As I’ve been working on my home over the past few months, a few realizations have hit me. The first one was that I have too much stuff and I’ve talked about purging, selling, donating, organizing and paring down in recent posts. I find myself grabbing more and more things to put on the sale pile. The other day I was cleaning out kitchen cabinets and Jeff stopped and stared at me, sitting on the floor surrounded by kitchen gear and cook books, as he walked by. I looked up at him and exclaimed, “I’m getting rid of all of this! What is all of this stuff, anyway? I don’t use it. I don’t need it. I don’t like it. It’s gone! I see STUFF in a brand new way.” He just replied, “I know you do” and went about his day. He’s pretty unbothered by the things I do in our home!
So, as I’ve been working through things, arranging furniture, deciding what to sell and what to keep, I realized something else. A lot of the rooms I really love and go back to again and again have some things in common. Great antique furniture. Lots of white. Lots of blue. A few really great pieces versus a lot of okay pieces. Beautiful fabrics. Intentional accessories and wall art. Definitely a French and Gustavian leaning with some American farmhouse mixed in. Then I looked at my home. There was a lot going on that fit that description, but then there was a lot that didn’t.
The another realization hit me. I don’t have to just sit long for the rooms I’m tucking away in the inspiration files. I can create them in my home. I can edit out what’s taking away from that look that I love. I can be very selective about what I buy to make sure it works with that style. So, that’s what I’m doing. Why sit around wishing and wanting when I can do? That’s so true of a lot life in general. I want to be healthy and in shape. I want to start a business. I want to see the world. I want to go back to school. Whatever it is, I think most of us sit around wishing, wanting, dreaming…maybe even planning, but we don’t do anything about it.
The furniture in my home is really not important at all in the grand scheme of things, but why not work towards what I really want? Especially since it’s a big part of my business? Especially when, in my case, it’s involving a lot more selling than buying? So, that’s what I’m doing.
A few of you have noticed that my style is changing…evolving. But, it’s not really. It’s the same as it’s been for a long time, but my style is becoming clearer as I’m editing and moving things around to showcase my style better. It’s a shift in thinking that’s resulted in the style shift. It’s much more about editing than about adding whatever I buy that I really like and would prefer to keep instead of sell.
And I’m a champion at that – digging my heals in and keeping something I know doesn’t work, but I really, really like. In the end it’s like trying to eat a bag of kettle cooked potato chips while you’re trying to slim down. (It doesn’t work, by the way. Guess how I know…) So, you have to make a tough decision. Do I want the chips or do I want to get rid of the love handles and muffin top? Do I want my style to show through or do I want to keep this really cool find that detracts from that style?
And I’m really enjoying the results…
I smile when I walk into the rooms where I’ve incorporated this new way of thinking (for me.) I feel more creative in those spaces. I feel like there’s more room for living in them.
And isn’t that what a home is all about, anyway?
Dear MMS,
Why do you write so many posts in one day. Is this how you stay in the game. One post per day is ’nuff to keep us up to date. If you aren’t inundating us with the posts from your sponsors then its a post/pictures from your home. Please, show me (a faithful reader of many, many years) something original, creative. I cannot stand the picture of your dinning room table or the cow…it’s boring and I’ve seen it about gazillion times already.
Sleepless in Seattle
I completely disagree with every critical statement you made.
Sleepless in Seattle – sounds like you could use a nap.
If I could like this comment I would LOL!
LOL me too!
I find it very sad when someone feels that they have the right to lash out at someone that they really don’t know. At least Miss Mustard Seed has the guts to put herself out there, to share her story and how her style is changing. I don’t care if she shows 1,000 pictures of her lovely dining room- it’s her blog and her right to do so.
I suppose people who have to be negative have nothing better to do…..As a designer and person who is forever changing positioning in my rooms, adding and editing, I am constantly sharing this with my clients, friends and followers, and if someone does not like to see it …then don’t follow. Just my humble opinion Sleepless in Seatle. Keep up the good work Miss Mustard Seed, I always enjoy seeing your changes….
Rude Much… Sleepless in Seattle!!! My Mother taught me “If I didn’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all!” If your tired of looking at the same pictures (Which I Love to look at) then don’t read the post… Nobody is making you! I’m so tired of people hiding behind a computer screen, tearing other people down with their negativity!
