Loving Home
I have moved about every eighteen months for the past sixteen years. Knowing that I would soon move, it would be easy for me to disregard decorating, especially when confronted with shaggy mud-colored carpet and walls like French’s mustard. But making home beautiful, no matter how temporary, is essential to creating a place where you can rest and enjoy life. Even if you don’t have money to create a perfect space, even if you know you won’t be there long, even if you have a pile of kids who will track goldfish crumbs through the house, it is worth every effort to create a home that you love. I’ve learned to work with ugly colors and textiles that I could not change, weaving them into a beautiful design. I’ve learned to brighten corners with lamps when there are not enough windows. I’ve learned to distract the eye from the brown carpet by sewing throw pillows in beautiful colors that compliment the brown.
The first thing I do when I arrive at a new home is to evaluate what I can not change. If there are things that must stay, I work around them. Does the room have too little light? Paint it a bright white! Does the fireplace have dated honey-mustard brick? Decorate the rest of the room with light grey and pops of yellow! Is the kitchen countertop pink with gold flecks? Cover it with an affordable peel and stick countertop cover until you have the money to replace it! Create a vision that you love incorporating the things you can’t change.
The second thing I do with a new home is to evaluate what I already have. Does my rug go with my new home, or is it time to find something new? Will my curtains work on the new windows? Will my bedding look nice, or will it clash with the weird carpet in the bedroom? I buy and sell on facebook marketplace and craigslist where I can find affordable used decor. Do what you can with what you find! Remove whatever you don’t love. Don’t be afraid to buy different things for each space.
Finally, I create cozy, cheerful spots to live around my home. Homes are not for Instagram; homes are for living. Homes are for baking and reading and playing and fellowshipping and resting. I want my home to look beautiful so that we can enjoy all those things surrounded by beauty. Think about what you will be doing in your rooms. I leave open spaces for legos and building calico critter villages. I make sure there are blankets and side tables in the living room,so we can read with a cozy cup of tea. I have cute baskets of craft supplies next to the dining table.
Loving home is all about creating a place for you and your people to enjoy life together.
It is worth all your time and effort to make it lovely.
- LINDSEY TOLLEFSON
