You’ve probably heard it before…”shop your house” when you don’t have the budget for new or you just want a fresh look. I have to admit, whenever I’d hear Nate Berkus (or some other famous decorator on t.v.) say that, I would kind of roll my eyes at them. Because, frankly, I’ve been doing that for years. It didn’t seem like a new tip to me. When I would get tired of stuff, I would just rearrange a few things or take something out of storage. I would think, “Doesn’t everyone already know this?”
Apparently, I forget that idea every so often. After taking down Christmas decorations this weekend, my house felt completely empty. My first urge was to go buy some new stuff. Then I remembered to shop my house instead. It’s free!
Here’s my new winter mantel after browsing through what I already own:
I didn’t add a whole lot to it. Its still looks a little empty given my vast expanse of wall, but I’m happy with where it’s headed. I’m going to keep digging through my stuff.
Sorry the picture quality is so bad. I really need to learn how to use my camera the right way instead of just pointing and shooting. This is another thing on my “things-to-do” checklist this year: learn how to use my DSLR camera that I’ve had for…ahem…at least 2 years. But, that’s another story for another day.
Today, I’m going through what I already own and resolving to do it more often.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I don’t really like to make New Year’s Resolutions. I always seem to lose steam after a few short weeks. Instead, I’ve chosen to focus on a theme word. I chose, “Intention.”
Shopping my house when I need a fresh look helps me to choose what I buy with more intention and purpose. I hope to cut down on frivolous spending that way.
As you can see, I decided to add more of the western touches that my husband likes to our living room. When I updated this room this past year, I didn’t put some of this stuff back in. I didn’t mean to leave it out, it’s just that fall decor came, then Christmas. Now, I want to make sure this room suits both our tastes.
Ever wonder why my blog title is “Lilacs & Longhorns?”
It might become obvious when you look at these pictures. Can you tell one of us likes a Texas/Western influence and one of us likes a more feminine cottage look?
I think the stuff I brought in to style the room is really helping to blend our styles and tastes.
I brought the wingback chair in from our dining room to give it a test run.
Maybe I’ll find some more things around our house to bring in to the living room. It still seems a little sparse to me.
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to find everything I need for this room from my attic or another room, but it’s a good start. And, I’ll still do some “real” shopping (I definitely have a list of things I have my eye on.) But, if I can remember to just re-arrange a little bit more, maybe I can save enough money to make some splurges on some higher ticket items.
So, I guess you could call this a New Year’s Resolution. I’m resolving to be a better steward of my decor budget. Let’s see how long it lasts!
Linking up to:
Thrifty Decor Chick
Between Naps on the Porch
DIY Showoff
Coastal Charm
Elizabeth & Co.
Savvy Southern Style
Mod Vintage Life
Luv your style Julie.. I live in a home with 3 men. The Mr and 2 sons ( young men now) So my style has to be feminine with an edge.. a masculine edge.
Like a chocolate brown couch with a lacy crocheted afghan…
Thanks for sharing.. I look forward to your posts.
Cheers, Gee
Thanks so much, Gee! Sometimes it’s hard being “girly” with so much testosterone in the house!
Turned out so pretty! I try to do this as well, but I think yours look a lot more curated than mine. I love to see women with great taste trying to bring in their husband’s design influence. I do try to do the same and I think your balance is so visually interesting!
Wow…thanks, Lilly! What a great compliment! You made my day. 🙂
Your mantel looks great. I love the rustic pieces and that wing chair is gorgeous. I like our home to have a mix of rustic/agriculture and casual too.
Your home is so pretty!! I love your style. And I love your blog design too. I have been so out of it I don’t know how long you have had it like this but it looks so fabulous!!
Thanks so much, Angie! I just got the new blog design at the end of December. I love it too!
Always an excellent way to change things up — shopping around the house. It’s like opening a surprise package when you see how great something looks when it’s moved from one room to the next…and even one piece of furniture or one painting can get the wheels turning of other pieces to move.
Julie,
Charming look you have here on your mantel. If you like to paint…then you need to come by and enter my Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint GIVEAWAY…hope to ya there!!!
Blessings,
Linda
Love the mix in your room. Your mantel is perfect. How can you go wrong with that fabulous window?
Mary Alice
The mantel look great! I love the old window! Way to “shop your house”!
I love shopping the house and switching things up. I have a whole store in our bonus room/hoarding room. I need to take some stuff to the consignment shop really. Your mantel looks great. Love the old window. You may want to check out The Lettered Cottage blog and order their shoot fly shoot photography series.
Thanks, Kim! I’ve actually been contemplating the Lettered Cottage photography course for awhile but have been compressed for time — but, it’s definitely time to do something! 🙂
Your mantel looks great! I really love the window! I shopped my house to put together our winter mantel and I really love how it turned out. It is surprising what you can do with the things you already have! Great job!
Allison
Thank you! Your mantel is beautiful! So glad you stopped by!
So beautiful! What color do you have on the walls? I love that color.
Thanks, Ami! The color is called “Valley Hills” by Behr (from Home Depot). If you get the color swatch you’ll be surprised it’s the same wall color. It looks totally different when up on the wall!! (Of course, how much light your room has makes a big difference too.)
Beautiful mantel! I am loving how you wrapped your candles in the fabric! Totally transforms them! Stealing that idea! Thanks for sharing!!
Jenna @ http://rainonatinroof.com
Thanks, Jenna! Glad you like the candles!
Hey Julie! Wanted to let you know I’m giving you a shout out on my blog tomorrow! I totally stole your idea of wrapping candles in fabric! The post should be up by 9:00 am EST! Thanks for the great idea!
Jenna @ http://rainonatinroof.com