Every home we inhabit leaves an indelible mark on us, shaping our preferences and teaching us invaluable lessons about life, and perhaps surprisingly, about decorating. If you pause to reflect, the collective wisdom gleaned from your living spaces might be far greater than you imagine.
Over the past few months, I’ve immersed myself in a plethora of decorating books, spanning from practical how-to guides to lavish, high-end coffee table editions. Each offers a unique window into personal style and design philosophies.
I find inspiration in every decorating book, even those whose styles don’t directly align with my own. There’s always a fresh perspective or a creative spark to ignite new ideas. This was particularly true when I delved into the visually stunning coffee table book, Ellen DeGeneres Home.
In her book, Ellen beautifully showcases the various homes she’s lived in, detailing specific decorating insights she gained from each. This approach resonated deeply with me, providing the perfect impetus for this post: a journey through my own homes and the decorating wisdom they imparted.
What My Homes Taught Me About Decorating: A Personal Journey Through Six Residences
It feels like the perfect opportunity to share the invaluable decorating lessons I’ve absorbed from each of the six homes I’ve inhabited throughout my life, starting right from my very first college dorm room. Each space was unique, presenting its own set of challenges and opportunities, and each contributed significantly to my evolving confidence and approach to home decor.
Searching for photographs for this article was a delightful trip down memory lane, filled with heartwarming recollections from every house. Each image brought back a flood of happy and cherished moments, reminding me of the life lived within those walls.
House #1: The Split-Level Childhood Home
My inaugural home was a charming split-level house in Willow Grove, PA. It was ‘home sweet home’ from the moment I was born until the day I departed for college.
My parents resided in this house for an impressive 50 years before transitioning to a retirement community. While the new owners converted the garage into an additional room, the house largely retains its original character from my childhood. Of course, my mom would have always adorned the door with a seasonal wreath and planted vibrant mums in the fall!
Around the age of eleven, my parents moved my two sisters and me into the master bedroom, which was spacious enough to accommodate three twin beds. The walls were covered in a formal green patterned wallpaper, entirely unsuitable for three young girls. This became the backdrop for my very first decorating endeavor.
My sisters and I temporarily “redecorated” by covering the walls with posters, a genius idea I sourced from the back of a cereal box! You can even spot one behind me in the photo above. It was part of a set of six vibrant Cap’n Crunch cereal character posters, ordered through mail-in forms from the back of the box – a true relic from the late 1960s. These colorful posters instantly transformed the room, making it feel more aligned with our youthful tastes, even if they were only up for a few months before my parents officially redecorated the room. It was my earliest foray into personalizing a space.
Decorating Insights from My Childhood Home:
- The absolute necessity of a bedside table and light: With three beds crammed into one room, space was a premium. Store-bought nightstands were simply too bulky. My dad, ever the innovator, crafted three perfect bedside tables from orange crates, painting them white and adorning their tops with hip pink and red raindrop wallpaper. My sisters and I adored them. Witnessing his ingenuity and resourcefulness in creating something both chic and functional ignited my lifelong passion for repurposing items into unique furnishings and decorative pieces. This early experience taught me that creativity can solve spatial challenges and personalizes a home unlike anything else.
- Dimmer switches elevate any atmosphere: Even as a child, I cherished dinner times in our dining room, primarily because of the dimmer switch controlling the lighting. It instantly made every meal, even weeknight ones, feel special and elegant. My siblings and I always advocated for the dimmest setting and candles on the table, understanding intuitively that lighting sets the mood. This lesson has stuck with me, and I’ve since installed dimmer switches in the kitchen, living room, dining room, and bathrooms of every home Ed and I have owned. I also utilize plug-in tabletop dimmer controls for floor and table lamps. The ability to adjust lighting with a simple touch allows you to effortlessly curate the perfect ambiance for entertaining, quiet relaxation, or a soothing bath.
- Decor doesn’t require official pedigree: Our colorful cereal box posters taught me that wonderful decor doesn’t need to be expensive or professionally acquired. Sometimes, simple, personal touches are all it takes to make a space feel like your own. Functionality and personal expression trump formal design rules, especially when you’re young and on a budget.
House #2: My College Dorm Room
My next “home” wasn’t a house in the traditional sense, but rather a series of college dorm rooms. Over four years, I lived in seven different dorm rooms, each offering a small slice of independence. It was in these compact spaces that I finally had a canvas, albeit half a room, entirely my own to decorate as I pleased, fostering a sense of personal ownership and creative freedom.
Lessons from Living in a College Dorm Room:
- The magic of temporary adhesives: Poster putty and double-stick foam hooks proved to be indispensable tools. They allowed for endless reconfigurations and personal touches without inflicting any damage on the walls or furniture – a crucial consideration in rental or temporary living situations. This lesson in non-permanent decor is still valuable today for renters or those who like to frequently change their decor.
