The Evolution of a Home

Tweet

No one ever moves into a 'perfect' home. Even if you custom built your dream home, it would take a few years to get it just right. Things like curtains, rugs, accessories, and of course the furniture, take years to get 'just right'.

Source

And then, just when you think you've got it-- something will change. Children's age, your hobbies, your husband's job, or just your taste in decor will shift slightly. As the people in your home change, the house will need to evolve to meet the needs of the occupants. Maybe a guest room will have to be changed into a nursery. Maybe your husband will allowed to telecommute and thus need a home office. Maybe your mother will move in and now your kiddos will have to share a room. Or maybe you just get sick of something and want a change.

Source: google.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Remember when I was drooling over that giant red brick 'diamond in the rough' last month? Well it got us thinking we needed more space. Our home is an open floor plan- anyone else have one? I love it because it is perfect for entertaining. It flows, it allows conversation between the kitchen and the family room.

 But since it is open, sometimes it feels like we are always in the same room.  We eat, hang out, watch tv, play games all in the same room. Now it is a lovely room and I adore it, but it got us thinking... how could we better utilize the rooms in our home? Where else could we hang out when we needed a change of scenery? And what were we doing with all of that other space???!!!

Then we went upstairs and there it was-- our big playroom. Last year I had lovingly redecorated it. At that time I took it from the 'catch-all' room to a pretty space for the girls to gather.

But over the year, since it was just the playroom, no one over the age of 5 ever used it much. Sure we would sit on the floor and play dolls or kitchen with the girls. But it was never a spot I would go read a book or that my husband would use to watch movies. The room 'did was it designed to do'- it functioned as a space for the girls to play. Trouble was, the little table and chairs, the new puppet stage that Santa brought, the baby dolls... they weren't really creating a space that the entire family could all use.

That's when the lightbulb went off. It seems obvious now as sit down and I write this, but seriously why were we devoting an entire living area to Barbies when we could be using it as another family room?!

So that began our latest 'home evolution'. Use the space in our home for what we actually need!

Most of the work is done, but you know me, I like a big reveal. So you're going to have a wait a bit to see it. In the meantime, think about your home. Are you getting the most out of your 'square footage'? I have to say, with our 'new upstairs family room', I honestly feel like we are living in a bigger home.

A few small changes can really make you fall in love with your home all over again! What kind of evolution is needed in your house?


Pin It

PS- Something BIG is coming to Crafty Texas Girls... a linky party. The fun starts Tuesday, stay tuned for more details :)

Sharing my ideas about 'home evolution' here:
-Too Much Time on My Hands
-Home Stories A to Z 
-Tatertots and Jello
-The 36th Avenue
-Whipperberry
-Serenity Now
-Today's Creative Blog 

Design Dilemma

Tweet

Sometimes it can be hard to decorate. Despite all the pretty pictures on pinterest and the glossy catalogs, sometimes you can just get stuck.

Source: bing.com via Holly on Pinterest

When that happens, I think the best thing you can do is call a friend. Remember the "Friends Don't Let Friends Shop Alone" thing? Well the same goes with decorating. Sometimes you just need someone to bounce ideas off, help you talk through ideas, and be supportive. A fresh pair of eyes can bring new ideas and inspiration.

Source: hellogiggles.com via Emily on Pinterest

When I started re-decorating my home, my friend Jennifer helped me organize my ideas and work through the trouble spots. And now I am getting a chance to do just that for my friend Stephanie.
 

Stephanie sent me some photos and an email:

"I have a "design dilemma" that I could really use your help with!  I am in the planning stages of redecorating my home, going from "Texas Tuscan" to a more neutral "Ballard style" look that I have been drooling over for the past couple of years.  

I have plenty of ideas for the rest of my house, but this tall, skinny niche in my stairway has me stumped!  I have attached a few photos of the niche in its current state.  I would like something a bit more fun and original.  

You can see in the photos that I went faux-crazy when we first moved in, and the niche was my first victim ;)  I plan to remedy that with a coat of our original wall color  (Sundew by Sherwin Williams) to lighten up and unify the space, but beyond that I am a bit lost! 

The niche measures 22 inches wide, 14 inches deep, and 8 1/2 feet tall at its highest point.  I will be replacing the brown frames on the wall with a new display to compliment whatever ends up in the niche.  

I am using predominantly black, white, silver, neutrals, and natural fibers throughout the rest of the house, punctuated by "pops" of a yet-to-be-determined color. The only other stipulation is that I am trying to avoid anything too large and heavy that the twins can pull down onto themselves now that they are pulling up, cruising, and giving me daily heart attacks.  So, in other words, I am asking for tall, skinny, fun, original, baby-proof decor. Easy-peasy, huh?"

 I love her email because I have been in that same place! Everyone has. SO my dear friend, here are some things I have found that might get your creativity flowing again. And PS- your twins are adorable. If that space was lower to the ground- it actually could be a baby reading nook!

Design Dilemma Suggestions:

First- I think after you paint (although there is no shame in faux) the inside, I would divide the space. The easiest way to do this is by adding shelves. That way you don't get stuck in the rut of using just one tall piece.

Source: vintagerevivals.blogspot.com via Samantha on Pinterest

 

Source: vintagerevivals.blogspot.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: movingdesignz.blogspot.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Second- make it more 'you'.  Nate Berkus says the most interesting homes are ones that include personal items. I think that is why you don't like the vase/art combo- it doesn't reflect you and your family. Add items to the shelves from trips, include photos, or try framing personal affects. Look at collections you might have, unify the space by including these items in sets of three.

 

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: thehouseofsmiths.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Third- Be willing to try something bold. Whether it is with a dramatic color or even an 'unexpected' accessory on the shelves of the nook, the bigger the risk- the bigger the reward!

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: southernhospitalityblog.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Stephanie- I hope that helps! Please send in some photos when your project is done. We can't wait to see how it turns out!

Do you have a Design Dilemma? Send it on over and I'll see what I can come up with. 
craftytexasgirls@gmail.com

Linking up at these great blogs:
-Be Different Act Normal
-Tatertots and Jello
-Serenity Now
-Under the Table Dreaming
-The Creative Paige
-Not So Simple Housewife

Home Stories A 2 Z