Itching for a change but not up for a complete overhaul?

We can do that!

Pillow Talk:

These pillows and coordinating blanket lived a good life. However, they were fraying, lumpy, and starting to show it. A quick visit to Homegoods, and I found some cheerful, but inexpensive, new friends. For bedrooms and living rooms that need something fresh, consider pillows or a new throw.

Add Color:

I love the blues in my family room but wanted an update that didn’t require a paintbrush, ladder, moving furniture . . . basic upheaval, so I looked across the color wheel. All colors have a natural complementary color that you can determine by looking at the color opposite your existing color on a color wheel.

If you’re alarmed by what you find, remember the plethora of shades that color represents. For example, I do NOT have fond feelings toward crayon orange (the color opposite blue on the color wheel), but I wouldn’t mind a cheerful coral coming to visit. A few inexpensive accessories in this new color give the room a little more punch.

Shade It:

Consider a new lamp shade. Rarely touched, a lamp shade can function for a long time and go unnoticed. Consequently, these are often the accessories that most “age” a room. A new lamp is a great option too, but if it’s in good shape, just change the shade. [Note: Know which kind of shade your lamp accepts BEFORE you go shopping. (ie. a harp, spider, clip-on, etc.) It will save you lots of frustration.]

Let There Be Light:

While we’re on the subject, adjusting the lighting can have an enormous impact on a room. Is there a spot that always feels dark or, on the other end, too garish? Change out the light bulb for something crisper or softer than what you currently have. There are even light bulbs that have a dimmer switch (right on the bulb, so nothing to install!) for rooms that require task and mood lighting.

Bring In Nature:

Have you read the studies that suggest people who consistently spend 30 minutes outside live happier lives? I think nature speaks to a primal need for beauty etched on our souls. A simple bouquet of flowers–real or quality artificials–have a surprising capacity to evoke happiness. If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby, they usually have beautiful flowers and plants at very reasonable prices.

Need Something Free?

Try editing. I’m AMAZED at how subtly but surely, stuff begets stuff! You were just going to leave it there until you found a better place . . .. Soon, the pieces and views we do enjoy are lost in the clutter. So, clear out that pile that gathered in the corner. Put away that off-season item you don’t need for the next several months. Consider what accessories or pieces of furniture you’re just tired of or that always seems in the way. Pass them on to another happy home or put it away for a bit. (If you’re not sure if you can part with something, put it out of sight and set a reminder on your phone for 6 months later. Did you miss it?) Removing visual clutter gives your eye and your mind “breathing room.”

Take a cue from Fixer Upper and put simple stems from the yard in a collection of glass bottles or in one large vessel. I live in the desert and can still find something that works.

When we make wise and considered design choices, we will love our surroundings for a long time. However, a few small adjustments now and then keep a space feeling fresh and current and bring new life to the features that have been around a while and need to stay a while ;-).

Photo Credits: Construction (top)–Milivoj Kuhar on Unsplash; Color Wheel–Public Domain Stock Photo; Lamp–Samule Sun on Unsplash; Pink Flowers–Magdalena Raczka on Unsplash; Leaf–Sarah Dorweiler on Unsplash

A well-designed home seems nearly timeless. Sure, some pieces will require replacement as they become worn or tired, but we don’t have to be at the mercy of the latest arrivals to curate a home of which we’re proud. What elements contribute to design with longevity?

Authenticity, Functionality, and Relevance

In this post, we’ll look at functionality. This principle is pretty straightforward: if a home doesn’t work for you and with you, that angst will be felt.

A classic example is the stand alone dining room. Over the last decade, we’ve seen a surge of redesign or “reapplication” of these spaces. Many have removed walls in favor of an open-concept space. Where this is not feasible, others have allowed their more consistent needs to define the space as a playroom, office, or project room.

So, as you walk through your home or redesign a specific space, observe which items always seem in the way or keep getting moved because they’re not a good fit. Do you really need them? If so, but not very often, is there a landing spot or storage option that more accurately represents it’s use? Can you make some exchanges that better reflect how your family lives? Maybe that big bulky chair in the family room gets moved to a corner in your bedroom (because the benefits of a “man cave” or “she shed” don’t always require a whole room!) and replaced with that spare bench to provide seating and better traffic flow.

In reverse, is there an unmet (or inconveniently met) need that it is time to resolve? Do you consistently find yourself looking for a place to put down a drink near that chair you love to unwind in? Would a slipper table, stack of sturdy suitcases, or small shelf hung nearby complete this little parcel of refuge? Would you dearly love to prop up your feet when the conversation gets good and no one wants to leave?

We have a tufted ottoman that invites all to sit back, relax, and stay a while. It’s round shape facilitates traffic flow, and the wheels allow it to be easily removed when we need the floor space (ie. family dance competitions!). The lid can be removed to access storage. It’s where I keep magazines for lazy ~~days~~ moments (!) and comfy throws for snuggling.

Functionality

A space that functions is fluid and frees one up to appreciate those meaningful moments you design a home for in the first place.

Other Photo Credits: (Top–Down) Jason Leung on Unsplash, (mine), Kevin Wolf on Unsplash, William Warby on Wikimedia Commons, Alisa Anton on Unsplash, (mine)

Tag: Longevity

Just an Update, Please