Someone asked me the other night if I am an Interior Decorator. My first reaction was to laugh, because that is the farthest from how I would personally describe myself. But I didn’t want to appear rude, so I held it in and said I was not. Her question made me think, though. Yes, I sort of am an interior decorator. I mean, I re-arrange our furniture almost weekly. My mom knows this, my closest girlfriends know this. Bauer the dog certainly knows this about me. Ha!
Once I start moving even one piece, he runs off to another room and basically prays I’m not going in there next. But it’s true, I really do love to move our furniture, and I really do move things around often. Just yesterday I moved a wingback chair to the dining room table. It easily seats 8 people, and I thought it would be fun to have some texture amongst all the wooden chairs. (I have this strong love for adding texture to a room, but that’s another post.)
As soon as I picked up the blue chair to move it to the table, Maxwell asked me what I was doing.
Child, have you learned nothing about your mama?
OK, so I didn’t say that… But I did fill him in on my plans. He gave me a funny look.
So then I said, Because I LOVE to move furniture, and it makes your mama happy!
And it does make me happy. Very happy! Finding new ways to enjoy what’s already in our home is fun.
Moving furniture is the easiest (and most affordable) way for me to find creativity in a day-to-day setting. It gets my mind thinking in totally new ways. It’s a great 20-minute workout. The kids are guaranteed to look at me like I’m a tiny bit crazy. Bauer searches for a new hiding spot. And when Zack comes home at night, we have even more to talk about ;)
And proof that I move furniture often? Today, my living room looks nothing like the layout shown in these photos. I’ve moved the couch back to under the mirror, we’ve bought another wingback chair, and the yellow floral chair has been moved to our bedroom. And then there’s the Christmas decorations we’ve made and hung…
But let’s talk about something else just as important — did you notice the crewel embroidery on the wall? Isn’t that gorgeous? I found it at an estate sale for less than $20, and as soon as I saw the macramé plant hanger I was like, You’re going home with me.
I hope no one standing nearby heard me.
Now, to find a Fiddle Leaf Fig… (#plantlady)
PS. learn how to make a macramé plant hanger
Love that you intentionally decorate your home with things that make you happy! I wish I had figured that out sooner in life. Last year when I turned 50 :), I did a complete redo of our home. We painted and literally 80% of what’s on our walls is different (not necessarily new ;). Bedding, furniture, we reassessed everything, and have only what makes us really happy. Also, speaking of happy, I ordered one of your cute pouches. I can’t wait to get it, thank you!
Thank you for the pouch order, Alice! :)
One of my “bad habits” was to decorate our home the exact same way as the last place we lived in. We have moved many times since getting married, and I used to repeat the decor anytime we moved. One day I was like, this is silly! I often use the same decor, but I pair things in different ways. Thanks for your comment! xx
Hahahah :D
Dare I ask what part you’re laughing at? ;D
The whole thing got me with your sassier prose, but the end really did me in. “I hope no one standing nearby heard me.” LOL. Girl, if we lived in the same area we’d be trouble because silly is my MIDDLE name.
I enjoyed this so much Maggie. I also have a love of finding thrifted bargains. But I am curious about something. I know you’ve moved several times. Do you always end up selling your possessions and starting over at each new location? I’m in the process of trying to minimize and your home looks so fresh and uncluttered. So I’m curious as to what your strategy is. I tend to get attached to certain items and don’t want to part with them. :-)
When we moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, yes we totally started over. We had very very few things with us, only what fit inside our Jeep (which we drove). Because apartment life is so compact in LA, I’ve had a simplified style (home/clothing/essentials) ever since. I generally don’t keep something if I don’t like it. Sometimes I hold on to things until I can decide, then I get sell or donate if I need to. We don’t have oodles of options, with anything! My family really has just a few things, and this relates to home decor/toys/clothing/etc. I’m also a big fan of large storage solutions, like dressers and bookshelves. They give the room a clean look but can hold a lot of fun things, too :)
Let me know if I can answer any other questions, I’m happy to! xx
I’m with Bauer, ha! ;)
I love our home Maggs. You’re a fantastic decorator.
Hello!
Home Depot – Ficus Pandurata Bush = Fiddle Fig Tree. It’s not huge, but it’s the real deal!
TOTALLY just discovered doing this to our first home (of 5 years) about a year ago and I LOVE the excitement and new-ness it sparks! Now if only I could get a few more inspirations… want to come to Toledo (Ohio) and re-arrange my house?? :-D
I saw that you were a fellow Midwesterner and had to stop and comment “hi”!! Hope to see you around the Craft circuit! Have you heard of Finders Keepers Vintage Market?? They are my FAVORITE organizers BY FAR. Ok, enough gab – shoot me an email and let’s be friends if you like! knittedhome @ gmail . com :-D
Haha, sure I’ll come! I’m visiting a friend’s house tomorrow to do just that ;) thanks for all your compliments!!!