Let's Dwell

Winter Whimsy

January 9, 2018 admin

Ahh, isn’t the start of a new year refreshing?

My daughter looked a bit forlorn as we dismantled all the Christmas decorations. She would miss how “warm and cozy” they made the house feel. I, on the other hand, was relieved. Cozy turns into cluttered for me around January 1st, and we were well past that. I was eager for all things clean, fresh, and new.

Returning your home to it’s normal state after the holidays can be refreshing and therapeutic or just depressing. To tip the scales toward the positive, inject some

warmth and whimsy.

Showcase white with flowers, dishes, candles, and linens to mirror the freshness a new year offers.

The reflective quality of silver will also infuse needed light in this oft-dreary season. Add some cozy blankets to the couch or your favorite chair and increase the chances of snuggling up with a good book or loved one.

Starting a new year usually inspires clarifying of one’s goals and priorities. Why not include some inspiration toward that purpose in your decor? Funny, profound, or encouraging–our most familiar surroundings have extraordinary influence on our emotions. Fairy lights and sparkly snowflakes inspire lightheartedness and are fitting of the wonder we should embrace as we step into this year of new

possibilities!

Autumn, Seasonal Inspiration

Day of Thanks

November 22, 2017 admin

–Isn’t it ironic that this little holiday, when we acknowledge what’s already great about our life, falls just before weeks of wanting, buying and getting? Perhaps, if harnessed, Thanksgiving can be a meaningful pause–a moment to relish our many blessings before the December holiday craze descends.

Since most of us are overwhelmed just anticipating all that comes with December, why not keep decorations simple and focus on that which summons gratitude?

We like to pass around a bowl of letters and say something(s) we’re thankful for that begins with the letter we draw out of the bowl. This simple activity is appropriate for almost any age, can be deep or light-hearted, and requires nominal prep. You can also use scrabble tiles, magnet letters, flashcards, etc.

To keep young guests occupied before the meal, ask them to be traveling artists! They can trace their hand or one of the adults and turn it into a turkey. We also supplied some fun stickers because what turkey doesn’t want a mustache?

In honor of the humorously-named presidential turkeys (Tater & Tot, Gobbler & Cobbler, etc.) we asked guests to label their glasses with their “turkey name.”

Let a light and thankful heart rule the day, and may you be overwhelmed with blessings this Thanksgiving!

Design 101

Design with Longevity: Part 3

November 18, 2017November 18, 2017 admin

You’ve heard how a brand new car loses tremendous value the minute it leaves the lot? In the same way, we don’t want rooms that are just months from showing their “design age” either. How do we create them?

Authenticity, Functionality, and Relevance

Our focus today is Relevance.

We’ve had many new people in our home over the last few months, and imagining our space through their eyes has given me fresh perspective. For example, I’ve grown increasingly aware of a few stuffed animals that arrived circa the toddler years. A special bunny given to my daughter happened to match our family room and eventually became part of the decor. Likewise, a souvenir teddy bear made our living spaces welcoming for our youngest visitors. Fast forward to years that house a teenager and a preteen (and the visitors who have also aged), and it’s just weird. –Because, it’s not relevant anymore.

To create a space that is relevant, ask, does your current design support your season of life? Not just functionally (the principle of the previous post) but stylistically? Is your home evolving with you?

So, where do trends fit?

In this series, it might seem like I’ve painted trends as the bad guys in design. Not my intention. Rather,

I believe good design is inspired by trends, not held hostage by them.

We should pick and choose among the ever-changing flood of trends those that suit us rather than worrying that our home looks “SO last year” because it doesn’t have a (insert latest “must-have” here.) Remember, most trends are just ingenious marketing efforts–and that revolving door will keep on spinning!

When Joanna Gaines brought southern charms to mainstream decor my heart went pitter-patter. Cotton stems available at Wal-mart? It’s Christmas for this displaced Southerner! But Southern elements will always be relevant for me because of my heritage—no matter what’s trending.

So, if there’s a trend you love, add an element to your space–just avoid the complete overhaul that will eventually date your room like Disney’s Carousel of Progress!

Practically, I see two approaches:

Keep a room feeling up to date with on-trend accessories. Accessories are usually inexpensive and easily replaceable when you tire of them. Changing just a few notable accessories (a pillow, a vase, a picture, etc.) can give an entire room a more current look.
Fall in love with a statement piece? Go for it! –If you’re at peace replacing it in 3-5 years or you know that it soooo captures your personal style, it will be timeless to you. For most of us, that means NOT choosing trendy materials for anything that requires a contractor and remodeling dust–like tile, counter tops, or fixtures. However, the area rug that pulls the whole room together but will likely be worn about the time I’m getting tired of it anyway (thank you, messy people who live with me), absolutely!

Our homes should include elements that prove we actually live and move in the outside word, but

filter trends through authenticity and season of life to remain relevant.

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