Developing a Design "Mission Statement"

Since we moved, I've been feeling a bit design-discombobulated. I can not decide what way to go with our new home's decor. I feel like before I can really dig into any one particular space and I WILL have to go one room at a time (due to the ever-present budget/time constraints), I must come up with an overall vision. I need to come up with some sort of common theme/criteria/filter to pass all other design elements through. Kind of like a design "mission statement". John & Sherry did this with their Crate & Barrel napkin over on Young House Love when they moved in their new home. And Ange did it with her overall color palette on The Blooming Hydrangea. I guess I found both of those posts to be so helpful. I yearn to bring a cohesiveness to our new home and feel I can't just do that haphazardly. I must be intentional.

As you can see from the photo above, we're living in an 1800s farmhouse with a 1970s brick addition, shown on the right. Dave & I hope that someday we can do some things to the exterior to make the two sections of the home a bit more cohesive and maybe add some things like a front porch to add some curb appeal.

But, going back inside, I really feel I can't continue with the modern/ contemporary look that I loved in our last home. And Dave would really love if I'd somehow wave a magic wand and turn the place into a log cabin complete with deer heads and plaid wallpaper. But alas, that doesn't go either. Nor would I ever be ok with plaid wallpaper. Haha. Deer heads are currently in the family room but hopefully not forever.

So, somehow I've got to strike a balance between farmhouse, causal contemporary living and rustic log home decor. And make it actually look nice. Hmmmm....so... (as you can tell if you've followed me on Pinterest), I've been busy looking for design inspiration anywhere and everywhere. 

And lately what has caught my eye has been this whole vintage, industrial chic look. In fact, I just started a pin board dedicated to these items. 

I feel this would work in our home especially since several of the main rooms (the main bath and kitchen, living and dining rooms), I believe were remodeled in the 1950s. The feel of these images just seem like they'd "go" with our home. 

Also, as I look back through all my pin boards (Living Room, Kitchen, etc.) from months and months ago, I realize that I've been pinning images like this all along, since last summer when I first found out about Pinterest, well before I came up with this idea, when I was still decorating my contemporary, casual ranch home with fairly modern decor! The industrial chic look is a theme that ties a lot of my inspirational photos together. Apparently I'm just drawn to it. (And I just love how Pinterest helps us realize those things, don't you???)

There's something just so quaint about this look that takes me back to my childhood, standing in the doorway of the chicken house in my grandparents' backyard, wide-eyed as I surveyed the years and years of cast-off items piled inside the building: ancient bathtubs they used before they had running water, old toilets and sinks, furniture, household items, etc, things that completely fascinated me, but they had long since given up on in the name of progress, and left out there for the barn cats to climb on. It also takes me back to the simpler time, when I attended kindergarten and first grade in old school buildings before our school district built a giant new building. Part of me always wanted to stay in those hallowed old hallways filled with history and character and not be part of the privileged pack of students to attend the sparkling new modern school that we had not done a thing to deserve. I just love embracing history and living with and using things that my ancestors used. I love being transported to a time where people knew "how to do" and how to "make do".

Can't you just see a blackboard like this in our homeschool room someday?

source

And these milk crates in our mudroom cubbies?

source

source

 Or some fun open shelves in the kitchen with industrial bins?

source

And seriously, doesn't anyone want to get me these stools for my birthday?

source

source

And I could totally see my honey DIY-ing a clothes drying rack out of iron pipe.

source

source

And here, for the honey, we can even work in a deer head.

source

Or some faux logs.

source

source

source

And wouldn't a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and vintage lighting be fun in the kitchen?

source

And oh my goodness, I am LOVING the vintage looking green chalkboard walls here.

source

Etsy is just full of fun vintage pieces.

source

source

Anyone have some old luggage lying around? My living room is calling your name.

source

source

Hold up, I think I have some of these items!

source

Maybe Dave could DIY some curtain rods out of pipe since store-bought ones are so expensive.

source

Love the tripod light and the coffee table below.

source

Chalkboard, clock and yellow cabinets! Yum.

source

Hmmmm...stainless steel adjustable shelving!

source

More fun lighting and stools!

source

source

And shelves for small appliances with scrabble letter labels!

source

And I've LONG since loved the colorful decor in this kitchen (that I first saw on a Young House Love house crash) with vaulted ceilings, stainless IKEA island and concrete countertops.

source

So...I think this could be where I am headed to try to combine all those looks (farmhouse, 1950s kitchen, rustic, casual) into one main overarching theme. Furthermore, I feel like it also brings in some of the colorful, fun aspects that I love about Ashley's home over on The Handmade Home.

