Howdy Friends! Today we’re talking poise and assuredness. I get family and friends asking questions like how did you think of using that box as a shelf or use that hog feeder as a table centerpiece or decide that old screen could be wall art? My usual answer is – because I like it. It could be I have a bit of talent in the decorating area but really I decorate with things I like so generally it makes me feel happy. I want you to enjoy your home and feel happy too so here are 5 tips to build your decorating confidence.
5 Tips to Build Your Decorating Confidence
#1. Stop thinking you stink at decorating
Just like art is personal and interpretive, decorating is too. God made all of us different and that includes our personalities and what we like or dislike. Don’t let Joanna Gaines or Martha Stewart or Kitty Bartholomew (oh wow, do you remember her?!) dictate what you should or shouldn’t like.
(Photo From – Lazy Hazy Days of Summer Farmhouse Porch)
#2. Start by looking at magazines or Pinterest and figure out your style
I love something about every style out there making my personal style Eclectic. That may be the best one because now I have an excuse when someone sees something quirky and vintage paired with a piece that’s rustic or modern. 🙂 Collect pictures and put them in a file or if you love Pinterest like I do, start a room board and click away. Once you’ve done that, go back and see the common elements. Are things streamlined and clean, modern and minimalistic? Then you gravitate to contemporary. Are the common elements chippy paint, romantic areas, lace fabrics and flowers? Then you like Shabby Chic decor. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a style you like, stick to that and you can’t go wrong. BTW – it’s okay to like more than one (or two or three).
(Photo From – Our Bedroom In Navasota)
#3. Stop thinking you have to be in style
Fads are short lived and trends last longer. Remember when the fad was a chevron print on everything or a sign that said Keep calm and carry on? I say, keep calm and enough already! We’ve all heard of ship-lap. Even though I think that trend won’t last much longer, it’s lasted years. To be confident stick with classic looks such as wood floors, stainless appliances and neutral colors. Hint: If you see a bombardment of something, it’s probably a fad and you should only buy it if you think you cannot live without it. In the words of Sheryl Crow – It’s not having what you want. It’s wanting what you’ve got. 😉 Oh gracious, now I can’t get that song out of my head!
(Photo From – Our Modern Farmhouse Dining Room Is Complete)
#4. Stop comparing your home to others
Social media is the worst. You can easily start to feel inadequate or a failure when you see homes on Instagram that are magazine worthy. Those pictures are probably from someone who has been decorating for years or has worked on that room for a decade and finally feels as though she can post it. What you don’t see in those pictures is that the other side of the room is a complete mess with stained carpet and laundry piled on the table. I don’t know anyone that lives like the pictures in magazines.
(Photo From – How I use Empty Frames in My Decor)
#5. Start showing off your personality
Are you a traveler with pieces you bought in places you’ve been? Do you have a collection of hats you’d like to display? Are you from a large family and want to do a gallery wall to show them off? Perhaps you love the outdoors and wish you lived in the mountains. Ask yourself what YOU like. With what do you want to be surrounded? Maybe you couldn’t care less about decor and want to be surrounded by animals. Well that is your personality showing and you need furniture and accessories that are easily taken care of, comfortable for you and your fur babies. And possibly wood or tile floors. You know, for shedding hair etc. 😉
(Photo From – Spring Decorating When You Don’t Plan It and A Few Tips)
Ask yourself this…
Does your home make you happy? If you were the only one that ever stepped foot in your house, do you like it? Does it look and feel like you? That is what’s most important. Never ever ever feel ashamed or feel less than because your home doesn’t look like your neighbors or what you see in print.
Remember the Lord cares more about your heart and your love for others than what your home looks like. If He were to knock on your door and say Can I come in for lunch? – He isn’t going to care about your decor. In all honesty, if that happened to either one of us, we’d probably fall on our face, burst into tears of joy and forget we have dirty floors. Let’s hope too that we remember where the foot perfume bottle is located. 🙂
Happy Decorating Friends!
Man oh man Cindy I feel the same way. This blog really spoke to me. Every post that is featured is a Josnna Gaines look alike. Shiplap , all white, bold black and white tile. Although I love it, it’s all the same and yes I agree will be dated in a few years. I have to admit sometimes I’m dissatisfied with my home because I’m comparing it to others. I’ve even thought about taking a break from IG but I have met some great Christian friends and I need to just be grateful for all I have ( confession over lol) thanks my friend for writing exactly what I needed to hear 😘
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Barbara, you always make my day with your comments and today was no exception. I even got all teary eyed. Glad it helped and we could all use a heavy dose of gratefulness each day. Whether it be our home, our health or friends like you! Thank you. Big hugs sweet friend!
What a great post! The fist sentence of the last paragraph is such a wonderful reminder of how we should live every day. I am so schizophrenic in my decorating I’ve learned to just go with it. WE All need to remember how blessed we are and be happy with what we have.
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Debra! Schizophrenic? HAHAHAHAHAHA That’s a great way to put it! Thank you for the kind words. Glad you liked it. You made me laugh sweet friend.
Cindy, I was an interior decorator before I retired! This is a spot on post. Fads will always come and go…I try to stick with classic! Great advice!
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Thank you Pam! I hope it helps some feel better. Have a great weekend!
I do remember Kitty Bartholomew. And what about Lynette Jennings. I loved her show. Everything you said is so right. We should be true to our style and not worry about what everybody else does. Great post.
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I remember Lynette! Oh my we are dating ourselves! Thank you for the kind words.
Your best blog yet!! I hope it’s read & shared to everyone. You do have a gift but it’s your heart that sets you apart!
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Deborah, I always know it’s you when you comment. I don’t know how, I just do. Maybe because you are so sweet to me or maybe it’s our kindred spirits. Either way, you always know the right words to make my whole week. Thank you sweet beautiful friend. I adore you.
Hey Cindy! This is great! It reminded me of my Mom & really brought back some fond memories. My mom used to always rearrange the furniture and items that she used for decorating. I inherited this trait too. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up so I believe it was her way of making everything feel new & exciting!
Since Dean and I purchased a new couch (a sectional) I have not been able to move it around at all. So, now I’m rethinking our decision to purchase that sectional! Hahaha For the time being I am happy with the accent colors I chose for the living room. I’m sure as time goes by I will eventually change out the throw pillows & other accent color pieces though!! I love your blog! 😄
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Lisa – I’m so thrilled you’re here! And I love that this post reminded you of your mom. That’s the best compliment. Your home is beautiful and girl, let me tell you, I’ve wanted a new sofa FOREVER! Thank you for the kind words. I’m seriously so excited you love my blog. Big hugs
Cindy you are speaking the truth here. It really doesn’t matter what’s in style or trending, what matters is how you feel when you are in your home. I don’t follow trends that much and just try to create a home that I’m comfortable with. What really makes me happy is having pieces in my home that I have created. That is the best feeling in the world and also no one has the same table as you or the same pillow. Everything is one of a kind. That’s what I like about your home also, how you put things together in such a unique way.
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Awww Mary, thank you! Glad you liked the post. I love creating too and having something no one else has. Guess we like to dance to our own distinctive drum. 😉
I really enjoyed this post, especially the reference to Kitty Bartholemew. I loved her show. One of the things that struck me is how confident you must be. The pictures that show off things in your home show all of us that you know what you’re talking about. Thanks!
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Of course I know what I’m doing and you know I’m not lacking in the confidence department. 😉 I think the show I remember most from Kitty B was the leaf table cloth. She hot glued faux green leaves and made a round floor length table cloth! My word, the time it had to have taken her!
What was the name of the other guy we used to watch -Christopher something? We are getting old. :0