discover home:
There is a line from my all-time favorite move, You’ve Got Mail, where one character says to another, “You feel like a big fat failure. But you’re not! You’re daring to imagine that you could live another life.” I love that line because it brings me comfort. Especially when things feel off-kilter, or out-of-sorts. Our homes are a beautiful canvas for such imaginations. They are the one place on earth where we can sort out our troubles, embrace our creative side, and dare to imagine that we could live another life – even if it’s only within the confines of our four walls.
Embrace quiet…
I am not someone who needs to fill every silence with words. I know there are others who cannot stand the sound of silence, even one second. They fill the void with words, even when they don’t have anything to actually say. It’s a personality trait.
I am not that way. I relish the silence. It’s when I can hear my own thoughts, sort through my own feelings, and find peaceful clarity to things that weigh on my mind.
Our homes need spaces of quiet, too. Every corner, every wall, every table top doesn’t have to be filled to the brim. Sometimes, not always, but occasionally, a single piece of artwork on a blank wall brings more beauty than a wall that is completely filled.
A mantle or shelf can quickly become cluttered when too many items are displayed there. The eye sees everything at once, and in response, doesn’t really see anything at all. Sometimes having one single statement piece is more the look you’re going for. Finding the balance between too much and not enough is key. Realizing that not enough is often just enough, is where the magic happens.
Main characters and supporting actors…
I like to think of styling pieces in two categories; as items that can stand alone, they are the main character, and items that need a supporting actor.
When placing items for display, determine first what will be the main character of that particular space. Every space you decorate needs a main character. Sometimes it’s a vase, a sculpture, a brilliant candle holder, a floral arrangement, or even some stylish electronic equipment.
My first step is to determine the main character for the place I’m styling. I place the item there, and then determine if it needs a supporting actor. Then, I look at the grouping and determine again if it needs more support. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes it’s no. Other time I place a support piece and immediately realize it’s simply too much. And that’s when I opt back to quieting the space again.
Having a main character brings interest and intrigue. It’s knowing when to add and when to remove (or change) the supporting actors that life begins to take shape.
Dreaming of another life…
Our homes begin to feel stale after a while. We grow accustomed to furniture placement, styling choices, and the way the light falls across the table top. After a time, everything begins to fall flat and we lose interest in our own homes. Borrrrrrrring.
But you can dare to imagine that your home can have another life. Interior stylists will tell you that paint is the cheapest interior styling hack you can use. But what if you live in a space that doesn’t allow you to paint, or move walls, or replace flooring? That’s when the fun really begins. When we are limited, either by budget, by ability, or by permission, that’s when we must get creative. And creativity is where the fun starts!
Rearrange the furniture. Not just in one room, but between rooms. Maybe the pair of side chairs would be fun in a bedroom reading nook. Is there an antique cedar chest you’re storing in a closet that could be used as a coffee table in another space? Do you have a console table that might be an interesting substitution for a bar cart?
Or maybe you enjoy great music – what if you replaced the tchotchkes from one table with a turntable and speakers for some ambient music during dinner or times of relaxing? It isn’t simply the space that gets refreshed. It’s that you’re daring to imagine you can live another life within that space.
Reimagine with fresh eyes…
There is a theory right now called ‘hushing your house.” It is where you completely empty out a room and leave it empty for 24 hours. In that time, you reimagine how you want to use that space. Do you actually need a sofa and four chairs when it’s just two of you?
Does your dining table go unused for the majority of the year? Do you need a large table and six chairs, or would a smaller table that extends be a better solution? Could you get creative and possibly use a desk instead? Often times you can fit two chairs on either side of an open frame desk and use it for dining – bonus, you can store your silverware and napkins, placemats, and napkin rings in the desk drawer. Win win!
The point is to reimagine your space. This has been the biggest transformation tactic as we live in rental spaces. I often the tall shaving unit from the kitchen to the living room, and I’m currently thinking of moving it to the bedroom. By moving things around I’m daring to imagine that space can have another life, and that we can live another life within it.
Dare to imagine…
I love a good daydream. I find it to be the inspiration of most of my styling and rearranging. Daring to imagine that you can live another life is free – and dare I say – it’s so much fun! So if you find yourself in a rut, you’re bored with your life, give daydreaming a try. It doesn’t have to cost you a penny to refresh your spaces. You can do it by moving furniture, switching pillow covers, and moving around your styling pieces.
Imagine you are curating a space for a magazine, or for a museum… But the best inspiration of all comes when you realize you are actually creating a space for yourself. It doesn’t happen overnight, sometimes it takes a few days to get it just right. But when you do…. ahhhhh…
If you find yourself stuck – try removing everything and simply sitting with that silence for a day. It may be uncomfortable at first, but with time will come clarity. You’ll begin to feel what you want the room to be, how you want it to look, and what you’ll begin to dare to imagine that you can live another life right there within your own four walls!
xo, Billie
resources:
- The Adventure Begins When You Forward Your Mail: https://forwardourmail.com/moving/
- Three Ways To Create A Meaningful Home: https://forwardourmail.com/three-ways-to-create-a-meaningful-home/
- Arranging Things Book [affiliate link]: https://amzn.to/41yfGQc
- Sculptural Candle Holder [affiliate link]: https://amzn.to/4uYj5oT
- Real Touch Peonies [affiliate link]: https://amzn.to/3Pxi7Qt
- Black and White Graphic Pillow Cover [affiliate link]: https://amzn.to/3Pt1aqp
- Black and White Tufted Pillow Cover [affiliate link]: https://amzn.to/4bXzeCB
- Portraits of Home Book [affiliate link]: https://amzn.to/4sDH4s3
