The Simple Sophisticate - Intelligent Living Paired with Signature Style
Education:Self-Improvement
The journey of customizing Le Papillon, my house and home in Bend, Oregon, since September 2019 has providing much opportunity for learning both about the actual and practical purpose of home remodeling and decorating but also about much opportunity for self-growth. Over the past nearly four years, an abundance of experiences, discoveries. lessons and wow moments have been collected which is why I wanted to share today's detailed and lengthy (90 minutes) with listeners of The Simple Sophisticate podcast.
As I share at the beginning of today's episode, while it has been a dream of mine to customize my own home, I never actually planned to spend the past 4 years doing so, but the timing and opportunity presented itself to continue moving forward once my first "must-do" project (the kitchen) was completed, and now with the installation of the front porch screen door you see a glimpse of above, the journey is complete and I am eager to share with you 33 lessons I have learned below so that you can confidently and more enjoyably take part in your own customization of your sanctuary that will, when you dare to trust what you discover and learn how to do, provide priceless refuge, rejuvenation, inspiration and joy.
No doubt, the journey has its headaches, stresses and questions along the way (for example, when will the bathroom ever get done!), but I share here and in the podcast episode, without any hesitation, it was worth it, to be able to call home and live my life now in a home that works with me, nourishes me and helps me feel secure but also confident enough to try to soar and explore when I step out the door into the world.
So let's begin! In the Show Notes below I have only included the 33 bulleted points and left the detailed conversation, examples and ideas solely in the audio section as otherwise, this post would have been loooooong. To thank you for your patience as there was no new episode on the 1st Wednesday of this month, I have two Petit Plaisirs to share with you today and I look forward to sharing those with you at the end of this post and episode. Now to the episode!
~Note to readers: Be sure to tune in to the audio version of this episode as I talk in detail about each of the 33 points below.
~Explore becoming a TOP Tier Member of TSLL International Community and the many benefits as well as read testimonials from current members to be able to view the exclusive content of all of TSLL's home tours that will be linked below and were mentioned in the episode.
~I mentioned throughout the episode that even more tips for my approach to decorating as well as budget ideas were shared when I was a recent guest on podcast Decorating Tips & Tricks with Anita Joyce. Here is a link to that episode.
~The link to learn more about Rita Konig's interior decorating course offered on CreateAcademy.
Making the Best Decisions for You
1.Patience is key for knowing what will work best
~take the Office Tour here~
2. If you aren't sure yet, keep searching. It will pounce on you when you do.
~Look for the foyer and entry (interior and exterior) house tour at the end of this month.
3. Choose an item (piece of furniture, window, work of art, item in your kitchen - the stove) that is the star and everything else will support that.
~
La Cornue: Why This French Stove is the Best Fit for My Kitchen and Life (take a full tour of the kitchen as well)
4. Metal finishes don't have to be all the same exact finish, but they need to be in the same family.
5. Dismiss trends. Follow what speaks to you and makes you feel at home. Design from that space and you will be happier far longer.
6. Invest in the sofa, recover high quality hand-me-down chairs.
7. Know how you live best in your house.
8. Choose color combinations that work well in Mother Nature naturally. Stick to a few in each room - not too many.
Take a tour of the Dining Room and the Curtains, inspired by Provence. How to Frame a Room in an Open-Floor Plan.
Working with Others (Contractors, Designers, Subcontractors, etc.)
9. Patience is also key when working with your many subcontractors, experts and contractor.
10. Buy as many of the items directly rather than have your contractor do so. It will save you money.
11. Make sure every item arrives that you ordered immediately upon arrival. If not, call and get it sent ASAP.
The Arts & Crafts Guest Bathroom Reveal tour
12. Have pictures of exactly what you are thinking - design of tiles, placement of fixtures, style of curtains, etc.
~Tour the Primary Bathroom here.
