RE-decorating an Empty Nest- finding direction

 

It recently occurred to me-- that my own creativity was being squelched by BLOGGY overload and magazine HYPNOSIS!  I've been watching all of you transform your homes into post card styled, picturesque, rooms with expanse;  homes fit for any shelter magazine and decor themed periodicals.

But you are not to blame.  

You can't help it... because you have free flowing creativity and ambition! 

You can't help it... because you are able to manage your bloggy time, amongst all the other details of life, like cooking, cleaning, painting, shopping, gardening, etc. 

You can't help it... that all of your great crafty ideas and decorator skills keep me MESMERIZED and keep my eyes glued to the screen watching and waiting for your next design idea to pop up on my feed.

 

After all, I'm just looking for direction...

I posted on Tuesday, that I was having anxiety over choosing a paint color. 

Really... I was having anxiety over SHOWING YOU  the paint color I've chosen. 

What happened to me? 

I remember years ago this bit of knowledge that someone threw out there for me to munch on; it was this-- 

In general, women don't dress to impress the men, we dress to impress the ladies. 

It's true. Think about it. When we attend a gathering we ask, is it casual?  We wonder what the other ladies will be wearing.  We want to be comfortable yet, trendy. 

When this knowledge was bestowed upon me-- it was like a light bulb coming on and illuminating my closet. 

I got over that notion really fast.  I decided I would dress for me. I would dress to for comfort and personal preference. 

 I've forgotten this! When it comes to decorating this applies equally as well.  What I mean is this- 

I don't need to dress my home and my blog to impress other decorators and readers; I do want you to read and comment and interact; you all are important and I DO LOVE YOUR FEED BACK, but I also need to be me and be free to express myself. 

I need to decorate my home for my own tastes,comfort and preference. 

Modern and Minimalist styles of decorating are nice ...I like to look at pictures of these spaces. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be a minimalist. 

Beachy- Coastal styles are soothing and comforting I'm sure, but I don't want to conform to that anymore than I want to conform to a Mountain lodge atmosphere. I don't live in a big city or near the beach or in the mountains. I live in a rural pastoral setting-- 

pastoral:

–adjective

1.

having the simplicity, charm, serenity, or othercharacteristics generally attributed to rural areas: pastoralscenery; the pastoral life.

2.

pertaining to the country or to life in the country; rural;rustic.

3.

portraying or suggesting idyllically the life of shepherds or ofthe country, as a work of literature, art, or music: pastoralpoetry; a pastoral symphony.

4.

of, pertaining to, or consisting of shepherds.

5.

of or pertaining to a pastor or the duties of a pastor:pastoral visits to a hospital.

6.

used for pasture, as land.

I can't help but wonder where I'm going in the scheme of RE-DECORATING our NOW EMPTY NEST...

 most like you're wondering where I am going in this VERY BLOG POST! 

Earlier this week while reading up some of the familiar places I like to hop... I came across a few ladies that have some really great tips for making my space MY OWN. 

I'll let them tell it. .. but I will sum up my post with a few quotes from them. I am grateful to them for their words and pictures.  I think it was necessary for me to read these articles in order to move forward in my RE-decorating plans... 

I read a PURE STYLE HOME article 

I liked this quote--(with my own comment to follow) 

{In my basement I threw together a bunch of old seascapes I'd collected and mixed it with aquas and warm tones.  I love being in the room and it feels good in there but I don't feel that it's really very appropriate to our home.  I don't live on the coast and it's giving off a kind of inauthentic vibe...  even if only to me.}

Thank you for posting the picture of your basement and commenting that it had an 'inauthentic vibe' (your words) ... I needed that confirmation, yours is the second post in the same amount of days,that I've read, saying that we need to be true to the personality of our home, while keeping our surroundings in mind (my words). I'm currently trying to figure out a new decor scheme for our home with a tricky little fish nic-named Billy Bass (who is a keeper,btw) without decorating my house like a lodge (which it is NOT) or decorating it like a beach house (which it is NOT) -- So now, I finally have permission to be different! LOL and you're right it's scary!

I also read Room Service -Decorating 101

# 6 The "Interior" should relate to the "Exterior" when you design a space. This is my view from my Dining Room and Family Room . . . I live in the country, so a modern space would not feel right in my home, nor would a "Beachy Feel" My home calls for a "Country Feel".

Both of these blog authors nailed it for me when it came to the expression I want to have in my home. 

I like my country home; but FEEL as though I am wandering aimlessly through this new venture. .  I've got no idea what my style is-- I have an idea book with bits and pieces from magazines inside they give me inspiration, I've got lots of ideas inside my head and try to jot them down as they come. (I don't seem to move as fast as some of you) I'm working on the AMBITION PART...The best thing is the newest inspiration that I have and that is you! The ladies that lead with great tips and ideas and MY readers who give me such great comments and gentle nudges! 

I'll leave you with a verse; 

This has given me pause for thought and I'm encouraged by these words--

 

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Prov.31:27

That's the ambition part I was talking about. (smile)

I hope to have at least the living room finished soon. 

Most of all I hope to have the courage to blog about it AND PUBLISH IT!  

************************************************************** 

NON-SEQUITUR PHOTO TO FOLLOW... 

It's me! 

This was taken in the car on a road trip to Stephenville,TX (also known as TEXAS HILL COUNTRY) 

Jan 8,2011 --taken by my almost 2 yr old grand-daughter.  Not bad for 22 months, huh? 

God Bless you 

and Thanks for Reading!