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    How to Fall in Love with Your Room (+ Our New Living Room Arrangement Using What We Have)

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    It’s that time of year when we all want our living spaces to be cozy, welcoming and comfortable. We want to love our homes. But as you look around your room, do you ever have a nagging feeling that something is “off” but you don’t know exactly what it is? I definitely have! Perhaps you’ve considered getting rid of everything you have so you can start over with new things you love. I’ll admit that thought has crossed my mind a time or two.
    Sources: Plaid Arm Chair // Waffle Weave Blanket on back // Jute + Cotton Rug // Round Black Art (my art is birds which is sold out, but this is the same style with butterflies!)
    I’m a fan of using what you have when possible and not always buying new things.
    But sometimes it’s hard to figure out where to put the furniture you have, or how to combine what you have in a new way or a new room. And how to determine when you just need something new!
    Did you know years ago I wrote a book called But Where Do I Put the Couch? with KariAnne Wood from Thistlewood Farms? Seems like I should be an expert on answering that age old question of where a couch should go in a room, but as is often the case with design, the best answer is often found through trial, error and experimentation rather than in a universal set of rules to to follow.
    I think we need to give ourselves freedom to try new things, to break the rules and just arrange furniture in a way that is best for the room! This way your room will be better designed for you and make more sense.
    Source: Brown Gingham Pillow on Wingback Chair // Jute + Cotton Rug with this rug pad // Blue and White Floral Ginger Jar // Clam Shell (similar) and other sources // No link for those toys on the floor, ha!
    I am happy to say I stand by my advice in the book (which is not just about where to put the couch, by the way! It’s so much more than that! It answers 101 actual decorating questions from readers like you! Read all about it here).
    But even if we know the rules, break the rules or both, we can still feel stuck. I get stuck, too.
    Case in point.
    I was so excited when our renovation was nearly complete because I finally got to arrange furniture and get settled. But my enthusiasm soon turned to a slump. I just wasn’t feeling like the living room was coming together.
    It wasn’t the backdrops at all. I was grateful for this newly refreshed space and love our paint colors and new flooring. Love the new feel and layout of our main floor. I still planned to get blinds in the living room, and I knew we’d get those soon.
    Sources: Wicker Trunk // Jute + Cotton Rug // Leather Sofa Armchair Version (loveseat no longer sold) // Pleated Lampshade // Blue and White Stamped Pillow on Sofa // Dining Room Details
    While I was stumped at how to solve the furniture arrangement, a little voice in my head told me to STOP DROP AND ROLL.
    Catchy, yes? You’re welcome. A little lesson we all learned in kindergarten.
    This time though, there was no fire to put out.
    Just a little crisis in my head, but nothing STOP DROP AND ROLL can’t handle!
    STOP scrolling for more ideas that just overwhelm or confuse you.
    DROP the idea that shopping is the only way to solve problems.
    Get out of your head so you can get ROLLING!
    Sources: Blue and White Flower Pot // Plaid Arm Chair // Waffle Weave Blanket on back // Jute + Cotton Rug // Lidded Rattan Basket Under Table // Lidded Basket on Right // Round Black Art // Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
    Even though I felt stumped — like I already tried every combination or arrangement, I told myself I needed to get up and try again. If I didn’t like it, no problem, I could just move it all right back. If nothing else, it could give me clarity on what it was I needed so I could make a better decision.
    It was time to STOP DROP AND ROLL!
    I turned on my Fall Puttering Playlist, got my comfy tennies on, and started moving the furniture all around the room. I tried every possibility, even the ones I was pretty sure I wouldn’t love. But you never know until you try!
    Several arrangements later…it suddenly clicked! This felt right. Cozy, inviting, and pleasant for conversation. Funny enough, this is the arrangement I tried FIRST! I promptly dismissed it previously because when I tried it before, the dining room was still under construction.
    Sources: Wicker Trunk // Jute + Cotton Rug
    Here’s another handy tip. Don’t judge a room when it is under construction (or in a mess as the case might be). I can often look past a mess but this time, I made a quick judgement that was incorrect. I thought it was too crowded, but I am so glad I gave the arrangement another chance once the mess was picked up.
    There is plenty of room to get around, and the couch there gives each room a cozier feeling! It works! Best of all, I was so happy I was able to use what I already had! All I had to do was try and try again.
    Stop drop and roll.
    Sources: Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
    Once I fell in love with how the room felt with the furniture this way, it gave me ideas of things I had in other rooms that could serve a new purpose in this space. Our ottomans seemed too big and there were just too many legs in the room with four more on an ottoman (although I might try again, or maybe just get a new one someday). But I brought down a basket trunk I had up in the Snug and much to my surprise, it worked just fine in front of the couch!
    We love how the room feels now. I’m so glad I didn’t give up!
    If you’ve followed along here for awhile, you’ll recognize that many of these pieces are ones I’ve had for years and years and have used in many different ways in several homes!
    If you’re not feeling the love for your home, maybe it’s not your home or your furniture!
    Maybe you just need to STOP DROP AND ROLL!
    Source: Jute + Cotton Rug
    Hope this inspires you today! If you try a new arrangement in your home, I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram @theinspiredroom. In my HomeBody Gathering Place membership group I share in depth on decorating and creating a sanctuary through custom mini-courses and workshops.
    Join the waitlist HERE (homebodygatheringplace.com) to join us when we open HomeBody Gathering Place again!
    Find more inspiration and encouragement for your home in my books, including Love the Home You Have, The Inspired Room, and Simply Home. Find all my books here.

