Why Home Decoration Always Seems Incomplete for You
Whenever I'm inclined to make hasty design choices for my house, a subtle whisper in my mind (strangely reminiscent of my interior designer cousin) reminds me, "Don't act impulsively! Home transformation requires time." Generally, I heed this voice of wisdom, waiting for the desired fabric for my living room chairs instead of settling for a quick fix, or delaying artwork until I discover the perfect piece for the space. Although this method is promised to eventually produce a home that perfectly reflects my taste, it often feels like an endless endeavor. In an attempt to set reasonable expectations, I posed this question to esteemed Southern design experts, "Are you ever truly finished decorating your home?" The simple response? No.
An Ongoing Journey
An Ever-Evolving Journey
With a more passionate response, Birmingham decorator Nicole Roby says, "Definitely not!" she exclaims. "Homes are an extension of our families, and therefore, they evolve just like we do. The purpose, trends, and the life that's lived in a home are constantly changing, so there's no way you can ever truly be done decorating your home."
Chelsea Handegan, a Charleston, South Carolina, decorator, concurs, but she suggests tactical methods to make an impact without major overhauls. “A home’s design is in a constant state of evolution to accommodate the evolving needs of its inhabitants,” she says. “In my case, it’s constant reupholstery to accommodate a four year old, a cat, and a dog. I always advocate for clients (and anyone who will listen, really) to invest in quality furniture with good lines and to save on upholstery fabric; you’ll have those pieces forever and can recover them many times over!”
Reinvention Is Part of the Fun
For Dallas designer Javier Burkle, moments of reinvention are part of the delight. “While a young family's playroom might be the center of attention for a few years, I love assisting my clients in transforming the same space into a casual family room for everyone to enjoy when the children are older," he shares. "I also believe that a home's design should tell a cohesive story, resulting in the opportunity to switch pieces around the house. Try moving an accent chair from the living room to the bedroom, for example, for a fresh perspective on a beloved piece.”
Accessorizing Is a Fantastic Way to Implement Small Changes
Similarly, Birmingham, Alabama, stylist, designer, and former editor Lindsey Ellis Beatty is continuously rethinking her home. "The decorating is never truly completed—how disappointing would that be?!" she says. "Once the furnishings and window treatments are in place, it’s time for the most enjoyable (and often overlooked) step: accessorizing! At my own residence, I get bored quickly and am constantly acquiring and swapping out lighting, art, and decorative items. The real finishing line for me is always a photo shoot. Once that’s done, I’m usually ready to start over again."
Completed Projects Bring Fulfillment
The Satisfaction of Completion
One designer, however, adores a completed project. “As an interior designer, I am constantly discovering stunning, new finds, whether on my travels or at industry market events. It is tempting to want to change things at home, but I am a creature of habit,” says Houston-based Paloma Contreras. “Once my home is complete, it remains so, until I am ready to move or entirely overhaul it from top to bottom, as we did in our previous house." She will concede, though, that small changes can alleviate the occasional desire to redecorate—until a new canvas emerges. "These days, I tend to save the big, exciting finds for clients and make smaller changes at home, such as layering in art and decorative items. That said, we recently purchased a new home and I am extremely eager to decorate it!”
Our Surroundings Spark New Inspiration
Like Contreras, Myranda Randle Grulke, a Little Rock, Arkansas, real estate agent and Airbnb Ambassador and Superhost, has discovered that new surroundings inspire new design ideas. “When we moved from our 2,000-square-foot Tudor cottage to our 5,000-square-foot mid-century home, my entire decorating perspective shifted," says Grulke. Her one constant? House plants.
The Final Word
Ultimately, the designers suggest that the continuous decorating process is about creating a home that feels like our own—and that's always worth the wait.
“We love a collected look—an approach that takes time, consideration, and reflection,” adds Burkle. “I advise my clients to pick up a fun accessory on their travels and buy art if they love it because the result is a space filled with memories and stories you’ll love coming home to—which is what we all want!”
Incorporating Home Decor Ideas from Southern Living, I recently transformed my living room by reupholstering my chairs to better reflect my taste. (Nicole Roby's tactical method)
Finding the perfect piece of artwork for my home is an ongoing process, as I wait for the right inspiration to strike. (My delayed artwork decision)
