I didn’t want to overwhelm you with all of the “little details” that I planned to share, so I decided to break this one big post up into two littler posts. So, did you refill your coffee/tea mug and get snuggled back under a blanket? Are your kiddos off playing, or in bed so we can dive back in? Let’s do this!
6. Plants: Ok, I know that not everyone has a green thumb. For a very long time, I didn’t either. But, learning to care for plants is something I am so glad I took the time to do over the years. Plants are not only a way to add instant beauty and life to a space, but they are also just something to be really dang proud of! Having plants in your home can be so rewarding, and they truly do add so much character to a home.
Plus, they are great for air quality…hello?! Win-Win. Tip: Lowes and Home Depot both give a one-year guarantee on their houseplants! Keep your receipt and the original pot, and if your plant takes a turn for the worse, you can take it back for a refund. That being said, the internet has SO MUCH info out there on how to care for plants. If it’s a hobby that you would like to take up, there will be no shortage of info out there for you!
7. Photos: Aside from my family, design is the most important thing in my life. But, I simply cannot and will not ever be on board with my home lacking in photos framed and hung upon the walls. My children have a place on my walls. My marriage has a place on my walls. If I can fit a floral print, I am dang sure going to squish it in with some family photos. Because, here’s the thing: we actually LIVE here. If not for this family of ours, this house would be meaningless.
So, I know that the pages of magazines aren’t sprinkled with people’s framed family photos, but my home will always be. With that said, though, there ARE ways to display said photos so that they look beautiful beyond the actual photograph! Gallery walls or ledge shelves are a gorgeous way to display your family photos AND those floral or horse prints! Don’t be afraid to mix them up and have fun with it! Make it yours – that is the point.
8. Words: I love words in general. Is that odd? There’s something wonderful about words being strung together to create a beautiful reminder, idea, or maybe a laughter-inducing, hilarious joke. So, why not invite such a wonderful thing into your home? One of my favorite quotes is, “start each day with a grateful heart.” I think it is such a poignant reminder to myself and my children.
But not all words have to be profound or have deep meaning. At Christmastime, I wrote a quote from the movie, Elf, on our chalkboard. I also adored one that I saw recently from a fellow blogger, who CLEARLY has children. It said, “chill, yall”…how perfect is that?! I related! I laughed!
So, my point is that words hold power – we know that. Perhaps you’re in a difficult season of life and you need daily encouragement. Maybe, you are working really hard toward a goal and you want to be reminded of just how amazing you are. Or, maybe your child has been bullied, and seeing kind words daily is something small that brightens his day. Whatever your story, tell it with words in your home, both with your voice and on your walls.
9. Warm Woods: Read my lips: Woods are a must, if you want a home that feels warm and inviting. We don’t have to go all “rustic” or “farmhouse” if that isn’t your thing, but we should have wood tones sprinkled throughout our homes.
It’s sort of just a “thing” to bring the outside to the inside! Think of how often you might be inspired by nature, and how often we do bring other elements of nature into our homes, and how they make us feel. Plants are an example of this. Nature inspires color palettes ALL the time. Trust me. It’s a thing.
Stacked wooden bowls on open shelving (and, uh, functional bowls that you can actually serve food in are EVEN better for a smaller home where storage is limited!). A wooden coffee table with tones you love, whether they lean more grey or brown, or natural. Mismatched wooden chairs bring a fun eclectic feel, and they can be a great conversation starter. And HELLO, they are so fun to hunt for! Plus, budget friendly! Wooden cutting boards of varying sizes on your kitchen counter are both beautiful and functional (win-win combo).
10. Collections: Okay. If you live in a littler home, collecting a bunch o’ random junk probably sounds like NOT such a great idea. So, don’t collect junk. And it shouldn’t be random. They should be meaningful, purposeful items that you love to look at and/or use. Your grandmother gave you all of her old pyrex dishes, and you adore them? Find a place to display them so you can feel happy and think of your grandmother every time you glance that way. And then use them! Wash them, and make cookies in them, and accidentally chip the rim of one. Because we are LIVING in our homes. Little chips and imperfections are part of the story.
And, I promise you won’t implode if it happens. Someday you will look at that chip and remember how your little ones helped you stir the cookies dough and got carried away. Collections are part of our story, but they must, must, must be collections of things that we really, truly love.