    Jute + Cotton Rug – with this rug pad
    Plaid Arm Chair
    Blue and White Geometric Blanket (reversible)
    Waffle Weave Blanket on back of chair
    Round Black Art (my art is birds which is sold out, but this is the same style with butterflies)
    Blue and White Flower Pot
    Lidded Rattan Basket Under Table
    Lidded Woven Basket by fireplace
    Wicker Trunk
    Leather Sofa Armchair Version (loveseat no longer sold)
    Pleated Lampshade
    Blue and White Stamped Pillow on Sofa
    Brown Gingham Pillow
    Wingback Chair
    Blue and White Floral Ginger Jar
    Clam Shell (similar) and other sources
    Dining Room Details
    My Battery Operated Candles
    Blue paint color: Beach Glass Benjamin Moore
    White paint color: Classic Light Buff Sherwin Williams
    Find more sources from my home and more decor I love in my shops! More

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      How to Turn Your Home into A Sanctuary

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      This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

      When I began The Inspired Room in 2007, my “tagline” was Refining Your Home for Authentic Living. While I don’t use that tagline now, it certainly remains true to my philosophy of home. While we certainly have embarked on some bigger renovations over the years, I actually find the most joy in the smaller refinements that can be made to one’s surroundings. I believe it’s the refining process that can make any house your home.

      REFINE: improve (something) by making small changes, in particular make (an idea, theory, or method) more subtle and accurate.

      When we understand how to refine our surroundings and know how to make the appropriate adjustments, the impact on the room will be significant in all of the ways that truly matter.

      Designing a picture perfect space is not the same process as creating a sanctuary. A sanctuary is a place of refuge where you feel at peace.
      Even if you create a picture perfect scene in your home, a photo cannot tell the whole story of how you actually feel in your surroundings. You are the one who can write that personal story and feel the impact of it every day.
      To create a true sense of sanctuary, you must learn how to refine the details that will make a difference to you and the people who live there. Those details could in time make it picture perfect (when it’s all clean and the lighting is just right!) but more importantly each refinement will begin to make your home a reflection of you and transform how you feel when you’re there.

      When you learn how to refine a room in this way, you can go through this design process with what you have and can gather over time. You will know exactly what decisions need to be made each season in order to bring all of your senses into harmony! These refinements are what will finally invite you to exhale and experience a sense of peace in your surroundings.
      Would you like to learn how to do this in your own home?
      I’m thrilled to invite you to my brand new workshop in HomeBody Gathering Place called Room Recipe where I will teach you the exact ingredients every room needs to feel like a sanctuary!
      In this custom workshop, my daughters and I will teach you how to use these ingredients and apply my tried and true design formula to each room in your home.

