Inspiration for the dream

Designing with your spouse is not for the faint of heart.

Sometimes you align, (yes, rustic stone!!) and sometimes you don’t (RIP tile flooring in bathrooms). And with something you are building (and paying for) there are certain cost evaluations you have to make. What is important and deserves the extra money? What can you compromise on and find something less expensive? And where do you start?

Let’s go back in time. Sean and I have been in a relationship for sixteen years. We have grown up together, rented homes together, bought furniture together and renovated our home together. Along the way our design aesthetic has grown and evolved. We have always loved mid century modern, so there are some elements of that sprinkled throughout our home. We have always loved rustic and natural materials. And while I love a good aged piece of vintage furniture, I know there is a threshold of patina that Sean will or will not be ok with. Does it look dilapidated, or does it look well-used? Sean loves smart home tech and clean lines, but knows that it needs to feel warm and elevated or I’m not going to be on board. I love the arts and crafts movement, but I know that it can’t feel like a witch’s cottage.

So we did like most people do and started pinning. Do you like this? No. Do you like this? Yes. What do you like about xyz? What about THIS? And slowly we narrowed things down.

We agree on a color palette inspired by nature. An exterior that blends into the woods around us. We like archways. We like stone. Cabinetry with an English aesthetic. A focus on function with ornamentation second. Durable materials that will stand the test of time. Clean lines on trim and millwork. Mixing wood tones. Aged brass but not unlaquered brass (Sean couldn’t handle the patina).

Today I compiled some images that have been ever present on our Pinterest boards to show what we want to build. As time goes on I plan to focus on different rooms of the house and go into further detail. It’s exciting for me to see it all together!

So we began with pinterest board collaborations and discussing likes and dislikes. We figured out the things we were passionate about integrating into the build and started sourcing materials. Sean really wanted to do LVP instead of wood because it’s durable and can handle wet environments. So we started looking at wood tones and plank widths to determine what we liked, and then researched who sold them. We knew we wanted to integrate a stone veneer on the fireplace and as a back splash in the kitchen, so I started researching brands and ordered some samples. The bottom line is, you just start.

I’ve learned over the years that if there is something you’re scared or uncertain about, or you feel insecure because you don’t have the knowledge you think you should have to pursue a project, the best medicine is research. Lean in! We live in an age where you can learn to do almost anything on the internet (hello I tiled my whole last remodel, thanks youtube). The experts think it’s cute when you’re curious and your questions come from a place of respect. People want to share knowledge. They want to pass on their expertise. Sean is an expert at this and I often find him nose deep in his phone researching something random just because he likes to learn.

Learning is your constant companion in life, and you get to choose your topics. And sometimes your special knowledge is funny (ask me about romantasy). And sometimes your special knowledge is applicable and useful (watch me cut in a paint edge). And if you want to know anything about light bulbs, you can ask me. Because I know.