I mentioned at the end of yesterdays post that I was craving a more simpler look around our home. I wouldn’t say I’m a pack rack when it comes to decor, but I’m certainly no minimalist either. I remember reading a post the Nester did a few years back (ok WOW I just looked, that post was written 6 years ago – SIX!) about quieting the home. She called herself the Coco Chanel of Home Accents, and it still makes me chuckle. But I remember reading her post and feeling a slight panic at the thought of putting away all my home decor accessories for a cleaner, quieter look. However this past fall I found myself craving to do the same thing. Yet with Christmas right around the corner, it was not the time to be putting things away 🙂
With the holidays behind us, I’m ready to take the plunge in quieting the house. Let me start off with this, I don’t think there is anything wrong with the decor in our home, but I think it more revolves around a season of life that you are in. I’m not in a stressful state or one of turmoil, but things have been busy, and I feel like when life gets hectic, we want our homes to be a place of peace and quiet. When we recently revamped our dining room, I purposely didn’t add a whole lot of decor back to the walls.
I’m waiting for the room to speak to me, or this feeling of not needing lots of stuff in the room to pass. Sometimes it’s easy to complete a room right away from start to finish, and other times it comes in waves, and we have to be patient for the design to be unraveled. Because it’s my own home, and not a clients, I get the joy of taking my time. Sitting back, resting, relaxing, being in the space, and allowing the design plan to unfold. As much as I love the curtains in the dining room that I made, they’ve been my dining room curtains for over 8 years. UMmmm that is a record for something to last that long in my house!
I’m not tired of them, but more or less just craving a refresh. So I took the plunge and ordered some new ones over the weekend! I’m not getting rid of my current dining room curtains, but just taking a break. The living room is the next area I’m craving a little refresh. Again nothing drastic, just wanting to switch things up a bit! Our living room has changed quite a bit since I’ve been blogging. The biggest changes took place in 2012, and I’ve shared about that HERE and HERE, but lets take a look and see how things have transpired since painting the walls Halo by Benjamin Moore. 
Here I’m slowly working away from color, taking the biggest plunge and painting our walls the closest shade to white I could at the time!
Calming the look down a bit more from a very bold area rug, to one a little more subtle. I still had lots of patterns to play with, so things weren’t quite all white, but we had graduated to a much calmer look with lots of layers and texture for warmth. 
And finally swapping out the old rug, for a neutral jute rug. Using all white slip covers on all the furniture, and just bringing in pops of color with throw pillows. Again, I still love the look you see in the last photo, even in the photo before that. However I’m craving a little less, and to change things up just a little too. Don’t worry I’m not going to a completely different style than I have now. Some might not even notice the changes unless I pointed them out. I don’t think I could ever go completely minimalist no matter how much I’m drawn to it. So I hope you will follow along while I find a happy place somewhere in between loving to cover every square inch of my walls, to creating a simpler look. Here’s to 2016!!
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Having time to let the design plan present itself to you is such a wonderful thing! I think it’s similar for me and DIY projects – sometimes I am under the gun and have to get something done for a sponsor, and sometimes I simply get to be inspired by something! Both are fun and great, but having the time always allows for that extra special touch. I love the simplicity of your dining room right now!
Love seeing the living room progression. Less is often more and almost always more calming <3
Hi, where did you get your dough bowl from?
I’m always looking for one and I love the size of yours.
Hi Amanda. I purchased my dough bowl from a local antique place, but I found in the north they are really hard to find. That’s why I included them in my collection at Painted Fox. These are true antiques, not replicas (which most websites carry), so each one is slightly different from the other, with it’s own markings and patina. The ladies at Painted Fox are super helpful, and can help you make sure you get one as close to my size as possible, they’ve helped others in the past, and everyone is really happy with what they got. And right now their entire site is 20% OFF, which is really great for a true antique, especially that size dough bowl. Here is the link, if you want to take a look : https://paintedfoxhome.com/product/the-artisan-2/
I always say, Leave space for the eye to rest. I did design work for 28 years, now an artist, but went through every style in decorating because that is just what you do! Now I want white, simplicity, but not sterile, fewer accessories but more statement that quantity. It is so peaceful and I love it! I do enjoy reading your blog!
Thank you SO much!! That is exactly what I am feeling, and hope to achieve 🙂
I. Love. It. (Much more my style and, yes, more calm.)
I absolutely understand what you are saying. I am going thru the same kind of thing right now. changing to lighter softer colors and layers for warmth. I took the pillows off the sofa (they were distracting me) and have started putting away a few of the “things” so the shelves and table tops are quieter.
I am enjoying your blog and happy I found you on pinterest!
So glad you’re here!!! It’s nice to know I have others on the same page as me 🙂 XO
Did you leave the walls BM Halo?
Yes, they are still BM Halo, however I’m getting samples for white today !!
Please post what you decide on white! Can’t wait to see your finished project!
Snowbound by wherein Williams is an awesome white. I’ve used it in rooms with both a lot of natural light and those that don’t.
Do you know the brand/name of the fabric you used on your dining room drapes? I just love it
Snowbound by Sherwin Williams! Sorry for the typo !
I love you home Bre!! After all these years it still has that warm oh so welcoming feeling! I can’t wait to see what new you bring to your home in the future!
Thanks so much Lisa!!!
I just started reading your blog and I’m hooked!! Can’t wait to see the new couch!!
Thanks so much Angela!!! So glad you are here!!
lovely as always 😉
Love your blue and white pillows shown. Would you share where you found them? (unless you would like to sell yours as you are scaling back) I wouldn’t though, they look great (as does everything) in your space. Thanks, Marlene
Thanks so much!! The blue and white check pillows are from Caitlin Wilson Design. Here is the direct link – http://caitlinwilson.com/products/navy-burnside-buffalo-check?variant=1219589560