Hi Guys! Welcome, on in and grab a cup of hot coffee or tea and let’s catch up on my latest project. How to easily update your home.
As you may remember, I shared a post back in September about my project to refresh the interior of my home. (here)
Now, I must confess that I am not an interior decorator and all my projects are for my own enjoyment and in my own particular taste and style. But, since I have been in the real estate field since the early 1990s, I do have a lot of experience in watching the trends in decorating come an go. (Geez, that can make me sound really old!)
Anyway, one of my recommendations to my Buyers and Seller has always been to do at least one project to refresh your home each year. This way, you are enjoying the updating trends and styles without doing complete re-do projects. An easy way to update your home, and if you should decide to move, there is not that long list of updates that you may feel the need to make before putting your home on the resale market. Plus, you are enjoying your beautiful home.
A Few Simple Updating Changes
Step 1: Paint – Update Colors
Our first step was to move away from the warm earth tones by adding some cool gray shades to the family room and kitchen. Once again, my real estate experience has me decorating in mostly neutral colors. Aka: Realtor Beige! It works with almost anything. I must confess that I do love the warm beiges and whites.
When these rooms were originally decorated nine years ago the earth tones were all on-trend. And now the grays are the way to go. I love them both, and now I am ready for a change. Ready for an update!
Starting out, the recessed ceiling in the family room and the stove hood in the kitchen are painted a mocha brown. The brown coordinates beautifully with the brown recliners, the background of the area rug. The rug is starting to show wear and it’s time for a replacement. That will make for a refreshing change.
Step 2: Rugs – Refresh
Because I am only refreshing and not redoing the floors the area rugs in the kitchen are replaced with gray and tan area rugs.
More tones of gray and tan throughout with area rugs provide an easy way to update your home.
Now for a more modern look, I’m adding shades of white along with the gray hues in the laundry area.
Step 3: Reupholstery – Updated Look
Over in the corner is my favorite reading chair and ottoman. It is quaily made, comfy, about 15 years or so old, and is covered in a tapestry print. A great candidate for a re-do that will totally revamp the looks of the room.
In my opinion, what makes a home is a collection of those things that tell our story and bring us joy. And so, you will never find me throwing out everything and starting from scratch. I often have items that I love re-upholstered.
Step:4 Table Top
When doing a home refresh, I am wanting to do just that. Refresh! And so you won’t find me ripping out my granite countertops because they are brown.
Instead, I am simply changing the tabletop accessories to pick up the gray tones in the granite. Some new gray placemats, a few stainless or silver accessories and it’s mission accomplished. It’s an easy way to refresh your home. Mixing the old with the new is what makes our houses our homes.
Step 5: Pillows And Accessories
Pillows and tabletop accessories are also a wonderful way to refresh your home easily. And don’t forget items for children and pets. Our boys love their new gray pet bed and it works great with our updated home.
Shop The Post
Paint: Sherwin Williams – Light French Gray
I hope you have enjoyed our little coffee break together. Thanks, for stopping by and please come back.
Are you planning any home updates soon?
You can share them in the comment section down below. I would love to read all about them!
Rosemary
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© COPYRIGHT 2019/ Distinctly Southern Style/ Rosemary Davis
Fabulous updating Rosemary! I love everything you did.I love your tip of doing one thing each year. It is much easier to stay on top of things that way. I love to decorate and like you do it for myself because it is fun. I have three homes that we live in throughout the year. We never rent them out. A very large cabin in the mountains, a medium sized house in the valley and then a tiny condo in Arizona. So I am always doing something. Each place is unique in size and style. Our place in the valley is the one where I have been moving to neutral grays and I love it. Thanks for sharing your tips and beautiful home!
Peace!
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for your compliments.
I get inspired by your decorating and style as I read your blog posts at http://www.NorthwestMountainLiving.com
I’m a long time fan! And that is not only your decorating skills but your fashion statement too.
The grays are a refreshing change and they really lighten up the room!
Next up, I’m going to bring some whites into my bedroom.
Rosemary
Sure wish I had read this a few months ago — BEFORE — we started a major renovation. You made the living room look so much bigger with that light rug! Great tips. Please keep writing about your little changes in decor moving forward. This article was helpful!
Suzana,
Sometimes a major RENOVATION is called for and sometimes all we need is some updating.
I’m sure you will be thrilled when your project is complete! Be sure and share it with us once you are all back together.
Good Morning Rosemary,
I really needed this! Such great advice and doing one project a year is so beneficial especially if your thinking about selling. I love your style and the colors choices you made.
Nancy,
I am so happy that you enjoyed this post. Thanks for stopping by and reading.
Rosemary