MMS, This post really hits home with me, and I love it! I’m currently selling everything I bought for our home 6 years. I didn’t have a style then, and now that I’ve found my style, and the look I love, I’m making the changes to have a home I love, instead of just settling for a look I don’t care for.
I’m sorry you feel that way. The goal of my blog is to be encouraging and inspiring and it sounds like it’s neither of those things to you. I mean this sincerely when I say that there are so many wonderful blogs out there, so I would encourage you to read the ones that fill your creative tank. 🙂 I wish you the best!
Keep up the good work Marian! Many of us love your work and enjoy following along your journey 😉
Pay no attention to Miss Cranky! To be honest, I used to follow several more blogs than I do now. With two kids, I rarely have time to read posts. Your blog, however, is the only one I read daily (and sometimes several times a day!). I’ve been following you for years now and I still look forward to your photos and your projects. You’re sweet, talented, inspiring and beautiful. Keep doing your thing! You’re very loved.
My, my, my cranky, cranky, cranky. I get so excited when I’ve seen that MMS has posted more than once in one days time! And, to be a voyeur her home is just plain fun. I personally don’t care what she’s wearing or if she felt like layering or adorning her sweater with vintage pom-pom trim, but it’s not just about me.
woooooowwww…..maybe its time for you to move on.
I love your ever evolving style. I am very much the same way, and its very close to my style as well. I do like a little bit of industrial chic thrown in the mix of cottage style
I am sorry for the Sleepless in Seattle comment. I’m sure people have their own issues they’re dealing with :-))
I agree.
I love all of your updates & never get tired of seeing any area of your home. You are so creative & so inspiring. I also love your new way of thinking about your home & I can’t tell you how much this has helped me & my husband in our own home! We have made so many new changes the past few weeks that have made me fall in love with our home even more. Thank you for sharing your heart. xx Liz Marie
I love all your posts, the evolution and what you share.
Wow some folks just don’t know how to behave! Love all that you do and blog about, keep it up, any time of the day.
Under My Umbrella…
Why make a rude comment?? Haven’t you ever heard if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all???
I tend to agree with Sleepless. I started reading your blog two years ago and I’ve seen the dining room every.single.post, so I only read it occasionally now. I love the dining room, but enough already!
Every post? Maybe I’m imagining some then. I haven’t seen the dining room in a while. MMS you are an inspiration! I have learned so much from your posts recently about purging. I’m now doing the same. It feels good! Your house is beautiful. Keep the posts coming!
I look forward to your post and pictures. If one doesn’t want to be updated then one doesn’t have to look, do they?
Your house looks amazing. I too am focusing on what makes me smile. I am actually taking photos of all of my rooms and if I don’t LOVE each thing in the room. …well time for change. I think we should be surrounded by what makes us smile and feel good. Because there are no guarantees for tomorrow. No more more waiting of the right time. The time is now…make our homes what we want them to be. Hugs
I love your posts and the pics of your house! The dining room, the cow pic, all of it! Love the white, blues, browns, & the greenery. I’m just trying to absorb it all. Hopefully I can get the time this next year to work on my style! Thanks for being an inspiration. There really are some of us who appreciate it! 🙂
Your house looks amazing. I too am focusing on what makes me smile. I am actually taking photos of all of my rooms and if I don’t LOVE each thing in the room. …well time for change. I think we should be surrounded by what makes us smile and feel good. Because there are no guarantees for tomorrow. No more more waiting for the right time. The time is now…make our homes what we want them to be. Hugs
I love the way you are editing your home. I found the pictures you posted today helpful in illustrating what you’re talking about. I see where you’ve lightened things up a bit, cleared things out a bit – I love it! I wish Sleepless in Seattle would go take a nap – a very long one. Good grief!
