Subtle Changes

Each spring, I put out new ferns and move all the orchids out to the screened porch. That process sets in motion other changes to lighten up my home decor for warm weather.

This year, the time was right to upgrade some of my "make do for now" furniture and art. The changes are subtle, but the upgrade in style and function make my daily life much more pleasant.

The foyer (below) remains the same.

My office is just inside the front door across from this foyer. I create the blog and conduct the daily business of my company in this room. I spend many hours each day here, so form and function are of the utmost importance.

This view is from in front of the window.

This angle is the view from the door.

A new desk to hold my computer was the most urgent change needed. The old mission style table had no drawers and snagged my clothes often with its rough edges. Another change that lightened this room was to remove a table from in front of the window.

I admit to having some difficulty with letting things flow like a river in my home decor. New additions were coming in, but not enough was flowing out.

The dining area remains much the same. However, I did remove several items to give the space a lighter feel. This view is turning from the dining area to the stair wall.

The link here shows the previous decor.

This shot from the balcony shows the sitting area changes. I removed several Italian trays, tables, and other items to give the space a lighter, more modern look. I replaced the Mediterranean terrace print with a more contemporary piece of art on a plain canvas.

The dark, heavy table that was previously under the oversize Hudson River style painting is now being used upstairs as my makeup table. I added the Art Deco style small mirrored chest to the back of the sofa.

Mirrored surfaces, straight legs, glass tables, and unframed canvases all serve to lighten up and modernize spaces. I studied hundreds of Architectural Digest articles before making these changes.

I moved the pedestal with the urn to the other side of the room and added a small metal and glass table to the area by the stairs. I had too many curved dark wood pieces of furniture, so I replaced the curvy coffee table with a more modern straight edge dark-dressed piece that relates nicely to the piano painting.

Fresh flowers and an urn full of seashells I gathered from beaches worldwide are now on the bar cart. When my favorite Stargazer and Casablanca lilies appear in flower shops, they will be placed in crystal vases throughout the main floor. I adore lilies and white orchids.

I added a new round pedestal table to the breakfast nook.

In the master bedroom, I replaced two old mismatched chests with a five drawer chest and a matching three drawer chest. Their style complements the bed and the bench.

My very talented father made the table in the corner by the air purifier. The bronze Victorian fairy figurine was a long-ago Christmas gift from Mr. M.

The walls are relatively blank for now in anticipation of adding original modern art. My eyes have finally adjusted to the look, so I am ready to embrace contemporary pieces mixed with old ones. Future purchases will include different light fixtures and blinds, modern glass objects, and original art on large canvases.

The upstairs sitting area outside the guest room also has a new lighter look. I removed some pieces of furniture and art here but did not add anything new. I shifted the location of several components to open up the area and make it appear larger.

The guest room is ready for your visit!

The table which was previously in front of the window in my office is now in the guestroom.

I enjoy the extra space for my makeup. That's a small fan on the floor under the table.

The Mediterranean terrace print looks so much better in the guestroom!

Below is my "store" shot in the finished room over the garage (FROG). Home accessories are like jewelry; you need not show everything you own at all times. I will keep these unique pieces to use in rotation with the seasons. 

My high heels collection also "lives" in this bonus room, along with a bookshelf and other items—more on this collection in a future post.