Inspired Simplicity: decorating

Showing posts with label decorating. Show all posts

Our Christmas Home 2012

A Blessed Christmas from our home to yours....

Welcome to our 2012 Merry Christmas home Tour. Come on in!

Our Christmas decor would not be complete without our nativity scene greeting our dear guests and reminding us all of the reason for the season

I love decorating especially for the holidays. It's a way for me to prepare not just our home but also my heart for the celebrant of the season....for the One Who "stepped out of heaven onto earth, in order that we might one day step out of earth into heaven". The One Who left us peace...'not as the world gives' (John 14:27) but the kind of peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), so that it may be for us, heaven (in the here and now) all the way to heaven.

Our homes should be a place of comfort and refuge; and so I like to create an atmosphere that reflects simplicity, peace, and serenity, that my heart might be prepared to celebrate the birth of Christ, The Immanuel (God with us), and also the birth of our middle son, Immanuel.

View of our Living Room from upstairs

and of course, every year since Isabella's involvement with SFBallet Nutcracker production (since 2009), our Nutcrackers and ballerina ornaments come out to grace the top of our piano joined by our taekwondo ornaments (representing our 3 sons)

Dining/Living Room

Family Room

I hope you enjoyed our Merry Christmas home tour this year.

Blessed Christmas from our family to yours.

Our end-of-year family letter is available here

Scrapbooking Days

I came across these photos of our old home back in 2005 when I turned our third garage into a sscrapbooking/hobby room.

See the garage on the left? That's the one I decided to convert into a craft room because of its arched windows only to find out I felt so detached from the rest of the family. We sold this home in September of 2006 in favor of what I call our "smaller with bigger soul" home by the beach.

Old images of this home is available here. There is a wonderful story behind our finding and selling this home....but that has to wait until another post. I have to do another activity for my "luxury of solitude for myself" day.

BEFORE

AFTER

What's Your Decorating Style?

I try to reserve Sundays as my "doing nothing" day or should I say the "luxury of solitude for myself" day. You know, things like curling up with a good book and a cup of tea, or listening to my spiritual mentors listed under my featured links, or even dancing (today I had fun dancing with DD, Isabella, using Michael Jackson's This is It video:)), and now taking a fun online quiz and blogging about it:).

I took this short and fun quiz at Home Goods and it came very close, if not spot on, with regards to its description of my decorating style.

Here's the results of my quiz:

Imelda, you are a GLOBAL CASUAL

Your home is warm and inviting, and expresses your curiosity and zest for life. You have wide-ranging interests, and an appreciation for many different cultures and ways of life. You bring a sense of the far-flung world into your home through its décor through unique or artisan-made treasures. Objects in your home tend to reflect your personality, your passions, your values, and your eclectic interests. This gives your home a sense of intrigue and comfort.

You value creativity. You are stylish and fun loving, and can be an inspiration to others. You have a natural sense of drama, and you know you have to be willing to take risks—whether with colors, finishes, furniture choices, or ideas—for your home to stand out. Your home can be happy and lively and the place all of your friends want to be.

I think my friends and the people who have visited my home would agree with my results (you can click on the tab "Our Homes" and see if the descriptions sound like me). You can try it too and see how close the results will come out for you. I think you'll have fun trying it. It was certainly fun for me and I also like the styling tips it offers to make your home a little happier. Here are the tips for me:

Putting Your Style to Work!
With your style and needs in mind, here are a few tips that will help you make your home a little happier.

1. Your Design Challenge: EXPERIMENT
The last mile in decorating is the hardest, because that is when you really take the risk in expressing yourself. As with fashion or jewelry, one bold piece can set the tone, and the others complement the look. Don't be afraid to experiment, drag stuff around and make mistakes. Use what you're passionate about to inspire your home, whether it is a love for patterns, travel, gardening, family or the sea. Consider a collection of books, pictures or objects on your passion. Giving yourself parameters helps you choose things in keeping with your true style—which is precisely the point of HomeGoods StyleScope. But also think of colors, a country, a movie or words you love when you're shopping, so that you can check that these pieces match your unique sensibility before you bring them home.

2. Your Happy Place
The more serene your bedroom feels, the happier you will be. A pretty coverlet over a big duvet makes the bed look smooth—and not all duvet-lumpy! And, a blanket folded at the foot of the bed breaks up the big expanse of fabric. Euro shams—those big square pillows—are great for reading in bed, and a few decorative pillows can also be a nice touch. Consider adding a basket or a small occasional table near your bedside table for books, papers, lotions, linen spray or whatever you'd like.

3. Be Party-Ready All the Time!
Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.

Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, stock up on some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.

Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!

Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.

Thanks to The Inspired Room for sharing this quiz.

If you do decide to take the quiz, have fun with it and please let me know what your style is.

RELATED POST: My Decorating Style...Authentic

Family Room and Kitchen

Hubby took Isabella to ballet yesterday and I was able to spend the afternoon doing some serious "home blessing".

