Hello my loves!
Welcome back to the blog! As most of you know already, I'm happy to announce that I'm back home and settled in to my new apartment. Well, partly settled. I'm still awaiting some furniture, the walls need decorating and I have a few more boxes to unpack, but settled for the most part.
I've been having an absolute blast picking out pieces for my new home at a vintage shop not too far from my house. They've been so generous in agreeing to provide certain pieces in exchange for a few videos and blog posts about their store. Here is the link to their online store and you should definitely check out the shop if you're into vintage pieces and local to the San Francisco Bay Area!
As I've been decorating my space, I'm reminded that there truly is such a thing as A Woman's Touch.
There's something so unique and specific about the way in which we as women can take a house and make it a home. I talk about the different ways you can do this and how to cultivate a nest for yourself in my latest Patreon video which you can watch here.
As women, we have the ability to nurture our environment in such a way that it simultaneously becomes a place of style and respite.
Now this isn't to say that men can't be stylish or don't know how to decorate a home. If that were the case, Queer Eye would't exist. (And let's be honest, who doesn't love Queer Eye).
But as much as Bobby, the design expert from the show, can take a hideous space and turn it into something stunningly beautiful, it won't truly feel like home until a woman gets the opportunity to put her stamp on it.
And that's because of our natural inclination towards creation. As feminine beings, we are able to create everything from artwork to actual human life. And this creative element of our persona can also be viewed trough the ways in which we sprue up our homes.
But while many of us know certain aspects of being creative, we might struggle to put all of the elements together. So in this post I'll help you understand design and nesting a little bit better.
Here are five ways to elevate and cultivate your nest.
1) Height Makes All The Difference
When adding decorative elements to your home, one thing you want to keep in mind is height and height variation. There should be some pieces that are tall, some that are medium height and some that are smaller. This brings intriguing visualization to a space. Take a fireplace mantle for example, it's much more interesting to have a variety of pieces at different heights, than to have, say, a few elements that are all the same height. This could work sometimes, if you're displaying books in a bookshelf like manner. But aside from that, having a variety of heights is a great way to add intrigue, personality and a personal touch to your decor.
2. Flowers, flowers, flowers
Many people are missing out on the joys of fresh flowers. They are stunning, fresh, and brings elements of nature from the outside world, inside. Please don't buy the lie that flowers are just so expensive. You can get a bit of baby's breath from the store for as little as $1.99. It's not about spending money on an opulent arrangement with 12 dozen roses. Rather, it's about incorporating those fresh elements of nature throughout your home.
3. Quilts are underrated
The first time I saw a quilt was when my very good friend, and former college roommate Jaq, brought one to our shared dorm room freshman year of college. I grew up with comforters, not quilts, and I have to say, that I think they provide a much lovelier and homier (is that a word) living experience. When nesting, comfort and coziness are very important aspects of cultivating the home (watch my Patreon video for more on this). To be clear, all blankets are cozy. But there's something so warm and comforting about a quilt. It's almost like every single one was made with care, different patches sewn on carefully and thoughtfully. You don't have to reserve quilts for your bedroom, however. You can use them as blankets in a guest bedroom, or to throw over a couch. They just add a touch of homey vibes, interesting patterns, and warmth.
4. Curtains are not out-dated!
It seems to me like people don't use curtains anymore. And to be fair, I can see why. They take more effort to clean and I suppose it's more work overall, as opposed to automatic blinds or something else very trendy. But curtains are still a beautiful and elegant addition to a space!
This could be because I've been binge-watching Downton Abbey again and basically designing my entire apartment like their home, but short Victorian style curtains just really do something to my soul. As long as you make a point to clean them regularly, I think they add a lot of flair to a space. AND when using floor length curtains, they will make your space look even bigger when you place them above the start of the window. Curtains are multi-purpose, gorgeous and very functional.
5. POPS of color
I know the whole neutral look is "in" right now, but honestly, I'm just not a fan. Don't get me wrong, I understand the appeal of clean lines and the tans and whites making it look like your home is an IKEA store. But it's just not my style. (If it's yours, no shade at all!)
Pops of color bring a space to life! Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through in your home decor. You can still have an elegant space, and throw in hot pink pillows or an electric blue tablecloth. Prints aren't off limits either! Have fun! I have floral prints and toile in my apartment so far and it truly adds so much character. And really does make a house feel like home.
Well loves, that's all for this post! I hope you enjoyed it, and remember that anyone can incorporate nesting into their daily life with a little practice and intentionality. For many more tips and ideas, head to my Patreon and watch the full video on this topic.
Stay loved.
xo,
F.
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