Living Beauty Full in the Burbs
Living Beauty Full in the Burbs
I’m a lover of white rooms, or mostly white rooms. I love the different shades and nuances of white. I love the serenity a white room offers. I love that an all white room can be changed just by adding a couple of colorful pillows or throws. For anyone who feels white is too hard to live with, Sunbrella offers wonderfully soft fabrics for use in interior rooms, and of course offers white. Slip covers make white sofas easy peasy to live with if you have kids or dogs or both. Bemz has many slip cover options in a multitude of designs and colors to fit Ikea furniture, including a hard wearing white cotton blend and a gorgeous white linen.
I love the fact that white rooms aren’t boring. Adding different sheens and texture makes an all white room come to life. Soft and hard. Shiny and dull. Rough and smooth. Adding opposites makes an all white room feel dynamic, not static. Adding a few pieces of natural wood or some accents of black takes it to another level.
I say all this even though I have dark leather in the family room and brown velvet in the living room. If white is so easy and I love it so much, why don’t I have it?? Good question……. When we moved here 19 years ago I invested in a Restoration Hardware sofa in a beautiful chocolate brown. It’s soft, warm and cozy. It brought back memories of my favorite sofa of all time, a chocolate brown velvet of indeterminate brand that I had for years. The years of life with a young boy and many dogs, rescues and fosters, plus assorted cats, kittens, gerbils, hamsters and a couple of birds. That sofa held up so well. I cleaned all manner of gunk from that sofa over its lifetime. There was nothing wrong with it when I got rid of it, I just wanted a new look. I was never happy with another sofa. It was musical sofas for a few years and my son complained that he left for school in the morning and came home to a different sofa at night.
I found another brown velvet sofa at Goodwill for $80.00! Of course I bought it and the merry-go-round of sofas stopped for a time. It was wide and deep and perfect for snuggling and watching movies or taking a nap. I marveled at my luck. It was in perfect condition. I was in love. Then I went shopping with my bestie and she bought new living room furniture. It was the height of the preppy Hunter Green, Burgandy and Navy craze and I walked out of that store with a receipt for guess what? A Hunter Green, Burgandy and Navy sofa and loveseat. annnd, it was plaid. PLAID! UGH. What was I thinking??? That was one of the most uncomfortable sofas ever. Scratchy fabric and after just a few months the cushions sagged. Plus it was ugly. Really, really ugly.
When we moved into this house I knew that furniture.was.not.coming.with.us. I was shopping for odds and ends with my daughter-in-law and of course we had to check out Resto and Pottery Barn. I have an on-going love affair with both stores. I think I squealed when we walked in to Resto. There was a chocolate brown velvet sofa. I sat on it. I fell in love. I left with a receipt and a delivery date. I didn’t measure it, never considered that it might be too large for our tiny living sitting room. Consequently we removed the two columns that separated the entry from the afore mentioned sitting room to make space for it. I will never give it up. It’s soft, it’s cushy, it’s lovely. White grainsack pillows look marvelous on it and give it a farmhouse look. I.got.my.velvet.back. The end.
Of course that story doesn’t explain why I have brown leather, and to make this post even longer, the reason why I have leather in the family room is….. I live with Pig Pen, otherwise known as Mr B. He is the love of my life, complete with twigs and grass clippings on his clothes and in his hair, bark and mud and dirt on his shoes. I vacuum, he brings leaves and dirt in. I vacuum again. He brings leaves and dirt in. Again. It’s never ending. I also have two dogs…..but they don’t bring in leaves and twigs or debris. (That may be a lie, but this is my story and I’m sticking to it.)
The biggest reason I don’t have white sofas???? It isn’t about Pig Pen, or my fur babies. Nope. It’s because I’m lazy physically challenged. Since I injured my spine I can no longer do the whole remove, wash and replace slip covers. OK…..I’m also lazy. So we have leather. Very dark leather. It’s great. Wipe and go. It’s comfy. It doesn’t give me my desired all white room, but I also don’t have to fight slip covers. So I bring in as much white as I can. It’s all about compromise and making my home work for me…….and Pig Pen.
If you don’t mind wrestling slipcovers, I highly recommend getting a white sofa for your farmhouse home. Even if you live in a fake farmhouse. Or a wannabe farmhouse. I love all white rooms and I cannot lie. White is for every season. White is beautiful. Go for it and let me live vicariously through you. Send me photos of your white rooms and I’ll show them off in future blog posts. Send them to mysuburbansanctury@gmail.com Below is a link to 75 beautiful rooms done in my favorite color scheme.
