Lighter
We are going lighter around here.
First, with my daughter-in-law's help and encouragement I moved a couple of dark, heavy pieces of furniture out of the living room. I love the pieces. My granddaddy repaired and refinished them years ago. He worked on Victorian era furniture and was a master at it. But the living room begged for a little less bulk. So, the pieces now stand guard elsewhere.
An occasional investment in the comfort and functionality of our home yields a surprisingly cozy return.
Photo by Larimar Lens
The furniture that remained enjoyed a rearrangement. A new tv stand and the addition of a couple of (hard to kill) plants freshened up the space. My beautiful white dishes replaced the mismatched candlesticks, porcelain, and wedding memorabilia in the china cabinet. Now it looks much more purposeful and less old ladyish.
Start somewhere.
Re-imagine. Rearrange.
And let me tell you about the rug. The one we had was dark and worn and bore the scars of ground in food and crayons. It served us well for years and the circular pattern made great hot wheel car pathways. But it was time for an update. Leah and I looked at a discount place and I found a gorgeous abstract special-order specimen in muted blues, greens, and cream. But my heart dropped when I saw the $1000 plus price tag. For some people that might not sound exorbitant. But “$1000” and “discount” don’t belong anywhere near each other in my universe. I might as well admit it. I'm cheap. Frugal. Maybe even stingy when it comes to this kind of thing. I don't spend $1000 on a rug that will soak up its first spill within a week. So, I kept looking. One by one I moved the swinging arms of the display to see what hanging textile would appear next. Leah pointed out one she liked, but I didn't love it. Occasionally I stole a glance back at the unattainable and imagined it in my living room. Still I pressed on. And then (cue awe inspiring music) that blue green beauty showed up just for me. Seriously. It was the same rug in the exact size I needed. The label declared it a second and the price--$149! Of course, I had a sales guy get that thing down likely-split. He assured me I was getting a fantastic deal, but I didn't need convincing. I recognize a sweet, unexpected gift from God when I see it.
Photo by Larimar Lens
I spent a little money, repurposed what I had, used some time and energy to make my domain a little more inviting.
A brighter rug and less furniture make the living room feel more open and airier. But there’s another way we've lightened up. All this rearranging required some serious purging. Shifting bookcases and emptying dressers helped me see the extra. The rarely used. The unneeded. I had allowed some things to stick around just because I didn't notice them anymore. They became part of the backdrop. Having to handle and move our belongings allowed me to evaluate item by item. The task isn't complete, but our trash can and the local charity have benefitted from the bounty. That feels good.
Photo by Larimar Lens
I spent a little money, repurposed what I had, used some time and energy to make my domain a little more inviting. And it made a huge difference. There are limits (and they have nothing to do with the sky). We can't tackle an HGTV worthy project every time it tickles our fancy. But an occasional investment in the comfort and functionality of our home yields a surprisingly cozy return.
Start somewhere. Re-imagine. Rearrange. Buy some paint. If those ideas are beyond your ability at the moment, just go outside and pick some wildflowers or greenery from a nearby bush. Clear one surface. Light one candle.
Enjoy a little lighter and brighter.