- Door draft dodgers combat unwelcome light and drafts: A simple door draft dodger, strategically placed along the bottom of the door, effectively blocked out the harsh light from brightly lit hallways, ensuring a darker, more conducive environment for sleep or relaxation. This highlights how small, inexpensive solutions can significantly improve comfort.
- Overhead lighting is often insufficient and unflattering: Relying solely on a single ceiling light can result in harsh, uneven, or simply inadequate illumination. I quickly learned that every room benefits from multiple light sources. Soft, ambient lighting from floor and table lamps is essential for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, proving that layered lighting is key to good design.
- Comfortable pillows are a multi-functional necessity: When your bed doubles as your sofa during the day, large, comfortable pillows are not just a luxury, but a necessity. They transform a bed into a functional seating area, emphasizing the importance of multi-purpose furnishings in small spaces.
House #3: The California Spanish Bungalow
After Ed and I exchanged vows, we embarked on a new adventure, moving to the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area. Our first marital home was a rented Spanish-style bungalow in Oakland. Ed, a naval officer at the time, was stationed at the Alameda Naval Base (now a bustling weekly flea market). We anticipated staying for a year, but unforeseen ship repairs diverted us to Bremerton, Washington, for six months.
During our time in Bremerton, we left our furniture safely stored in the Oakland bungalow and lived in what was officially designated “sub-standard Navy housing.” This wasn’t an exaggeration – it was literally what it was called! Our temporary dwelling was a bare-bones, single-story unit on a concrete slab, connected to another identical unit. While not aesthetically pleasing, it was perfectly bearable for our temporary stay. I don’t possess a photo of this modest dwelling, but despite its plainness, the views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding mountains from our windows were absolutely breathtaking.
Lessons from Our Rental House:
- The transformative power of light: The dark-painted bedroom walls in our Oakland rental proved to be a source of constant gloom. Since we couldn’t paint, I felt the oppressive weight of the dimness, solidifying my understanding that natural light and bright, airy spaces are crucial for my personal well-being and happiness within a home. This experience underscored how profoundly light impacts mood and atmosphere.
- Mirrors can double as “extra windows”: To combat the dark walls, I discovered a clever trick: strategically placing large mirrors directly across from windows. This brilliant technique makes the mirror appear as an extension of the window, effectively doubling the perceived light and creating a brighter, more expansive feel in the room. It’s a simple yet powerful illusion that can open up any space.
House #4: The Stately Brick Colonial
Anyone familiar with military life knows that frequent moves are part of the package. After Ed’s tour in California concluded, we relocated across the country to the South. He embarked on a “shore tour” to pursue his Master’s degree and teach Naval Science at Duke University, the University of North Carolina, and NC State. It was during this period that we purchased our first home: a beautiful brick colonial in Durham, NC.
Our oldest daughter was born while we lived here, making it a place of significant life events. I vividly recall painting every room and meticulously stenciling a tile design onto the kitchen’s white backsplash. This was the house where I truly began to refine my decorating skills and solidify my personal style, embracing more ambitious DIY projects and design choices.
Valuable Lessons from the Brick Colonial:
- White French doors add architectural charm: Installing white double French doors between two rooms, along with white exterior doors, dramatically enhanced the character of the space. Against deeply colored walls, the crisp white trim created a striking contrast, making the rooms feel inviting and sophisticated, even with minimalist furnishings. This contrast became a hallmark of my evolving style.
- The unexpected joy of uncovering hardwood floors: Few things bring a renovator more delight than ripping up old wall-to-wall carpeting to discover beautiful hardwood floors beneath. Enough said! If you suspect you might have them, don’t hesitate to take a peek – you might be pleasantly surprised by a timeless treasure.
- Always prime before painting over stained wood: Ed built a magnificent full-wall bookcase in the living room and stained it a rich, dark brown. After a week, I decided it would look better painted white. So, I enthusiastically applied white latex paint. It looked amazing initially, perfectly complementing the white French doors. To my horror, a few days later, I returned home to find a distinctly pink bookcase! The wood stain had bled right through the white paint. The next day, I quickly learned the indispensable lesson of using a stain-blocking primer first.
- Prime before painting over oil-based paint with latex: If you’ve followed my blog, you might be familiar with the large antique armoire in my “studioffice.” When we moved into this house, it was an assertive orange. Desiring a neutral tan, I painted it directly with latex paint. Within days, the surface developed bubbles, which grew larger each day. To my dismay, I discovered I could peel off the dried latex paint in huge, shrink-wrap-like sheets. This taught me another critical lesson: always use a primer before applying latex paint over existing oil-based paint to ensure proper adhesion and a lasting finish.