Click HERE for photos of beautiful rooms and get ideas to incorporate white in your home which was the point of this post……. but I got ambushed by memories, so now it’s mostly about white. With some brown. sigh
Create your sanctuary, no matter where you live. Create the home you see in your heart.
Alrighty then. I’m done with the 30 day challenge and…..wait for it……It was….not much of a challenge. Maybe I should really challenge myself, to perhaps 6 months of no shopping…..or something actually challenging. Eek….that might be a bit much…… I’m not sure I could go 6 months without hitting an antique store. But then again, isn’t that what a challenge is all about? To do something difficult? Sigh… this is a question best left to the wisdom of……. someone.
It’s been fun to see what I could do around the house without adding anything new or shopping for new junk decor. And believe it or not, I’m still giving things away. What?? How can I have so much stuff when I am perpetually purging? This is a sign my friends. A sign that perhaps I have too much. Don’t tell Mr B I said that. He’s been telling me that forever . I would secretly roll my eyes thinking, “how can anyone have too much?” Except for those hoarder people. They clearly have too much stuff. But not great stuff like me. I have really great stuff. But not too much……er……???
One of the areas I DO have a problem is…. throw pillows, so named because men everywhere throw them off countless sofas and beds to make room to sit or sleep on said sofas and beds. My son made fun of me for years, because as soon as he got up to leave, I would rearrange my pillows. At night, I’m in charge of getting the bed ready because Mr B has no patience with folding throws, quilts and a plethora of pillows just to get in the bed.
I am constantly buying pillows. I have no idea why. How many pillows do I truly need? And shouldn’t my sofas be welcoming and actually have space for friends to sit?? Or room for me and Mr B? Without the constant playing games of musical pillows…… moving pillows from the chairs to the sofa and back again any time we want to…..sit? So the great pillow purge is on. I have bags…. BAGS of pillows in the attic. It’s ridiculous.
I am hereby declaring a moratorium on any new pillows! Now THAT’S a challenge. But I’m going to do it try to do it. I will finish making a couple of grain sack pillows that have been waiting to be finished for a year, but I already have the grainsack so it doesn’t count. See how clever I am at getting around moratoriums??
Did I accomplish all I set out to do during the last 30 days? Nope. My goals were a bit much to accomplish in 30 days in retrospect. But I’m OK with that. I’m on track. And I will continue to do those things that were part of the challenge, um….except for the no shopping part. However, I will shop more purposefully, with a list and a vision instead of just buying anything that appeals to me.
Lily is walking a tad bit better on the leash and I’ll continue working with her. She’s smart and eager to please. But she’s also a 6 year old rescue and a bit nutso. This will be a long term gig.
I added Audra Day, The Chainsmokers and Kendrick Lamar to my regular music rotation. And I’ve been listening to some artists I never appreciated before. So that’s a win. I didn’t get all the CD’s ripped and burned to share with the Grands, that’s an on-going project, I have hundreds of CD’s, some they actually like. Updating my on-line music files is a bonus and I might get rid of some CD’s to clear up space. I also worked on my family tree a bit, that is also an on-going project but at least my files are neat and tidy so I can find things.
I painted two shelves in the dining room and some frames. And I played with creating more chippy paint on some odds and ends before I try the technique on anything important. In my defense, the weather has been so rainy and/or humid I couldn’t paint as much as I wanted. Plus I spent most of my time with my Granddaughter and frankly, painting and projects could wait. The time with her is precious and since she’s older I might not get the opportunity as often. My oldest Grand has already curtailed her visits due to college and a job. It won’t be long until the younger one does the same. So when either one of them is here, time just sort of revolves around them. And that’s as it should be. Time spent with two of my loves is time well spent.
The shelves were a quick, one day project. There wasn’t anything wrong with them, I was just tired of the stain and wanted a different look. (There’s a big surprise.) I like them better white. And I completed a small shutter that had been lying around. That’s about it since my last update. I’m content with the projects I completed. And totally OK without shopping. I may do it again. Just to clear my head and keep my priorities straight. I also cut back on social media to avoid temptation. Another plus that allowed the time to catch up on reading. I’ll list the books in a future post.
I made a master list, room by room, of all the major and minor projects I would like to complete by the end of this year. (When I say I…..picture Mr B). This requires some cooperation and coordination with Mr B and his schedule is jam packed with trips, his singing gigs and of course, golf. Projects must be scheduled around all that. We’re going to be completing projects in the kitchen and the guest room that have been in the works for awhile. I’m so excited! And the search is on for a console in preparation for a new TV and upgraded sound system. Oh yes! I love me some big TV and we desperately need I want a sound system that wasn’t designed in the 90’s. It’s past time for an upgrade. More on that front later.