      With our Room Recipe design principles, you will be able to turn any room into the sanctuary you’ve always wanted.
      This summer I’m offering this brand new workshop free to members of the HomeBody Gathering Place community. We want to walk with you step by step! We make the adventure to a sanctuary attainable and personal through membership in the HomeBody Gathering Place.
      For less than the cost of one design regret (which we can help you avoid!) HGP members get access to all of our custom resources designed for people like YOU, printables that you can use for home planning, art and inspiration, as well as our community support.
      Everything we offer in HomeBody Gathering Place is to inspire you and give you support as you’re creating a sanctuary!
      However, we are only opening our community for two more days, so I hope you’ll hop in today and join us!

      How it works:

      We go through one relevant topic and activity at a time together, so you can learn and can make progress real time! The weekly and seasonal format and commitment is simple and doable. You can go at your own pace in any season, so you’re never behind!
      Every mini-course or workshop we offer is designed to be adapted and personalized to you and your home. You do not need to have a certain design style, our principles can be (and should be!) applied to what speaks to you.

      No matter what type of home you live in, or what season of life you’re in, if you want to create a sanctuary, you belong in HomeBody Gathering Place! More

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      5 Design Books I Love for Remodel Inspiration

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      This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

      Today I wanted to answer a great remodeling question a reader asked me last week!
      * Reader Question: What is your favorite design book for getting ideas for a remodel?
      I carefully study a variety of design books to find ideas for our remodel. Today I’ll show you a few of my favorites and how I used them to make decisions for my home!

      1. Not So Big Remodeling
      On this first one I’ll give you a disclaimer, I don’t look at it for design photos as much as I like to read the tips. I have several of her books (she’s an architect) and they are helpful for thinking through what she calls the not-so-big house concept. She covers ways to make a home more livable and inviting as well as adding character without necessarily making it larger. This one is specifically about remodeling.

      2. Timeless
      This book is a long time favorite. It was well worth the investment for me as I often pour over the photos to pick out details that I love as well as read the text. It often gives me more confidence in choosing what I like, or will spark a new idea or confirm an idea. The homes in this book are so beautiful, they have really amazing architecture! They are also huge compared to my small home haha. Even so, I still feel so inspired by the design elements that I enjoy looking at them for classic ideas that I could incorporate them into my own home.

      The author is Patrick Ahearn, I really respect his sensibilities and expertise as an architect.
      Another thing I love about studying books is that it is an education! They can help you become discerning so you incorporate good design sensibilities and concepts into your own work or projects at home.

      3. A Pattern Language
      Speaking of books as an education, this book is totally different from most design books as it has no photos! It has some drawings and sketches and a lot of words. It’s a classic book, it’s been around for a long time! I find it so interesting to read, although in full disclosure I really have to concentrate to understand some of it. 🙂 But that’s a good thing as it stretches my mind!
      If you like to consider why certain architectural choices or spaces in a home work, or why some feel right and some don’t, this one might spark your interest! The concepts he shares give you a lot to think about. Reading his ideas help make sense for why I’m drawn to certain homes and spaces and why others just don’t speak to me in the same way.
      It also talks about communities and neighborhoods but I particularly enjoy the parts on homes. If you are like to study, or are remodeling, or building a new home, I recommend this one! For some reason it’s expensive on Amazon but maybe you can find it at a library or used!

      4. The Great American House
      This is a neat one for your coffee table! I think I might get more inspired looking at architecture books than decorating books when I’m remodeling. I just love looking at all the details in classic homes, from woodwork and ceilings to plumbing and floors.

      5. A Place to Call Home
      Of course, I can’t leave out this one. It is one of my all time faves. Gil Schafer is the architect and author of the previous book and this one. All of the homes/rooms featured aren’t my style, but I drool over so many of them that it’s always a joy to look through.

