediocre students….Hmmm…. LOL
LOL, I prefer to think that we were just clever creatives and knew that there was no point in memorizing dates to pass a test. Or at least that’s what I tell myself….
That’s one way of looking at it! I hated always being told I had “potential.” That meant, “You really ain’t doing a THING, but we know you have it in you!” haha
Great post! I can so relate. A home should feel like home that is comfortable to you not a Pinterest pin.
Ive had a 25 year love for aqua-turquoise shades! Its even a color that looks good on everyone too! You can also rock so many other colors with it.
You are so right. It’s a flattering shade! For some reason, it just makes everything feel PRETTY, you know?? Ahhhh…..
Thanks for chiming in! 🙂
Thank you for sharing these “Five Do Not”‘s. I use pinterest for inspiration, among other sites (like, apartmenttherapy <3 ), so that one is the only problem I don't have. The rest, however, I big deals for me.
We moved into our current home (a geodesic dome home, no less) nearly 4 years ago, and I'm still in some of the original moving boxes! Why? The simple answer– this was my 30th move, and it was just before my 34th b-day. Our house before this one is where I lived the longest– 5 years (and still in boxes); we bought that one when just before my 29th b-day. . . and that was my 29th move!!
Then there's the more complicated "life story," which I'll not divulge. This post you've written is well done and most definitely speaks to me. I will probably print it and hang it on my fridge as I struggle to create the environment I want for our home– a bigger challenge than ever, because of the odd house design!
Thanks for sharing the post!
Hey CS!
Wow, 4 years with boxes? Okay, you should totally do our new room challenge makeover!!! That’s the only way I’ve gotten anything done around this house!
So glad you enjoyed this post and will print it out! I need this daily reminder, too! I try to just turn my head and ignore some of the things calling out to me (e.g’ “Cleeeean meeeee!”) LOL
Thanks for commenting!!!
Love these tips! I’m hoping hubby and I are getting our own place here soon (been staying with my dad to save money). I’ll be keeping these in mind when I finally get to decorate!
Congratulations, Lindsay! Now comes the FUN part–decorating!! 🙂 Let me know how it goes!
Serena
My ENTIRE house needs done and we’re on a tinybudget. Where do I begin??
Hi, Jennifer!! I totally understand! Email me and we can chat more about your house and where you may want to start first! I may have some ideas for you 🙂 THRIFTDIVING at GMAIL dot COM. Let’s help get you on track! 🙂
Thank you for this post!!! I have struggled with all of this! I was told when we bought our house that we will only live here 5 years and then we will want to sell and buy a different house. This threw me into a cage for so long. Everything became about someone else… Will this color help the house sell, what decorations would someone want in here to convince them to buy my house! It caused me not to enjoy my own home. We have been here coming on 8 years and we are finally doing what we want! Our goal was to buy a home,not buy, sell, buy,sell. Nope this is our home for as long as the Lord allows.
Oh, man, Dawn, I could imagine how frustrating that would be! Always leaving out your own personal taste for the sake of “well, one day when we sell….” If I were you, I would forget about that! Sounds like you’ve tossed that habit out the window, and with good reason! Do what YOU want to do, and don’t worry about whether it’s the “wrong” color. Paint is easily replaceable! 🙂 Your happiness ISN’T! :)Thanks for commenting!!! Hope to see you around more.
Talented and “real’…you’re awesome! I am at the age where I am in the process of purging things and then I want to “create” my sanctuary, simply but personally. Money is tight here, too. Pinterest (though I love it) at times makes me feel that I’m standing still when in reality I’m slowly moving forward…at a crawl but moving! lol Thank you for your realness.
Hi Linda! YES, you said it best. Pinterest has that affect on me, too. I still have so much to do in my house!! I’d love for you to join my January Room Challenge! 🙂 I’ll be posting about it this week!
You are SO RIGHT! We’ve been in our home for 28 years now and I haven’t loved it for all these years. (Unless you’re really organized and good at purging, never stay this long in the same home.) Sadly, all of our neighbors & friends DO have places like you see on Pinterest, etc., but we’ve never had that kind of money, which is why I do DIY. Even once our two grown children left home for college & their own lives, I can’t keep up with the repairs & replacements before the next round starts. Suddenly, an enormous kitchen, 4 BR, 4 BA, 2 LA, 2DA and a double size lot has become a burden. However, I’ve been trying to get the hubby motivated to move since 2008 but we’re still here. I think we’re never going to move, so I’ve started making it more like what I want instead of always saying I’d wait until we move to do anything. After several years of drought, losing our water well, weeks of triple digit heat, and all of our trees dying, I’m sick of the lack of curb appeal & hubby won’t spend the money to have it all re-done. So, I might as well love it since it doesn’t look like I’m ever getting out of here alive… Anyway, thanks for the boost!
