I see the light! and "how to decorate?" (being a question, not an answer...)

 was up front a long time ago: I have no idea how to decorate. Actually, I think it's part of the "About Me" section I first added to the blog.

Give me a hammer and saw, and I can build something. I can picture how it will go together, what it should look like, and have confidence that I can figure out any bumps along the way. 

Give me a sewing machine and some fabric and I can make something. 

Give me a paint brush or drill or recipe....got that.  A lot of that was included in my growing up learning with two very handy parents.  I've got those.

But decorating?  I have no idea.  I know what I like: if I see a piece of fabric or a sofa or a lamp, I know my tastes.  I can pick out a light fixture or chair and just know it's me and will work for me.  But get all those pieces home, and they are "in" a room, but they don't flow: the room isn't together; it's just a collection of things I've picked and like, but that's about it.

So I've been doing a lot of reading and researching online about the do's and don'ts of decorating, hoping I will learn something!  I've found a few really fun and helpful sites, and will share those soon.


I know one thing you will read anywhere: lighting is key. 

We are sadly lacking in lighting in our family room.  We all fight over one spot on one sofa that has the light if anyone needs to read, and it happens to be the one next to this end table, so reading and having a drink spot at the same time makes this seat prime real estate. 

I was in Lowe's (for paint thinner and sandpaper: the hutch continues), and happened down the lighting aisle.  I found something that would work in the family room, but if it didn't, I could use it in the bedroom (we are lacking lighting in a lot of spots....).

So here is the before:

....and the after:

It's such a simple thing, and no big deal.  I know: it's just a lamp.

But in other ways, it was a huge change to the room.  It completely changed the feel of the room (and this is in the daylight!), opened up a whole side of the room where no one sat (and is now mine), and just seems to give the room a little bit of balance.   I think that is the lesson for me today: it doesn't have to be big changes to have a big impact. 

Next? I'm not sure yet. That's why I'm doing more reading, to see how the room is going to come together, and to see if I can actually bring a room together.  It's a process, and we'll see how the process continues.

One website I've come to love is Better Homes and Gardens.  They have a great, easy to use room design tool.  You can specify the size of the room even odd shapes like our basement!).  Then you can add furniture, end tables, rug and more.  As much as I love to move things around, this method is a lot easier on the back!  Check it out!