Ok. Changing the subject. I have these cupboards my husband built and I designed about 14 years ago. Yup, in the dreaded dark oak with, um, verathane or some plastic-y coating on top. They are in the washroom (bathroom to American folks) and, unfortunately, on the built-in entry bench/mudroom “thing” and a bookshelf, too. I want to paint them a creamy white and was thinking of using either ASCP or your milk paint. Any suggestions? Really, really would rather not sand a lot (as there is quite a bit of trim and, I am impatient). Thank you in advance and I love all your posts…much better than a bill or an ad for, uh, “enhancement,” if you know what I mean!
Love your post. Makes me think too. From anothers point of clean out the extra. 1. I had never read a blog until 2years ago. I had never read facebook until last year. Once I started hooked. I have learned and rethought a lot. This year it hit me, I need to purge. I turn 60 this year achhhh and I have lost 40lbs with 15 to go, not just loose but get back to age 40 weight. size 10 goal, right now a 12 from a 16/18 at 5’11 thin. Next purge the house when you get into the biz of what u did. Selling and creating ut adds to the clutter. I have a small house and big furniture plus inheritance. So INHERITANCE is an area I want you too to consider. As females we are more sentimental, I have sold pieces that were my parents and grandparents. I have 2 son’s, one blind. So passing on is different. Letting go is different when it is family. What us your thought
I for one will never get sick of pictures of your house. I do not know why some are so rude-I look forward to your posts(even get a tad excited!!) You have helped me with decorating my home and finding new ways to look at things.
I love how you share your journey with us, always. I admire that your listening to you and what makes you happy. I love how you always keep us up to date on what’s going on.
You go girl….
I am so grateful that you share things with us on a daily basis. I look for your email in my mailbox everyday and my heart leaps when I see it. I love your style and I’m so glad that you share it with us. Your idea of purging has inspired me so that since after Christmas I’ve cleaned out a few closets and dressers. You’ve definitely hit the nail on the head. You start in one spot and just keep going from there. My poor puppies are confused about what I’m doing as I shift things around the house. Can’t wait to see what surprises you might have for us in your shop! Thanks again!
I feel like I have done the same thing in my home, it’s not that my taste has changed that much, I have just edited it a lot, and weeded out the things that don’t fit in with my style that were just filler things!
I enjoy every photo of your beautiful home you share. You inspire me to change how I observe my own homes style. Some people cant handle your awesomeness!
Dear MMS, Those covers that you made for your dining room chairs sure are sweet! I love how your dining room is evolving and you always inspire me in some way. Either I start purging because you are blogging about it or I rearrange something in a way that reminds me of you. So keep those pictures and posts comin’! Hugs, Anne Boykin
Love the Dining Room – Wish I was looking at it in my home each and every day! I see changes and updates – I don’t know what SIS is posting about???? You are my inspiration in so many ways – thanks for the great blog!!
As a blogger myself, I realize how difficult it is to keep up with posting each day! I was just thinking how amazing and tireless you are when I was reading your post and then I read Sleepless in Seattle’s comment! I could not believe someone would write something so rude! Keep inspiring us daily with your beautiful home and spirit!
Jane
Flora Doora
Dear MMS,
I am encouraged by all of your “editing/puging/thoughtful choosing”posts that you have written lately. We have lived in our home for only 7 years, but I have managed to accumulate so much unnecessary Stuff. Your recent posts have been exactly what I need to read. I am slowly gathering, sorting, purging, selling, donating anything I don’t love or need.
Thanks you for the gentle kick in the pants, and for leading the way! Carry on!
Your most recent posts have inspired me to take action. Until reading your most recent posts, I have been feeling stuck and unhappy with my current home decor. My motivation was gone! It is like you opened my eyes. I have so many things in my home that I don’t love but were bargains found at garage sales or Goodwill. I also have lots of stuff that are family keepsakes but I just don’t love these things. I have been feeling trapped with all this stuff. I just couldn’t make these things work in my home. So I did nothing with my home. Instead of doing something, I just spent hours looking at internet photos of rooms I would love to have.
I can’t believe someone is criticizing your frequent posts! They just don’t get it! Thank you for posting your thoughts as your style evolves. I so needed to hear what you are thinking. I am finding myself motivated again! I realize that perhaps I can sell some of this stuff and use the profit to buy things I really love. You have given me confidence that I can make my home into a place I love! Please continue to share what you have been doing with your home and especially the thought process guiding you through the changes you are making!