Oh no, Liz, sorry to hear about losing your water well! I know this may sound like a stupid question, but what does that mean? No water for you, or will you have to pull it in in another way?
I sooooo feel you! I am still struggling with this house we bought 4 years ago. It was way more work than I ever realized. I am actually a little embarrassed of my house! I know that’s awful to say, but there’s very little I’m proud of when people come over (just the two rooms I mad over recently, but NOT the rest of the house!).
But you know what?? Even though you and I are battling loving our homes, at least we’re not homeless!! Our homes may not be the great “pinterest-worthy” homes (yet), but at least we’re warm when it’s cold and cold when it’s warm :). I can’t complain there!!
Thanks so much for reaching out and leaving such a thoughtful comment! You should really consider joining my next 30-Day Room Challenge! I think we’re starting up in January and the idea will be to transform just one room in your house in 30 days. This will be Cycle 3 here on the blog. You’ll be amazed what you can accomplish in 30 days! 🙂 Here’s the link to sign up: https://thriftdiving.com/challengesignup
Thanks!!!!
You’re spot on with all of these. I’m especially guilty of #1. I’m always terrified about wasting money on decorating disasters or putting stuff together that will end up looking hideous to everyone else. And there’s my decorating fantasy (unlimited $, time and the clean, uncluttered look I want) versus my reality (budget limits, 3 messy kids to homeschool, & the things we need to have in the house). My sister-in-law is a decorator and constantly changing & staging stuff in her house, and it would always make me feel like I needed to update things more or go for perfect Pinterest looks than what I put together myself. I’ve started to realize it’s crazy to decorate your house for people who don’t live in it. While she’s got a trendy magazine spread feel in hers, it’s not the kind of place I could really live in. Kind of like a stylish hotel lobby – it looks cool, but you’re not going to feel relaxed enough to hang out in your robe & eat snacks in it.
Oh, the KIDS……..I HEAR YOU! Loud and clear! This morning I trying to throw my hands up and proclaim that I would focus on my blogging and I was NOT going to clean and worry about how the house looked. THEN….I started stepping on crumbs on my floor and my OCD kicked in. LOL. At first I fumed, “Why can’t this house just be NICE and CLEAN?!?!” And as I was sweeping, I though, “You know….one day there won’t be anyone here to mess it up. The kids will be grown….I’ll be old…And it will be pristine.” And it was a sad thought. SOOO….with that being said, as moms with 3 kids, there is only so much “clean and perfect” we’ll ever have. And that’s okay. As long as we try our best, and learn to deal with pillows strewn over the floor or built into forts. 🙂
Thanks, Cheryl!!!!!
That is such a good reminder Serena. I go through that same scenario everyday (agh the constant messes!!!), but one day it will be too quiet and too clean and we’ll be missing these crazy days. I still want them to pick up a bit better around here, but I’d rather they remember fun times than Mom was out of control with things being neat.
Well, you know what stopped me in my tracks last night??? I was busy crafting and cleaning up, etc., and I had promised the kids we’d carve the pumpkin. Each time they asked, I was like, “Okay, in 5 minutes…..” and then “okay….after you eat your dinner….” and then when they asked again, I was about to say, “Okay, we’re just going to do it tomorrow because there isn’t enough time tonight. You’ve got to go to bed.” But before I could get out the excuse, my 8 year old said, “See, Mommy? You are always breaking your promises.”
Whoa. Wait.
I didn’t even realize I was doing it!! Yes, my crafting is partly to blame for that, but I’m always so busy trying to get things in order, decorate that, cleaning up this…..so much so that my kids are being shuffled to the side so I can make room for all the other stuff. That’s totally not right and fair to them! But the truth is that I am breaking all kinds of promises for the sake of my house, etc. I just needed an 8 year old to point it out!!!!