So that’s it. My 30 day challenge is over. Let the shopping begin! Just kidding. But I do have plans to rearrange some furniture and who knows where that will lead?? Thanks for coming along on my our journey to update our home. I’m creating my our sanctuary one room at a time. I’m creating the home I see in my heart. Mr B says my heart needs new glasses, but I like my vision just fine.
Love where you live. Create your sanctuary. One room at a time.
I’ve given myself a 30 day challenge and I’m going on a diet. A shopping diet. After returning from the Tennessee trip to celebrate my good friend’s birthday go shopping recently, I realized I have a huge slight problem with shopping and bringing home things I have no space for. Decorating and design are my jam, ain’t gonna lie. A junk store is my happy place, shopping is therapeutic. BUT when I come home with NO money left and piles of things I “HAD TO HAVE” but have no space in which to put a.single.thing…. It’s a problem that leads to buyers remorse and negates the therapeutic part. It’s actually stressful. So I’ve challenged myself to 30 days of no shopping. NOTE…this diet pertains only to shopping for the house. Food (I like to eat), personal hygiene items (I enjoy being clean and sweet smelling), and clothing ( I must have shoes and clothes, the alternative would be frightening), are exempt. Just want to be clear. I also apologize for the awful photos in this post. No excuses, they’re just bad.
No fabulous junk, no great vintage pieces, no more wonderful old stuff. In the next 30 days I must use whatever I have stashed in the attic or closets to change up my look. I will finish projects growing mold waiting patiently in the garage and attic with materials we have on hand. OK…. if Mr B needs supplies to finish those projects he’s exempt from the shopping diet. (Mr B, if you’re reading this….. we need beadboard). He’ll have no problem sticking to the plan, he already said I’ll never make it 30 days. HA! I’ll show him! I have will power! (No, I don’t……. Is will power something I can buy??? Where? Does Amazon carry it? I have Amazon Prime!) I am determined to find will power. I may need help.
In the next 30 days I’m not only going to stop shopping, I’m going to spend some time catching up with my dead relatives on Ancestry.com. I’m going to hunt my history. I’ve neglected my ancestors and they have stories that need to be told. Some are still waiting to be found. I want to find them and help tell their stories as well.
In the next 30 days I’m going to catch up on reading. I have a pile of books beckoning with stories of far away places, murders to be solved and all manner of mayhem to prevent.
In the next 30 days I’m finally going to teach Lily, our second rescue furbaby to walk properly on a leash.
In the next 30 days I’m going to add to my music library, rip and burn some CDs to share with the Grands, listen to some music I normally don’t listen to….. and find at least one new artist to love.
In the next 30 days I’m going to spend some time organizing my 20,000 photos.
Yep, the next 30 days are gonna be BUSY. BUT I WILL.NOT.SHOP.
I’ll keep you posted with my extremely successful what-am-I-thinking-30 day challenge. I’m confident hopeful I can do this. If you hear the faint sounds of laughter coming from Central Florida it will be Mr B…. who is convinced I will fold and head to the shops within a week, like a dog searching for its buried bones. But I am WOMAN. Hear me ROAR….. in my case it may very well be the sound of piteous whimpering.
Create your sanctuary no matter where you live.
Sometimes we are are own worst enemy. We allow envy and jealousy to control the way we look at our homes and the things we have.
You get up in the morning and walk through your home and instead of smiling and feeling grateful, you look around and sigh and wish you had…..more….. better….. newer…..the house that belongs to your neighbor, your favorite blogger, your best friend. And just like that, your day is spoiled. You lose sight of what you HAVE by playing the envy game.
The ability to head to facebook or instagram to look at the beautiful photos can be relaxing and fun. It can also lead to discontent. Everyone seems to be happier than you, have more. Every aspect of their lives seems perfect. Trips you’ll never take, movies you won’t see, a loving marriage. Beautiful, intelligent children. Even their dogs appear to be smarter than yours. Don’t these people ever get a pimple??? Have a sink full of dirty dishes? Have a room in their home that’s less than perfect??? The answers are of course; Yes, yes and yes…..of course they do. But the only photos shown are rooms perfectly staged, kids with clean faces and sinks that sparkle.
Social media can help us connect or reconnect with friends, it can inspire us to become better humans, it can give us information to help make our lives better, it can amuse us or provide support during times of crisis. It can also be a slippery slope into envy and depression…..the “why-can’t-I have, be-like-them, I-want-that…. thought process that robs us of contentment. Pinterest is loaded with images that are stunning, yes, but those images can also lead to feelings of, “I’ll never have a beautiful home”. “I can’t do that.” “I need a bigger house.” “I wish….”
