Change is a Good Thing...Occasionally

simplify life:

Well, friends, remember last month when I jumped up and down on the whole blue and white band wagon? Remember how I told you it lasted all of about a week before I realized it just didn’t feel like me? Well, I’m getting ready to hop on and try out another one. But this one, I’ve tried before – and instead of chasing a trend, or allowing myself to experience FOMO – this time I’ve actually researched my decision. And do you know what I’ve concluded? Change is occasionally a good thing. Let’s chat…

Sometimes we just need change…

I like things a certain way – and I like them in their place. Until I decide to move them, or rearrange them, or store them for a later time. I’m fickle like that. I design a space according to how I want it to feel, not necessarily how I want it to look.

When I jumped on that blue and white band wagon, I was craving spring. I needed to store away a few of my heavier pieces, my darker colors, and my wooly throws. The weather was beautiful and the time felt right. So I pulled everything from my storage shelf in the garage and began piecing together items that felt lighter to me: a wicker tray, two glass hurricanes, my white hydrangeas. I cleared my space and began piecing back together a look that felt fun and fresh.

And do you know what happened? I liked it. I really really liked it. But over time, when I walked into our living room and saw those blue pillows, or I walked into the kitchen and saw those blue placemats, or saw the blue throw at the foot of my bed, I cringed internally. It didn’t feel like the home we had spent the last couple of years creating for ourselves. It felt like a piece was missing, and like someone had spontaneously come in and tossed blue paint all over my beautiful things.

In a week’s time, I was changing out my pillow covers, putting away the wicker tray and blue place mats. And I reverted right back to my original color scheme.

Sometimes we just need to slow down…

Lately I’ve been feeling that same ole feeling – that need for change again. I look around our home and see the browns and blacks and taupes and creams that I LOVE. I mean, let me just reiterate that: I LOVE our color scheme. It is warm and welcoming, peaceful, and tranquil. And I love that it looks both curated and intentional – honed over time, if you will.

But still, there is a need for it to feel fresh and new for the spring and summer seasons ahead. I have a confession: Every time I get this feeling, I start with my pillow covers. I keep good feather pillow forms and switch out the covers. It’s easier to store, and much easier on my budget. Plus, it’s just fun to change them out from time to time. (And washing them is a breeze, too.)

When I pulled out my pillow covers, here is what I found: brown, black, cream, white, caramel, and blue. I have one sage green pillow cover. It’s beautiful, but cannot be used with our sofa. The colors are too close, and they simply clash with one another.

Pile of pillow covers laying on floor allowing for change in decor

Sometimes we just need to think…

So as I began my ‘research’ (i.e. shopping online at Crate and Barrel and West Elm) for fresh inspiration, but all I saw was a sea of blue. (No pun intended.) Having already tried that trend and learned I hated it, I was nearly left distraught. Craving color, and wanting change, is what I desired. But my inspiration sources left me feeling abandoned. When literally every source is only focusing on one single trending color, anyone who doesn’t want that color scheme is left to their own devices.

So, I decided to take my own advice and slow down, and think. In fact, I have a saying, “It’s the hard work of thinking.” That applies to meal planning, or packing for a vacation, or making a grocery order. Sometimes our obstacle isn’t the task, it’s the thinking it requires.

As I looked around my living room and dining area, my kitchen, and my bedroom and here is what I found: I have a lot of green. It’s in the form of greenery mostly, but there are a few other pieces; some modern green artwork in my kitchen, some sage green leather placemats, some book covers, marble dice picked up on our travels, and a very large piece of artwork above our sofa. How had I never noticed the green represented there?

Sometimes we just need to lean in…

Shakespeare said it best when he wrote, “To thine own self be true.” While I’m not a fan of this as a lifestyle motto, I do believe there are times when we can lean into it. Home styling isn’t the end of the world, but how we live and love inside those four walls can make a huge difference on how we feel about life.

So with that, I am leaning into the idea of adding in green for spring and summer. My hope is that it will lighten up our space, lend the summery freshness I’m craving, and provide the need for change I desire.

greenery on a black table with white napkins

coffee table styled with green and black

Sometimes we just need to simplify…

So in the vein of simplifying home, I would like to just give you the permission to embrace the need for change when you need it. I’m not encouraging you to spend money you don’t have, and you certainly don’t need to go out and buy new things. Sometimes, the change you desire can some from simplifying your space.

What does that mean? It can mean different things to different people. Simplifying home can mean, clearing some visual clutter for the summer to lighten up your home. It can mean clearing the heavy colors from your room, maybe the reds or oranges that are better suited for autumn. Maybe it’s learning what feels like home and letting go of the things that don’t feel like you. (Like my blue mayhem).

I will give you this one piece of advice. Having a stash of textiles you can pull from, that can mix and match, and swap out with the seasons, has been the biggest benefit Pillow covers and throws give texture and pattern, comfort and softness to a space – and most of them are not pricey. They allow you to change your home with the seasons, and also keep decor simplified throughout the year.

John and I are going to Nashville today, and I’ve already warned him that if we go, I must be allowed time in Crate and Barrel and West Elm. I might even twist his arm into going into RH again… I’ll keep you posted.

Have fun in your space. Change what you need to because change can be a good thing. Change shouldn’t feel like chaos. It should feel refreshing, so remember to keep it simple whenever you can.