Home Sweet Home

Image from Ralph Lauren Home

I’m pretty sure Pinterest has made me hate my house. Instead of pumping me up with a whole bunch of wonderful ideas and potential, I feel overwhelmed, depressed and deflated. Of course I’m ultimately to blame for these feelings, wasting time “daydreaming” on the internet about what could be, yet never putting a plan into action.  Layer in the fact we have been searching for an “affordable” acreage in the vicinity of the city for about 2 years and I’m ready to sew myself into the straight jacket. I’ve dropped the ball on recognizing that “any” place can be  home sweet home, you just have to put in the effort. I also realize that money and new fixtures won’t be the cure-all, so I’ve come up with a list to work on my happiness at home project:

1. Organize: Our front entry resembles a men’s locker room. Packs, duffles and Tupperware bins of gear thrown in the pile and it isn’t until I stub my toe or can’t find a missing shoe that I get REALLY MAD and start semi-organizing. Only to tick G2 off because I randomly moved that one pelican case he strategically had placed. Taking the time to purchase the proper storage, label and organize gear creating a level of calm vs the initial chaos you experience when entering your home I’m pretty sure is the main principle in the Fung Shiu handbook…
2. Surround yourself with things you love- My best friend told me this tip a long time ago when we were both starving students and the thought of buying a new couch seemed so far off. She said, surround yourself with pieces you love instead of just stuff to fill your space. Since then I’ve tried to only make purchases for the house that I love, from my crazy moose decor to saving up and waiting it out to find the perfect kitchen table (I’m getting closer). If I love my choices I’ll want to be in my surroundings.
3. Celebrate! I love the seasons as I also love the holidays. I used to make wreaths for ANY holiday, decorate and have parties. The art of entertaining seems to be lost in the mancave(AKA~ our house). But with our teeny, tiny back deck this year I made a decision that I would make purchases that culminated experiences at home, such as some colorful pots and throws and a propane heater. Since setting up our cozy but comfy deck, we had many visits with friends and family this summer. Now I just have to keep that tradition going on the inside.
4. Create Comfort- When things are disorganized and the house seems to have no “flow” to it, I find it hard to derive comfort from my roost. Many of the colors are dark and cold in  the walls, floors and countertops of the house. So I’m adding texture and light to the mix. From flannel bedding in the winter months (feel like I’m curling up in a ski chalet) to flameless candles and Pendleton blankets in the great room. I’m adding texture and tone to try to create that glow that makes you happy to take your jacket off and settle in after a hard day.
5. Work with what you have– it will never be Pinterest and I don’t have a bottomless coffee can of change, but sometimes the best room therapy is just changing the positioning and use of what you have to create a new look and feel. We moved the living room around and everyone is convinced we got a new couch, apparently we never showed it off that well before.