The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith

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I promise you guys, this is not a book review, but it should be.  This has got to be one of the most inspiring decorating books I have ever read.  Granted, it may well be the only decorating book I have devoured from cover to cover and tried to drink it all in. I wonder if the library would miss it if I never returned it.  If I never went back to the library for anything ever again, would I have to pay the over due fine?

Let me start by giving you a few lines from  "The Imperfectionist Manifesto"

WE BELIEVE that home should be the safest place on earth.
WE BELIEVE that home has a greater purpose than looking pretty
WE BELIEVE in mismatched sheets and unmade beds.
WE BELIEVE that toys and homework and smelly shoes and spilled milk are signs of life
WE BELIEVE in using the good stuff now, not waiting for some future better purpose
WE BELIEVE that contentment results not from stuff but from gratitude
WE BELIEVE that it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.

These were a few that I need to remember.

One thing she mentions in the book that I also need to remember: don't apologize for your house.

At the beginning of every chapter, she has a quote that is inspiring in and of itself. This book has just made me look at my house so very differently.  Unfortunately or fortunately, however you want to look at it, my head is now swimming with a gazillion ideas on what I can do to make my house even more me.

This woman writes this book while living in a rental house. She's moved a total of 13 times at the time of her writing.  She knows what she's talking about.  You can't push off decorating to your next house, your dream house, etc.  That may never come.

Don't apologize for your house is a big no-no.  It shows discontent and that you don't think your house is up to par.  Every house has good points, emphasize those and work with the rest. She's been very creative: duct tape on her bedroom wall to give it a diamond design, contact paper on the fireplace to improve the ugliness of the eye sore. Go big: get the next bigger rug than you think you might need, get big chandeliers.

Can you tell I love the book?  It has inspired me-- we are only living in a rental as well, but let's make it home.  So my living room has become my first project.  I rearranged it yesterday and mostly I love it.  The couch and love seat are a little crowded together but between them is one of my favorite things about the new look.  I took after pictures, because I forgot before pictures that I will try to post in the next couple of days.  It's not done-- I want to redo the lamps, put the saying on the wall finally, the toy area needs much much help yet, so it's all a work in progress, but I'm very excited.  In the mean time, I do have to tackle cleaning up the office a bit.  There will be no before pictures there because quite frankly it has become a dreadful catch all and is embarrassing; but maybe it will be good for my pride to show my mess as well.  I'll contemplate.  Remembering to take pictures is not in the forethought of my mind when I go to tackle a project.

So, if you're looking for inspiration, go the library and check out your own copy, or borrowed copy, of The Nesting Place and be inspired.

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