      Do you like studying design books for inspiration? Hope you enjoyed a peek at a few of my favorites!
      See more home and garden inspiration books I love HERE. More

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      Collections that Add Soul to a Home: Sunday Strolls + Scrolls

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      This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

      @honeycreekfarm1896
      Do you have any collections in your home? Collections are one of my favorite ways to add soul to a home. Today you’ll find some lovely inspiration from some of my favorite finds around the internet.
      No matter what your design style is (or if you’re a maximalist, minimalist, or somewhere in between), you can enjoy the process of collecting things you love and displaying them in a way that makes you happy!
      “By inviting in things you love, you’ll feel more deeply connected to your home in a way that will inspire your life”. – from my book Make Room for What You Love
      If you love the idea of having more collections and personal details in your home but aren’t sure what you like, study inspiration photos and design books to learn what you love (these are some of my favorite design books). Take note of the colors, shapes, textures, patterns, and styles that catch your eye!
      Pay attention to how they are paired together and where collections are displayed, so that you will have ideas you like for styling, too.
      When you know what you like, then you will know what to look for and be quicker to spot it secondhand, in stores or online. It’s an exciting process to hunt and gather treasures for your home over time!
      Ideas for collections: seashells, books, blue and white, ironstone, copper or brass pieces, books, artwork from travels, vintage stamps or stationery, glassware, ornaments, quilts, antique baskets….
      The more you decorate in a way that speaks to you, the more soul your home will have!
      We’ll be talking about meaningful ways to decorate to bring more soul to our sanctuary in our new member community HomeBody Gathering Place (learn more and join us HERE by February 28th 11:59 PM PST to get in our spring session before the doors close).
      Enjoy the inspiration below!
      Sunday Strolls + Scrolls is a series inspired by the interiors and exterior spaces I fell in love with while scrolling the internet. I particularly enjoy finding spaces and ideas that reflect a sense of sanctuary! I hope this series will feel as relaxing and enjoyable to you as a leisurely walk down a charming street, a peaceful stroll through a garden or finally getting to peek inside a lovely neighborhood home during a Sunday open house. 

      @missmustardseed
      @littlesquaresofjoy
      @mothermeg
      @abeautifulmess
      More Inspiration:
      My Favorite Secret Decorating Tip
      How to Decorate: The Slow Process to a Style You’ll Love
      How to Create a Cozy Collected Kitchen
      Enjoy the home inspiration in all past Sunday Strolls and Scrolls posts here! More

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      Mixing & Matching Decor to Create Your Own Style (+ Mood Boards)

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      If you want to create your own signature look, I’ve always recommended mixing and matching pieces you already have with things that are new. That way you are gathering things you really love over time, so your style will always feel fresh and yet unique!
      And you don’t have to break the bank to do that. Over the years I’ve bought so many wonderful things I still love for my home from Joss and Main!
      Good news, the Joss and Main’s VIP Sale is on now, so it’s the perfect time to refresh your space with pieces that reflect your signature style at the best prices of the year! 
      We created some lovely mood boards below for you featuring stylish pieces that can update the feeling of any space. Mix and match, use what you love and make your home your own in every season.
      The sale is today 4/27-4/28…two days only. Don’t miss out!

      CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE VIP SALE!

      Here are some of my favorite items from the VIP Sale:

      Woven shade wall sconce

      Wall sconces are a perfect way to add warmth and character to a room! I’m loving these woven shade sconces (can’t you picture them flanking a bed? So pretty!). They would bring style and texture to your space in addition to the warm lighting…two key ingredients for a cozy space!

      Patterned Rug

      The colors and pattern of this this rug are absolutely gorgeous.

      End table

      I have little end tables like this all over my house. They’re the perfect perch for a book and cup of coffee or tea next to your coziest reading chair!

      Flip Top Storage Coffee Table

      How amazing is this storage lift-top coffee table? Love the double duty function for a small space when you’re working from home — and it has amazing reviews.
      We designed two room mood boards for inspiration using some of the items that are part of the sale!

      Click the links and images below for the above source details:

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      Source Links: Slipcovered Square Arm Sofa // Arched Floor Lamp with Shade // Throw Pillow & Insert // Full Length Arched Gold Frame Mirror // Woven Table Lamp // Raffia Woven Seat Wood X Bench Stool // Wood Flip-Top Storage Coffee Table // Round Wood and Metal Accent Table // Rattan Loop Wall Mirror // TV Stand Cabinet // Ceramic 3 Piece Candlestick Set // Concrete Table Lamp with Shade (2 color options) // Black 1 Drawer Nightstand with Gold Hardware

      Click the links and images below for the above source details:

      Turn on your JavaScript to view content

      Source Links: Upholstered Low Profile Platform Bed (my daughter Courtney has this exact same bed with a lower headboard–she loves it!) // Gold Wall Sconce Light with Woven Rattan Shade // Solid Wood Dresser with Wicker Cane Drawers // Navy Blue Solid Wood Nightstand with Shelf and Drawers // Concrete Table Lamp with Shade (2 color options) // Stripe Cotton Lumbar Pillow Cover // Velvet Armchair (multiple color options) // Upholstered Bench (multiple color options) // Square Textured Pouf Ottoman // Oriental Navy Blue Area Rug
      Check out everything in Joss & Main’s VIP Sale HERE!

      CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE VIP SALE More

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      4 Important First Steps to Take When Designing A Room

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      Do you ever feel overwhelmed with where to start when designing a room? If you want to give a room a refresh, here are the first four steps I usually take to get started, to organize my thoughts, needs and style preferences so I can move forward with a plan!
      1. Assess the Space
      First I look at the space I have. What do I like about it? What do I not like? Do I like the colors, the arrangement, the furniture? Most importantly, how does it feel to be in here? Consider the current mood and what you’d like to change about it. Are there any cluttered spots that need to be addressed? Are there certain corners or particular angles that don’t inspire you? Do any initial ideas come to mind? I don’t have to solve it all…I just use this time to observe what’s working and what isn’t. You can write down your observations in a notebook if you’d like!
      2. Gather Inspiration
      Next I begin to gather inspiration! I start by looking for anything and everything that inspires me. I don’t worry too much yet about the practicality of the idea or the why behind my inspiration…I’ll get to that next! If an image, idea or art or piece of furniture speaks to me in any way, I save it. If I use books I flag them with little sticky notes (I shared my favorite home design books HERE). If it’s online inspiration, I will pin them to a Pinterest board, or if it’s on Instagram I use the little flag button on the bottom right to save them to a specific folder.
      3. Observe and Find Takeaway Tips
      Now that I have some inspiration saved, I try to analyze my photos and take note of what elements I like (I’ve done several posts about this called Takeaway Tips, see all here!). Sometimes I find I will save an inspiration photo but don’t know why it was that I gravitated toward it. Look closely and observe what specifically you like. Maybe you saved a photo of a kitchen that looks nothing like the style of your home. Upon observation, you note that it is a bright white kitchen with colorful cookbooks on built-in shelves. The takeaway from that might be that you feel inspired by bright white spaces with pops of color on open shelves.
      4. Look for the Patterns
      Next I look for patterns in the inspiration photos I chose. It could be literal patterns (like stripes or plaid!) but I’m mostly looking for color schemes, furniture elements or room styles that I seemed to choose repetitively. Did I save lots of photos with moody dark walls? Do I seem to love the look of a room full of antiques? Do I like the streamlined look of built-ins? I also refer back to the takeaway tips, because that can help refine the specific elements I want to incorporate. I might have saved several photos of white rooms, but once I look for patterns I realize what I really was inspired by was the architecture of white paneling, or maybe I really like the way vintage wood furniture looks against the white walls, for example.
      Also I find it helpful to ask myself honestly if any of the patterns are mostly driven by current trends, rather than what I actually like for my own home. I might save a lot of moody earthy toned rooms, but it’s helpful to remind myself that while I might love them in photos that doesn’t mean they will be the right choice for my home. It’s OK to discover that you love a certain look in photos and yet not choose it for your home.
      After completing those four steps….I start to feel much more equipped to begin making the specific plans and design decisions for my own space!
      In my next post I’ll share some of the inspiration photos I’ve started to gather as I brainstorm ideas for my new kitchen remodel!
      I’ll also give you an update on my bedroom and plans for that for “A Lovely January”. If you missed the details about that challenge, you can catch up and join us here.
      More inspiration on The Inspired Room:
      How to Find Your Style (+ My Favorite Home Design Books) – VIDEO
      How to Get Inspired and Find Your Decor Style
      How to Decorate with Inspiration Room (Takeaway Tips)
      More Takeaway Tips Posts

      Find decor advice in my books The Inspired Room, Simple Decorating, and But Where Do I Put the Couch + Answers to 100 Other Home Decorating Questions.
      Check out my “How to Decorate” page to find decor inspiration room by room.
      You can also follow my new Instagram @theinspiredroomstyle for style advice and our thoughtfully curated selection of timeless furniture and charming accessories! More

