Nope.

I’ve always, always decorated with my stomach.

Weird right?

I know. It sounds odd, but hear me out, because maybe you do this, too.

First, I look at things and contemplate whether or not I think they’ll go together. Then I bring them home…or order them online…and set them up in the room I’m rearranging.

During the last step, I sit back and take it all in. Sometimes, things look great, other times, not so much, but the final decision isn’t based on a look.

I leave it up to my gut.

Sure, several accents may look equally well in a space, but my stomach always knows which is best. I literally get a physical sign when everything feels right.

And it never fails.

Which is how I knew, from the moment the wallpaper went up in the family room, that it wasn’t going to work out.

Like I said before, it looked lovely on paper and in my carefully curated photos, but in reality, the flowers looked orange and, more importantly, the room was almost impossible to accessorize.

I couldn’t find my footing and my tummy felt queasy whenever I walked by that unsettled space. I rarely ever poofed the pillows or turned on the candles.

It just wasn’t any fun to play in there…and let’s face it, decorating is my jam.

So, it shouldn’t surprise anyone when I say that the wallpaper was a fun experiment, but I LOVE the way the room looks without it.

It just feels right.

It’s a calm space. It’s a clean palette and I now have room where I can add a variety of accessories.

Swap them out. Change the look.

Decorate for the holidays and each season.

And just have fun.

Of course, I’m not rushing into anything. I love a truly collected look…one where a room naturally evolves and it takes time to do that authentically.

I’ve wanted to add one to this room from the day I decided to make it over.

Unfortunately, it didn’t look right against the wallpaper. Too busy and the beautiful pattern would never have received the attention it deserved.

However, once those delicious green walls were exposed, I checked for sales and free shipping every day and grabbed one.

Now it’s a focal point.

A warm and charming accent that defines the vibe I’ve been going for all along.

It’s perfect.

So much so that UPS is going to deliver a red one to me any minute now…

But that’s not to say I didn’t love the way the plain white shade looked. It may make a comeback at some point. 

I could say the same about the gold or wood mirrors.

My stomach just liked this scrolled one better.

I picked it up years ago at a thrift store.

Yes, we had to take it apart to clean it up and paint it, but it was so worth it.

I also ordered a few new pillow covers.

Aren’t they pretty?

They totally pop, in my garden themed, cottage style family room.

And they make me smile.

They tie in my new red rug and add some well placed flowers back into the space.

Flowers I can swap out with ease.

That I love looking at.

And ones that my gut wholeheartedly approves.

Finally.

Well, for now anyway. 

😉

Have you added any new accents lately?

Happy Decorating, Friends!