The Evolution of Home

Here we are in 2013, BTW Happy New Year!!!!!, okay that said, lets talk about home. No matter what you live in: a house, or a condo, or an apartment, it is still your home. To me, there is nothing more personal! Right now, I get to call a temporary apartment in the great state of North Carolina home. My permanent home is being built as we speak. Yay!!! Over the past 16 years, as I have been able to decorate 4 houses so far, my personal style and design priorities have evolved. I think as we get older we just tend to take on a deeper sense of ourselves and what is important to us. We don't rely on trends, but instead what we love. So this new year I decided instead focusing on resolutions, I wanted to focus on evolution! I see us evolving over time into something beautiful! After 41 years, I can say I am happy in my own skin and now I want to truly be happy in my surroundings!

My favorite room in my last house. My kids are my art!

This blog now is going to be about how to make our homes truly reflect our lives and the people in it. How many times have you picked up a magazine and looked at the rooms and thought OMG that's gorgeous! But when it comes down to it, it doesn't reflect our real lives! Yes, sometimes I want to dive right into the picture and start living, however, lets see; the sofa can't be white, that won't work with the kids, the coffee table, lets change that to an ottoman for safety and comfort sake, the open shelves, well as pretty as they are, I need to hide a few things, and while we are at it, I'd rather see my kids, than a picture of a bunch of fruit! In the end, it really isn't who I am!!! I have spent most of a decade trying to achieve a look from a picture that doesn''t reflect my life or the things I love. Take for instance butterflies. I love them and always have. I have one in just about every room in my house, even the bathroom! Those who have been in my house can attest to that! Why the obsession? I just love the idea of taking something not so beautiful and transforming it into something beautiful! (No offense to the cute little caterpillars!) That to me is how I see our lives, ever changing, transforming, evolving - if you will - into something better everyday. Right now, I am okay with who I am and I am ready for my home to be a reflection of my life!

Butterflies, okay and yes wine, makes me happy! :)

Here's a good example: this wall decor I used my last house. Not only does it reflect my love of butterflies, but I took a wine box from my ten year anniversary trip to Napa Valley, stained it, and hung it on the wall in my dining room. Now when I see this I remember the romantic get-a-way my husband and I had together. It has meaning! (Oh and did I mention this whole thing only cost $15!) It "tells my story", to quote one of my favorite decorators, Nate Berkus. He says, "Our homes tell our stories; they reflect the places we've been and the people we've loved along the way - and there can be no more beautiful design than that." I knew I loved him! I couldn't have said it better myself! I have just read his new book, "The Things That Matter" cover to cover - I think we are design sole mates, not to mention, both overly OCD Virgo's! Here's a quick side note for you Nate - if you were to ever read this - I, too, decant my eggs, and the coffee, and the mouthwash, and even my lotions! Hi, my name is Shannon and I, too, am a decanter! I even peel the ugly stickers off all the fruit, before I put it in a bowl! Phew! Glad that is out in the open! But guess what? That's me and I'm okay with that! Okay, sorry for that, back to the topic.

My current apartment home - I still wanted it to feel like home!

So, what I am trying to tell you is this new house I am about to design, will be a true reflection of me; my past, my travels, my family, the things I love! If I don't love it, it won't make the cut! I want it all set in my casual elegant style with a hint of rustic. Drenched in the soft neutrals; grays, browns, and creams. Then splashed with my favorite colors: orange, aqua, and green! It is my own recipe. A recipe that says, this is me - my home! Here's an idea, instead of hitting the stores for design inspiration...who am I kidding, I'll still shop just a little - I do have an Ikea now! - I will also be hitting the storage boxes in the attic for more personal inspiration! I hope along the way, I will inspire you to dust off the old family pics, scavenge the attic for memorabilia, and let your home speak to who you are! I will show you how to do it with style - budget friendly style, that is! You can also "like" my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/shcreatinghome, to get a more detailed play by play. Plus, I always share great home tips I find on the web!


Here's a poem I wrote for my mother many years ago on Mother's Day and it will make it into my home! Hmmm...the creative juices are flowing!!!!

"In a cocoon of love you gave me life, then gave me wings, so I could fly!"  ~ Me