Today I want to take you on a flashback journey through how and why our living room has evolved over the last four years.
You might remember that this spring I brought home a new striped couch that I love, after passing the leather one on to my mom. I also finally made a decision about chairs.
Good news — the chairs and the rest of the furniture have arrived and I’ve been getting photos and a post ready to share everything with you. I’m excited about how it’s coming together.
Being intentional, taking your time, and understanding the thought behind each design decision — whether you’re using what you already own or buying new — leads to a room you truly love now and into the future.
Before I show the newest phase of this room’s evolution (coming soon), I thought it would be fun to walk through how the space has changed over time. I’ll even share a funny story at the end about something that happened this morning.
Changes aren’t always about making a room more “perfect.” They’re about making it work for your family and enjoying it in every season. Slow decorating, using what you have, and considering a family’s needs have always guided my process. I hope my example shows why that approach works so well.
First Year (Fall 2021–Fall 2022)
This photo shows the furniture that came with the house when we moved in (aside from a floor lamp, an ottoman, and a few accessories). Moving into a furnished home simplified the transition, helped us downsize, and conserved our creative energy for when we were ready to make changes.
We always knew we’d eventually choose our own pieces, but we wanted to live in the space first to understand what we actually needed and wanted. There was no rush — it felt cozy and comfortable.
Using what was already here gave us time to settle in and pay attention to how the room performed: the light at different times of day, our family’s traffic patterns, and how the space felt both for everyday life and for gatherings.
All the while, we were living—unpacking, adjusting, and settling into a new place. Letting life inform design decisions is invaluable. When you give yourself time, your home reveals what you truly need so you can make better choices later.
From the beginning we felt at home, and we looked forward to making it ours over the coming years. Small, simple changes were enough while life moved forward: wedding planning, hosting family, making memories.
Second Year (Fall 2022–Fall 2023)
In our second year we began experimenting more with style. We shopped our home for pieces we already owned, brought in a large rug from our previous house, and used an inexpensive slipcover to refresh the chairs for a comfy, beachy vibe.
We focused on small, simple updates at first while thinking about bigger ideas for the future. That approach allowed the room to start feeling more like us without a major investment.
Right before Christmas 2022 we realized a different chair shape would create more breathing room, especially when a Christmas tree was in the room. The easiest way to test a new idea is to use what you have or try affordable stand-ins.
I’m always glad when I take time to experiment first. That’s why I believe living should be part of the design process: test, adjust, and learn from how the space actually functions.
At the start of 2023 we began a major kitchen renovation, moving the kitchen to the back of the house, relocating the dining area, and adding a small Tiny Cottage. With adjoining rooms changing, the living room’s backdrop was refreshed with new paint, flooring, and trimmed openings by late 2023.
The renovation allowed a different furniture layout since a kitchen peninsula that had dictated the couch placement was gone. We brought down our leather couch, which pulled the room together. We only purchased a new jute-and-cotton rug at that point, and moved the blue slipcovered sofa upstairs to a smaller room. I love repurposing what we already own.
We hung vintage art above the fireplace, brought down a beloved teal ottoman, added bamboo shades, and made the space cozy and welcoming just in time for the holidays. It really felt like home.
Third Year (Fall 2023–Fall 2024)
Although we still planned to get new furniture eventually, we weren’t in a hurry. We enjoyed the cozy atmosphere all year and added a few secondhand pieces, like a vintage washstand that works as an end table.
That year brought many life moments: welcoming two grandbabies and grieving the loss of our beloved dog, Jack. In fall 2024 we also welcomed a new puppy, Finnegan, so I’m glad we hadn’t rushed into purchasing permanent furniture earlier.
Real life, not Pinterest, often inspires the most practical and meaningful design decisions.
Fourth Year (Fall 2024 – now)
Right after Christmas 2024 we decided to try the leather sofa in my parents’ Tiny Cottage. My mom loved it, and I was happy to give it to her. The leather couch had served us well for years, and it felt great that she would get to enjoy it.
Giving the couch to my mom nudged us to move forward and make firm decisions about a new direction for the living room. I loved how the space had been, but I was ready for a fresh look that reflected where we are now.
At the start of the year we made furnishing the room a priority. We considered how the room had worked for us and what we wanted going forward. We chose a loveseat with down-filled seat cushions for comfort and a tailored back without built-in cushions.
Because our dogs like to perch on the back of the couch, we opted for removable accent pillows instead of attached back cushions. That gives them a comfortable spot while keeping the couch back smooth and less prone to being squished. We also chose pet-friendly fabrics, appreciating the ease of care we’d enjoyed with the leather piece.
We love the new loveseat — it’s fresh, cozy, and the perfect scale for our space. We also ordered new chairs, ottomans, and a rug, which have all arrived.
This morning I made a spontaneous decision to rearrange the new furniture slightly differently than planned. To my delight — and my family’s — the new layout feels even better. I’m so glad I don’t rush decorating or get overly attached to any single arrangement.
Letting real life guide design decisions has always served us well. That’s one reason I love the Room Recipe Method: it outlines essential ingredients and priorities that help keep decorating purposeful and enjoyable in every season.
Stay tuned — I’ll share a full living room update post with photos soon.