Holy smokes long title, but there really is just no shorter way of saying it! Yes I believe that not having your dream house makes you a better decorator, and no I’m not crazy! I think we all start off with a dream house in mind, at some point in our lives. Heck I still get visions of a dream house, but I bet for most of us we aren’t living in those dream houses we imagined we’d have. And if you are, I am SO happy for you, and I bet there is still a little something you can get out of this post too! So why is it that not living in our dream homes makes us a better decorator. Well for one, if we lived in those dream homes, with everything perfectly laid out like we have envisioned, we wouldn’t have to overcome limitations we may face in our current living situation. Sometimes we miss the creative ingenuity that comes from not having our dream space, and everything not perfectly planned out. Learning to make the best of those obstacles we see as limitations.
These white columns were a selling factor for us when we saw the house, but without furniture in the space the rooms felt choppy. Having the right furniture layout can make the space feel more open and flowing, and look like it was designed on purpose.
When we bought our house four years ago, it certainly was an answer to prayer. We had been searching off and on for two years, and nothing seemed to feel like the right fit. Even with our “potential” seeking eyes, nothing felt right, or even had potential for that matter! Then on a whim we found this updated farmhouse, recently flipped, in our first choice town. The colors were all wrong, but we didn’t mind painting. The size was just right for our growing family, sure I would love to have a sitting room and a bigger kitchen, but hey it’s our first house. However there was this one catch. We live on a very narrow, winding, country road, that cars love to speed by on. Turning into our driveway off the road is a bit of a sharp turn and makes it awkward, but we were willing to overlook that and a few other small details that stood out to us, and jump in with both feet.
We transformed a tiny hallway to act as a much needed mudroom, and have a place for everyone in the family to be able to put away their things.
Even though it was an old house, it still lacked some of the details I had wanted, but those were mostly cosmetic, and we’ve been able to add over time, still adding! But because our house didn’t have everything we wanted, and there are quirky parts to it we’ve had to work around. Insert – creative ingenuity.
Working with sloped ceilings in our master bedroom. We brought in old barn floor boards to create a focal point, and make the wall look more purposeful.
Because we didn’t have our ultimate dream house, we worked with the house, setting up and tweaking along the way, listening to the subtle hints, and combining that with the needs of our family. If we had our dream house I don’t think I would have ever had a plate rack wall like this:
I shared here how the plate rack wall came about. It was primarily to disguise all the doors on that back wall, a creative solution for an awkward space in our kitchen, and it now serves as one of our main focal points. Another area, also in our kitchen, that I wouldn’t have been in our dream house were my favorite open shelves. Yes I’m sure I would have had something, maybe, but again, our kitchen had everything all on one side of it, and then a big open space with big windows, and a lot of doors, and no room for furniture. It took me two years of staring at this space to finally see it, in it’s full potential like you see it below.
When we choose to view our obstacles in our homes as potential for some creative space, who knows what you can come up with. If we weren’t forced to creatively think of new ways or new ideas, we would never push ourselves to strive for more. We would be stuck in thinking this is the only way this room can be set up. But when your house throws you a curveball, there is always a chance to hit a home run. (Side note : my hubby would be thrilled at the fact that I incorporated baseball into the blog, just saying!)
What are some obstacles you have? Do you have a small living room? Or maybe a funky floor plan? Do you rent and feel limited by what you think you can do? All spaces have potential, but are you looking at it as limitations to your decor, when really we just need some creative ingenuity thrown in the mix. It can be frustrating at times, you may want to give up, but I encourage you to press in, you may surprise yourself with the solutions you come up with!
I love this quote by: Henri Matisse “Much of the beauty that arises in art comes from the struggle an artist wages with his limited medium” *seen in the Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith*
Stay in touch!
Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook
Have a design question? Visit Doucette Design Co. for all your design needs!
I totally get this! My house is on the main road but in the right location. It doesn’t have a grand staircase but we recently added a loft conversion with New England style stair…. I am not decisive I take my time and it works. I buy cheap antiques and paint them. I buy numerous interior magazines and troll Pinterest for further inspiration. I have learned to be creative on a small budget and the result is a bright unusual home which always gets a wow from kids friends and our own! I just wish I had gone into this line of work…. Can’t take the risk to do so now…. Therefore I will keep decorating and adding to my own palace! Just discovered your blog and now hooked! Many thanks from Scotland.
I totally agree with you, Bre! Not living in my dream house has forced me to be creative in the space that I have, which has made me a better decorator…xo
Creative ingenuity? That’s a new phrase, one I’m learning to embrace. Three+ years ago, my husband and I downsized, sold the house where we raised our family, bought a ranch townhome. It was a dream, but this particular one had some flaws, not the one I we were going to have built specifically to meet my needs. The master bathroom was awful, and the kitchen needed some serious work. We immediately gutted the bathroom, had it professionally done because my husband refuses to mess with plumbing. it’s gorgeous. But then came his planned retirement and 3 more grandchildren in 3 years, and the kitchen I don’t like remains! The budget is tight, fixed income, and my extra fun money goes to pink clothing and girl toys. . . Creative ingenuity fits what I’m trying to do. Originally, I thought I’d pull out the cabinets and start all over, but now I’m taking off a few doors, painting the insides and calling it “open shelving,” displaying my collections that way. I’ve also somewhat disguised an unappealing countertop by installing a gorgeous slate tile backsplash. I so agree, Bree, when you work with what you have, look at things in a new light, you can make changes that are gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration!
I love your nightstand. Did you redo it?
Hi Bre, I love this post. I live in a 1950’s rental….talking limitations and quirky…need I say more!! But, we are allowed to paint and even to make changes to our space, which is wonderful (and rare)! We have done some of that, but it can be hard to see what a space needs when you’ve been looking at it for so long the same way. Anyway, I’ve been trying to come up with practical (and pretty) changes to our space to make it more homey and practical for us. I am hoping to see my space reach its potential…….
Great insight to keep us encouraged…and…inspired! Thank you!
I love your heart here…the challenges of our spaces can be what most inspires our creativity! I’ve totally seen that in my own house and love all the ways I’ve grown because of it. Thanks for sharing!
Oh I just love this post Bre! You are so right.We do need to push ourselves to create something beautiful! My husband and I bought an old farmhouse (1940)! And I just love it! I have big plans for it!!
Terrific post. We will be relocating from NY and about two years ago, purchased a 1912 fixer upper in a historic area of Florida. With its low ceilings, non level walls/floors and weird layout, we have been torn about selling it and looking for our “dream home”. Also, the property is on a busy street. Thank you for my morning tea (your post), as we will now rethink our decision.
Oh and by the way, I love everything about your home but one of the things that stand out to me is your trim/mouldings. They are absolutely beautiful and to me, are one of the most important parts of a home. The old house we bought was stripped of much of its original character over the years and all of the original trim was replaced with builders trim and in many cases the windows had no trim (just marble sashes). We replaced/installed 1×4’s around all windows and 1×6 base moulding. It made a huge difference!