True To You

The thought "true to you" keeps coming up in my mind lately. I've been wanting to make quite a few changes around our home and feel that at this point in my life I will finally decorate for myself. Not in a selfish way, as in not caring what The Man might like but in a way that feels comfortable and livable to me. Being a designer for so many years, I've come across many different styles and sometimes my own sense of style has been easily swayed. It can leave one feeling very frustrated that your home is never quite right for you. But not anymore.

I've been slowly getting rid of furniture, drapes, wallpaper and paint colors and replacing them with timeless colors that I love. It's actually a very serene process, not hurried at all but more of a thoughtful gathering of cherished items. We bought this home knowing that we would not be staying in it for a lifetime and I believe it strongly influenced my design of the interior. But I've come to the decision that I can take it with me. At least to the next home anyway.

I'm learning to collect what appeals to me, what draws me in and causes me to admire it over and over. Simple things displayed in a beautiful way. I hope this inspires you to listen to your inner voice and let it flow over into how you make your house a home. I'll be sharing more of my own journey with you as I learn to listen to mine.

My backyard garden is bursting with blooms. I have a sea of rose petals floating all over my back patio. They are coming from the 4 climbers I have growing on the brick columns and onto the patio cover.

See the petals all over the grass as well? The smells are so intoxicating. I'll try to walk around the garden in the next few days to take some more photos of all the roses. And write down the names for you too!

Comments

[Polly]

I've only one word for how I feel about this post: jealous. =) How lucky you are to have those luscious roses. And what a delightful treat to decorate as you truly desire. Can't wait to see it all. Blessings...Polly

[chris]

Lovely post heather. Just look at those roses too! happy mothers day to you~xo chris

[Angela]

This has to be my dream patio. Absolutly Gorgeous!

[Penny-Elizabeth Neil]

I totally understand what you mean. I'm moving house this week- me and my art stuff to a smaller abode and the rest of my things into storage- this means that I am forced to let go of alot, and that's good.

The very interesting thing though was that I noticed everything I was taking with me (i.e. what I couldn't bare to store and not look at for 6 months!) was coming out with the same style and the same colour palette.

The whole process has caused me to really get to the nub of my visual style, and has in turn stopped me from buying all these things I don't really want.

I'm looking forward to seeing your progress!

[Brenda Kula]

Oh yes, please take us along on your decorating journey. I love your stuff!
Brenda

[Edie Marie's Attic]

Hi Heather,
I'm looking forward to see the types of things you do in your new awakening! I have been doing that for the past 2 yrs and it feels so wonderful. I keep narrowing down the things in my home and life to what I really love. It is so refreshing!!
Hugs, Sherry

[nel]

I know what you mean. There are so many styles and choices out there that sometimes I buy something because it looks so good but I look at it in my home and realise it's just not me. I have finally started decorating my home in a style that I love and I look around and I am so much more comfortable and relaxed. Have fun!

By the way, your back yard is gorgeous!!!

[Glenda ~ manyfondmemories]

Heather,
I had to send a P.S.
I received my tee shirts today and I just love them. There was a fresh scent that came along with them that was really nice.

Thank you,

Glenda

[Rosemary]

I have noticed lately that I only buy things that I really love. My tastes have been changing as well.
Good for you Heather!!!
I love the roses!
Can't wait to hear more about the changes in your home.
Rosemary

[Glenda ~ manyfondmemories]

I get it. I too go for what attracts me. Sometimes others think I am silly, but I don't do it for them. I like what I buy. I don't have the ultra modern. I like things a little beat up. Imperfect, I am not perfect so why should my things be.
I like things from the 1940's. They just appeal to me more than other time's. I like lacy curtains blowing in the wind. Or the sound of a lawn mower in the morning.
It's just something I love. Whether or not anyone else does for that matter I simply don't care. I guess this comes with age, the older you get the less you care about what people think and do what makes you happy. It's not selfish, it's just life.
I always like coming to visit you.
Glenda

[LeAnn]

Hi Heather,
The same thing has happened to me this past year. Maybe I am finally growing up LOL, well I am going to be 51 next week. I do know what you mean, I decorate for me, what I love, what makes me happy. Can I tell you something??? I just know that if I lived near you we would be great friends, I just have that feeling. Hope you are having a wonderful day.

Hugs,
LeAnn :)

[Alice W. of Painted White]

Your designs thus far are truly inspirational...it has taken me awhile to find my own personal style that is defined by my own "inner voice" and not what others around me or in magazines prefer...and it's amazing how when you follow it...the designs just seem to "work"...

Your garden patio is stunning! I love the climbing roses...

[Becky H]

what material did you use for your patio curtains? it looks stunning!

[Jill]

Your garden is absolutely lovely!

[Julie]

I have been looking at your blog for awhile now!! I just LOVE it!! We have the same style. I am also an Interior Designer and TOTALLY understand what you are taking about. It is so much harder to decorate you own home than someone elses. I do have a question..I really want to focus on children's/nursery design do you have any ideas on how I could get started? I am in North Texas.
Thanks!!
Julie

[Jacki]

Love your climbers! Your patio and backyarde look beautiful.

[Isabel ~ Maison Douce]

Well said, Heather... Nothing better than surrounding yourself with the things that shout your inner voice!! Your patio is simply gorgeous!! Roses are my favorite, after all...

