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Decorating & House Inspiration

by | Nov 25, 2008 | Decorating Inspiration

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Decorating & House Inspiration

I know most of us are just about to be up to our ears preparing stuffing and sweet potatoes or a holiday project of some sort, but I am still thinking about my upcoming move! It is looking more and more like we will be moving to a newer house rather than the 1920s and 1930s houses I’ve lived in most of my life. This will be an interesting new adventure!

While it could be awhile before we buy another house (since we have to sell our existing one first), I know the day is coming, so I am pumping myself up for how much fun this will be. Yes, I’m daydreaming. When I should be packing. Or preparing ahead for my Thanksgiving meal.

Decorating & House Inspiration

I know you all have heard me say this before, but I look at lovely pictures because I get inspired by the possibilities. While we will be cutting back and downsizing in a major way, and will be buying a pretty average house, I can still get ideas from fancier houses in magazine photos.

Decorating & House Inspiration

No, it doesn’t get me depressed to look at beautiful rooms! I know my new house won’t be magazine cover worthy, but I can find ideas by studying photos.

I notice things like the way the light comes in a window. Reminds me how important light is to how a home feels and I need to watch for that when I house hunt. I notice wood ceilings and paneling on walls. I watch for details I can add over time to give a house character. I notice striped rugs. I love the beachy look they give.

Decorating & House Inspiration

Decorating & House Inspiration

I notice pleasing color combinations, achieved through paint, fabrics and accessories. I zero in on the creative way they furnished a home, how things have been layered and ideas I can replicate myself with a can of spray paint or a trip to the thrift store.

Decorating & House Inspiration

I am getting more excited about moving and all the adventures ahead! I wish I could fast forward through the moving part and get on to the creating of my new home! I will feel blessed no matter where we hang our hats. Ok, back to the holidays. Thanks for indulging me in my daydreaming!

PS. My HomeGoods post today is up! See one of my favorite year round and holiday accessories in my home!

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE FEATHER YOUR NEST APRON DRAWING!

USING A RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR, GINA HAS CHOSEN #59 MELISSA MASHBURN! WOOT WOOT! Congratulations, Mel! Email me your address and you’ll be looking so cute for holiday baking!!

All photos: House Beautiful

37 Comments

  1. Joan

    I know what you’re saying about getting inspired by looking at beautiful rooms. I don’t find it depressing at all…actually it invigorates me to move things around in my own home. Looking at model homes has the same affect at times.
    Thanks for the inspirations…

    Joans inspiring blog post..Gay Head Cliffs …

    Reply
  2. Vee

    Such beautiful rooms to glean ideas from and, Melissa, your new home will absolutely be magazine worthy. It’s wonderful that you are treating this as a grand adventure for it truly is.

    I’m up to my eyeballs in cleaning. No baking until tonight and tomorrow. Why oh why didn’t I follow FlyLady’s advice of recent weeks? Ugh.

    Vees inspiring blog post..Time Keeps Slipping Away

    Reply
  3. Madelyn

    I adore the clean lines and fabulous decor in this beautiful home! That first image is my favorite. I love the balance and wonderful contrast of of the spiral staircase with the rectangular frames! Beautiful!

    Madelyn @ Southern Weddingss inspiring blog post..Southern Grace + Giveaway: Carrot & Stick Press

    Reply
  4. Terri Steffes

    Congrats to Mel!

    I love house hunting! I love moving! I love redecorating!

    I have a staircase as like the first picture. I have decided to consider painting the stairs to match the staircase. I have wanted to do so but didn’t have a visual of how it would look. I am thinking it would look great! This might be my weekend project!

    Terri Steffess inspiring blog post..Crock Pot Turkey Breast

    Reply
  5. Darlene

    Those were all great pics, but I really love the first kitchen. I’m all about white/cream cabinnets lately and butcher block counters.

    Darlenes inspiring blog post..Thanksgiving Tablescape & Menu

    Reply
  6. Emily

    I am like you, Melissa, in that pretty photos don’t get me depressed or discontent with what I have. They give me ideas for what I can do with what I have. I can do little things like a subway tile backsplash to pretty up my kitchen even though it’s not magazine worthy, it’s cozy and it’s mine.

    These photos are great for ideas.

