Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » Building a home & finding yourself

I’ve spent the last couple of months solely focused on making our new
house feel like home – it’s a lot easier said than done especially
when you’re working on an almost non-existent budget.

3380816644_2b6d59a97a_o
1.Handle This Coat Rack by RusticsReborn 2.Full-Size Vintage Headboard by Vintage Renewal 3.Yellow birds tea set by LoucheLab 4.Bordens Cheese Crate Box Sign from swoonantiques 5.Myrtle by Knack Studios 6.Reproduction Step Back Hutch by JosephSpinaleFurn 7.IBC Creme Glasses by YAVAglass

What I’ve enjoyed most about figuring out how to decorate our new home
is the unexpected self-discovery that comes along with it. I’ve never
been a natural decorator and frankly I don’t think I’m even close to
having a natural eye for it. I don’t know the first thing about
furniture, lighting, styles, periods, decorating rules etc. It’s been
all about noticing what I’m drawn to, but learning the difference
(sometimes it seems like a very fine line) between appreciating the
beauty of something in the pages of a magazine or a catalog but
knowing that it’s not necessarily right for my own space. I wonder if
this is something that all non-decorators & first-timers go
through. Trying to emulate a certain look that you think something
should look like?

Sometimes I go downstairs and I feel like I’ve just committed a
trillion decorating faux pas – I’ve got so many nail holes on my
walls, signs of indecision but you know what? It all feels right to
me, so that’s what I’m going on. I think I’m slowly growing my
self-confidence, I’ve stopped asking myself “What would {insert name
of famous editor or decorator } do in this situation?” I’m truly
enjoying the process of getting to know me, my own style, finding
items that resonate HOME SWEET HOME to me.

So, I’ve picked out a few of my personal favorites from my wishlist,
mostly from Etsy and all either handmade, vintage or refurbished in
some way. I hope you enjoy them.

3379998443_919c29778b_o
8.Handwoven Table Runner by wovengoods 9.Black Striped Linen fabric by Ludwiga’s Linen 10.Bouquet Light Shade #3 by NICE – Caitlin Holcomb 11.Black Mantel from makemeoverfurniture 12.Lay my head- Pillow by Joetta Maue

I think you are absolutely a natural. “Unnatural” decorating is when people open a magazine and simply attempt to recreate what they see. You can tell when you walk into a home that isn’t decorated from the heart. It always feels like there is something missing.

Oh my, I can’t certainly relate to this. As you know. I’m just starting to make my home a “home” after almost a year. I can’t believe the difference it’s making already. I’m just painting right now and then the real fun will begin – accessorizing. Yah!

I love these items you’ve chosen. It’s interesting what you say about making home a home-it’s not just as simple as choosing things that you love I think (although if you really love something you can find a way to make it work!!).

Hi,
It sounds like you’re enjoying the process and that’s what counts! Have fun with it and be consistent in your choices (what you like/dislike) and everything will meld in the “end”! Love the white cutwork pillow you picked-however I’m not able to click on it!

Ah…this is such a lovely and honest post hun. I know first hand what a natural you ARE. Your home is so warm and beautiful. Cosy, comfortable with beautiful choices and details everywhere. I am so with you, as you know, and agree. I feel I can only go by what feels right to me,not anyone else. That is what I know, and what makes me happy. Thank you for this and all of these beautiful picks.
xo
Melis

I don’t often comment but what you said really resonated with me. “learning the difference
(sometimes it seems like a very fine line) between appreciating the
beauty of something in the pages of a magazine or a catalog but
knowing that it’s not necessarily right for my own space.” I find that is a lesson I also had to learn when buying clothes. Now I can admire an item, and set it aside knowing it’s not right for my boy shape or my life.

I totally agree with so many of the other comments – this post shares such an honest and real sentiment, and to me, it’s what’s most important when it comes to decorating. I’ve always loved the idea of finding things over time that I love and curating my home like it’s a little collection – evolving but never, ever done. When it comes to my own little condo, I’m proud of it even though it’s messy a lot of the time, the heat doesn’t work in one room, one of the light fixture doesn’t work in the bathroom, etc. (I know, I am breaking a million feng shui rules here! Haha.) The point is that everything that’s good has been chosen by me, too, so it makes me happy all the same.

We’ve just recently bought a home and I feel the same way. Much of my experience has been trial by error. It’s so much fun to find something on etsy or at a flea market, and the sticker shock is never quite as bad! I really like your finds, especially #4:)

I can completely relate! After living in a house for two years it has been my goal this year to start making our house a home. I used to think it would be OK to just acquire items over time to save money, but that’s not any good if you don’t have an overall vision for your space! I just started up a little blog for sharing my planning processes, renovating, decorating, and everything that will make my house a home. My blog looks a little sad right now, but it will be up to speed soon if anyone wants to check it out.
http://thiswillbehome.blogspot.com/

Lovely honest post. Looks like your home will be full of your unique vision, and what could be better? We have never had the budget to “do it up right”, and most of our furniture has been hand-me downs, with flea market odds and ends to add interest. It’s been fun and challenging to create a home of warmth out of what has been made available to us. There’s lots I would like to do differently and as time goes on I will. I think home decorating evolves and grows, just as we do.

you definitely have developed a consistent aesthetic based on your choices. they all have a vintagey- natural (rustic) feel in a color palette that seems to have softened with age.

i keep a fairly neutral color foundation and just go with what i love hoping it will all work out together ;).

Thank you for all of your lovely comments – always scary when you post about more personal stuff! I’ll be hittin’ up some yard sales this weekend & hoping to score some outside furniture… ahh it never ends does it?? x Marichelle

This is SO inspiring! We are in the midst of the fun (but slightly overwhelming!) process of buying our first home. Our current apartment came partially furnished so other than a bed, a slightly uncomfortable couch, a bookcase, and a few other small pieces we are missing many of the items we will need to fill our home! Our goal is to slowly acquire pieces from garage sales, thrift shops, and handmade items for our new place and learn about the process of reclaiming furniture as we go! It’s so nice to see how lovely a home decorated this way looks! I can’t wait to support other artists and crafters on Etsy and locally by purchasing their handmade items :) Wonderful feature!

Write a Comment:

Design*Sponge reserves the right to restrict comments that do not contribute constructively to the conversation at hand, contain profanity, personal attacks or seek to promote a personal or unrelated business.