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      Introducing: The Inspired Room Style

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      I am a big fan of creating your own authentic style. Rather than just going with what is trendy or popular or what someone else says is in style, I have always stayed true to what I love. While I no longer do personal design consultations like I did before I started blogging, I have spent the past fourteen and a half years teaching others how to use what you have, to collect things you love over time, and to surround yourself with pieces that tell your stories in order to create a truly meaningful home.
      I’ve been asked for years if I would consider doing decorating courses or hosting private education groups, but right now I teach through my books, this blog, and social media. I also have a fun new way to help ya’ll with your homes. Introducing The Inspired Room Style! It’s a brand new Instagram destination where we are offering our thoughtfully curated selection of timeless furniture and charming accessories so you can create your own “inspired style.”

      The Inspired Room Style is a completely free design service that is so simple to use! You’ll be able to scroll through our favorite daily finds in Instagram stories, click to shop any item that interests you, as well as browse the categorized highlights to inspire and help you find just what you’re looking for! 
      Tip: be sure to watch our daily stories at @theinspiredroomstyle because now and then my daughters and I will post one-of-a-kind finds or items you can buy from our own homes, too!
      We’ll also occasionally post simple design tips for how to create your own unique and authentic Inspired Style! It’s going to be so much fun to share this new resource with you and we hope you love it as much as we do.
      If you’re ever looking for inspiration for your style, or even want something new or vintage to add to your home, I hope you’ll find this resource helpful.
      Follow @theinspiredroomstyle for more!
      Happy decorating! More

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      How to Find Your Style + Favorite Design Books (Video)

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      While I love finding style inspiration in the online community, one of my FAVORITE ways to expand and grow more confident in my own style is to study the images of beautiful homes in design books. Holding a book in hand, turning the pages at a leisurely pace is the best! It’s a return to the past, something I learned to enjoy back in the days before we had so much (too much?) inspiration at our fingertips. I love the slower pace of savoring books. I find I appreciate the details so much more than quickly scrolling past thousands of teeny squares.
      My daughter Courtney and I recently did a LIVE video going through some of my favorite design books and talking about why we love them (you can watch the replay HERE).
      I even like to look at books that I don’t think are necessarily “exactly my style” because they inspire me to think outside of the box! It’s easy to get in a rut or stuck looking only at what is current and trendy online. I find books are wonderful for expanding my point of view, learning about classic design elements and getting inspired by other color palettes, furnishings and architecture around the country and world, too.

      Each time I move to a new home I get excited all over again to bring out my books (and add to my book collection) for inspiration! While my general style and sensibilities and things I love tend to go with me, each home offers new opportunities to mix things up and have fun with style. I love to blend my preferences with the home’s unique features and atmosphere to create a new look, one that feels fresh and yet makes me feel at home wherever I am. Beautiful design books are definitely helpful to me in the process!
      If you’d like to watch the replay of our LIVE video on “finding your design style” and see some of our favorite coffee table books, you can watch it here.

      Here are some questions you could use as a guide to help you learn as you’re studying and getting inspired by design books!

      How would you describe this style?
      What is the mood of the room? Why does the mood inspire you?
      Describe the personality of people who might live in a room like this. Would their lifestyle resonate with you and your family?
      What are the main things you see when you first look at the room?
      What are some subtle features that you notice when you look more closely? Be sure to notice things like the shapes, the textures, the colors, the proportions, patterns…
      What role does the architecture play in this room? Do you have similar architecture or would you be able to add something similar in your home?
      Do you like the color palette? What if this same room had a different palette, would you like it better?
      Look at the art and accessories. Also notice their placement. What do you like or not like about them?
      What are some simple ideas you could take away from this inspiration room?

      Click HERE to watch the replay of our live video (how to find your style and favorite design books)!
      Scroll and click the arrows below for some of my favorite coffee table books:

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      Click here for books by The Inspired Room, including my New York Times bestseller Love the Home You Have.

      Pin for later!