God Bless.
I love your posts Marian. This one especially has inspired me to make some changes happen. Thank you!!
This is such a good post! It really spoke to me.
While each may not agree with Sleepless in Seattle, I find it refreshing that the post was not edited out of the comment section. I have long thought that many bloggers only keep in the praise reports often at the expense of balance. Now I agree there is a kind way to say things but, to edit out an opinion because we don’t want to acknowledge it….not a fan. Thank you, Marian for allowing opinion and perhaps fuel for healthy, respectful discussion on your blog. I’m just sayin’….
I. love. your. posts. 🙂
I’m quite certain there are some people in this world that thrive on criticizing others, it makes them feel better about themselves. I have stopped following various blogs because things about that particular blog did not appeal to me…that’s not saying it wasn’t a good blog, it may have thousands of followers, it just didn’t move me for whatever reason. There are others that I’m constantly on, clicking around to admire pics, diy ideas, etc. It really is a simple thing…stop reading if it doesn’t appeal to you. I’m like most of the others on here – I don’t think I could ever tire of your pics of your home. I love every one and I love knowing I don’t need to go far into your blog if I’m looking for a particular photo of inspiration. You do amazing work; and I give you SO much credit for putting yourself out there, the potential target of criticism with every post. BTW, I love the recent changes to your dining room! Keep the pics coming.
Timely post for me, as I am looking at what I keep vs what I love in a new way. Please KNOW that you are not only inspiring, but there is absolutely NOTHING that you post that is boring in any way whatsoever! We love you, girl. And for ‘Under My Umbrella’, aka ‘Sleepless in Seattle’, as well as ‘Susan’ who agreed with her (who are probably the Same person), let me kindly offer you a little bit of wisdom in your response to MMS’s post: the ONLY thing that you honestly cannot stand and find boring is……yourself. It takes a person who is miserable with themselves, and their lack of creativity and inspiration, to write such mean words. Please note that you are ALONE in your response to this post. Alone. Which is a very lonely place to be. And to what ‘Joyce’ above wrote – Amen…I could not have said it better!!!
I love your post! I never get tired of your dining room, I think each time you post a picture it is different and shows how small changes can make a big impact. I love moving little things around to different rooms to give it a new look without spending money! Your post give ideas and inspiration for those little and big changes! Maybe sleepless in Seattle does not see your little changes so to her it looks the same, but for those that see the detail…we see the little changes and get excited!
I, too, love your posts and even if I see the same room 3 or 4 times a week that’s helpful to me as it eventually “registers” in the brain that I want to simplify and/or change things in my home. Takes a while for things to register in this boomer’s head 😉
Having said that, I remember reading a while back to be kind to those who may say or do something a bit mean or nasty…none of us know what that person may be going through. I would like to think it was simply a bad moment, bad day, bad circumstance that caused that reaction.
Your blog is one of the first I subscribed to a little more than a year ago. I have become addicted to about 6 or 7 blogs now and look forward to them each and every morning. Thank you for helping a boomer continue to dream and grow!
I have not tired of the pictures of your dining room or the cows or your posts. If I did tire of it I would not post a rude comment, I would simple unsubscribe. It is nice knowing someone else has a home that is always evolving. You are doing a fantastic job! Please don’t stop. I especially like this post because you are reminding us how to keep “things” as things. Keep up the good work.
pare, pared, paring down: to reduce, diminish
Thanks! I was wondering about that as I wrote it… 🙂
Your words are just the kick in the pants that I need! I am waiting no longer to purge, clean,and do all that needs to be done to make home what I believe it should be. Thanks.
Ah, Seattle. And the Seahawks won and everything! Seriously, you didn’t pause before hitting send? My goodness.
MMS – DO NOT stop posting pictures of your evolving dining room, writing daily (and more even!) posts, and anything else you feel like. I check your blog before my checking account balance, horoscope and daily inspirational readings LOL.
Plug your fingers in your ears and walk around humming “LA LA LA LA LA LALA!”