Home blessing is when I do things for the home including cleaning, organizing, and of course decorating/beautification. It always feels so good to savor the results afterwards and I even remembered to take some photos....

Kitchen

I have more to follow but for now gotta get ready for my bible study. Until my next home blessing....

Sweet Retreat: Mini Vacation Spots at Home

Inspired by The Inspired Room's Winter Home Tip: Create Mini-Destinations in your Home

The mini-destinations in our home is my sweet retreat and own place of comfort where I retire to for my precious quiet time.

Mini-Destinations in our Home by the Bay

Vacation Spot in our own Backyard

Vacation Spot in our Masters Bedroom

Mini-Destinations in our Home by the Beach

Vacation Spot: Sitting area in Masters Bedroom

Vacation Spot: Backyard

My First Drive By...Inspiring Homes On My Street

When I came across Melissa's drive-by posts at the Inspired Room several months ago, I was hooked. Ever since then I had been meaning to do my own drive-by. Finally I got the chance. I took advantage of the time when I needed to drive my car around the block to make sure the battery stayed alive after jump starting it. It was a great start. I love the homes on my street. Hopefully I will continue to have the chance...there are so many inspiring homes in Pismo Beach. It was kind of scary doing a drive by and a bit embarrassing:) so I just took one shot of each home and moved on to the next. Hopefully when I get a little bit more experienced at it I'll be able to take closer shots.

Presenting my first shot...an inspiring English style home.

Directly across from it is this very nice Southwestern style abode.

And next to it...I could have taken a much better shot if I weren't so worried...next time:)

And at the end of the block...safari inspired?

This last one is one of the homes we considered making an offer on when we were looking for homes in the area almost 3 years ago. Beautiful inside too but the thought of too much mortgage and too much cleaning made us shy away from it.

Until my next drive-by...wish me luck!

Project Procrastinators: The Reveal

Two weeks ago, Thursday, April 29, 2009, I joined The Inspired Room's Project Procrastinators Party . Melissa gave a challenge/encouragement to tackle a project we are procrastinating on (thanks for the push Melissa!). I declared that I will take on a bathroom flooring and replace the carpet with tile, something I have been procrastinating on for the past two years.

After I posted my declaration, I started feeling overwhelmed realizing I have so many other things to do including helping my DD Isabella on her California Mission project. I kept reminding myself: "baby steps" but I couldn't find time even for baby steps. Not to mention that the baby steps on this job required some help taking out the toilet and ripping out the carpet. I am very grateful for the supportive comments I received that gave me the push I needed. Then there was the ultimate and precious encouragement from my darling son, Phil, who said to me: "Don't worry mom, I will help you. It will be my mother's day present". Ahhh heavenly to a mother's heart.

Here's the "Before" photo

So last Saturday, May 9th, after Isabella's performance, Phil and I headed to Osh to buy our supplies (perfect timing...it was "no sales tax" weekend:)). As soon as we got home Phil started taking out the toilet, and together, we ripped out the carpet. (He even remembered to take a photo, something I almost always forget...what a sweetheart).

Then we started laying out the tumbled travertine tiles we have leftover from the kitchen job (a combination of 4x4 and 6x6). We tried several creative ways of layout so that we won't have to cut (we don't have a cutter:)). Try as we might we couldn't do it without having to cut; and worse, we were short a couple of tiles. So the next creative thing? mosaic! I've been wanting to do a mosaic project for the longest time. And this is the perfect time for it! Mosaic is the answer to our dilemma. It eliminated the need of trying to make sure the layout is straight and even, thereby eliminating the need to cut. Best of all, the mosaic method allowed for maximizing the tiles we had, and so we ended up having more than enough to cover the area.

So on to the fun part...breaking the tiles...even Isabella joined in the fun. Then we started laying them out like a jigsaw puzzle. By this time it was late. That was our baby step for the day.

Sunday would have been a great day to make a major dent on the project but it was that "time of the month" for me. I was not feeling well to a point that I couldn't even make it to church (that says something about how bad I was feeling...I look forward and love going to church...I watched an archived online sermon instead). So I stayed in bed and I had another perfect mother's day present...a breakfast in bed from my DD, Isabella (with the help of DH of course; daddy said she was crying when she woke up thinking she won't finish preparing in time before I woke up). I may have been feeling bad physically, but I was in heaven. And come to find out, Phil continued until past the dead of night working on the mosaic. So in the afternoon, it inspired me to continue the mosaic past the halfway mark.

We finished the mosaic on Monday; and on Tuesday, we grouted.

I still have to seal it and caulk the sides and Phil has to put in the new Kohler toilet. Other than that, our bathroom floor is done!...We did it!...I am so grateful!

Here it is...