Before you allow yourself to tumble down that slope, take a look around. Do you have a roof over your head? Clothes to wear? A bed to sleep in? Food to eat? Clean water to drink? You are blessed!
Stop wanting what everyone else has and think about what you already have. Can you improve it? Then take steps to do so. Clean it until it sparkles. Purge junk and outdated decor. Save your pennies and wait until you can afford to take that trip, buy those shoes, get a new bed. Small homes and rooms can be as beautifully designed as large ones. I’ve been in large, million dollar homes that had no personality or character, filled with the latest fad, but without warmth.
I’ve also been in tiny homes that were decorated in such a way that they lived large and were filled with beauty. Decorating your home with things that speak to your heart is much more important than having the latest trend. This doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun and follow a trend…..if you love it and can add a bit of it to spice up your decor, go for it and enjoy it. Just don’t let it consume you and lead you to forget to treasure what you already have.
Realize that whatever your financial situation, you can have enough. Opt for classic, never go-out-of-style materials, and decorate your home with what YOU love, not what the magazines and blogs are pushing at any given moment. Instead of thinking, “oh geez, I want that!” Stop for a second and remember in six months or a year these people may be living with out-dated things and will be spending money on the next big thing, while trying to unload the crap that now one wants. While you??? You are basking in the home that is decorated with things that stand the test of time. It won’t give you a bigger home or one with bigger rooms, and I can’t promise you won’t be living with a sink full of dirty dishes from time to time, but great style isn’t about bigger or newer. It’s about heart. As in the things that speak to yours.
Make your home your sanctuary, no matter if yours is big or small, located in the city, the country or the burbs. It’s a matter of heart, not money. Create the home you see in your heart. You deserve to live in a sanctuary.
I love spring. I love the fresh colors outside, the flush of new growth on shrubs, my day lilies are already up and will be blooming in another month…the Caladiums are up early this year, no real winter to speak of. And the Carolina Wrens have already returned to their usual nesting site in one of my pots. I posted a few days ago about my early spring table, just a pitcher and a bowl of eggs. I want simple. That’s what I said; “Simple.” So why did I suddenly grab some of my collections and pile them on my table?? I have no answer to that. (Well, I do, but you’ll have to keep reading.)
I found some adorable sheep at TJ Maxx while shopping for new towels. I normally don’t do “cutesy.” I gave away most of my cutesy stuff long ago. (except at Christmas. Christmas cuteness abounds in my home.) The geese and swans, tiny mice, stuffed rag dolls for every season, hearts, you know, the wonderful classic country decor from the 80’s and early 90’s. There is nothing wrong with cute. I’m at a stage in my life where I crave simpler displays of meaningful, more authentic things. I’ve purged. Yes! I have! Don’t roll your eyes when you come into my home and find it loaded with all manner of collections. I know what you’re thinking! “THIS is her home PURGED??” “YIKES.” Yes, I still have stuff and I love my stuff. There’s truly not as much of it, I say. Mr B says it’s just different stuff. But let me have my little self denial thing, OK?
It was the sheep that started this. I was looking at them and I swear I bought them with the idea of sending one each to my Granddaughters for Easter. Promise. But……(as usual, with me, there is a but). BUT they are sooo cute. I’m smitten. Oh boy, any hope of a simple tablescape……escaped. Gone. POOF. First I grabbed my piece of salvaged wood. Then out came some milk glass, then some pressed glass, then some faux fern, and some faux succulents. Then the sheep. Oh my. They trailed down the table in a little mutton parade.
Then I thought……Hmmm….. what if I used my vintage bottles instead?? So away went the milk glass and out came the vintage bottles. I love those bottles. They are marked with places I’ve lived, or have some family connection. Fort Wayne, Indiana, Terre Haute, Indiana, Tampa, Florida, Bear Springs, Colorado. (I know no one in Bear Springs, Colorado. I just liked that bottle.) Important bottles. But I’m not showing those in this post. I’ll show those tomorrow, or maybe in a couple of days. For now let’s just gaze upon the milk glass and those adorable sheep. I can’t even……….. Wait. I hear Mr B calling friends to come over for an intervention. Is he talking about ME???? I don’t really have a problem with stuff……. do I??? I must grab my collections and run. Leaving no evidence.
Create the home you see in your heart. You deserve a sanctuary. Create one, no matter where you live.
Recent Comments