I loved this! As a real estate agent, a pinterest junkie, a thrift shop queen and a fantasy decorator, I relate to all of this! I see a lot of really nice homes (and some not so great) and I always dream of having my home a certain way… but I can’t pull off those looks because I just don’t have the money. What I’m good at doing (and what makes me comfortable) is a slightly kitschy, whimsical, eclectic look. It isn’t the clean and polished Martha Stewart look by any means, but it’s cute, and it’s me. I have had a problem in the past with getting things I only like rather than love but they don’t really go with my home and they end up in a pile… now I plan in advance what I’d like where… and I wait until I find what I’m looking for exactly. Anyway, I like to know there are others out there like me, lol. Thanks
Hey there, Kori! Yep, I am limited, too! But then I realized that if I put all my focus into transforming that one space, I can usually pull out something really good! And you are so right, it’s about going with your own style. I feel that Pinterest has a certain look circulating around, and if you don’t have that look, your house isn’t “good enough.” But it’s just an image. We have to be true to our own decorating styles! Thanks so much for sharing your side! 🙂
Hey Serena, I love your craft room! I think that turquoise and design is fantastic. I also want to comment on your point that you should stop asking for permission to decorate your house a certain way.
I’m sure a lot of people seek out approval from others to validate their own decorating idea. Perhaps they simply aren’t sure. But in the end, it’s their house and they can do whatever they want! If they don’t like it, then they can change it and you can have another project on your hands! But I agree, you shouldn’t be only decorating your house the way someone else approves of.
Hey there, Allison! Thanks for the compliments on my craft room! I think it’s because Pinterest is so popular now, that it’s easier to compare your space to someone’s online. And if you feel like your space doesn’t measure up, you feel bad about it. Well, you can only compare your space “before” to your space “after.” That’s all that matters! 🙂 And if you feel comfortable in that space, you know? Thanks for the comment!!
I agree with your list mostly because I am guilty of all of them! Sometimes it takes reading them to realize, hey, it’s my house- I can do what I want!
Also happy to see your use of Rainwashed in your room. I have been stalking that color for years! Lol!
Hi Jo! Yep, guilty here as well!
Rainwashed is sooooo pretty. I used the one-lighter-color on the color card for my blogging room (aka formal living room area) called Window Pane. It’s just as lovely!!
Serena I just love you! Love your down-to-earth take on life. I don’t do Pinterest or Houzz (much), but even watching HGTV I get so frustrated seeing 20 year-olds buying their first house demanding a 4 BR 3 B mansion, and turning their nose up at what they’re offered, because it’s not “good enough”. People have become way to focused on material stuff. Don’t get me wrong I love my house and what I’ve been able to do but I soooooooooooooo appreciate what you said in your video! Rock on!!!!
Yeah, Pinterest is like the ex-boyfriend you want to hate–you love looking at him because he’s so cute, but you makes you feel like crap! LOL After too long, I have to close out Pinterest because it’s overwhelmingly pretty and perfect and the light is “just so” on every shot. My house, there’s crumbs under the desk, discarded kids socks in the corner, and piles of toys dumped out of the toy baskets! But it’s my house, and it may not look like an HGTV feature, but I know that I’m doing the best I can with whatever resources I have (which aren’t many!). LOL Thanks so much for commenting, Karen! Hope to see you around on the next posts! 🙂
I fight with myself so much on decorating and find myself sitting in an undecorated room very often. I know what I want in my head, can see it there but for now the walls are still empty canvas’ One of these days I am just going to get inside this head and pull out the ideas that I know are in there and then smile as I pin MY CREATIONS on Pinterest. Great post!
So what’s stopping you? Maybe start with how you want to feel when you walk in the room. What paint color would make you happiest? I like a very simple style. I don’t do a lot of fussy stuff. Clean lines and soft colors, with a little pop of color here and there. Do you ever go to Houzz.com? You might find some decorating ideas there, too, that aren’t on Pinterest! 🙂
Sounds like you & I are alike in our decorating/shopping woes. I recently had the same “talk” with myself about the decorating and picking up that “good deal” because it may look great…only to find it looked much nicer on display in that store.
I like good deals, I love finding the special things that make me happy to see them every day in my home. They are harder to find when I am indecisive on colors, decor patterns, etc…
It is my time to start the change process again in my home. I like so many different colors and heard quite a while back that is is best to use a nice color palette throughout your home and add shades of the same coordinating colors for accents. (Is that a perfect world, or what?)
So glad I found your site. I am enjoying reading these posts because now, I don’t feel so alone in this decorating dilemma!
I like your color choices.
OMG, Elizabeth, I just saw that you posted a comment to this blog post of mine and I don’t think I ever responded! EEK! I’m so sorry! 🙂 Sometimes a comment will slip through.
