Our new sofa came yesterday and I’m equal parts elated and mad at myself for not making this purchase a year ago. But I’m mostly happy because I ADORE IT.  

Like your home, our home is constantly changing. 

This is a good thing, because it’s changing because WE are changing. As our family moves into different seasons, we need different things from our home. 

Wouldn’t it be tragic if our home always stayed exactly the same?

Making changes doesn’t mean you’re not content. 

It means you’re paying attention. 

Home is meant to evolve to better serve the people who live there. 

When it comes down to it, decorating is simply making decisions in the right order. 

You and I? We already know what we like. But we make mistakes when we make decisions out of order.

This was the most confident I’ve ever felt in my decorating decisions because I knew exactly what to focus on and what not to worry about. I knew what decisions to make first, which ultimately led to easier and easier decisions as I worked my way through the room.

Of course, it’s not finished, and I’ve incorporated some new things (sources below) and am still waiting on other things to get delivered, and a few things I’m waiting to order until the stores open back up. But the important part is that making logical, step by step design decisions made creating a new room a joy instead of scary. 

And I’m loving how it looks and functions so far.

Just for fun, here’s the original plan I made back in January of how I thought the room might come together. I’m still waiting on the rug, we haven’t ordered the pair of leather chairs for the right side yet and I tried a mirror I already had over the sofa and loved it instead of buying a new one. I made this quick little mock up in the keynote app on my MacBook.  

If you’re curious, here’s the exact order I make decisions for every room in our house:

Knowing the order is one thing.  

Applying it makes all the difference. 

If you want some accountably, encouragement and a bossy big sister (that’s me!) to help you finally finish your house, ONE ROOM AT A TIME, we’d love to have you join us in the Cozy Minimalist Community.

We start Tuesday ✨

You’ll pick a room in your house to focus on first, and we’ll begin working through these steps together. I teach weekly through live videos (recorded so you can watch again later) answer questions, create mockups and we have an engaging group full of fellow Cozy Minimalists working through the same steps in their lived-in and loved-on homes together.  

You’ll be able to post photos of your home, share progress and get the trusted opinion of fellow Cozy Minimalists who have the same values, and approach to their home so you can actually trust and act on the advice you receive.

And, I’d love for you to join me Monday on Instagram, I’ll go live at noon and answer as many home questions as I can get to in an hour. 

I’m taking questions in the comments of this instagram post. So click here and leave your question ASAP.

Sources:

Our new sofa: Tightback English Roll Arm with bench cushion in black velvet from CoCoCo Home –sofa made right here in North Carolina where God intended. Ours is a small scale at 80 inches long and 40 inches deep. 

Sconces: Industrial Task Lamp from Longmade. The brass arms on mine didn’t quite match the brass fittings, so I used a little rub and buff (grecian gold) just used my finger as a paint brush and rubbed it on. Also, it took only 25% of one tube to do both lights- so if you can’t find a single tube, it’s more fun to purchase this set so you can have more to experiment with on other things.  

Rug: Striped rug shown in mockup, not delivered yet: Lenia Rug in Natural/Black from Ben Soleimani.  

Cowhide rugSimilar Coffee Table: We’ve had it for a few years and I love it 

Black side table: World Market years ago / SimilarDrapes

Wood Mirror: (the one I used is from HomeGoods years ago) the one in the mockup is half off right now!White side table in mockup 

Branch table in mockup: vintage 

Leather Chairs in mockup: random chair where I altered the leather color we haven’t found and ordered anything yet 

Tchotckes: At Home Store, Target and Vintage 

Floors: 12 inch wide 30 year old pine floors milled here on the property. I have no idea of the finish. We LOVE them!

Alrighty, that’s it! 

Be sure to leave any Qs you have here so I can A — right here.

And, listen, if you’ve been thinking about the community, NOW’s the time!

We close Tuesday night and will only open one more time this year. At only $10 a month, if I only save you from one wrong pillow purchase you’ll make your money back for three months worth just with that. But I promise I’ll save you so much more. Plus, join now and you’ll get the free Herb Garden Class a $47 value!