Gift of Place

Spring has finally arrived! And with it our family room is getting a facelift. After months of watching Chip and Joanna do amazing things on Fixer Upper while being cooped up inside during a very long winter, we’re trying our own hand at it. I was quickly reminded of two things—everything always looks easier on TV than it really is and my husband and I don’t work quite as well together on projects as the Gaines.

Do you feel the need to refresh things in the spring? I suspect everyone does. It’s a time of renewal.
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We’ve lived in the same house for a long time and I enjoy decorating. We have slightly less square footage now than when we moved in because I’ve painted the rooms so many times! I’m not handy enough to do major renovations but I can sure paint.

For example, thinking back, our smallest bedroom started out as a guest room and then morphed into a bright circus theme when our son was born. After a few years, daughter number one called it her room and then daughter number two claimed it. It’s been white, pink, purple, light blue and green striped, and back to white. Finally, with only one child left at home, that tiny bedroom has become a mini-man cave complete with three black walls and various hunting trophies and photos. We’ve made good use of that little space.

While I’m often the one to dream up home improvement projects, they usually become a family affair. I’m lucky to have a handy husband and I often need his help actually accomplishing what I’m going for. The kids sometimes help, too. One of them enjoys helping with projects, the other two usually need a little coercing.

 Just like other parts of our lives, our homes need a bit of freshening up once in a while. Spring is the perfect time to throw open the windows, de-clutter our spaces and spruce things up.
  
I love this quote I came across on Pinterest:

          May your home know joy, each room hold laughter,
and every window always be open to possibilities.  Ethan W. Post

Home should be the happy place you return to at the end of every day. It should reflect your personal style. It doesn’t have to be big, or fancy, or expensive. It just needs to be filled with things that make you smile and tell your story. Often something as simple as doing a little rearranging or a new candle or pretty potpourri can freshen up a room.

Spring is the time to try some of those things you’ve been admiring all winter on HGTV (if you are a fan like me). Spruce up your nest with a little creativity then sit back with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and enjoy the longer days. We’ve earned it.

​Enjoy the sunshine! Kim