    Good luck with your transition. I’d be just like you – daydreaming when I should be cooking.

    Emily@remodelingthislifes inspiring blog post..Unexpected

    Reply
  7. Jersey Girl in DC

    Wow! I love all of these and am wishing that we had a bigger space! I think just one of these is bigger than our entire condo! : )

    Jersey Girl in DCs inspiring blog post..GIVING: More Giveaway Fun!

    Reply
  8. Melissa in Mel's World

    WOOHOO!!!! YAY! It was me, ME, Me!!!

    I’d like to thank the academy for acknowledging my cooking skills, my husband for eating so many slightly charred rolls, and my kids for tolerating “make your own dinner night” when I just can’t figure out what to make next. Ha!

    Oh, I would also like “World Peace”!

    Thanks Mel for your generosity…my address is coming to you via email right now my friend!

    xoxo,
    Melissa in Mel’s World

    Melissa in Mel’s Worlds inspiring blog post..An Attitude of Gratitude

    Reply
  9. Jen

    I love that you can look at beautiful magazines/photos and be inspired, and we can just look at your blog. For me, it has the same effect, and I know the amazing heart of the person writing it….you. :)

    Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlams inspiring blog post..Seasons of change…

    Reply
  10. Jennifer

    I absolutely loved that kitchen. Especially the area with the stove. How incredible must it be to walk into that room every day?

    Love your blog, heard about it from a friend.

    Jennifers inspiring blog post..Magnolia Lane Picture Frames

    Reply
  11. teresa

    It’s like you took the words right out of my mouth- {only you said it so much better} I’m actually filing away a couple of those pictures for future inspiration. :}
    That first picture of the Kitchen is just what I had in my head- but couldn’t explain it to my husband- Thanks

    Reply
  12. Rhoda

    Melissa, can’t wait to hear about where you will end up, house and city. Hope you’ll share that part with us, at least which state you’ll be in! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    Rhodas inspiring blog post..Meet Eddie Ross

    Reply
  13. Lorri

    Thank you for this post. I have recently married and moved from my cute as pie cottage to a 1980’s ranch style house. I have been trying to imagine the possiblities in this house. And I am at a loss. I have purchased a million magazines and studied them from cover to cover trying to inspire a new idea for my new home. I know it will happen with time.

    Reply
  14. mary

    Such beautiful and inspiring photos! I have never had the chance to decorate a new home from scratch. It does sound very exciting, and I can’t wait to read all about it when you finally get the chance.

    Happy Thanksgiving, Melissa. :)

    Reply
  15. anne

    Very inspirational :-) Can’t wait to read about when you get your new home!!

    Very exciting, lets hope it doesn’t take too long for you all..

    I love the kitchen :-)

    annes inspiring blog post..Google Map of Our Holiday

    Reply
  16. LuLu

    I find pouring through magazines to be inspiring too. It’s so fun to dream and find the right thing that will work in your lovely home. Good luck with the move…we move a lot with my husbands job so I totally know how you feel.

    LuLus inspiring blog post..My Etsy Picks For Today

    Reply
  17. Debbie

    I am usually toooo stimulated visually!!! I see these pictures and I want to go buy paint, frames, pictures, carpet….I lay in bed thinking I could do this if I moved this, got rid of this…changed this….! Big smile…don’t we all do this? Melissa you are getting ready to move to a blank canvas!!! What are you going to do? So many possibilities!!!! Big smile…it’s going to be fun!
    Blessings,
    Debbie

    Debbie @ ribbonwoods inspiring blog post..A few little things…

    Reply
  18. Pretty Organizer

    You are my kinda gal! Of course we have to look elsewhere to be inspired. Pictures of my house would only go so far and then what! So many great ideas from others. I love the chair in that living room shot!! Inspired to recover a few of mine!

    LOVE YOU!!!
    Pretty Organizer

    Pretty Organizers inspiring blog post..Vintage Office

    Reply
  19. shelbi

    melissa, you have amazing taste, no matter where you hang your hats, you will create a lovely home for your family :) and congrats to melissa #59! how cool is that!

    shelbis inspiring blog post..:: sniffle, sneeze, ACHOOOOO! ::::

    Reply
  20. Christie Groth

    That mantle over the stove hiding the range hood is breath taking! Wow, just added that to my dream home list.
    Thanks!

