Being Happy With What You Have

Yesterday, I was chatting with a friend who just bought a new house and she started asking me my opinion on some renovations she was considering. I actually had to tell her I wasn't the best person to ask as I have never done any major renovations...never taken down any walls, never replaced any kitchen cabinets, never installed new flooring. I guess you could say I've been pretty lucky--all three of the properties I have had the pleasure of owning with my husband were in pretty good shape when we bought them. But that's not to say  there aren't lots of changes I would love to make to our current 1960s house...just that when it comes down to taking a family vacation in the winter or splurging on a swanky new bathroom, Mexico wins.

The thing is, I really do want to live in a house that I feel good about. Heck, I have more books on interior design than I do cookbooks. I also really enjoy the challenge of making something not so spectacular look...well, if not spectacular then a heck of a lot better, just by flexing my creative muscles and avoiding spending too much cash.

In one of the first posts I ever wrote back in July ("The Living Room"), I talked a little bit about that giant eyesore--the outdated, multi-tonal stone/brick fireplace that I've been stressing about since we got this place in 2010. It just didn't fit with my vision of the living room and I felt like it threw the rest of the design out of whack. But, what to do?

Before

Well, it's taken almost four years of fussing around, but I have finally gotten to a point that I actually love our family hearth...and I NEVER thought I would say that. I've considered painting it white, and still might do so, but for now I can totally live with it. 

After

A few ways to live with what you have...and be happy with it:

• Make liberal use of paint...it is the easiest, most cost-effective way to make a difference (read the "Living Room" post to see how I changed the color of the fireplace insert, which made the single biggest difference to the look of the fireplace).
• Use accessories to add bold pops of color that distract from whatever it is you are trying to hide (in this case, the plants, books and even the cat bed are those colorful distractions).
• Don't underestimate the importance of cohesiveness. Bringing in elements that are similar in color, texture, style and finish can make the overall space more pleasing to the eye, and hopefully help to camouflage the not-so wonderful aspects of the room (the rustic vibe of the barn wood mirror really did that for this room, as it echoes other rustic, wooden, vintage pieces in our living/dining room).
• Invest in art. It doesn't have to be expensive, but art is beautiful and it always adds a touch of class to any room. The same goes for artfully framed photographs. And kids' art always makes a house feel cozy.

There you have it...embrace what you have! You just might be amazed at what you can live with, if you open your mind to the possibilities. :)