Decor Elements for Every Room

When decorating my home my goal is for it to be pretty and reflect us.  We live here in this space so it should be a display of what we love and memories we've made.  There are several things I incorporate in each room that does just that.

Fun Fact: I rearrange decor ALL the time! So these shelves may look different in couple weeks. 

All of these things will add beauty and help showcase your style ...

1. Plants - Living things add life to your home. They actually help clean the air you breathe all while giving us little reminders of God's amazing power in creation. Choose pots that reflect the colors and style of your home. When choosing plants, think about what can thrive in you space/lighting and what you can realistically maintain.  Personally, I love Christmas cactus and fiddle leaf fig trees.  They're easy to take care of - just water and place near sunlight. 

My Mamma gave me this plant and the brass pot was a thrift find

2. Books - Literature enriches our lives and clearly displays your interests. Books show anyone who's in your home what fascinates you enough to read and learn about it. For Ryan, you'll find books on medicine, military and golf. For me, you'll find books on fashion, biographies of influential women, home design and etiquette. You'll also find copies of the Bible that are sentimental to us whether they belonged to a family member or were a gift. The Word is the most important and greatest book that ever will be!

These are sentimental Bibles to both of us

3. Pictures - Framed photos of the memories we've made are my favorite. I involuntarily smile when I see them remembering the he joy I share with my beloved family.  I encourage you to surround yourself with images of those you love most.  I also believe that while the professional posed photos are beautiful, framing the candid moments that aren't so picture perfect, perfectly capture life well lived!

I find most of my frames at Homegoods and for quality printing I use MPix

PS I'm taking my advise and going to update/add printed photos around our home. I'm so behind! When you have that picture you can't wait to post and provokes a 'frame it' reaction. Do it!

4. Sentimental Items - I have so many treasures that I cherish throughout our home.  Things that belonged to members of my family, people who have impacted my life or that were a gift. Sure, you can shop pretty items at the store, I have plenty throughout, but there's something about a piece that has a connection and story behind it. Of course you want things that align with your style but think about why you're adding it to your space. Is it because you saw it promoted somewhere else? Or better, is it because it evokes joy to you?! 

This pink floral plate belonged to my Grandma - it's cracked but reminds me of her

The cranes remind me of my Mamma, she loves birds and they evoke a feeling of hope and happiness

The Japanese find them to be a symbol of good luck

Note: When I do purchase decor I prefer it be from an antique or thrift shop!

5. Mirrors - They are the fairest of wall decor for their ability to reflect light, enlarge spaces and add style. I have them in every single room. Don't worry, I'm not living in a 'fun house'. They fill walls with unique shapes and materials without competing with my other items of color and pattern.  They make our rooms brighter and bigger. Often I find adding art or gallery walls of prints is just to busy while a mirror is streamlined and highlights what's already in the room.

I didn't get a good view of our mantle mirror but I purchase most at Homegoods or Antique Shops

Tip: Round or sunburst mirrors are a fantastic option for filling a large wall

Bonus:  I also like to add animal! NEVER living ones (an intense battle in this home - Ryan has wanted a big Lab for most of his life ... I kill his dream every day).  I like subtle animal prints and actual animal objects. We even have Brutus, a deer head, mounted on the wall in Ryan's office.  I love the nod to nature without the elements. Animals are majestic and their patterns in elegant colors and textures add natural beauty.

I recovered the seat of this old chair with soft zebra fabric myself

The Foo Dogs are from a favorite shop on the NC Coast - go shop Beaufort Linen Co NOW! you can thank me later :)

The cranes were found at Homegoods

Let the things in your home tell the story of you!

Dress Each Room of Your Home Beautifully

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Treasure Hunting

For this edition of Friday Findings, I'm sharing with you one of my favorite ways to shop; Hunting for Treasures.  That's what I call it when I spend hours perusing antique, vintage and thrift shops.  They're treasures because they're one of a kind and often buried under piles of old things, so when you find that one piece that speaks to you, filling that hole on your shelf, it feels like finding treasure!

