Creating Beauty Out of Spaces

Welcome to my new blog series, Coming Home…

Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been creating beauty out of spaces and falling in love with organization and home projects. I remember staying up until three in the morning when I was barely seven years old and reviving my bedroom, designing a space I wanted to dream in. I loved falling asleep to the sounds of HGTV and searching the aisles of Marshall’s for pretty decor finds. My friends and family have always been amazed at my level of committment to cleaning and organzing. I’m often called a perfectionist, but that’s not the truth. I don’t believe perfection ever exists and true beauty comes from imperfections, but I do have high standards for where I live and spend my days, because that’s my sanctuary.

I’ve created countless spaces that inspire me from my small, childhood bedroom to our beautiful apartment and I’ve experienced big wins and small failures. Not every plan unfolds perfectly and sometimes what you write down on a piece of paper, or envision in your head doesn’t work in real life, or your space. Some people don’t have room for a formal dining room or a mud room and that’s okay. Your space is there for you and you should always appreciate your home. It’s where you shelter yourself from the cold and the rain. It’s where you laugh the most and speak honest, true words. It’s often where you fall in love and become the person you’re meant to be. Homes aren’t supposed to be perfect…they’re supposed to be lived in, comfortable, and a representation of who you are. Wherever you feel most relaxed and yourself is where you draw inspiration for your home.

I want every person who reads this blog series to feel happy and excited about coming home, regardless of where they’re living. Any space can feel cozy and beautiful. I’ve learned that it truly doesn’t matter the size of your home, whether you’re renting an apartment, or you’re buying your third house. It doesn’t matter if you’re living in suburbia, in an oceanfront escape, or in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by rollings hills. What matters is how you feel when you’re walking barefoot through the kitchen and cuddling up on the couch with a glass of wine. It’s the way you feel when you’re stuck inside on a rainy day or watching the birds at their bird feeder outside your window. It’s the little things and the personal feelings that make a home a home.

I found my true lifestyle and our home’s story when I fell in love with my husband and became a mama. Before I met Andrew I was in the process of recreating my space and expanding. I was newly single and was recovering from a very destructive, emotionally abusive relationship and unfortunately my home experienced a lot of tears and fights. My ex-boyfriend even punched a hole through my wall, leaving a fist shaped hole above my antique desk. The place I worked so hard to design went from a creative haven to a place I no longer felt safe and peaceful. My space needed some work but my personal touch was everywhere. My space was very bohemian and beachy, just like my fashion style, but over time my home’s story evolved and I changed along with it. Andrew, my husband helped me create a gorgeous, airy, and relaxing apartment and I couldn’t have done it without him. I look around and I see us in every piece of furniture and every little detail. A lot of hardwork and love went into our home and I’ll never forget the memories we’ve shared here, regardless of where we are in the future. You will find your home’s theme throughout your journey and I hope your ideas represent you at the end of the day. But, your theme doesn’t have to be straightforward or a single word description. You don’t even need to have a theme, but I find it helps to define your style and priorities. It’s easier to shop for your home if you know what story you’re trying to tell.

Our home is a farmhouse and no matter where we live in the future that will always be the central theme we choose, because at the end of the day that’s who we are. We’re connected to animals, nature, and a simpler time. We’ve combined modern touches with farmhouse pieces and sometimes I really love an industrial element. You can incorporate anything and everything that makes you happy into your space. We use a lot of neutrals and natural elements, such as wood. We also love galvanized metal, simple accents, and rustic details that tie into our story. Pops of color make life fun and I think they’re crucial in any space. Color also adds balance and symbiosis. Go on a walk somewhere wonderful or embark on an adventure and write down five things that inspire you, whether that be a glamorous city skyline or a tranquil river. Before you redesign your space or transform a blank canvas, it’s important to take a look at what inspires you to be your most amazing self. Would you feel more at peace and creative in a bohemian, colorful cottage, or a contemporary apartment? Maybe you’re like me and feel most at home in a farmhouse…

I find my highest level of insight when I’m surrounded by nature. I love farmland, beaches, and mountains, but farm style and country living have always spoken to me in a language I understand. There’s something poetic about rustic accents mixed with clean linens and antique furniture. I find true peace in caring for animals and enjoying a quiet, country evening. Remember, there are no rules to designing a space you love and anywhere can be a dream. If anything, I hope my new blog series gets you motivated to organize your closet and makes you want to buy a new rug, or a gorgeous vase.

After years of creating beauty out of spaces I’m finally coming home and I’ve never felt better about the story I’m telling.

Xo