Name three ways readers can update their homes and start fresh in honor of the new year.
A fresh coat of paint can be an easy way to update and start fresh. Even if it is the same color, you would be surprised at the difference it can make. Another way would be to use wallpaper instead of painting walls. This can be something very subtle, like a grasscloth or a linen wall covering that gives just a little texture and warmth to a room. We use a lot of linen on walls, and it’s amazing how it can make a difference in how the room feels. Tackle that remodeling project. If you’ve been putting off that kitchen remodel, or opening up small spaces to make your home function better for you, it’s time to do it. Make your home more livable now and increase your home’s resale value.
What are a few home decor-related New Year¹s resolutions you¹d suggest readers strive to achieve in 2015?
Declutter. This is probably on many people’s lists for New Years resolutions, but there is an interesting book that is on the New York Times bestsellers list called “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” by Marie Kondo—who can resist a title like that? Her method is to “start by visualizing your destination… and discarding, all at once, intensely and completely.” I haven’t read the book, but it does sound interesting. I particularly like the chapter titles “How to identify what is truly precious” and “Being surrounded by things that spark joy makes you happy." Both seem like really good ways to think about the “things” that we surround ourselves with. When we work on an interior design project, our greatest hope is that we can create beauty for the clients and provide them with surroundings that make them happy. I also think that if you have had something for a while that doesn’t “spark joy,” that it’s time to find another home for it.
Also, display fresh flowers. We have a client who makes a point of always having fresh flowers in her home. I always find it delightful when I walk in to have that moment of, “isn’t that lovely?" It is like a breath of spring that is so welcoming, especially in the wintertime.
