Rome Wasn’t Built in A Day. And Neither Should Your Home.
Unless you happen to be one of the lucky few who has the budget to hire a decorator with a limitless budget, you are likely going to need to design slowly. A home takes time to procure but sometimes when we see shows on HGTV we feel like we should be able to pull it off within a day. Those shows can often be misleading because they flip a house and decorate it within a 20 minute timeframe. Who wouldn’t love that, right?
But most of us don’t have the money or the opportunity to do it all at once, so we have to give our homes a little bit of time.
You may want to consider purchasing a few higher quality pieces that you wouldn’t have been able to afford if you decorated in a day.
When I work with design clients, I like to paint a big picture for them. They receive an overall design plan and steps of execution that they can complete as they want to. Sometimes they want it to be completed sooner than later and I work within a specific budget for the overall project. Other times, I give a few key pieces that fit in their present budget and then we discuss an overall guide to finding the rest of the pieces with time, such as art work, an investment cabinet, or a lux table for the dining room. I think this is a huge advantage for my buyers as I shift into real estate.
I give prospective buyers ideas about how a property can grow into a home with time.
Some may want a full kitchen gut, while others may just need advice on a mini fix in the living room, or paint advice.
It’s the guilt free way to build a home you will love and it frees you to invest in the right property first and then focus on decorating it. Here are a few of my favorite rooms by Celerie Kemble. She has some beautiful pieces available in her furniture collection that are totally worth saving up for! (My favorites are the Cosima Dining Table, the Dickersen Dresser, and the Andrew Sideboard.)
What a concept! You are correct that after watching so many makeover shows, the expectation to complete a room (or house) very quickly is powerful. However, the reality is much different.
I have just moved into a new (to me) home and I want to completely re-vamp my style. I am trying my hand at something like ‘modern industrial farmhouse’. This style is a huge departure from my past home which was very formal and traditional. What this means in my situation is that basically all the furniture, rugs, artwork, accessories, etc that I had do not work in my new home.
My design-savvy sister explained the necessity of taking time to “do” the house this way. A comfortable home is a collection of memories as well as furnishings. The “acquired over time” principle works in that as you travel, have life experiences, shop antique stores, etc, you acquire the right things for your home. And it follows that many of the “things” in your home will be attached to memories of these life experiences. Ordinary pieces will now have a story. And that is one important thing in designing a home. It should be a collection of memories, effort, and experiences.
I want to complete my home immediately, but this perspective is one that I am learning to embrace and enjoy. Thanks for bringing it up in your blog.
What a concept! You are correct that after watching so many makeover shows, the expectation to complete a room (or house) very quickly is powerful. However, the reality is much different.
I have just moved into a new (to me) home and I want to completely re-vamp my style. I am trying my hand at something like ‘modern industrial farmhouse’. This style is a huge departure from my past home which was very formal and traditional. What this means in my situation is that basically all the furniture, rugs, artwork, accessories, etc that I had do not work in my new home.
My design-savvy sister explained the necessity of taking time to “do” the house this way. A comfortable home is a collection of memories as well as furnishings. The “acquired over time” principle works in that as you travel, have life experiences, shop antique stores, etc, you acquire the right things for your home. And it follows that many of the “things” in your home will be attached to memories of these life experiences. Ordinary pieces will now have a story. And that is one important thing in designing a home. It should be a collection of memories, effort, and experiences.
I want to complete my home immediately, but this perspective is one that I am learning to embrace and enjoy. Thanks for bringing it up in your blog.
What a concept! You are correct that after watching so many makeover shows, the expectation to complete a room (or house) very quickly is powerful. However, the reality is much different.
I have just moved into a new (to me) home and I want to completely re-vamp my style. I am trying my hand at something like ‘modern industrial farmhouse’. This style is a huge departure from my past home which was very formal and traditional. What this means in my situation is that basically all the furniture, rugs, artwork, accessories, etc that I had do not work in my new home.
My design-savvy sister explained the necessity of taking time to “do” the house this way. A comfortable home is a collection of memories as well as furnishings. The “acquired over time” principle works in that as you travel, have life experiences, shop antique stores, etc, you acquire the right things for your home. And it follows that many of the “things” in your home will be attached to memories of these life experiences. Ordinary pieces will now have a story. And that is one important thing in designing a home. It should be a collection of memories, effort, and experiences.
I want to complete my home immediately, but this perspective is one that I am learning to embrace and enjoy. Thanks for bringing it up in your blog.
Congrats on your new home!! I want to see pics… or I may just invite myself over! 🙂
I could not have said it better. I love your perspective!
I have to tell you that when I painted my wall black in Copenhagen I told Jack how I remembered your black walls. I thought you were CRAZY (it the BEST way!) and literally the COOLEST person I had EVER met. I would LOVE to see where your creativity is taking you these days!
Ahh! Thank you! I have a long way to go on the new house. But I will send you “progress” pics. You and Jack are the coolest people I have ever known and I’m so proud of all you have accomplished! I’ve loved watching your family grow.
Congrats on your new home!! I want to see pics… or I may just invite myself over! 🙂
I could not have said it better. I love your perspective!
I have to tell you that when I painted my wall black in Copenhagen I told Jack how I remembered your black walls. I thought you were CRAZY (it the BEST way!) and literally the COOLEST person I had EVER met. I would LOVE to see where your creativity is taking you these days!
Ahh! Thank you! I have a long way to go on the new house. But I will send you “progress” pics. You and Jack are the coolest people I have ever known and I’m so proud of all you have accomplished! I’ve loved watching your family grow.
Congrats on your new home!! I want to see pics… or I may just invite myself over! 🙂
I could not have said it better. I love your perspective!
I have to tell you that when I painted my wall black in Copenhagen I told Jack how I remembered your black walls. I thought you were CRAZY (it the BEST way!) and literally the COOLEST person I had EVER met. I would LOVE to see where your creativity is taking you these days!
Ahh! Thank you! I have a long way to go on the new house. But I will send you “progress” pics. You and Jack are the coolest people I have ever known and I’m so proud of all you have accomplished! I’ve loved watching your family grow.
You are too sweet! I look forward to the progress report!!
You are too sweet! I look forward to the progress report!!
You are too sweet! I look forward to the progress report!!