Hope you don’t mind me responding now? 🙂
Yep, you’re not alone on the decorating dilemmas! I finally realize that I love soft color palettes that are pastel-y with light colors furniture. It feels so much more breezy and pretty than dark colors. BLEH! How has the change been going in your house? Are you making much progress? I still have a couple rooms in my house that haven’t been TOUCHED since we moved in 3 years ago! I”m talking GREEN, worn toilet in the kids’ bathroom! And the laundry room, don’t get me started on that…. LOL
I am totally guilty of the first two! Especially #2…I know exactly what you mean about cringing when you walk in the door. There are rooms in my house that I totally avoid for that reason! It’s ridiculous. 🙂
Such great advice, Serena! I think all of these have applied to me at one point or another. I know I have a hard time not comparing to others and worrying about what people will think of my choices.
#4 and $5 should be posted on my wall and in my truck so I can see them before I leave the house and get out of my vehicle to go INTO a thrift store! Sigh…maybe a tattoo would work better. 😉
Thank you for this post!!!! I love junk, vintage and anything from the 50’s. However, I also have a love for vintage doilies! Of course I went a little over board and now my place looks like a old funeral home. Luckily, I have a few people who are willing to take some of them off my hand!:)
This is a great post! I’m guilty of comparing as well! I’m sharing this on facebook! ~Sonya
Thank you, Sonya!!
Hi Serena! Guilty as charged with #3! As a blogger and in my own home, I get so frustrated sometimes that my house (or photos of my house, for that matter) don’t look like the magazine ready rooms I see all over Pinterest. But you know what my house is ME! And that’s all that matters! 🙂 I just love this post!!
Thank you so much, Candace! We have to keep in mind that those homes are STAGED. I sure they’re beautiful in person, too, but we probably don’e see the mound of toys pushed to the side out of view! HA! 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Ooh Serena -your post totally hit home. I’ve spent too much time being frustrated and questioning. I now am appreciative of what I have and take pride in the fact that I’m not in debt for fancy couches. I turn to Pinterest and magazines for inspiration. I no longer look at a complete picture in a magazine and wish I had it, I take bits and pieces and turn into my own. This attitude did not come overnight, it came after years and years or personal therapy-lol.
HAHAHA, personal therapy… I love it! I have a friend (who probably won’t read this, so I can talk about her, LOL) who I visited in June. Her apartment-sized coop isn’t decorated fancy at ALL. But she’s made it SUCH a reflection of what (and HOW) she values, that she’s got birthday and Christmas cards having on the walls….along with artwork from her 7 year old….along with shiny balloons that someone had given her for her baby shower months ago (that are now deflated and used as wall art). It isn’t by any means something that you’d ever see on a blog, per se, but it’s COZY, and it’s a reflection of what she cherishes. I am learning from her 🙂
Thanks for commenting!!!
Preach it, sister. I love this post. Is it ironic if I go pin it?! 😉
LOL, not at all! Go spread the love/hate. HA! 🙂 Thank you!
This is seriously great advice. We are in the middle of building a new house and I am getting seriously overwhelmed by all the choices and trying hard to reflect on what I’m buying because I actually like and will like forever and what I only think I like because it’s trendy right now.
Oooh, congrats on getting a new house built! That sounds so exciting! And CLEAN 🙂 A blank slate for you to begin. YAY! Maybe try taking it one room at a time? When I have just honed in on one room, I’m more successful. Good luck and congrats on your purchase!
I absolutely love it! I think it’s so important to be true to yourself and not worry about what the current trend is, or if other people will approve. You’re the one living in your home! Now, if it’s your goal to get into a magazine for your awesome house and you happen to have horrible personal taste (ie: green shag carpet and purple zebra striped walls), you might want to get some direction from others…but that’s the only time! 🙂
Great post!
Wait, green shag carpet isn’t hot??! Darn! (I’m only half kidding, because I just bought a WHITE shag carpet from Home Goods and I am picking it up today! HAHHAHA).
Yes, but the problem comes in at the purple zebra walls…as long as you don’t have those… :p
I think we’re good there! Just turquoise! HA! Then again…turquoise and green (shag) go together….doesn’t it? HAHAHAH
Love this post. I stick by those all of the time myself, but its a good reminder that I am doing the right things. That its ok if I leave a space empty or with my daughters toys until I find the right piece to go there. And that pinterest can only be a place for inspiration..not to attempt to try to replicate (because that aint gonna work). Thanks for starting the thread in Haven Group. Great idea!
Most definitely! I love you Haven Mavens! And I want to be as active as I can with supporting you all, and vice versa! 🙂
I will admit that decorating is a serious intimidating factor to me. We’ve moved OFTEN and it’s been often enough that I have never really put in a real effort into decorating for the long haul. Each time I’ve learned something new that I liked or didn’t, but inevitably it doesn’t work in the next house :p This move will be our last one for a LONG time so I look forward to taking my time and really settling into this home, making it ours.
