Nearly two months ago I wrote about my dilemma of whether or not to unpack the picture frame box. I appreciate all the feedback, tips, and conversations that came from my question. I had the realization that I was, and still am, afraid. I have zero confidence in my decorating/interior design skills, which then brings out the worst feelings of perfectionism not wanting to mess up this place of ours. So I ran around in circles for awhile in my head, knowing I wouldn’t get better without practice but terrified to practice because it might turn out horribly.
Eventually I had the epiphany I could pray about this. Heavenly Father knows what would make a good home for my family. I was quickly blessed with the inspiration to start with a skill I gained in my college days: problem identification. I put sticky notes up all over the house (they are still there) and began writing everything that I wanted to change or have for that space. Very practical things, not decorating things. A few examples from the main floor:
Dining Room: Place for computer, extra papers, camera, notebooks – storage for everything that turns the table into a desk so it can easily become a table for meals.
Above the Dryer: Space for basic office supplies; shelves for dinner mixes; place for shopping list and folder; place for laundry detergent and dryer sheets; place for non refrigerated produce; place for weekly ads
Living Room: Place for Emily’s toys; place for exercise equipment; place for musical instruments; games?; library book area; place for a few key books to read/ensign/friend. *Baby proofed – no fragile things low; stay open welcoming, bright; color!
I didn’t do anything except add to the lists and have Andrew add to or ratify the lists for a week or two. I wanted to make sure that we had the right problems and goals with each area before I started nailing things into the wall (the real reason the picture frame box is still packed).
At this point I pulled out my trusty pink notebook filled with lots of lists and brainstorms and began diagramming solution after solution, with many variations of each. Pinterest became a useful tool instead of an overwhelming nightmare of possibilities I didn’t know if I liked or not. Piles of books from the library were even better. For the last two months we have been hard at work at creating some of these solutions and this week a few of them have been completed! I’m excited to start sharing the progress we are making. There are many problems that still need solving and interior design styles to explore, but this place is starting to feel like home and I’m getting over my fear of putting things in the wall.
What the downstairs (sans kitchen) looked like right after moving, complete with green sticky notes:
From Minimalism to Lifegiving and A Fall Dinner Celebration
DIY Floating Shelves
DIY Photoboard
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