Evolution...

I found that in the last few years, as life gets more hectic, the way I want to decorate my home has really evolved.  I want my home to feel more calm and serene.  So, I have been thinking a lot about how to accomplish this.

There are two major solutions that I have come up with: De-clutter and lighten and brighten everything!

I plan to scrutinize everything and decide if we really need it & love it, or if it just adds clutter.  This has been pretty hard for me in the past since I am a "collector" by nature.

If you are working on de-cluttering challenges like me, here are some great tips from Leo Babauta at Zen Habits (one of my favorite blogs to read for inspiration.)

Now go organize something!

Big Plans...

So, yes, I haven't posted in over a year! Life just got away from me and after having some physical problems nothing really got done for so long. Well, that is about to change. I am back and I have big plans. So many house projects waiting to be tackled! And, while my time is still limited because of a certain 3 year old that prefers to entertain me as opposed to participating in home renovation projects, I plan on making some things happen.

 One of the projects I hope do in the very near future is my sitting room. Take a look at how it looks now:

This room needs a pretty major overhaul! It really needs to be "de-country-ified." I painted in coral (Salmon Shade from Valspar) about 5 years ago when I was into color everywhere, but now it needs to be more serene.  Also, most of the furniture is inherited and not really my style to begin with.

I plan to:
 - Paint the walls a neutral white
 - Remove or paint some of the paneling (on the opposite wall)
 - finish the crown moulding (on the opposite wall)
 - make a slip cover for the wing chair
 - new window treatments
 - paint (or somehow refinish) the tall jelly cabinet
 - new artwork
 - new light fixture
 - replace the formal rocking chair with a shaker one (like this one)
 - brighten and simplify everything else and remove clutter!
 - rearrange furniture

 I can't wait to get started!

House Tour...

*Click here for the most recent house tour*

I thought I would share some photos of our farmhouse.  It was built in 1880, but the previous owner renovated most of it according to their style.  We haven't done too much yet but I have big plans.  It is just a matter of time and that little thing called $.  I do love the layout of the house though and the location, and to me those are the 2 most important things because anything else is easy to change.  So, take a look and let me know what you think. 

So that's it.  Our Home.  If I had my decorating way I would brighten every room up a bit (with a lot of white paint) and mix in some modern eclectic elements.  I promised myself when we moved into this house I would change things slowly over time and let the house and the space and the way we live here teach us what we should change.