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We have a new house and a long list of ideas for making it feel like our home. This will not be a quick, perfectly planned renovation with every room finished at once. We are taking our time, completing one major project at a time, and doing the work ourselves.
Starting With the Kitchen
The kitchen is the room I am most excited to change. It is also the room where some of our biggest decisions are still changing.
We have considered different cabinet colors, debated whether to remove a wall completely or only partially, and changed our minds about paint colors throughout the house. Every decision affects something else, so we are giving ourselves time before making anything permanent.
I know the overall feeling I want, even if every individual detail has not been decided yet.
Bright, Moody, and Modern Farmhouse
The best description of my style is bright, moody modern farmhouse.
A bright home makes me feel happier and more productive, but darker nude and neutral colors have always been my favorites. I want to find a balance between the two—a home that feels light and clean without losing the warmth and depth that make moody spaces feel so cozy.
I do not want every room to look exactly the same. I want the house to flow together while allowing some spaces to feel lighter and others to have a richer, moodier look.
Doing the Work Ourselves
We plan to complete the renovations ourselves. That naturally means the process will move more slowly, especially while balancing work, a baby, and everyday responsibilities.
While my husband is working, I plan to handle anything I can safely complete by myself. The larger projects will move forward as we have the time to work on them.
There will probably be changes, mistakes, and plenty of moments when we reconsider a decision. That is part of creating a home ourselves instead of following a finished design that someone else chose.
Deciding Where to Spend and Save
We are not planning to spend the same amount of money in every room.
The main bathroom is one area where we are willing to invest more. In the living room, I would rather find creative ways to save while still making it feel finished and comfortable.
Learning where to spend and where to be resourceful will be a major part of this renovation. I want the house to look beautiful, but it also needs to make sense for our family and our budget.
Designing for Real Family Life
Having a baby changes the way I think about decorating.
Our home needs to be baby-safe, easy to clean, and uncluttered. I want it to feel nicely decorated without filling every surface or creating more things to maintain.
Beautiful rooms are important to me, but they also need to work for our everyday life. I want finishes that can be cleaned, spaces that feel open, and a home where our family can be comfortable.
The Feeling I Want to Create
When someone walks into our home, I want them to notice how good it smells. I want them to think it is nicely decorated, but more importantly, I want them to feel comfortable.
My goal is not to create a home that feels too perfect to live in. I want it to feel warm, clean, and homey—the kind of place where people can settle in and relax.
One Finished Room at a Time
This renovation will take time, and I am learning to be patient with that. We will slowly complete each major project, and I will share pictures after each room is finished.
Our new house will not become our dream home overnight. We are creating it ourselves, one decision, one project, and one finished room at a time.