Not to mention, I may be able to find some design elements like milk crates and baskets, etc. for free or next to nothing since they were probably cast off in both of our family members' barns decades ago. And who doesn't like to practice a little green decorating by repurposing items that already exist?

So, what do you think? Have I lost my touch? Or am I on to something?

Recent Pins & Fun Announcements

Pinterest is very dangerous. These days, whenever I have a free moment, I enjoy browsing literally hundreds of home decor images for inspiration. Today I'm going to share a few of my favorites from the last few weeks:

Wouldn't it be fitting to DIY a colander light fixture in a kitchen? Those patterns of light on the ceiling are amazing.

source

I'm totally loving the painted chairs paired with the wooden pedestal table in this dining room. And those bold pops of color in the linens, flower arrangements, and dishes. So fun! . . .Today this is my plan for our future dining room. Although, that changes like everyday! LOL!

source

And why not personalize your knife block? After nearly 10 years, ours definitely is getting worn. Maybe this is exactly what we need to do.

source

The other day I wasn't feeling well so I watched a few episodes of Sarah 101 online. I really enjoyed this episode where she and Tommy designed this orange and blue nursery. I love the striped wall, how they used several shades of blue and several thicknesses of lines. Apparently I'm a huge Sarah Richardson fan. . .I always seem to be drawn to her designs.

source

I found these curtain panels, amongst others, on Etsy the other day. It inspired me to create an entire Pinterest Board entitled "Textiles". Fun, fun!

source

Also found these towels on Amazon.com. It would be fun to re-decorate a bathroom with cute towels like this. I love the bold pattern.

source

Do you like what I pinned? If so, click "Follow Me on Pinterest" off to the right and get tons more inspiration. :) And be sure to check out the "Homeschool Room" board on my Pinterest page. I'm collecting ideas for an amazing Homeschool Room makeover at my sister-in-law's home in Idaho! I think we will all be so completely jealous when this project is finished.

Also, we moved at the beginning of this week and I'm planning to give you a tour of our new home very soon. . .just as soon as we finish unpacking all the necessities! And getting re-connected to the Internet. (This post was scheduled BEFORE the move...) Talk to you soon!

IKEA Love

A few months ago, we had a family "Stay-cation" at my sister, Emily, & brother-in-law, Brian's house. Since they live just 20 minutes from an IKEA, Mom, Emily, Levi and I of course took a little trip there. There were so many things that I wanted to buy, but just came home with a pair of green KASSETT file boxes. I used one in place of an ugly banker's box in the bottom of the computer armoire and I used the other to store extra linens in the guest room under the night stand.

source

And I also came home with a 2012 Catalog. Just click here to view it for yourself.  After hours or browsing thru the pages, these are a few of my favorite things. . .

Lately I've been drawn to gray. Gray paint. Gray furniture. The Ektorp Svanby Gray Sofa for $599.00. I think that's a pretty good price for a sofa with a 10 year warranty and removable, washable slipcovers. And if you get tired of gray, just get another color. They offer TONS.

source

On page 36 of the catalog, you'll find this room. I'm in love with it. That rug...the white chairs...the gray sofas. I could live there. Not sure Dave would like it, but I could meld it to fit his style as well.

source 

On page 41 of the catalog, you'll see the wicker BYHOLMA chair. It reminds me of the wicker chairs I got from Home Goods that are currently in our front room. For just $79.99, I could probably use a few more wicker chairs. 

source

I've often seen the Poang armchair and wasn't too excited about it but during this shopping trip I  realized it came in a Black-Brown finish for just $69. Sign me up now. This could easily be used in a nursery in lieu of a rocker or glider. Then it could be moved into a living room when the baby grows up.

source

Another favorite find on that particular shopping trip was the ISALA coffee table for $199. I found the lavender color fascinating, although I'd probably be interested in other colors for a living area.

source

Another item that caught my eye was the HOL side table for just $34.99. It would be extremely handy in a living area for storing books, magazines, toys, etc.

source

Page 78 of the catalog encompasses a large portion of the HEMNES collection. You know, all those HEMNES pieces could pretty much come live at my house. I especially like the gray-brown finish.

source

On pages 80-83 of the catalog you can find the Expedit Bookcase. It could also come live with me. I can think of about 4,952 uses right now for an Expedit Bookcase...at least.

source

Page 156 of the catalog is definitely a favorite of mine.  

source

Gotta love the SVELVIK Queen Bed Frame for $199 and the HEMNES wardrobe.

