Decorating doldrums


Perhaps it’s the change of weather, the fact that it’s dark so much earlier, that my shades are drawn longer, or that we’re inside more, but I’ve felt an overwhelming desire to decorate my house. To make it cozy, inviting. To make it- me. I pulled out the frames, the nails, the hammer, determined to make it happen. I held things up, trying to get a sense of what they looked like from an arm’s length. I even pounded in a nail. I cut out templates that I silly puttied to the wall. I looked at it, then left it. Then I took it all down, and put everything away. Again.
I just can’t wrap my mind around this home of mine. I just can’t seem to catch the vision of how to make it all work. (It doesn’t help that it’s mid-construction.)  The floor to ceiling brick fireplace throws me for a loop. What do I do there, especially when the pellet stove isn’t centered? I have very little wall space, thanks to beautiful big windows, but I want pictures of my kids, I want places to display things that brings back memories, make me smile, or just bring beauty. But then my minimalist side starts to get all tight and worried that things will start to feel to crowded, cluttered. I worry that my tendency toward symmetry won’t fit with my asymmetrical mid-century modern home.  I babysat a friend of mine’s kids at their house today, and I was so charmed by her beautiful home. Her home has just as many quirks as mine, and shares the mid-century modern style, and yet she has embraced it whole heartedly to lovely effect. I came back and looked at my home with fresh eyes. Hungry eyes. It looked so bare, so unattended.
I keep asking people to come help me, but I think they think I’m kidding. Like it’s just some kind compliment to their good taste. But I’m NOT kidding. I need some moral support here. Some assurances, some encouragement. Somebody, help!
 

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4 responses to “Decorating doldrums”

  1. First, thank you for allowing me to take a nap today, it really got me through 🙂 Second, I think it would be fun to see your home and dream with you! You definitely have to be in the mood to decorate, it waxes and wanes for me too. I’ve found Pinterest to be my biggest inspiration. I spend WAY too much time on it, but it really fuels my creativity in a lot of ways. Also, Goodwill. You never know what you’ll find there!

  2. Kjirsti, I can totally relate! Although, I saw images of your home in Ohio and I recall being incredibly impressed by how talented you were at making a beautiful and functional home. One website I have found and love is Houzz. My brother Matthew is an interior designer and recommended it to me. It has tons of room ideas, a great app for your phone, and inspiration from great designers for all budgets. One designer I came across that I love is linked here:
    http://www.laurenliess.com
    My struggle is that we are renting, and so I feel really limited I what I can do and in the investment I am willing to make. Ah well…. one day when we are in a more permanent place I can make some of my ideas a reality!

    • Thanks Katie! I’ll admit I was pretty proud of how well our Cleveland house turned out. But I think the difference in style between that house and our current is what’s got be tied in knots. I found the predictability of the colonial style much easier than the asymmetrical whimsy of a mid-century modern. I’m super excited about the challenge, and I really want to embrace a bit more of the bare minimalism of the modern style (while using all my more classical pieces.) I loved the blog! And yes, I love Houzz. I finally had to unsubscribe from their weekly e-mail because it was eating up my life. I LOVED it.
      Ah, renting. Rough. Just think of all the time you have to decide what you love!
      Miss you-

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