Stylish Simplicity
by Kathryn Paris
If money was no object, how would you decorate your house? When dreaming of our perfectly appointed home, it’s easy to get discouraged because we think of all the things we’d have to buy. Many times, what keeps us from creating that dream design isn’t what we don’t have; it’s what we already do. If you were able to reduce the amount of stuff on your kitchen counter and donate that boring arm chair no one sits in, wouldn’t you be happier with your home? Often what inspires us about that magazine living room isn’t the $5000 sofa, it‘s the fact that everything seamlessly belongs. If you start being intentional about what you keep and only purchase with a purpose, you’ll find you’re closer to that dream design than you realize.
To fall in love with your home again, begin by editing what you already own! If you’re like me, it’s easy to become so accustomed to the way things are, that I don’t even see the pointless end table or the stack of books I never touch. However, I’ve realized when I take out some of the ho-hum pieces; I begin to notice the beautiful and cool things I already have. Try walking into a room and running a fresh eye over everything; taking your time and noting what you don’t really use. Imagine what you really want this room to look like and start removing some of the items that don’t fit into your vision. Look at things and ask yourself, “Do I need this?...Do I use this?...Do I love this?” As you begin to remove these unneeded pieces, the things you love or have memories tied to become the new focus of the room. Who knows? You might be surprised to find you suddenly like that sofa again once you get rid of a few worn out throw pillows.
Next, start attacking that constant clutter. Your home isn’t going to look like the one in the magazine if you can’t see the kitchen counters. Easier said than done, I know. Our lives are busy and unlike that picture-perfect model home, people actually sit in our living rooms and cook in our kitchens. Unfortunately, clutter is bound to happen at times and I for one, accept that. It’s easier to manage though, if we reduce the amount of stuff we have laying around to begin with and create a home where everything has its place. Papers often pile up on my coffee table, not because I need them there but because I’m not really sure where to put them. Once I decided to recycle magazines I didn’t look at after a month, and bought a file box to keep important papers, the situation improved. If you start by de-cluttering one horizontal surface at a time, the task will be over before you know it. For instance, remove everything on your coffee table. Then assess each item, find a place to put it away, get rid of it, or if you really love it, put it back. Reducing clutter in your home will make it easier to clean and easier on the eye.
Once you’ve gotten rid of those unnecessary pieces and your clutter is under control, it’s easier to see what you actually need to buy to complete your home. It can be hard to find the right sofa or the perfect lamp, but be patient and don’t settle for second best. Sometimes that means spending a little more money but go for quality over quantity. Choose things you love even if that means you buy less and it takes longer to finish your project. By only purchasing things that truly fit your vision, you’ll be happier with your home’s décor in the long run.
Kathryn Paris is the owner of Kathryn Paris Design. She can be reached at 770-365-8697 and kparis@kathrynparisdesign.com. www.kathrynparisdesign.com