And a closer look....hopefully the sealer gives it a bit of shine when I apply it tomorrow:)

Project Procrastinators: Unite

I declared last week at The Inspired Room that I will unite with project procrastinators. After I made my declaration, it felt like I broke into a cold sweat. What did I get myself into? Like I said on my declaration/comment on Melissa's post, I am definitely a procrastinator. My OCD:) gets in the way everytime. I get overwhelmed and I can’t seem to start. So many projects…so little time. But like Melissa said, "Even if we don’t finish, we’ll be farther along than if we hadn’t started." So baby steps it is! Thanks for the push Melissa! But wait! Am I really up for this challenge right now? I'm beginning to feel that overwhelming sensation again. I attribute it to my OCD but I like the way Mellisa puts it...she calls it sensory overload.

Now where do I begin? Which project to tackle first? Big Sigh. This is so difficult for me. Ok I have to remind myself: BABY STEPS.

This post is a big first baby step in itself. The declaration in blogland helps with the much needed push...accountability!

So I guess I will start with a list. Actually I already have a list...a long one. Ok I guess now is the time to prioritize and, like the Nike commercial, just do it.

So here goes. I've finally decided which one to do first...it has nothing to do with painting but something I have been putting off for the longest time...the flooring in the boys room.

Since this is a big project that I don't think I can finish in two weeks, I will break it down. This is the only room in the house without a hardwood flooring. This room is like a second master's suite. It is carpeted all the way to its bathroom (yuk! the potty here has been off limits) . So it's time to stop procrastinating and rip out the carpet, at least in the bathroom area (for now), and replace it with the leftover tile that we already have. Now I just have to believe..."I think I can, I think I can..." You think?

I think there's hope on my procrastination...I didn't procrastinate posting this:)

Here is the before photo

I also plan to paint the cabinets but not until after I finish tiling the floor. Please wish me luck...I need all the luck I can get on this project.

I thought I'd also share a before and after photo of my most recent very small project. I changed the hangers on my closet. It has also been on my project list for the longest time and I finally got the chance to do it.

Here's the before with the plastic hangers

Here is the after with the wooden hangers

It is such a small thing that made a big difference...it elevates my mood whenever I hang clothes.

Meditation Spot

Reposting as inspired by It's a Beautiful Life Friday at The Inspired Room

Most of you know that solitude is a "must" in my daily rituals. I normally stop by the beach after school drop offs. With my husband now working in the area, he is able and very glad taking Isabella to school in the morning. So in replacement of my then usual meditation stop by the beach, this relaxing space is my current alternate meditation spot in the morning. After good-bye kisses, and before my household rituals, I am off to our inviting backyard with my cup of coffee, journal and beloved inspirational books. It's my "alone" time (well, alone with HIM)...my anticipated daily ritual of solitude.

If it is cold outside, this is my indoor meditation spot that overlooks the outdoor spot.

Simple Things that give Ambiance...Ambiance!

Once Upon A Solitude

Inspiration Wall...Living a Grateful Life

Meditation Spot by the beach...Miracle in a Normal Day

Organizing Cleaning Tools: To Conceal or To Reveal?

It's time for a post on living A Beautiful Life: 12 months of Goals as inspired by The Inspired Room. This month's goal is organizing.

As a full time stay-at-home mom, I spend the largest portion of my life at home. With that said, I make it a point to pay special attention to the details of the lives we live in the sanctuary of our home. Decorating, organizing, and cleaning is a big part of my daily homemaking ritual.

I used to get frustrated stuffing my broom and dustpan in the little space in between the washer and dryer. Not only does the sight look unappealing and disorganized, it also deforms the 'walis' (special broom) I use. As a way to make cleaning more fun and efficient for me, I organized my usual cleaning tools within easy access. I revamped the laundry room area by changing the mirror on the wall to one with hooks where I can hang my cleaning tools. It may not look as pretty as the former mirror but it certainly is more functional. This simple change allowed for efficiency and elevated my daily homemaking ritual into something more pleasant.

the photo below shows a peek of the laundry room from the kitchen leading to the garage

this is the wall with the pretty mirror given by a dear friend of mine (which by the way I moved to a more prominent place in dining room)

This is the new mirror with hooks for my cleaning tools. On the other wall I have a matching wall memo board with smaller hooks for car keys. It is a very helpful and functional piece of wall decor that serve dual purposes. Not only is it a perfect place to hang keys as we come in from the garage, it's also the perfect place to jot down reminders as we head out. The memo board is a great reminder serving as a quick checklist for things I often forget (i.e. sunglasses, hat, water bottle, and any other relevant info.).

I debated whether to conceal or reveal my cleaning tools. The determining factor in my decision to reveal is the fact that these cleaning tools are used quite often throughout the day. I needed for them to be organized within easy access. I don't know why it took some deliberation on my part when there is a door to the laundry room that I can shut whenever I need them concealed for whatever reason...goes to show how I tend to overthink and complicate things...hence the quest for simplicity:)