    Christie Groths inspiring blog post..Am I a Nerd???

    Reply
  21. Dixie

    I’m the same way. I find lots of decorating inspiration in photographs. In fact, I’ve been saving pics from magazines (and blogzines) for years… safely tucked away in my “decorating scrapbook”. Very inspiring posts!

    Dixies inspiring blog post..An organized desk in French Lique…

    Reply
  22. Tommie Jo

    Computer glitch! I hope this doesn’t post twice! Love your blog!
    I would like to invite you and your readers to participate in my blog giveaway for a little pocket purse. It would make a great stocking stuffer! Thanks for sharing!

    Tommie Jos inspiring blog post..Super Easy, People’s Choice Giveaway!!!

    Reply
  23. Ashley

    I agree about looking at the fancy magazine homes…you have to get ideas somewhere and they are done so well. It is the dream in our heads about making a house a home that inspires us to make our home beautiful however shape or form. Great pictures! They inspired me. I especially love the huge shelves/cubing in the kitchen picture. Amazing! I love things organized and in its place…extra points for pretty-ness! :)

    Ashley @ Domestic Fashionistas inspiring blog post..Because I love dessert…

    Reply
  24. Tinuviel

    I agree with all the other ladies. I even saved that bottom photo, myself. The kitchen with the cubbies is in Mill Valley about 30 miles from here. I have a housekeeping/organizing business and had this fantasy when I saw that photo of contacting the owners and BEGGING them to let me keep house for them. Bliss!! :)

    Tinuviels inspiring blog post..Decorating the Thanksgiving Table

    Reply
  25. kayellen

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family:)
    Have a wonderful week!

    Blessings,
    KayEllen

    kayellens inspiring blog post..Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
  26. A-M

    Melissa, you are such an inspiration. I have been feeling down in the dumps lately, unsettled in our rental, surrounded by and living out of boxes, with a house frame in the city…being incessantly rained on, not really progressing much…. now you have encouraged me to look at all the exciting things about moving and change. Oh…. and I’m sorry, you could make a tin shed’ magazine cover worthy’. A-M xx

    A-Ms inspiring blog post..Beautiful Friends

    Reply
  27. LeAnn

    Hi Melissa,
    I think that when you are creative and a nester any place you hang your hat can be warm, wonderful, beautiful and cozy. I’m no professional but I too love savoring magazine spreads and certain HGTV shows for inspiration. The fact that you have such a wonderful blog lends itself to the fact that no matter where you end up it will be fabulous. Stop by sometime for a visit. Thanks for your inspiring blog.

    LeAnn:)

    LeAnns inspiring blog post..

    Reply
  28. Pearl Maple

    Congratulations Melissa, you lucky girl.

    Thanks for sharing all these inspirational photos, it is great fun to see how others have beautified their nest and as you say by slowing down to admire and appreciate what they have done it gives us clues on how to work with what we have got in our nest.

    Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

    Pearl Maples inspiring blog post..Magical Horizon

    Reply
  29. Carol

    You have made me want to decorate! If I could just find the ambition tonight. I am a teacher in desperate need of this long weekend to rest. I do get a little down looking at beautiful magazines, but moving is not going to happen, so I do the best with what I have. I am definitely getting in the mood to do something creative with my green garland and lights and artificial fruit! I may just have to post it when I get done! Check out my blog if you want. Lately, I have been trying to post some of my creations. Carol

    Reply
  30. The pleasures of homemaking

    I don’t find magazines depressing. I also don’t find that they affect my contentment with what I have. But I do know people who have that issue. I think it’s exciting that your downsizing and dreaming about your new home!

    I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    Manuela

    The pleasures of homemakings inspiring blog post..Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
  31. Debbie

    Melissa, you’ve got such a wonderful outlook on life. Others might be anxious about a move, but you’re seeing it as an adventure. I admire that! May God bless you and your family especially during this time of change. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

    Debbies inspiring blog post..Good Things In Small Packages

    Reply
  32. Melissa Lewis - Off The Wall

    Oh Melissa, that kitchen in the last photo just makes my heart skip a beat. That one is soooooo me! And that painted blue table… oh me, oh my! Great post.

    Hoping you had a wonderful and very blessed Thanksgiving!!!!

    Reply

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