Let’s get down to the dirty deets.

The first statement I usually hear as a designer when I walk into someone’s home is, “I’m sure it’s nowhere near as put together as your home.  I don’t have much of a style.  I apologize for it looking so messy.”

Contrastingly, the moment I step into someone’s space, my thoughts are, “This is a place they feel loved, surrounded by items of meaning, family mementos, creations, crafts.  This is who they are.” 

We surround ourselves with items that bring us joy and peace, things that intrinsically have meaning that people may not understand. This is the beauty I find in homes, the thing that I love unpacking most, who the person is and what brings them true pleasure in life.

It’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of magazine homes, but in reality, our homes are where life is lived.  And life is messy.  As military families, we are usually between PCS’s, struggling through a deployment or TDY, feeling emptiness, and it’s easy to fill that with ideas of a picture perfect home.  I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been caught up in this cycle.  Constantly comparing my home to others.  And recently, I’ve begun to see that that’s not where our genuine happiness with our home should lay.  Find it in that un-upholstered chair you’ve been meaning to get to, find it in that antique store score that you just can’t keep your eyes off of, find it in that family photo framed cockeyed because your husband just had to hang it before anything else, find it in a quilt your grandmother made, find it in the things that make your house a home.

“If you are confident that something brings you joy, keep it, regardless of what anyone else might say.” -Marie Kondo, Spark Joy

Off my soapbox!  I just want to let you know that you are loved for who you are, not what your home looks like to others <3

#realtalk

Budget is a reality that we face every day.  Oftentimes, military families are stuck on a single income budget due to spouse unemployment.  And let me tell you, we are crafty buggers!  Some of my best finds, I have found on swap pages or off the curb!

Something I pride myself in while working for Based in Design is that we always aspire to stick in your budget.  Whether it means upcycling something in your home or even sourcing project plans for you to DIY your own, we are here for every project.  I’ll be the first to say that when I have my eye on a piece, I save and save and save until I can purchase it.  Even if that means my poor husband is relegated to a couple of chairs in our living room while we wait for a sofa to be made.  And that’s what we’ve been doing for months! It’s real life.  Sorry, not sorry, our budget comes first.

 Being on a budget has taught me to truly be knowledgable about what I’m purchasing it and making sure that it has a purpose in my home.  I’ve begun to curate the items that I really think have a space and style I love.  It’s allowed me to feel free in being picky about purchasing life long items instead of binging on the latest trend.

So I highly encourage sticking to your budget and stepping back and deeply considering what your style is before running to TJ Maxx and snagging the latest decor just because everyone is saying it needs to be your style.  Find items that exude you and your family’s personality.  Look for decor that’s practical for your lifestyle.  Save for things that you truly know will exemplify your home.  Be crafty and create things for your home! There’s a true joy that comes from making something or refinishing something with your own hands.

All of this to say:

Your home may be messy, but it’s lived in.

Life is beautiful. Enjoy that life, it’s precious.

You are precious and loved and should feel comfort in your own space.

Let your space be you.

In complete vulnerability, here are a few photos of my home on a regular day.  It’s in a constant state of “figuring out our style”, which we are finding to be a dark, modern craftsman-esque. We are always saving for a quality piece, even if it means living without one for awhile.  I’m terribly indecisive when it comes to which photos I want to put in frames.  I usually have clothes in ALL the baskets.  Dogs are great at photo bombing + making a mess of pillows. I hate vacuuming, and while we’re at it, making my bed.  My trim needs to be painted. My husband’s “office” is usually just a landing zone.  I have about 20 client items waiting for pickup or install in my home at any given time.  It’s never finished.  But guess what?

 It’s home.

I want to leave you with this encouragement today.  Don’t compare your home to others, don’t worry when the interior designer walks in your door.  We are here to help, and we are just as human as you are.  I’m here to help you with your needs and listen to your dreams and ease your move, not to judge or deem it unworthy.  Because if your home is you, it’s beautiful.