Yeah, it’s hard if you’re having to move often. You can’t ever truly “settle in” because why bother, right? Maybe the solution is to just choose a bunch of colors that you KNOW you love, regardless of anything else–just that you love them. And then, whenever you move, you sort through that stack of colors and fabrics and then figure out where to place them. That’s got to be easier than just starting from total scratch each time, right? Good luck with your upcoming move! Thanks for commenting! Appreciate it 🙂
My house is decorated to my taste. Every room is a different color. And I love my house!
Okay, it sounds like I should love you and stalk you for suggestions 🙂 What colors are your rooms? How did decide how you were going to decorate?
The master bedroom is red and brown with green and cream accents. My bathroom is blues and grays. The nursery is light blue and white. The living room is greens and browns. My hubby’s bathroom is yellows.
I love turquoise too! But all the rooms are yellow. We live in our duplex which is also a rental and yellow was the paint that was on sale! lol Thanks for the tip! Linda
Hey, LInda! The good news is that turquoise and yellow go so nicely together, so you can pull turquoise into the yellow! Plus, yellow is a color that can be paired with lots of other colors! You’re luck y there! 🙂
we are now getting ready to move into the recently rehabbed new house. Leaving my comfortable and beautiful home. I’m already cringing because I have to choose all this stuff ALL over again because the new one just doesn’t have the same vibe. I love/hate pinterest too. I’m so not ready to do this again, I just got this one perfect.
Oh no, Sharon!!! How come you’re moving? The good news is that you have a starting point. Since you’ve already done a beautiful house, you can use that one as inspiration for the new house. And, you can totally pick the same color scheme and everything! Remember, whatever makes you feel comfortable! No rules! 🙂
Great article! I agree, decorate your house for how you & your family live, not according to anyone else’s expectations. Over the years I’ve been guilty of procrastinating instead of starting a project, because I have to find the “best” solution. Now that we’re involved in the Project To End All Projects (see website for details), I feel more certain of how I want to decorate for the long term. It’s still a struggle to resist the urge for perfection, but once I’m settled on a plan I don’t often change my mind. I just have to accept that it won’t happen quickly in such a large house that has had few interior upgrades for nearly 40 years.
I love this post! I decorate part time in addition to my day job. I am constantly telling clients that their house should reflect them, not the latest fad in shelter mags and Homegoods. My husband recently said to me, “I love coming home to our home. It’s so comfortable.” To me that’s one of the highest compliments he can give me. And trust me, one year ago our fixer upper house was the farthest from comfortable as possible.
Rene, that’s the best advice you can give people! Sometimes it’s so hard for it to reflect you because you just don’t know what you want, and you think that what you want isn’t “chic” enough and you must set some other standard. It shouldn’t be about that, like you said. When you come home, it should be a warm, cozy feeling, not a “UGH! What did I just walk in to!?” LOL. Thanks for commenting!!
I love following you and yes, I have all of these problems. Moved into my husbands house 3 years ago after we got married and he had been a single dad of 4 kids for 15 yrs!! Wow! yep, its true!! He had a server and computer in the kitchen when I got here and the bathroom upstairs has pink ceramic tile!! I have painted ever room and still trying to find my way to decorate the way our laid back style is searching for. He is so very good and let’s me do because he knows I search the thrift stores and find my cool stuff on Craigslist. I follow you so I can get that room just how I want it. With a zero budget and my front door is turquoise, yes I continue on….. I am also a turquoise kind of gal. If only I could get my office/craft room to look like yours…..
Wow, 4 kids as a single dad?! Okay, he is AWESOME! I can see how he wouldn’t have had time to focus on decorating. Who has time for that? I’m sure he appreciated a woman’s touch when you guys got married! Have you gotten to the bathroom yet? Our bathrooms are VERY outdated, too! I’d take your pink tile over our GREEN TOILET any day! HAHAH!
I am guilty of all of those things!! from buying things at the thrift store because I like it and think I will use it in my scheme to, deciding what colors I want to paint the rooms, to I want my house to look like so and so’s ugh…… I am a fantasy home decorator, crafter! sorry I don’t have any suggestions, But I do love the colors in your room and craft room !!
Lannie, ha! You have said it perfectly! “Fantasy home decorator”! I love it! Can I borrow that term? 🙂 I think I am, too! I really think we should just take it one room at a time, and then start from the very basic questions: “How do I want to FEEL in this room?” and “What is going to be the PURPOSE of this room?” I think if we start from that, we can figure it out! Thanks so much for commenting!