- A stone fireplace adds warmth and organic beauty: The natural texture and earthy tones of a stone fireplace can infuse a room with a cozy, organic feel, instantly making the space more inviting and grounding. It’s a timeless architectural feature that enhances comfort and visual interest.
- Red’s limited appeal in my decor: I learned that my personal preference for the color red in decorating is almost exclusively reserved for Christmas. This house had brand new, wall-to-wall red carpeting in the living room, up the staircase, and throughout the second-floor hallway. It clashed with every decorating vision I had for the house, and I simply couldn’t live with it. This experience helped me define my personal color palette and preferences more clearly.
House #5: The Charming Brick Twin House
After Ed earned his Master’s Degree and honorably discharged from the Navy, he transitioned to a career with Merck Pharmaceuticals. This led us back to Pennsylvania, conveniently close to my childhood home. We purchased the right side of what’s known as a “twin home” in southeastern Pennsylvania. Similar to a duplex, a twin home comprises two distinct residences that share a central wall, essentially two identical houses connected.
Though narrow, this house boasted the most exquisite architectural molding, trim, and built-ins of all our previous residences. We only lived here for a year, but it was packed with decorating insights.
Key Takeaways from the Twin House:
- Comfort over aesthetics for seating: When furnishing a room, I’ve learned the importance of testing every chair for comfort. If it’s not comfortable, it’s out. We initially furnished this house with hand-me-downs from Ed’s parents – a stiff, formal Victorian-style sofa and upholstered chairs. We often found ourselves lying on the floor to watch TV because it was simply more comfortable! I was overjoyed when we could finally afford a truly cozy sofa and chair for the room. Comfort is paramount for a truly livable space.
- Area rug sizing impacts flow and safety: When selecting area rugs, ensure they are adequately sized to define the primary functional zones of a room. Rugs that are too small disrupt visual proportion and flow, making a space feel disjointed. Furthermore, undersized rugs can become tripping hazards. A properly sized rug grounds the space and enhances cohesion.
- Stripped, natural wood offers timeless beauty: When we bought this house, the previous owner had stripped all the wood throughout the interior, leaving it unstained. The result was breathtaking, particularly the built-in cabinets and the two elegant columns separating the living and dining rooms. The wood possessed a perfect warm, almost whitewashed color that exuded natural beauty. I’ve since attempted to strip many pieces of furniture to replicate this look, though I’ve yet to fully achieve that specific, perfect tone. The pursuit continues!
- Simple DIY valances add easy color and pattern: In situations with limited budgets for furnishings, simple, fabric DIY window valances can instantly inject pops of color or pattern into a room. Hung above windows, they create a finished, “decorated” look without significant investment, proving that creative solutions can make a big impact.
House #6: The Craftsman Style House
This was the smallest house I ever lived in, a charming Craftsman-style home in Freehold, New Jersey. Our second daughter was born two months after we moved in, adding to the joyful chaos of our little home. This period was incredibly productive, as it was in this house that I penned my book, Instant Decorating, at the age of 32. We undertook extensive painting projects here. I wish you could see the porch floor, which I stenciled in a whimsical blue and pink checkerboard pattern – a project proudly featured in my book!
Despite its modest size, the house offered a delightful backyard, a garage, two screened-in porches, and a deck, maximizing our outdoor living space. We spent four fulfilling years here, learning to live creatively within its cozy confines.
Enduring Lessons from the Craftsman House:
- Embrace mindful decluttering and editing: Living in a small house necessitated constant editing. I learned the crucial practice of letting go of items that no longer sparked joy or served a purpose when something new came in. This taught me not only contentment with less but also the importance of ensuring every item we owned was either absolutely essential or deeply loved. This philosophy of intentional living and decorating became central to my approach.
- Allow decoration to evolve organically: A home doesn’t need to achieve showroom perfection overnight, or ever. Taking your time with each decorating detail not only saves money but also leads to a more thoughtfully curated and satisfying long-term outcome. True style unfolds gradually, reflecting your life and personality.
- The transformative power of paint: While painting an entire room can dramatically alter its ambiance, sometimes simply painting one accent wall can inject incredible dynamism into an otherwise plain space. Paint is one of the most cost-effective and impactful tools in a decorator’s arsenal.
- Prioritize clear pathways and visual flow: It is essential to arrange furniture to ensure ample room for movement throughout your home, creating an effortless flow from one area to another. Leaving some spaces intentionally empty can make a small house or room appear significantly larger and more inviting, contributing to a sense of openness and tranquility.
