It seems I am always busy planning in my head all things I hope to do to our house one day! I find decorating so incredibly fun, relaxing, and I feel that the items/style you pick for your home should be the very essence of yourself or those you live with :)
I have so many projects that will be years in the making....but I have to say things are starting to really come together!
I once read: "Decorate your home to make it a place of beauty, because beauty raises life above mere existence." I love that!
It really got me thinkinkg about my style and things that make me feel welcome.I included pictures of bits and pieces of our home to go along with a few decor tips and the things that scream "HOME" to me:
1. Paint changes everything! (I'm one to talk, have I picked up a paint brush since I've moved in our house????.....uh NOPE...but I will, and I almost have some of our colors finalized..I was fortunate that our walls are a neutral gold, so I've not been in a huge rush)...seriously though, Paint will change a whole room and if you hate the color, it's not permanent you can ALWAYS change it!
2. Monograms- So classy and traditional, but nothing makes something as personal as a monogram! I realize you can go overboard, but I think a monogram here and there is perfectly fine! We have a flag with our initial on it outside, I have had a shower curtain monogrammed in our guest bath, I have a beautiful cookie jar (it's my fav) in our kitchen with our initials and we have hung our monogram initials in our master bath! I will probably be adding a few more around the house (maybe some towels, or a pillow or something on the patio). monograms are a wonderful, southern way to say WELCOME HOME to your family!
3. Create a spot that is just for you. This is very important for both men and women. Whether it is a room or just a space. For example...I have a tray on our dresser that I keep all things that are important to me...and that I tend to use daily...purfume, rings, watch...etc! It makes that space reflect you and your personality. (Whether it is yourself, you husband, child or even dog....everyone in your home should have a space..that is unique to them.)
4. Burlap-(It's a huge trend right now)...go in any store...(Pottery Barn, Cobble Stone and Vine, Vivid Design, Ballard Design, etc.) Everyone is showcasing burlap in one way or another! My sweet mom surprised us and had a table skirt made for our family room (she bought the burlap and then the lady at Cynthia East made a great skirt with a cord trim). Bulap is also classic and to me, very french! (here's a perk...it's also quite inexpensive. ) I plan to have another table skirt made out of cream burlap for our bedroom very soon!
5. Heirlooms- I love taking something special from a parent, or grandparent and showcasing it in our home! Decor should tell a story. It may say something about your personality or your style, but to have sentimental pieces throughout...cause your guests to wonder what it means and can become quite a conversation piece. I have several heirlooms around the house (several crystal pieces from Logan's granny and my grandmother Lady, One of Lady's Broaches that I used as the center of one of my frames, and Logan has a few items from Germany from his grandmother on our bookshelves). It is special to know why we chose to place them in that spot and their signifigance. I have a crystal clock and jewelry box from my Grandmama as well...very dear to me. I have special items from my parents as well and I plan to showcase several of those ...that can be passed down to our children.
To me, what makes my house feel like our home is first of all who I share it with, the memories we have and will create there, and the overall appearance.
Decor does something for me; completing a room or finding that perfect item for a certain space gives me so much satisfaction I can hardly stand it! I want our home to be a mix of old and new, Southern and French. I want it not only to reflect our style, but our collections in unique ways. It is important to both Logan and I, that all who enter know that our family loves the Lord and can sense His presence in our home. That is not only shown through your decor choices, but also our hospitality. Hospitality is the message we give another person about their value. Logan and I try very hard to roll out the welcome mat for all of our guests...becuase it is important to us. Logan always jokes that "Haleigh is the kick off your shoes and relax kind of hostess....BUT don't forget to use a coaster...and always ask if the towels are for decor only or if you can wipe your hands on them....and never EVER...sit on top of the bed spread!) Hahaha...he likes to tease me....although he pretty much nailed it on the head. ; )
Happy Decorating!