Keep posting Marian……….. I for one am completely inspired by you and your determination to succeed, your vibrancy in a word, your evolving impeccable style, eye catching photography, and your faith in God………. the daily (one or more) posts are a delightful break for reading, and I am grateful and blessed to have found your blog. <3 Carolyn
I really needed to read this post right now, it couldn’t have come at a better time! I just need to print it out and glue it to my hand so I can read it as I de-clutter and organize my own home! Or smack my self in the noggin with it when I “forget” this mantra. 🙂
Sleepless in Seattle may have come across harsh, yes, and rude. I love your style, energy and design syle MMS. I have been curios lately though as so many posts seem to be repetitive (in my eyes). I have said “well, moveing mountains in your home is her thing” so I keep on reading each post you put out, day after day–which takes work on your part! I do see where S in S is coming from but also understand you are in a phase now, important to you and your business. Just as I am in the process of doing inventory for my shop and taking time to “finish” up our home in January, you have your focus. Only difference is that I don’t have a blog. If I did mine may be repetitive looking also. Just keep on…I know amazing, fresh things are on the horizon. 🙂
WOW! Someone needs a nap 😉 I love your posts. Keep at it babe! I am trying to put into action your words. I really have too much stuff. Comes from working in the antiques industry I guess!! I love blues, reds, yellows and greens. Most people do not do such bright colors, but we are building a new house and I will be doing everything I can to clear out the clutter and make our space the space I LOVE!!!
Jenny
I could stare at pictures of your home every day…oh wait I do!! haha! You keep me inspired to decorate, redecorate and create. Some of us need that constant inspiration to get motivated! Whether you send me a new post or not, I’m goin in to look at the old blog posts and those same pics that keep me going!! Thank you for being relatable, approachable and always willing to share things about yourself and how you create things. xoxoxo!
I did the same thing this weekend! Went thru all my cookbooks, which I never use, and put them in the pile to give away…. Clutter… Yuck. My style too is evolving… Redoing my hose in linens, khakis, reds, browns…blues…. Creams….
Love love love your style…. And if you ever want to sell your darling ruffled chair pads, I’m first in line!!!!
Hugs, Candace
I love your posts – all of them! I am sure all of us evolve… even if we keep the same style, there are different ways of showing it, and as we gain experience, we get better at it. And so I love that you show how things in each room are evolving (if we didn’t see it often, we wouldn’t get the all-important “step-by-step” that helps us all learn the process). You really struck a chord when you said, essentially, that you (we) should stop dreaming and just do it. That’s so perfect for me, especially for the new year. I’ve got tons of photos saved on Pinterest and Houzz – now I need to implement them. Thanks for the pep talk… cuz that’s what it was for me! Have a great day. Can’t wait to see what you do next – however big or small – because I know in some way I’ll be able to take inspiration. That’s why I visit. 😉
I for one love seeing how you keep working at a room and changing out things that work or don’t work until it evolves into something that reflects you and your style now. Sometimes I don’t always like the “after” as much as the “before” but as far as the dining room goes, I love what you have done and think you have hit the mark.
I read your blog primarily for your DIY and creative projects. BUT what I appreciate greatly about blogs is the personal voice of the bloggers. The details of your home, family, and thought processes that you choose to share are all part of keepin’ it real. They’re all Miss Mustard Seed, the person and the site. You’ve been up front about yourself and your blog–no false advertising. This isn’t Miss Mustard Seed’s DIY-Only blog. So points to you for the graciousness of your response, and keep doing what you’re doing. It works for a very large number of people (or you wouldn’t have all those Joss & Main referral credits, right? 🙂 )
MMS, I love reading all of your posts and am delighted when you post more than one in a day.
Going along with what you said about editing and getting rid of things, I have been following a non-design blog for a while by The Minimalist at http://www.theminimalists.com. You may be interested. I could never live with less than 200 things, like they do, but it inspires me to live with only the things I really love. Keep up the good work. You are inspiring!
I want more pictures of the rooms you are editing…….I want to see everything that you are editing, it’s giving me the push I need to do the same! I LOVE the results and I wait eagerly for everyone of your posts!! Thank you for your inspiration!
I have to say, I am a nerd and get excited when you post more than one post per day! As far as showing your dining room and dining room a lot … I often save pictures esp from your dining room , I keep thinking with all the changing you have been doing you are going to completely change that room( my favorite curtains ) As much as you like rearranging, I kind of can not believe they are still up ! Lol
I love those chairs. Did you purchase them or refinish them yourself?