      Book sources above:
      Beautiful
      More Beautiful
      Coastal Blues
      A Place to Call Home
      Timeless
      One Man’s Folly
      Nora Murphy’s Country House Style
      Visions of Home
      The Inspired Room: Simple Ideas to Love the Home You Have
      See more in our video! More

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      The Secret to Finding Your Style and Feeling More at Home Where You Live

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      Source (20% off EVERYTHING with code! Click HERE to shop!)
      What’s your decorating style? Do you feel at home where you live? If you ever feel conflicted about your style or the next decisions to make in making your house your home, you’re not alone! Maybe you’re just feeling stuck, or your current style isn’t working for you. Perhaps you’re living in a home that wasn’t custom designed for you or even close to your style to begin with. Maybe you’re wrestling with how to update it. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the options, especially with the abundance of ideas and inspiration online!
      So how can you find your style when there are so many directions you could go? What if you feel limited by the current style of your home or your budget?
      Here’s the secret: finding your style takes patience and experimentation. It takes time. You don’t have to have a perfectly designed home to love where you live. You just have to find ways to feel more at home! I don’t think most of us can make the best decisions until we’ve had a chance to get to know the home we live in over several seasons. You need time to learn the quirks and personality of your home so you can play up what you love about it and learn to minimize, downplay or fix what you don’t.
      It takes time to gather style or remodeling inspiration specifically for your home over a few seasons. Once you’ve collected ideas you can start to narrow down the options that not only consistently speak to you, but also make the most sense for your budget, lifestyle and your house.

      It’s easy to lose our focus when we get swept up by a new idea, or if we are looking only at current trends or just following along with what everyone else is doing right now! Impulse decisions or following the trends might bring some immediate joy through a those indecisive seasons, but it’s a wonderful feeling when you are finally able to settle into your own style with confidence.
      Your style is not just the one you like the most online, but it’s what makes you feel the most at home where you actually live. That’s how you’ll know you’ve found your authentic style.
      When I’m struggling with my own style, it can be helpful to collect inspiration photos of rooms or features that I really love, such as the images I share in my posts (these photos in my post today are from one of my favorite shops for furnishings and style inspiration for my home, Serena & Lily. I’ve written about it before in this post).
      But I don’t want to rush permanent or expensive decisions or make a lot of changes based on an inspiration photo until I’m certain that look or item will feel right in my own home. I like to take a bit of inspiration from dozens of rooms and ideas I’ve collected over time so my style won’t be an exact replica of anyone else’s style.

      It can be a slow process to figure it all out, but it’s worth it to me to be as authentic and comfortable in my home as possible.
      Sometimes to move forward you just need to make ONE design decision you know you feel good about. That decision will lead to the next. We remodeled our kitchen four years ago and the decisions we made during that project continue to inspire me to make our little house all she can be 🙂 I’ve often said the old house I live in was ready for a new spring in her step. She may have been born in the 1950s but she doesn’t have to stay there.
      You don’t have to stay stuck with what you have! I’m so glad I didn’t let myself be discouraged or swayed early on by voices that told me this house had to stay in a certain era or style. I didn’t want to feel limited in what I could or could not do to make it my own. It’s certainly helpful to ask for opinions from trusted sources when you’re in doubt (or if you’re dealing with an historic home that needs to be preserved), but often creating a home you’ll truly love means you have to be brave enough to listen to your own voice so you can design a home that will feel right to you. After all, it’s your home and you’ll be the one living there!
      Lastly, it’s OK to make mistakes along the way. Rarely is a decorating mistake fatal! In fact, in some cases what might appear to be a “mistake” can actually give your home and style more character and personality. Other times it confirms for you what your style ISN’T. But even if it is a big mistake you need to correct, just learn from it and move on.
      You’ll never feel truly at home with your style until you get to know yourself and your home better. That process takes time, but it is all a part of the journey to making a house truly feel like home.
      Speaking of Serena & Lily, they have an amazing sale on right now, but it ends today!
      Scroll down for inspiration, sources and ideas for this fresh breezy look!
      20% off EVERYTHING with code! Click HERE to shop!

      How cute is this bench! You can customize the fabric–there are so many cute options! I love this toile.
      Nautical Round Rope Mirror Source // Toile Wallpaper

      Everything at Serena & Lily is 20% off! Click HERE to shop the entire sale with discount code!
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      Everything at Serena & Lily is 20% off! Click HERE to shop the entire sale with discount code! More