I also have this love of old and used things.  Something about the story and adventure of that object and how it got to where it is and now in my hands fascinates me.  From accessories to my outfit and decor in my home these gems add character.  

Don't let the hunt overwhelm you.  Take a gal pal (not your Mr - they hate it and get bored and will kill the joy, it does take patience) or treat yourself to some 'me' time with a coffee in hand to just enjoy the quiet stroll.  A gal pal can be helpful to be a sounding board when your debating a 'find' or a horrendous tacky object that for some reason appeals to you but should never go home with you. 

My Mamma is my favorite hunting mate.  She's patient but often gets side tracked so you have to keep her moving, and can help you see the quality of an object and paint a picture in your mind of what it will look like in your world.  Her knowledge and wisdom is key in differentiating the junk from antiques. 

The most fun thing about hunting with my Mamma is that she takes you on a trip down memory lane.  She remembers these items from her grandparents & parents.  She can tell you how they were used and made.  The nostalgic smile on her face is priceless.  And oh the laughs that echo when we stubble across tackiness from the 70's!

My favorite treasures to hunt for are silver, linens, belts, broaches, crystal, tables and rugs.  I make myself walk away and ponder items so that I don't go down the road towards hoarding. Clutter is uncool. 

Yesterday my Mamma took me to treasure shops she had found.  So overjoyed to live closer to her so that we can share time together.

Our first stop was the White Owl Antique Mall

This barbie booth took me right back to my childhood! It made me miss my collection. 

Naturally I was drawn to this booth's collection of midcentury garments.  Most are handmade!  Today we grab off the rack or click a few buttons and clothing appears on our front doors. 

I loved touching the cotton shirt dresses (they called them 'day dresses') imagining my grandma in them. 

These pieces came home!  The ginger vase is going to live in my foyer and house umbrellas.  The brass pot is for a plant that I'm going to try really hard to keep alive.  And the silver shell is going to either hold soap or be a bedside jewelry tray.

My Mamma found this hand painted cat.  I walked away as I try very hard to resist the 'Crazy Cat Lady' reputation but she insisted I had to have it.  Bless her!

These chairs we found at Cline's Country Antiques, what looks like a massive junk yard.  It's located on land that was used to raise chickens years ago and now those large structures house piles and piles of old furniture and iron sculptures.  Yes those are dirt floors so bring some sanitizer and your outdoor shoes. 

These are 'ribbon back' mahogany chairs with needlepoint cushions.  We picked up each one and sat in them making sure they were in solid, sturdy condition.  These were perfect to go with my Henkel Harris mahogany breakfast table (another treasure I found) as well as additions to my formal dining table when serving a large dinner party. 

I intend to restore and recover the cushions but I will make great efforts to re-home the needlepoint fabric as the craftsmanship that went into hand making the design is impressive. 

This Gorgeous white iron garden furniture is something my Grandma had in her back yard and I wanted nothing more than to take it home but with a long list of 'wants' for our new home, it will have to wait. 

All in all it was a fun filled day and I was able to cross off items we need for our new home. 

Now I have to find fabric for my chairs, sigh that's another hunt. 

Every room in my home houses treasures I've found over the years and when I look at them I remember when and where I found them.  

The beauty lies beyond the object but in the adventure finding it.  Stay tuned for pics of my home and the treasures that live here!

Some of my favorite treasure hunting spots ....

Charlotte, NC:

Assistance League of Charlotte

JLC Wearhouse

The Depot at Gibson Mill

White Owl Antique Mall

Cline's Country Antiques

Jacksonville, NC:

Jacksonville Antique Mall

2 Flipping Roosters

Twice as Nice 

Sweet Potato Vintage

Raleigh:

Antiques Emporium

Cheshire Cat Gallery

Dress Your Home Beautifully with Treasures

XOXO Sarah Louise