My Home

I want my home to be my refuge from the world. A peaceful,stress free sanctuary where I can restore myself with my pets, good food, music, art and nature. A welcoming, comfortable space where I can put my feet on the furniture, snuggle the dog in the bed, or eat on the sofa without worry.

Choose cleanliness above styling. It doesn’t matter if your home isn’t quite ready for a photo shoot; it’s still your special place. To help it feel like a haven, focus on keeping it clean and tidy over styling it with the latest buys. An ordered home always seems relaxing, and even a space filled with the most on-trend pieces won’t feel like a refuge if it’s cluttered and messy.

A peaceful, serene home has empty space to rest the eye; true elegance and beauty rely on restraint and harmony, I will never truly be a minimalist but I want to incorporate some of the minimalist “less is more” ethos into my home and my life. In a small space (such as my home) the tipping point between just enough and too much is quickly reached, just a few extra things can quickly move a space from cozy to crowded and cluttered. A room with a lot of distracting elements gives your eye a lot of work to do, and that cause stress. Even when clutter is hidden, the more you own the more stressful your life is, as every possession makes some claim on your mental and physical energy.

Begin by editing what you already own. It’s time to say goodbye to some of my old friends. Many of those things were purchased with a very different type of space in mind; even if I still love them they will never help me achieve the vision I have for this house. It is difficult to admit I’ve spent money on something I no longer want, but just because I bought something doesn’t mean that I have to be burdened with it forever. Sell the items if possible, give them away if not. By letting go of the past you say yes to the future.

Carefully consider everything you bring into the house; all purchases should support the overall vision of a peaceful serene home. I want to be a collector, not a consumer; a collected home is thoughtfully put together over time with a focus on quality instead of quantity. Buy only things that “you know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
Once you’ve removed all of the excess, keep the remaining things neat, clean, and organized. Make sure there is a place for everything you’ve decided is important enough to keep, then follow through and consistently put things away when you’re done with them.

In a small home using a tight, monochromatic color scheme throughout unifies the space and makes it seem larger. Limiting color and pattern also reduces stress from visual noise. I would like my home decorated in a calm, light reflecting palate leaning heavily on warm creamy whites (to counteract the cold light), serene blue, and natural wood, with rare pops of more intense color coming mostly from flowers and art. A simplified color palate can be kept from monotony by layering textures; glass, metal, wood (both smoothly finished and distressed), baskets, and textiles ranging from sheer silk to rough burlap. Including vintage furniture with patina adds both textural interest and a sense of history to a room.

Other ways to make the house feel more airy and open are to incorporate furnishings made from Lucite, crystal, and glass, and to choose furniture with a leggy profile; both take up less visual space and allow light to flow. Avoid heavy materials and fabrics that absorb light and weigh your room down. Linen is a perfect example of a lightweight material that will increase the sense of airiness in a room.

Chose easy care finishes and durable materials. A comfortable home has no expectation of perfection. Accept the fact that a well-loved space will get a bit dinged up, and embrace the scratches and dents that inevitably result from actually living in your home (with a dog). Be realistic about what level of cleanliness you feel comfortable with, and make a commitment to keep your home “good enough. Don’t apologize for the state of your house when friends come over.

using modern and contemporary art makes any interior feel rooted in today, no matter the time period of the furnishings