Who here loves Fixer Upper? I do! For those that don’t know what I’m talking about, let me explain! Joanna and Chip show the client(s) 3 homes. The clients pick a home that needs a ton of work. Joanna and Chip do Demo Day by bringing in the whole crew. Joanna shows the design plan to the clients. She brings in all of the pieces. Chip & Joanna do the reveal. The homeowners are happy because the home was put together in one perfect swoop of 45 minutes. Everyone’s happy, even the viewers! But what if they showed the slow approach to crafting a home?
What is the slow approach to crafting a home?
The slow approach to crafting a home is more intentional and allows for the finishing touches in a home to unfold slowly. This is done by selecting pieces to bring into our homes mindfully allowing ourselves time to find what we need rather than following the latest trend. That’s when we can begin to create spaces that are truly reflective of the individuals who live in the home. What if we can learn to live with a home that is not finished to the very last piece of furniture or the last decorative item? We can then create space for our homes to grow!
The slow approach to crafting a home is not for everyone and there are many reasons why a home might need to be completed in that one perfect swoop. However, for those for whom the slow approach to crafting a home intentionally, I’ve put put together a list of tips for encouraging a slower, more considered approach to crafting a home
How do we implement the slow approach to crafting a home?
Taking our time
It takes a flower a whole season to bloom. It takes a house years to be transformed into a home. It’s frustrating to walk into a house everyday and see it not be “finished”. Believe me! I understand the struggle. But we need self-restraint to allow ourselves the time to collect items slowly based on how we live and what we need. It’s hard to live in a home that feels less than perfect when we know how it could look. But it’s all about the process right? I’m only now starting to see my house being turned into a home after 2 years! This is what I love here at Simply Designed Nest, that we are building a home slowly and we are excited to take you all on this journey with us! Won’t you join us?
Living in a space before making considerable alterations
We have re-done quite a bit in our home – new flooring, refinished deck, landscaping, lighting. We are only getting started! And it has taken almost two years since we moved in! When we allow ourselves the time to live in a space, our understanding of the space begins to change, allowing new ideas to emerge about how we are likely to use the spaces available and how we might want to live within them. Although it can be tempting to make all design decisions prior to having spent time in a new home, where possible, spending time and ideally living in the new space is one of the most helpful ways of gaining an understanding of how it can best serve us.
Moving furniture
Our homes and the way our furniture is laid out can positively or negatively influence our quality of life just by how we experience our spaces. If our rooms are filled with things we love, and if pieces are arranged in a way that is pleasing to us, our homes can bring us great joy. Moving furniture around can be helpful for gaining an understanding of what placement works best for our lives, functionally and aesthetically.
Allowing time to tell its stories
I’m always advocating a more mindful approach to decorating in general. In fact, I really do think the two things go hand in hand: an intentionally considered home that works for you and your lifestyle and simple living. With that being said, I love bringing in vintage or time-worn pieces that are natural such as copper or leather unfold to our home. It makes our home feel more soulful and lived, in and cozy!
Fighting the urge for perfection
Home should be authentic to the people who live within the four walls. Let go of striving for perfection and instead focus on creating spaces that are aligned with and a reflection of the seasons of life! Even when we do craft our homes to emulate that of a Pinterest Pin or Instagram square, it’s exciting for a second and then the excitement fades because it was never really defined as “ours”. Spaces do not need to be large, grand, or perfectly presented to be interesting. All they need to do is capture the quirks and idiosyncrasies of the people who live within them. Our homes should serve our lives!
One “perfect swoop”?
While decorating a home quickly and in one go is sometimes necessary, if we have the luxury of time, allowing our homes to emerge slowly is more likely to result in spaces we feel satisfied with for longer. If we are patient and take the time to collect items, discover finds from small stores or antique markets and allow objects to come into our lives in other unique ways, our homes will not be a cookie-cutter representation of the latest trends, but a true and honest reflection of the story that is unfolding inside of the four walls. Home is a story to be told.
How will you tell yours – fast and cookie-cutter or slow and intentionally designed?
Love,
[…] statement wall within my home. And I’ve always chosen it intentionally. You’ll want to take your time with the design process and have fun creating a visually striking focal point in your space! Happy […]