8.06.2013

LETTING GO OF HAVING THE PERFECT HOME

I've been thinking a lot about my home and how it works for me and my family.  I stress over things not being perfect.  I fret over not having at least one magazine worthy room.  I have even started to complain A LOT about how it's not the home I wish I had or would choose if I had to do it all over again.  Why is that, though?  There are so many people that wish they had what I have and not to mention the ones that come over and love the decorating I've done so far.  I'm lead to believe that I've gotten so caught up on what others have and what I see on social media, that I have adopted the "not good enough" attitude towards my home.
 
 
I was flipping through the latest IKEA catalogue and came across this:
Life at home is about creating space for everyday life as it happens.  For all the things you want to do.  For the things you love.  And for everyone that you spend your time with.  Because when the home works for the way you live, life simply becomes better.
 
How true is that?  I want our home to work for us.  I would love for my rooms to be pinned across Pinterest.  I would love for HGTV mag to say "whoa, we'd love to feature your home in our next issue".  But lets be honest, if I make that top priority, how will my family be able to truly enjoy the space we live in?  We have been here 5 years already and I haven't made one single decision for our home based off of what I think would really work for us.
 
 
 
That's probably one of the main reasons I stepped away from blogging for a minute.  I didn't feel as if I was making wise choices for my home.  AND I think I was working too hard.  I like doing different projects here and there, but this DIY stuff is tiresome lol!
 
 
 From here on out, my decorating decisions will be based around the needs of my family.  I think that's the only way I'll be truly happy with the space at the end of the day. 
 
 
I'll leave you with this (another saying from the smart people at IKEA)
 
Often, it's the smallest moments that matter the most.  Like being lazy in the sofa, legs crossed, talking about everything and nothing.  Or finding the time to be together, the most ordinary everyday things.  Don't be afraid to bend the rules to create a home that works for you.
 
Make your home work for you! Happy Tuesday!
 

29 comments:

Amanda said...

Oh girl I can soooo relate to this! I think your home is beautiful and I am sure it blesses all who enter it! So good to finally get to me you this past weekend!!

Darnetha | ChippaSunshine said...

I can so relate to how you feel. I have battled with this same thing. I learned to accept where I am and to keep it moving. Your home is beautiful and I love your pop of color furniture.

Unknown said...

In the past year so I've learned the perfect home is one filled with laughter and love everything else is just 'stuff' trust me when I say that!! I know exactly what your saying its so easy to get caught up in Pinterest, but always go with your gut and what will work best for your family, because at the end of the day its your perfect home :)

Anonymous said...

Absolutely!! I'm always telling myself the exact same thing. And the rule in my house is if it breaks or isn't washable, it doesn't live in my home.

Your home is beautiful, BTW.

--Adrienne

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Fabulous post, in this online world we can get caught up in what we present to the world rather than what is right for us and our family. You are wise to focus on what is important for your daily life rather than what will look good in a post or instagram photo! Janell

Laurie from Laurie Jones Home said...

I love this, I've been a big fan of yours forever and I love the way you think and I love your message today!!!

Kathysue said...

It sounds to me as if your are becoming a very wise woman. When it is all said and done you will remember the moments with your sweet family, not what color you painted the last piece of furniture. So proud of you Lakeitha,
xo Kathysue

Vintage Home said...

came over from HOF....your home is fabulous! Love all your pieces! And the way you added the flamingo pic to your sideboard! way to go! Great scale!
Thanks for sharing!

L. Providence said...

I'm exactly in the same boat as you. I'm constantly being inspired by rooms & houses on the Internet, that I don't appreciate my own place. I'm currently looking for a new apartment, but will keep in mind everything you said.. it's about making your home work for you.

Laura
TheNativeNewYawker.com

Kelli said...

You are oh-so right! and I am totally doing what you did with that pink dresser to mine! I have the mirror on it, but really do not need it there, AND I need the space for jewelry! Thanks for the inspiration :)

graywolff said...