MMS said something that needed to be said, especially on design blogs. Stop staring and start doing! I appreciate that so much and I could definitely start doing some of the design ideas for my home instead of constantly wishing. I love, love, pictures of your home. They are a source of inspiration for me.
Sleepless in Seattle has a serious “Sense of Entitlement” issue. Perhaps this is one of those awful aftermaths of parents catering to their child’s every whim. These children have grown up now and are morphing our world into a “Me Me Me Now Now Now” society.
Sleepless, a person’s blog, along with the rest of the world, was not created to please you. The authors write what They want to write about. Have you written to book authors to complain about their content? You read this blog for FREE. If you don’t like it, stop reading. You want to have Control over the content? Write your own blog, then hope nobody complains about your posts……
I appreciate this post so much so many reasons… I’m going through moments like that as well. We purchased our first home in 2012 and as I’ve been decorating and designing I’m realizing what I truly like and what I don’t… what I would change in our next home, and what I’d like to make the same. I’m finding my style which makes me realize I’m finding myself, too. 🙂
I am going through the very same thing! Gives me more spending money too! Hey, I have that same run in my den! I got mine at Home Depot. Looks great in your dining room!
taking away the “sluff” is what I call it! I am constantly doing the same thing, sometimes you just have to work with what you have, then when you have the $, or time to do it the way you envision it…the whole room, spot or even home comes to life!
What a coincidence – I just publised a post about discovering my design style. I really think it’s an evolving process, as we grow and learn who we are, what we truly love and what is most important to us – our design style developes to incorporate those things. It’s an inspiring journey!
I keep looking at your curtain rods and wondering where you found them?
Oh my gosh, that dining room, those chairs…. i think i may die over the chairs….
Anyway, i totally know what you mean. Most of my life living on a budget i would use “finds” and try to make them work – as i go through time, i have been getting rid of stuff that isn’t really my style, and replacing them with stuff that is… little by little – when you don’t have much money, i think you tend to hold on to things and try to make them work, because that is what you’re used too. … but a few good pieces are alot better than alot of small cute things that clutter up the space!
Cindy
Your dining room looks so clean and well-put-together……not too much stuff, but what is there looks great……
Am I imagining it or does your table have extenders on the legs? Whatever, it all looks great.
I think that the tan leather sofa is in the family room (not that I have the house memorized or anything) I know though Marian did a post on the cost and how she paid for it a few weeks ago so you could probably search and find it!
You know we are going through the very same thing in our house right now! It helps that 1/2 of our house has been striped back to the walls because we are having new carpet laid tomorrow. As I bring each piece back into the room we will determine what stays and what is sold. As much as I know my husband would love to have everything put back into the room as soon as possible I think we are going to try and take my time. I’ve got great pieces that I LOVE but have been tucked away.
Hi Marian…
Please take a picture of the door and post it. I would love to see it finished!!!
Thanks!
Gloria
*sigh* sending a (((hug)))
I have a question about your rug. Someone did ask recently but I didn’t go back to find if you answered or not, with this rug you now have under the table, how do you keep it clean? As for vaccuming, can you run a vaccum over it? Will it create pulls if you do? Do you feel these types of rugs are best used in areas where there is less traffic?
I’m debating on whether to purchase one for our den, but we have dog that did ruin our lovely looped wool rug. I never imagined there would be an issue but his nails got caught on the yarm loops and snagged it, not just once but several times. I spent many hours on my hands and knees with a crochet hook pulling the wool back into position.
Now I wonder if a jute rug would have the same issues. In a nutshell, in your humble opinion do they;
hold up in high traffic areas
vaccum well
and I know you don’t have a dog, but do you think they would get snagged by dog nails?
Maybe some of your readers may know.
Hi Cindi! I have I think the same rug. Not sure if it is common or not, but on the edges of mine on two areas they have pulled a bit, but nothing too bad. I love mine anyway! Besides my house is very much lived in! http://www.palmettochicks.org
Oh, did you step on my toes!!!!! I’ve been going back and forth regarding the knitting and jewelry I have made. I have sold some and given a lot away, but I want an outlet to sell the items. I keep hedging about doing Etsy. Even started the process, but… One of these days it will happen when I least expect it to. Thanks for the encouragement.
