There is all sorts of advice that comes with life changing events. When you graduate, when you move into your first place, when you get married, when you have children, when you get divorced…and everything in between.
Some advice you just take with a grain of salt. Some advice you shrug off and assume you know better {and sometimes, you actually do!}. Some advice you ponder and think back on over the years. Some advice you pass along to others.
I welcome all advice, because you never know when you may pull that little morsel out of your mental filing cabinet and use it.
Recently I received a piece of advice I have thought about, pondered, weighed…and decided it’s good solid advice. Maybe not completely reasonable, obviously. But good advice.
When you move, redecorate with new bedding and bathroom colors. Put new art on the walls and new pillows on the couch. Make it “me” and not “we”.
Will it still be a we? Well, yes. It will be for me and Sophia and Holden. Is this something that is completely reasonable? Meh, not really. This costs money, and has to be weighed on a scale of needs and wants. And mentally, I think that it falls in the middle. Not completely frivolous {like a weekend vacation giveaway would be}, but not completely necessary like food on the table.
I decided to set up a wishlist and think of color schemes and such for a place that is me. A fun home with girlie touches. With splashes of bright colors and fun. With quotes and patterns. I would browse Pinterest, sometimes even searching for color combos I thought would go well together {sometimes, they didn’t…thank goodness for Pinterest!}
Will I be able to do this all right away? Not at all. Because the things that are absolute needs come first. But I thought I’d share what I am loving for rooms of what will be my new home with the kids!
The master bedroom
I picture a fabulous navy patterned duvet cover & pillow shams paired with a set of fuchsia sheets. Add in some bold artwork on the wall. Perfection.
The master bathroom
I picture a ruffled shower curtain with coordinating towels candles on {thrifted and painted} candle sticks. A relaxing spot in a, what is sure to be, chaotic home.
More: link
The Living Room
I have gone back and forth on living room colors. The livingroom furniture is going to be dark brown, and I knew it would need pops of bright color. This quote is absolutely needed in a new home. Add some yellow pillows, maybe some yellow damask patterns here and there. A little bit on sunshine indoors to change the feel of the dark furniture!
The Second Bathroom
I pinned this months ago. I think it would be perfect in a bathroom that needs to be for the kids, but also for guests to use when they stop by for a visit. A fun chevron patterned shower curtain, coordinating towels.
More: link
Sophia’s Room
I want to keep many things the same about Sophia's room. She won't be able to have her bright, fun turquoise walls in an apartment. But I would love to keep things as bright as possible for her. This bedding set couldn't be more fitting. I picture bright artwork and poms hanging from the ceiling.
More: link
Who knows how much of this I’ll be able to do. I am still stressing out about needs. But allowing myself to think about wants, allowing myself to plan a home for me and the kids. Allowing myself to picture ruffles and chevrons and cursive art work…it’s been fun. It’s allowed me to day dream occasionally instead of worry. It’s forced some silver lining into the storm cloud.
So what do y’all think? Maybe before the end of the year I will be doing a home tour of our new place and you’ll see these ideas in use. Only time will tell……
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I love that bedroom. I am excited for you to be able to redecorate and start over!
I think it’s fabulous that you are looking forward…and creating you OWN space that mimics your soul is a wonderful way to look forward to something.
I absolutely adore the bedroom colours and that wall mount “When I’m feeling sad…” is awesome
You’re awesome
I love all those ideas! Creating a new space that is all your own seems like a great piece of advice to me. I think a lot of those things you could do yourself too! Praying for you daily, and glad to see you are finding some “bright” spots. Ugh, that was a horrible pun!
cute stuff!
How FUN to get to decorate an apartment completely to YOUR taste. Good for you seeing the silver lining! I LOVE all your choices, esp that yellow Happy quote. You have excellent taste.
Those signs are super cute. Love the bathroom one. I also love the colors – I have no eye for decorating my home so I’m always a tad envious of someone who can just pull it all together – even on Pinterest.
I think this is a great outlet to work with! Also with the right planning, you might not have to break the bank. Also with colors, have Sophia make art. There are some really cool ideas on pinterest that aren’t just “random kid scribbles”. I did one for daycare teachers that I want to do for us in the new house. Super easy: http://www.mannlymama.com/2011/09/a-pinterest-mash-up-toddler-art-project/
And I actually have a post coming tomorrow about this but I use this tool for color schemes. I love it
http://kuler.adobe.com/
Can’t wait to see what you can come up with!
I love these bathroom printables. http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/2011/07/brush_your_teeth_printable/ Bonus – free and tons of colors!
I’ve loved those colors for the master bedroom since you pinned them on Pinterest!!
It all looks great. And you. Great and you.
I think it’s awesome hon! With each new chapter that life brings come changes. In the case of anyone heading out on their own way I think it’s important to make your home a reflection of the people who live in it and what they want from life. All good things take time and taking time isn’t bad, it gives one time to contemplate decisions and determine if those decisions are truly in one’s best interest. Take your time making your new home and take it one room at a time, one thing at a time. I’m so proud of you and the strength that you have, you are an amazing woman, mother, and friend *HUGS*
Love these ideas, and fully support creating a new space that’s all you. I actually get a lot more excited about updated thrift store items for the home than high end furniture and accessories. Spray paint is the new duct tape. Except better. You know what I mean. I’m now *loving* the navy/bright pink combo and yellow accents w/ brown sounds so yummy.