Home - The Story of Us

Our home is special to us. It is the sacred space where we create memories and grow our family.
We want it to reflect us, the people who live here.

One of Vivian first family portraits from preschool 

As I've been tackling several design projects I've realized that as inspiring as tv shows, magazines and Pinterest is, I want our home to show others our story and what's important to us. 

Note: This means there will be toys & kid art sprinkled throughout because Vivian lives here and it's her home too. This wasn't my mindset when having her - I strived for picture perfect. I now love that her things are here and cherish their presence!

Here are some things that tell the story of us in our home ...

THE HOUSE WITH THE PINK SWING

When we tell others where we live, we title our home 'The House with the Pink Swing' because it's right out front hanging from our grand Magnolia tree. It's been there for nearly 5 years where we swing Vivian higher and higher enjoying the outside and waving to our neighbors. The time has come to move to a big girl swing and I have to admit it hurts my heart to see it go. 

AMERICA

We love our country! Ryan served as a US Navy Officer following his medical education and deployed for nearly a year with a Marine infantry unit as their Battalion Surgeon to the Middle East. This was a significant time in our lives!! 

We proudly fly the American flag and he displays sentimental awards & keepsakes from his service in his office. 

CHRIST

The MOST important thing in our lives is Christ! We proudly display our bibles throughout. This tissue papered cross was something Vivian made a few years ago in preschool. She wanted to tape it in the window at our front door and it's been there ever since. I love that it greets who ever comes over including our deliveries.

PHOTOS

Framing photos of our memories and loved ones not only reminds us of the fun times and the people we love it does our guests too. We value people more than anything and hope displaying their smiles shows!

WALLPAPER

I love color and print! I'm also extremely sentimental. The papers I chose specifically for our entry way & dining room have meaning and I hope create an environment of comfort as they enter our home and sit at our table.

TRADITIONAL

Our style is classic & traditional and you'll see that in each room with warm wood pieces and shiny gold fixtures.

 (and of course monograms!). This velvet bench belonged to my Grandma.

BEAUTY

I admire and adore beautiful things.  I curate my life and efforts with beauty.  I find antique pieces that house unknown stories, to me the epitome of beauty.  I have them sprinkled throughout our home.

This mirror in particular was purchased with a dear friend who's now in heaven giving me pause to reflect on life's priorities each time I pass by. 

BIRDS

It may seem a bit much but I love birds as I find them majestic, so you will see them almost in every room.

PLANTS

I find it important to having living things in your home - preferably plants over pets but we have Ethel & Trixie too.

HEIRLOOMS

I display and use treasured items pass down in our families, like silver and china. I don't decorate for each holiday or season but rather enjoy the gifts of others all year round. See, I'm very sentimental!! 

For you maybe it's souvenirs from your travels or art or a specific collection.  Whatever it is that tells your story have it throughout your home for others to enjoy.

Dress Beautifully Sharing Your Story

in Your Home

XOXO Sarah Louise

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