stacks of inspiration {13/52}

These last few weeks, all I can think of is changing my home. For the past couple of years, I’ve had this dark cinnamon color on the main floor. I’ve always liked the look of a dark, warm wall – all cozy and dramatic at the same time. I had to give it a try, and so I did it. And it looks pretty damn good.

It’s just not me.

If I were asked to choose just one piece of decorating advice to impart, it would be ‘stay true to yourself’. Although there may be many things that catch your eye on a daily basis, and you think to yourself, that would look good in my place, if it’s not totally you, you’re going to be unhappy.  And sure enough, I’m unhappy.

So I’ve been going through my stacks of decor mags and mentally decorating for awhile now.

I need to set my house straight, get back to ‘me’. I’m all about light and airy, a little shabby, natural textures and interest … if I could live on a beach, I would in a heartbeat. Alas, I’m stuck in the ‘burbs :)

I’ve been thinking about this urgent need of mine to redefine my home. It’s constantly on my mind, to the point of distraction. The need to refresh, renew, clear out the junk and purge the old … I think it stems from the whole past year and everything I’ve been through. Think about it. I’ve literally been given a second shot, a new lease on life. It follows that I would need my surroundings to reflect that, you know? Does that make sense?

Whatever. I’m all over this like a dirty shirt. Reclaiming my space and reclaiming myself.

It feels absolutely right.

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2012! are you in?

Hosted at twoscoopz! You can visit or join the focus52 flickr group here. My own focus52 project can be found on flickr here or by clicking ‘my f52’ in the category list to the right.

18 Comments
  • lynn
    Posted at 15:47h, 01 April Reply

    Oh wow. I don’t want to be you, painting over a dark color. That might take awhile….

    • janice
      Posted at 15:50h, 01 April Reply

      Totally. You have to be REALLY in the mood ;)

  • lynn
    Posted at 15:59h, 01 April Reply

    Yes, you do. And I know you’re driven. It’s like a fresh start, and it will fill you up! {{{Hugs}}}

  • Alison
    Posted at 17:53h, 01 April Reply

    I know what you mean! I’d love to actually do some of the redecorating I dream of! Good luck!!

    • janice
      Posted at 19:20h, 01 April Reply

      Thanks! I’ll most likely need it ;)

  • Christi
    Posted at 20:47h, 01 April Reply

    Painting, YIKES!

    But, the end result will be worth it. :)

    • janice
      Posted at 21:23h, 01 April Reply

      Let’s hope!

  • Geneil
    Posted at 22:41h, 01 April Reply

    Jan! I have been going through the exact same thing. I even have stacks of magazines like those in your picture. I’ve felt this urgency to purge my entire house and redecorate to the point of distraction. I’ve actually done quite a bit. Which is why my camera has kind of fallen by the wayside. (Not to mention my computer totally died on me and I’ve been starting things up again from backup.) Seems like I can either do stuff or take pictures… or if I do manage to take pictures, uploading and editing and posting them all seems too much. Anyway good luck with your projects!

    • janice
      Posted at 01:10h, 02 April Reply

      Girl! I WANT to see pics!
      C’mon, you have to share your hard work :)

  • Charlene
    Posted at 23:52h, 01 April Reply

    I had totally forgotten about this weeks. :(

    • janice
      Posted at 01:10h, 02 April Reply

      That’s okay! This week is another week ;)

  • Els
    Posted at 13:51h, 02 April Reply

    Love this stack of magazine’s looks like this must be fun to look into it.

  • mony
    Posted at 18:12h, 02 April Reply

    I’m totally requesting before and after shots :)
    Happy Renewing!

  • Sue
    Posted at 21:21h, 02 April Reply

    I did the gray and white and black deal a few years ago… looked pretty good for awhile. I did the olive greens and creams for awhile. But that’s not me, and I know where you are coming from. I finally (because I worked at a store that sold paint) went to the paint department and paid attention to where my eye kept landing on the little color chip display. It was in the pale blue/greens. We sold Pittsburgh paint and the color I kept going to was Seafoam Green. It was a -very- pale, blue-green/aqua color… and I loved it but I wanted it lighter, with a just a hint and tint of blue. So that’s what I had our paint guy do for me. And if you really want to feel like the lightest foam green blue of the ocean is inside, you might take a look at that. Just ask your paint store to start out using less colorant than what the card calls for. It’s bright, airy, open, cool, and you would understand when I say it feels like I captured the sky and spread it on my walls. Gorgeous with crisp whites and picks up the muted colors of tans and beige, too.

    • janice
      Posted at 00:06h, 03 April Reply

      That sounds beautiful!

  • Nordljus
    Posted at 06:56h, 05 April Reply

    I don’t know if it’s because of spring, but I feel like redecorating too, and I keep buying stacks of magazines. I’m dreaming of white floorboards, but in a rented flat, that’s not going to happen. My redecoration efforts generally seem to be more dreaming, buying magazines, and putting it all togher in my head rather than actually doing something. But that’s nice too :). I would love to go through your stack of magazines! :)

  • Laurie
    Posted at 21:08h, 08 April Reply

    Better late than never. I so hear you. I can relate in purging the old and finding new definition.

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