5 Things to Give Your Home a Great First Impression

First impressions are very impactful and important. It says a lot about what's on the inside!

Vivian's pink swing adds the perfect happy touch!

Our traditional Georgian Colonial home is me to a T! I have a very traditional style and prefer older homes (they just don't make them like they used to). She's a custom brick house built in 1963 by a well renowned builder in Charlotte, NC. We are only the 3rd owner and the 1st was a Methodist church that used the home to house its ministers (It makes me feel like our home was meant to be used for God's glory from the start!) 

When decorating your home it's easy to focus on the interior: paint colors, light fixtures, flooring and my favorite, wallpaper! BUT the exterior is actually most important. Not only is it the first impression of your home but from a practical standpoint making sure your home is in solid, safe and in sound condition (you know all those things on the inspection report) is vital. We've spent the first 2 years of ownership in this house focusing on lots of repairs and at the end of last year we finally made some cosmetic renovations that include 5 rooms I'm eager to share with you this Summer!

But lets start at the beginning!

Here are 5 important things I believe are key to making a great first impression for your home ... 

1. Mailbox

It is the VERY FIRST thing you come to on your property, therefore it's very important that it be stylish, sturdy, and spic & span. This copper mailbox was a Christmas gift a few months after we bought our home. I'm not sold on a flower bed at the base (it's more work than I'm up for) but I do go out and scrub the post every so often. I mean think about it this way, your neighbors walk by it and your mailman or woman visits it every day! I highly consider leave treats in there for them :)

2. Hardware

Hardware makes such a statement. It reflects style in a functional way. It's the tool to open your door in welcoming others into your home. The 'key' if you will to hospitality. My personal favorites are by Baldwin (particularly fond of shiny brass), it's what we have and plan to keep.  Invest in your door handle, a knocker and house numbers.

3. Light Fixture

Think of lighting as the jewelry of your home. Ryan's dying to have gas lanterns at our front door but that's an expense that's low on the list. For now, I've decided to keep our front fixture because it's original and I love the character. 

4. Planters

I think these Chippendale Planters are great.

I've become such a plant lady.  I have small vintage square planters that sit on our rounded steps with a small pink geranium in each for the Spring & Summer. I do not decorate our entry seasonally or for holidays because I don't like clutter and like to keep our exterior simple and classic. It allows for the front door and moldings to shine. We do proudly hang the American flag!!!

5. Power washing

It is amazing what a little soap and high pressured water can do for a home. It blasts off any grime and mold that collects over time. It really makes your brick, trim and windows sparkle. One of the prettiest features is our dental molding around our exterior and on the inside! That craftsmanship just isn't something you can find in today's time. 

It is my dream to add this rounded portico to our front one day!

Dress Your Home Beautifully for a Great First Impression

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