[Shana ~ Crossroads Cottage]

Your patio is just so beauty-ess! And the roses - oh my. What a wonderful place to relax and entertain. :)

[Kara]

Heather,
I agree with your post. Darc and I have been refreshing our homes as well. Love the roses!
Best,
K&D

[Janet Villeneuve]

Wow Heather,
How eloquently put! I've been following your blog for a while, and am finally posting!
I've been feeling the same for far too long about my own home. Feeling like I've been doing the accepted 'should be' kind of decorating, instead of listening to my own inner voice. Unlike you, we are in our 'forever' house-- or at least we think we are! And we've been renovating it for the past four years. And we're still not done! (Will we ever be?) But it's a work-in-progress, and though it's frustrating at times, I know the journey is more important than the destination. Like you, I'm easily swayed-- like, every month when my new mags come in!-- but though many styles may appeal, I seem to instinctively keep going back to the palette of calming colours I've been attracted to for years now, the simple and serene objects that seem to enthrall... Thanks for putting my feelings into words and helping me to stay true to myself, too!

[ann~vintage whisper]

wow heather, you yard is gorgeous...i love your new found attitude towards your home! you described my thoughts!

[Daisy Cottage]

Beautiful sentiments and photos Heather! I look forward to seeing more of your home's interior - I have no doubt that what you are creating with your heart and soul will turn out FABULOUS! Have fun!

xo,
Kim

[Sue]

It seems there are a lot of people in the same boat at the moment, in the process of changing their decor. I am constantly changing, my tastes are forever evolving! There are maybe a handful of special pieces I keep, and have had since I moved out of my parents' home. We used to move house alot, but have managed to stay put in this one for 11 years, but the furniture is still changing, and moving!
I love your rose climbers, they make me miss Spring so much!
Sue

[Jen R]

Oh I love that idea and am trying to do the same thing. The thing I can't understand is I've never done anything to make the house look bad, yet my hubbty insists on arguing with em anyway. I think he's just bad with chage. Though I did tell him that when I met him he had a beer sign and a hunting picture on his white walls. I wasn't exactly going to listen to his decorating advice. I hope you'll share your project and process as you go along...
Also, I loved your blog feature in Somerset. I just got it.
Jen R

[Joy at Cupids Charm]

Oh Heather dear, you are not alone in this journey...it must be something in the water, or a moon thing...I've been feeling the exact same way. I live in a house full of dark Victorian and traditional furniture. It's all very lovely, but it does not feel like ME anymore...maybe I am just growing up, willing to step away from the traditional and safe. I feel the need to LIGHTEN UP in textures, colors and accessories. Book a ticket for me on your journey, 'cause there is another passenger on the bus! Thanks for sharing ~ xoxo ~ Joy J.

[Brandie Pahl]

Absolutely gorgeous! We are hoping to move this year and I have to have a nice covered patio to grow roses like that. How lovely! Thanks for the inspiration.

[Teresa ~ French Poppy]

It looks like a beautiful collection of timeless colors so far. I am looking forward to seeing more. I have been curious of how you re-did your kitchen, I remember you got rid of the toile. Love your brick columns with the roses!!!

Teresa
xo

[Jamie]

I so agree with this Heather, My husband and I laugh cuz we call this house our kid house. Everything is inexpensive with tile and wood easy to clean. He always teases me that we need blow up furniture and concrete floors between the kids thier friend and the dogs. As your kids get older and move closer to heading out we as parents deserve to move in OUR direction. I know at my age I would definately decorate for myself and hubby with all that we Love. your climbing rose looks amazing too. Our weather really has everything blooming and looking Gorgeous.Jamie

[Jackie]

I'm at the same point you are with decorating. Thank you for such and inspiring post!!

[Adla]

I am so excited that I will be moving soon so decorating ideas are flocking into my head at the moment and I agree with your thoughts. It make a lot of sense to Decorate in a way that you can take it along with you if you ever move. Great tip. And ooooo those climbing roses are gorgeous... don't mind me asking how long did it take for it to climb all the way up and spread?

chat soon, Adla

[Sandy]

I can understand how you feel,
before I decorated on a budget and bought things I didnt necessarily love but fit the budget.
Now I buy what I love and if I cant afford it I wait. Im not going to have something just to have something.
I want to love what I have.
smiles,
Sandy

[jennifer]

Your roses, patio, columns...the entire look is just beautiful. It must be a wonderful place to sit and read, have a cup of coffee or just relax...just love it...Enjoy!!!!

[Cheryl Dack]

Absolutely lovely. And so inspiring. I love this idea of not thinking about what I "should" like or what is en vogue but instead listening to my inner voice. Thank you for the reminder!

[traci]

love your pictures and so beautifully written. I have always loved curtains outside on a patio HOWEVER I live in Oklahoma...lol..need I say more? Not even kinda pratical.

[jerusalem]

I can't wait to see what you do as your fix your home to be more like you... so lovely I am sure! I can't wait for your rose info - you always have the BEST flowers and I am dying to know what they all are!

[Kimberly]

What a peaceful post! I think my blood pressure just dropped a few points. :) Thank you for sharing and brightening my day. Blessings, Kimberly

[Alison Gibbs]

I think we all need to listen to our inner selves. Do what makes us feel good and smile when we see it. Sometimes we are swayed by what is 'the style of the day'.
No matter how long you are going to live in a house you have to turn it into 'your home'
Alison

[Dori]

Lovely post, Heather. I'm at that point in my life, too, where I'm craving an authentic redo of our home. I started with my sitting room/office and will be moving on to the kitchen.....I look forward to following your journey. Am sighing looking at the photos of your roses....my first blooms are still weeks away.