Very moving post. I think many of us are the same-- but you (we?) don't realize it from the outside. I recently sold my home and the person who came to photograph it for the real estate site asked who "staged" the house... I took it as a compliment but was shocked-- I always feel like my decor is so LACKING.

Shavonda@AHomeFullOfColor said...

I love this post Lakeitha. Its so true. I struggled with this very thing too. We have a home that so many of our friends and family admire, but I always found something wrong with it. I had to let it go. Though this isn't our forever home, its our perfect-for-now home and I see it through new eyes. It is hard not to compare it to others though especially when theres so much talent in the DIY/blog world. I adore your home and I love all the changes you've made recently. I can tell you've fallen back in love with it and that is reflected every time you do something to make it more you:)

Champagne on Tuesdays said...

Love this post. I was just thinking something similar. I added trim to my curtains the other day, and thought about what a nice blog post it would make (and maybe get some comments). Then I realized I didn't feel like taking photos of the process. I just felt like sewing on the trim. And that's okay. Although I appreciate other people posting details, we don't all have to.

Your house is beautiful. And I just pinned your PB lamp. Probably for the second time. LOVE it.

Unknown said...

Fabulous post and I couldn't have said it better, and Kira is spot on!
Xo Nancy

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

Very well said! Thanks for being honest. And I love your home by the way. New follower!

paperjunk-lc said...

Well said and I couldn't agree more.

Comparison is the thief of joy! Theodore Roosevelt

Dwell by Cheryl said...

Love this post! So true. It's all to easy to get caught up, I know I'm guilty. Tanks for reminding us what home really is.

Melissa A said...

Your home is quite lovely and HGTV or Pinterest worthy for sure. I can relate to that feeling of discontent in that way and other ways too with all forms of social media and the feelings they can leave you with. I just took a 40 day break from Facebook myself. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and reminding me that a little gratefulness is in order.

Gwen, The Makerista said...

Lakeitha, I can so relate to this! I just started blogging a few months ago, and I'm trying really hard to be intentional with what I do. I'm trying to do projects and make things that we really will use or love, not just what I think people outside of our home will want to see.

I really appreciate you writing about this and I look forward to continuing to follow you! Thanks for sharing!

Saudah Saleem Interiors said...

Lakeitha! This post really spoke to me and it's something I've been quietly telling myself for a while now but honestly have ignored. glad to know I'm not alone. Its really hard not to get caught up in wanting more for your home when we spend so much time looking at other people's homes via magazines, blogs, IG or Pinterest. I found myself frustrated too that as soon as I zhushed up a room, the kids come and mess it up. My husband is constantly telling me to "remember people actually live here too." Being a designer comes with the pressure to have a home that's photo ready when the reality is that 95% of the time its totally not. Although people who visit are always in love with our home are always in awe, they have no idea of the maddness that I put myself through to make sure my house lives up to their expectations. smh. Crazy right? Anyway, thanks for writing this post. It's inspired me to do what I know is best and right...put my family and my family's needs first.

Charity said...

Absolutely LOVE this post and couldn't agree more. I feel the same way ;) Happy Friday to you and make it a great weekend!

Jen @ After The Alter said...

Love the post, but I have to say your home is beautiful! Mine is a mess most of the time, but I think that goes with the territory of having a 2 1/2 year old. I hope you someday make your dream space.

Amber said...

First HGTV for real needs to come showcase your home and if they don't Domaine Home or Domino Mag needs to. I have the same sentiments, I keep thinking that once we buy a house then I'll put in the real effort to make each piece ours and "cute" but the reality is that this is where we live NOW and being comfortable and functional is what it's all about. I will probably never have a fabulous perfectly staged lucite coffee table (hello toddler with an appetite for destruction) but as long as what we have works for US and we like it....then I think we should go for it.

C a i t l i n said...

I have a friend who once told me that "a perfect house is the sign of a wasted life". It's so true. It's what goes on inside the house, not how it looks that will be remembered in the end. Love your blog, I'm a new follower. -Caitlin

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