House #7: The Spacious Center Hall Colonial
This center hall colonial holds a special place in my heart, as it was my home for a remarkable 22 years. It’s also the house where I launched my blog in 2009, meaning six years’ worth of posts detail countless DIY projects and transformations we undertook within its walls. It was the most spacious house we ever lived in, blessed with an abundance of natural light streaming through its many windows.
Profound Insights from the Center Hall Colonial:
- Don’t fear floating furniture in the middle of a room: The living room in this house was a long, narrow, open-concept space that initially felt awkward. It wasn’t until I moved the sofa into the center of the room that the space truly came alive. This arrangement, with the sofa (we had three during our time there) remaining in that spot for 20 years, completely transformed the room’s functionality and aesthetic. Ed even added a floor electrical outlet to accommodate two lamps on a table behind the sofa, ensuring both light and convenience. This bold move taught me to challenge conventional furniture placement and prioritize flow.
- Prioritize feeling over mere appearance in design: It’s far more crucial to consider how you want a room to feel rather than solely how you want it to look. Should it be formal, casual, playfully inviting, minimalist and serene, or warm and cozy? Having a clear idea of the desired emotional impact beforehand significantly guides the entire decorating process. Focusing on how you want to feel in your space creates a more authentic and personally satisfying home.
- Grouped art and collections create striking impressions: Any collection of art or objects, no matter how humble, makes a powerful statement when thoughtfully grouped together. Framing children’s artwork can create a heartwarming focal point, while a display of teacup saucers on a wall adds unique personality. The more distinctive and personal the display, the more character it infuses into your home, telling your unique story.
- Never obstruct a view; always maximize natural light: It’s paramount to preserve and enhance any beautiful view a room offers, and always maximize natural light sources. I learned to hang drapery panels so that when opened, they extended beyond the window frame, covering only the molding on the sides. This not only provided an unobstructed view but also visually enlarged the windows, making the room feel brighter and more expansive.
- White trim molding adds instant character: Even the most basic white trim molding around doors and windows can impart significant character to a room. It frames openings, adds architectural detail, and creates a polished finish that elevates the entire space. It’s an easy, high-impact upgrade.
- Candlelight creates instant relaxation: Few things transform a room’s atmosphere as effectively as candlelight. Whether for dinner, entertaining guests, taking a bath, or simply relaxing on a porch, candlelight instantly shifts the mood from ordinary to cozy and profoundly relaxing. It’s a simple, universal tool for ambiance.
House #8: My Current Lake House on Lake Murray
While I cherished every home I’ve lived in, the setting of my current house is truly a dream come true. It perfectly encapsulates the timeless adage:
“It’s not the houses you have lived in, but the life you lived in them that matters.”
Since moving here in 2015, Ed and I have poured our hearts into countless DIY projects and decorating endeavors, transforming this house into our own personalized sanctuary.
Ongoing Lessons from Living in a Lake House:
- Life revolves around the view: In a lake house, the view is paramount. I’ve consciously arranged every room to maximize the stunning vistas from the sliding doors, which are present in nearly every space. Furniture is positioned to invite the outdoors in, ensuring the natural beauty is always a focal point.
- Comfort unequivocally trumps trends or rigid style: While some may prioritize trends, I’ve learned that what truly matters is what feels right for you and your family. Comfort and function now take precedence over fleeting styles. A comfortable, usable home is always in style.
- Chalkboard walls are fun and functional: Chalkboard walls make a wonderfully playful and versatile statement in any home. They’re perfect for artistic doodles, elegant lettering, jotting down lists, or leaving notes. They’re also fantastic for entertaining – invite guests to draw and express themselves! See how we did it here: how to paint a floor to ceiling chalkboard wall.
- Maximize every inch of space: Efficient use of space is crucial. We needed a discreet place for our vacuum cleaner and frequently used odds and ends. Creating an under-staircase closet with a hidden door not only provided much-needed storage but also enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the staircase itself. Creative storage solutions are always a win.
- The right power tools simplify projects: Having the appropriate power tools at hand makes any home decorating or DIY project infinitely easier and more enjoyable. Investing in quality tools is an investment in your home improvement success.
- DIY efforts are rewarding, despite the exhaustion: While DIY projects can be incredibly exhausting, the sense of accomplishment when you step back and admire what you’ve created with your own two hands is profoundly worth the effort. There’s an unmatched satisfaction in personal craftsmanship and making a house truly your own.
Each of these houses became a cherished home, each telling its own unique story. Some had charming quirks that made them distinctly interesting, while others simply provided a comfortable roof over our heads for a brief period. From that first collection of Cap’n Crunch posters at age eleven, my decorating education has continuously grown and evolved. Each home has fueled my passion and refined my understanding of what truly makes a space special.
How many homes have you lived in? What invaluable decorating lessons have you gleaned from each of your personal spaces?
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