13. Get ready to find your voice. You will need it.
14. Check each invoice to confirm correct itemization for charges for the retailer and your contractor's percentage charged
15. Be willing to live in your house or visit it everyday if you can to ensure quality of work and correct work is done - speeds up the process.
16. Don't take their word at face value. Come prepared. Know your house and be comfortable walking away and finding someone else.
17. Keep checking in.
18. "Man-splaining" will likely happen. Be prepared for egos to be bruised when you speak up. Do so with grace, but with strength. It's hard, but will help you sleep better.
Skills that will Give You Options
19. How to choose and coordinate prints (wallpaper and upholstery).
Take a Tour of the first room to be remodeled and redesigned - The English-inspired Boot & Basket room.
20. Lead the eye into the next room by creating interest visually.
Take a tour of the Parisian Elegance + English Country Comfort Primary Bedroom
21. Details matter. Tend to them as you can afford.
Small, Yet Significant Everyday Details at Home
22. Shop consignment and barter.
5 Tips I Learned during my First Brocante Visit (in France)
23. Invest in quality fabric for curtains, BUT you don't need an interior designer if you know what you want. This will save you money. Find a seamstress you trust and work directly with them.
Curtains for a Reading Nook, English Cottage-inspired (living room)
24. Just because you haven't done something before, doesn't mean you cannot teach yourself to do it.
25. Wallpaper is powerful and immediately adds a signature to a room. Dare to do it. Start in a small room first to gather your nerve.
~Click here to discover how to Wallpaper all by Yourself (yes, you can!)
What Makes Le Papillon Feel Like My Forever Home
26. Don't ask others to approve, look to those who understand design and ask how something works, then begin making decisions with this gained wisdom
27. Prioritize the entries of your home - the front (exterior and interior) and how you enter your home (from the garage, for example), if different.
28. Acknowledge where you spend most of your time. Start there.
29. Let the light in.
30. Create multiple Snug areas throughout the home (outside too)
8 Tips for Styling Your Own Snug and Take a Tour of TSLL's Newly Finished Office
31. Fresh flowers
32. Include details that make you smile.
33. Tech and clocks have their place, but none of them glaringly obvious or obstructive.
Petit Plaisirs
~Foyle's War
~Seaside Hotel (originally titled Badehotellet)
~Explore more episodes of The Simple Sophisticate podcast here.
322: Everyday Parisian Blogger, Rebecca Plotnick on Traveling to Paris during Covid
321: 9 Tips for Resetting into a Life Rhythm to Harmonize with Your Life's Desired Composition
320: What If . . . This Was the Year It All Came Together? Are You Ready?
319: How to Trust, How to Be Trustworthy and How Understanding Both Will Transform Your Entire Life
318: How to Become A Secure Adult in Relationships
317: How to Handle Travel Plans that Go Awry
316: How to Cultivate A Life Full of Vitality (and how it contributes to your overall well-being)
315: Being in Love, Being HSP and Being at Peace with Ourselves and the One We Love
314: Dive Deep into Life Instead of Paddling on the Surface
313: The Importance of Finding Meaning in Life: 9 Lessons taught by Viktor E. Frankl
312: The New Hello, my conversation with The Confidence Project founder Tracy Hooper
311: How Accepting Your Mortality Sets You Free to Live More Deeply
Season 8 Schedule of the Podcast Announced
310: Murder in Provence, M.L. Longworth Talks about Her Series Coming to BritBox
309: Let's Travel to Paris! My Discussion with Paris Perfect Vacation Rentals' Founder Madelyn Byrne
308: 15 Ideas for Welcoming Provence Style into Your Home & Garden
307: How to Step into your Fullest True Self — The Way of Integrity, as taught by Martha Beck
306: 25 British Petit Plaisirs (and a new category for all of TSLL's Simple Pleasures)
305: 36 Bedtime Daily Rituals and Essential Details to Ensure A Restful Slumber
304: Artists in Residence writer and illustrator Melissa Wyse and Kate Lewis
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