One of the things I miss about my old house was how “put together” it felt. Not perfectly styled, but comfortably finished — the kind of home you can relax in because everything works together. We created an atmosphere that made us feel at ease and like we belonged there.
I love creating a home, but I’m not a design snob. My goal is to shape a space that reflects and inspires our family, so I always begin with what we already have and build from there.
Moving into this new house sometimes makes us feel like we’ve been sent back to the start, like in those board games where you get bumped back to square one. In one sense we are starting over, but in another sense we’re not. We bring the lessons and pieces from past homes with us, so this isn’t a blank slate.
The best part about how our previous house came together is that we learned a process that works. I don’t know everything this house will need yet, and I don’t have the budget to do everything at once, so creativity and patience are necessary. Making a house feel like home takes trial and error, but the steps are familiar. I’ve lived in many homes and turned each one into a place I loved, and from that experience I’ve figured out what helps a house feel complete.
I’m excited to follow that same process here. I’ve laid out the steps and strategies in my decorating book, which explains how to make meaningful progress even when you can’t do everything immediately.
Pulling a house together isn’t always easy. If you have a big budget you could replace everything at once and hire a stylist, but most of us work within limits. Starting with what you have means making choices about what stays, what goes, and what new pieces will have the biggest impact on your space and your budget.
Mirror: Lulu & Georgia
There are many elements to weave together, and the challenge is deciding which changes will make the most difference. Sometimes you have too many pieces, sometimes too few. The key is balancing what you already own with a few thoughtful additions that transform a room without overwhelming your budget.
So what am I working on first in this house? I’m defining how I want the house to feel. Capturing a feeling — not just a look — is the most important step. When you can describe the mood you want, you can choose colors, textures, furniture, and lighting that support that feeling. I’ll share more about the vision I’m creating in an upcoming post.
Focusing on feeling prevents you from getting lost in trends or purely visual decisions that don’t translate into comfort and cohesion. A clear emotional goal keeps the process intentional and helps avoid mistakes.
I also have a less glamorous but necessary project to address: a sewer issue. Old houses often come with unexpected problems, and this one is no exception. It’s not fun, but I’ll document the steps and share what we learn. Turning an unpleasant repair into a manageable project is part of settling in, and it keeps the overall makeover moving forward. As with most renovations, one fix often leads to another — but that’s the nature of making a house a home.
More details and ideas for this new house are coming soon. I’ll be sharing plans, progress, and the small decisions that add up to a cozy, lived-in space.
What house projects are you working on or planning right now? Let’s discuss!
If you want a home that’s comfortable but uncluttered, authentic but affordable, pretty yet practical, this book lays out tips you can use immediately with what you already have. It’s designed to help you improve your current space without waiting for a new house or a bigger budget.
My coffee table book will be available in stores soon and is discounted for pre-order at select online retailers. There was a limited one-day promotion at one retailer; look for current availability through your preferred seller.