Also think I need a set of 6 SKUBB Storage boxes as shown on page 163. They work great for dresser drawer organizers.

source

And here are just a couple other small space storage solutions included in the catalog that I thought were absolutely fabulous - a place to store your books and writing utensils within reach in bed...

source

And a fabulous little "table" on casters that will tuck under the bed or sofa when not in use. Great for puzzles!

source

What's the best thing you've ever gotten from IKEA? I have yet to buy any of their furniture but I sure would love to sometime.

In other news, after nearly 10 years, TODAY, 11-11-11, is Dave's LAST day of working his day job. Self-employment, here we come!

Day 12 - Intentional Design

Welcome back for Day 12 of the series: 31 Days to a Clutter Free Home. I hope that if nothing else, today's post will be thought provoking.

I currently read a lot of decorating blogs and it always fascinates me how people's styles evolve. For me, when we were first married and moved into this house my design style was {brace yourself please}

The "Whatever Was Already Done and/or

Free and Given to Me and/or On Sale" Style

I didn't really care what the house looked like. I was in college then working and traveling for business a lot. Pretty much always gone. Plus I was lazy. I absolutely hated painting, etc. And I was too cheap. I would rather use a cardboard box to store something than a decorative basket.

But thru the process of completely remodeling virtually every aspect of our home, and redecorating all the rooms, I have really been developing my design style. I'm not sure at this time what I would call it but it encompasses contemporary and casual styles with a lot of earth tones. Most of the rooms in our home are either brown, green or blue. All colors you find in nature. I find this very relaxing and peaceful.

I've also realized that other design choices play a huge roll in how cluttered our home looks and feels. It may not even matter if you've gotten rid of all the paper clutter and extra dishes and clothes. Maybe your walls, floors or furniture themselves are causing your space to feel overwhelming and cluttered. Bear with me as I show you a couple examples.

Study the following photos of bedrooms and think about which ones feels the most inviting and relaxing to you. 

source

source

source

Did you prefer the vibrant patterned wallpaper, the slightly subdued patterned wallpaper or the plain painted walls? I definitely prefer the painted walls. I feel like I could actually sleep in that space.

Now, let's look at bookshelves:

This first option - Open, Floor-to-Ceiling Bookshelves. This just makes me cringe, honestly. If this were in my office/workspace, there is no way I could accomplish much. My mind is simply overwhelmed by all the books. I know some people may love this look, but I just couldn't have it.

source

This option is better. Even though these are open, floor-to-ceiling shelves as well, the molding and chunkiness of the shelf dividers makes it feel less cluttered. And the owner has done a good job of "styling" the shelves so they are jammed full.

source

This would be more my speed. I like having the doors on the bottom half of the built in shelves and the decorative chunkier moldings also make it seem less cluttered. I could live with this (but I'd add books, pics, etc.)

source

Now let's look at a couple other pics for fun. Perhaps you don't have patterned wallpaper or floor to ceiling cluttered bookshelves, but maybe you're dealing with something like this hideous sofa (be sure to check out the source on this photo - it's an ugly sofa contest...LOL!!):

source

Perhaps your living room would be more welcoming with a solid colored sofa like this Svanby Green Ektorp from IKEA.

source

Or maybe you could just get a plain beige or gray sofa then bring color into your space with decorative, patterned pillows that could easily be swapped out as your tastes change. (Trust me...I have a plaid couch that I now hate.)

Don't get me wrong. I'm not "afraid" of pattern I just know that too much of it can be a turn off. I'm all about pattern in small doses like these fabulous pillows on a neutral sofa:

source

Or this bold chair in an otherwise serene and calming bedroom:

source

I also love the mixture of the patterned rug, colorful abstract artwork and printed arm chairs in this living room. There's a lot going on but it does not overwhelm your eye as you glance at the space.

source

So I challenge you to once again walk through your home and look at each of your rooms with a discerning eye. Are there any big elements like patterned wallpaper, carpet or large pieces of furniture that just fluster you? Can any of them be changed out, painted, slipcovered, etc. to make the space feel more serene?