Home | Refreshing a Space
Every once in a while we need a refreshing of the spaces we dwell in. I might feel like there is a chronic implication to move the furniture in my house and the houses of others that I love— often. The other day I went into a friend’s home for the first time and within 20 minutes we were pushing couches, choosing paint colors and reviewing art for the walls. I’m just saying- I cannot help it. The gracious friend and kind home owner I’m referring to said, “oh this couch is very heavy I’m not sure we’ll be able to move it…” I looked her dead in the eye and assured her that I’ve never met a piece of furniture that I couldn’t move. She wasn’t wrong, I tweaked my lower back BUT the couch was moved and she looks real nice.
All of that said, there is something about taking the things we have and making our homes feel new. There is also something about spending a few dollars every once in a while to really make the space feel new. And as good as I can be at moving furniture, changing up the vision and trying a new flow I’ll be the first to admit that the living space in my own home has offered some unexpected challenges and obstacles. Our house is composed of perfect rectangles and squares each added in a different decade of the 1900’s. A real daydream…things get weird. After a few years of living here and half a dozen orientations, I started asking for opinions which turned into asking for professional help.
I couldn’t get them to play well together.
This was the most recent look I loved (left) prior to Maple & Moss where I felt like I liked where half of the room was going but I was really struggling with the back half (below).
Into my life walks Lydia Andrews. Catcalls ensue…not just because of those curls but because her brain holds a lot of layouts, information, resources, and her knowledge are affordable and applicable to all homes. Lydia owns a company called Maple and Moss. Maybe you’ve heard of her or her company prior to today…. but maybe you’re not sure how she could help you. I wanted to explain a bit about her virtual design program from my experience. It’s very easy, remote and it makes design totally doable.
Lydia came over, measured the room, and heard what I thought I might want. From there she mood-boarded the sh*t out of my thoughts and color palette, sent me a link and I literally just clicked yes or no to the items. This process was painless. She made just the tweaks I needed and had fresh ideas that I hadn’t thought of and that none of my girlfriends had suggested.
First, she sent me drawings of how the room could be oriented.
Then she sent me a mood board that I could leave notes on and shop from……
We all have things we’re good at. Sometimes we can put furniture in a room but let’s be honest— that doesn’t mean the flow creates a natural invitation for guests or family to sit and chat, to get comfortable. I don’t even think to hire out a designer to help….Or hadn’t in the past. Mostly because that feels like it’s for people who are building a home or a big budget, or it must mean they don’t really have a lot of preferences and want to hire it out so it’s just dealt with. Hello?! I have 2 dozen Pinterest boards, I clearly know what I’m doing. haha..
This was over a year ago. I’ve hardly touched my furniture since. I did add a gallery wall and I’ve gone a little rouge with small things here and there but the look is overall hers.
If you’re sick of your space, or you like it but notice people don’t know where to sit, or you just need help this virtual design program is worth looking into.