I think someone else asked the question and I’m curious as well? How’s your jute rug holding up? I’ve taken one rug out of the dining room already and now have bare floor. (Only 1 of our 5 kiddos is a clumsy mess- but all in all I’m ok with those stats) So, I need something that will clean well and hold up to our Squatch teenagers. Thanks much 🙂
When I first found your blog, I was attracted to your decorating style. Yours is the only one of it’s kind of the chippy/worn-paint furniture, lots of white that I really, really love. Maybe it’s the prevailing blue and ironstone that does it for me. (Neither of which I collect or decorate with.) I was sort of dismayed by your change as I so loved your former look. [I am loving the new look.] I am not a person who embraces change very well. However, I am very inspired by your, “only have what you absolutely love” attitude. It’s made me reevaluate my “stuff.” I am also a person who has a very difficult time letting go of “stuff.” With that said, I am determined to whittle down my stuff. Determined to only keep the “I LOVE IT” stuff over the “I really like it” stuff. Additionally, whereas I appreciate your resolve to get rid of things that you love but doesn’t fit your style, I’m not there yet. May never be. I do love an eclectic style. However, I’ll revisit this thought in a year. Perhaps I’ll be singing a new tune.
It’s a exciting but hard thing when your style changes. It can be a time of dissatisfaction or of great possibilities. I am still purging post-overseas move back to the US and getting everything we own under one roof. It’s great to say I love this…keep. Hate …gone!!!
Wow, I can relate to this. I am devoting 2014 to ridding my house of all the things that don’t serve me and my family. I want to return to simple living. And my design aesthetic is changing as well. I have already donated a ton of stuff to various organizations and feel good that it will be helping people in need.
Maybe it’s the time of year. I am purging my “stuff” too. I think sometimes our style just needs a little fine tuning. It may take a while but when we find it we know. 🙂
Love this post! I feel like I am never done getting rid of “stuff”! Good to know others are in the same boat as well!
I love your style, and wish it was in my home, but I have a husband who loves what he loves and is involved in what our home looks like. That’s a really good thing, too! So, keep posting your beautiful home and insights and I’ll keep drooling and loving the one I’m with. God bless!
Wow! Amazing, just yesterday I was going through boxes of stuff I had stored, I put some stuff aside to sell, and just couldn’t make up my mind what to do with the rest of the stuff so I repacked it. This year my goal if to downsize. Reading your blog today really spoke to me, it’s given me direction, now I know what I’m going to do with the stuff I just couldn’t make a decision on. Thanks, thanks, thanks. You can’t know how helpful this has been to me. I also printed this out, to reread.
This is SO GOOD!!! All of it! I feel so energized to tackle my home this week and once again edit out all the stuff that found its way in but doesn’t need to stay. I like the way my home looks, but I don’t LOVE it – it doesn’t reflect my true style. Thanks for the encouragement to work toward my goal.
I think it so important to be inspired by your surroundings! Thanks for sharing yours!
I have read your blog from its beginning and enjoy it. My suggestion would be to post LESS. I think you will soon reach the oversaturation point. I don’t think people would mind at all if you blogged, let’s say, four times each week. You want to keep your readers wanting more! I have noticed that bloggers like Maria of Dreamy Whites only seem to post when they feel like it, and she still has thousands of followers. The daily posting can get a little manic, in my opinion, and there is naturally a tendency for redundancy. You don’t want to be “talking” just for the sake of talking. It’s very obvious!
I really don’t think this would affect your advertising on your blog at all. I do think that quality trumps quantity in the arena of blogging. As a reader, I would feel that four times each week is enough for a busy mom and business woman. Why don’t you consider that? Best wishes from a faithful reader and remember to stay the humble girl we all first knew! 🙂
Thanks, I appreciate that, but I do post when I want to and I guess I’m just chatty and have a lot to say. 🙂 This blog is an outlet for me and I enjoy it. When I need a break, I take it!