Surround yourself with things you love

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The new Serena and Lily catalogue came in the mail today. I really love their bedding; I love everything about it. I like the look of it and I like the quality. So I was excited to take a little break and flip through their new catalogue. It is wonderful ... even the cover excites me.

They have added some new colors and patterns and I am in love!

Aren't the paint colors delicious? While you are browsing through the catalogue check out Serena's breakfast nook on pages 22 & 23 - it is quite lovely. I appreciated her 5 design rules (on the same page) and particularly the second one, so I want to share it with you because it is my 'philosophy' as well.  

"If you see something you love, buy it. (You'll find a home for it eventually.)"

I think that is how you should decorate - by finding those things that you fall in love with and surrounding yourself with them. I would add to that something my father taught me. Don't rush to fill up your walls with artwork. It is okay to have a blank spot until you find something that is just right. I believe that when you see it, you will know. Take your time, visit some galleries or sidewalk art shows. Something brought home from a memorable vacation or day trip will be much more meaningful then the decorative art piece you pick up at HomeGoods just to tie in your colors. If you feel you just have to have something on the wall, pick up an inexpensive piece to be a place-holder until you find the right thing. Trust me, I have many place holders!

I helped a new client give her house a little one-day facelift last Christmas. On the side of her husband's desk were a pile of little treasures; arrowheads he had collected and other little trinkets - just kind of left there as if they were forgotten or something unimportant. When she told me that they were really very important to him, I had her find me a tray and I put them all together and displayed them to reflect what they were ... treasures. I placed the tray on top of a table and above it I grouped a collection of art that by itself didn't really make much of a statement. But grouped together as part of the new tablescape made all the difference. That is the kind of thing that makes your home personal and a place you will want to come home to.