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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Feb 27 2008 at 6:57am | IP Logged
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Is "beautifying" a word? 
Seriously though, I am so blessed in that I have a house right by a woods and a river that my kids can fish in while I watch out the window. We have a wonderfully huge basement with a family room and a seperate class room. The kitchen is big with a dining room and then a sun room right off of that. We have all the space we need with lots of storage...
BUT, it's just not pretty. Add to that a tight budget and a husband who works long hours and you have a "me" who is rather unhappy.
I don't need "Better Homes and Gardens" but I'm here 24/7 and I get the blues. The walls need to be painted but it seems I have a hard enough time just keeping things clean let alone finding time to paint. The bathrooms and kitchen still have the original fixtures and dark wood cabinets (1970's).
I'm really whining here aren't I? I'm sorry.
I guess I'm just wondering what you all do to make your homes pretty, without spending a lot of money.
I'll stop whining now!
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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Michaela
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| Posted: Feb 27 2008 at 7:31am | IP Logged
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You've described a beautiful home, Becky! Some features of it may need a little more enhancing (ok, I'm thinking how I use makeup. LOL)
Seriously, paint does wonders! It's cost effective and can make a dramatic change.
We also have the walnut trim and doors. The previous owner did paint the kitchen cabinets white and change the bathroom cabinets. Still dated....a la 1970 or even 1980.
I have a painter coming today to give me an estimate for my entry way (cathedral ceilings...) the rest we can take care of.
I've looked at a few blogs that share decorating hints (all I care about is paint colors...when I turn the TV on...I'm more focused on the colors in the background than the show. I even have my children taking notice of wall colors. ) and magazines.
To personalize, without breaking the bank, paint.
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Feb 27 2008 at 8:21am | IP Logged
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Your home already sounds wonderful! If you are yearning for little pick-me-ups inside you can sprinkle little inexpensive touches here and there to beautify your home, while still keeping your environment child friendly, rather than something out of a magazine...pretty curtains, throw pillows, maybe a plant here or there, children's artwork displayed in unique or surprising ways. You don't have to invest a lot, just add little touches now and then, a little at a time.
Everything in our home is secondhand, mostly from Goodwill or family hand-me-downs...our decor has slowly and gently evolved over the years. Every time I went to Goodwill, after we moved to our current home, I would find a window valance, a tablecloth or runner, or a throw pillow that just fit our decor and almost always they were half price!
One little touch really brightens my spirits...we have white icicle lights strung inside the windows of our dining area, behind our lace curtains...every time we light them the room takes on a festive glow...I keep them up year-round and they always cheer me up! Of course, religious images always add to the beauty of any Catholic home and we have accumulated many over the years thanks to St. Anthony and Divine Providence! I often print up inspiring quotes on Print Artist, import images from online, and post them in strategic spots throughout the house to give my soul a lift! Craft projects with the little ones can brghten any home...cutting paper doilies (like snowflakes), paper border for the edge of a shelf...snowflakes on the window are always delightful! Music playing softly helps create a pleasant atmosphere. Remember, winter tends to bring on the blues anyway...Spring is just around the corner :) Your river and woods will be singing for JOY!
Another reliable remedy is getting outdoors, even when it's snowing or raining if possible...every time I venture out the door I immediately feel less depressed. A friend and I have discussed the idea that everywhere in Nature we are exposed to all that God has created, while inside our homes we are surrounded by manmade things...the next time you explore the river or the woods outside your door notice whether you feel God's Grace even more than when you are inside! You can also use nature finds to bring a little cheer to your home...we like to bring abandoned nests, pretty stones, pinecones, feathers 'n such that we find as we explore and use them to decorate. Our Christmas tree this year had a gorgeous nest inside, which we didn't discover until we were de-decorating...it is still attached to a pine branch, resting inside a basket, a lovely reminder of our tree-cutting adventure this year!
Here's a quote, cut from a box of Celestial Seasonings Candycane Lane Tea...it's posted inside a kitchen cupboard door, to lift our spirits on dreary winter days:
A True Home
"A roof to keep out the rain. Four walls to keep out the wind. Floors to keep out the cold. Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father. Warmth of loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is first school...for the young ones where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind. Where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick. Where joy is shared and sorrow eased. Where fathers and mothers are respected and loved. Where children are wanted. Where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned. Where money is not so important as loving-kindness. Where even the teakettle sings from happiness. That is home." Ernestine Schumann-Heink
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ladybugs
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| Posted: Feb 27 2008 at 9:15am | IP Logged
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Servant2theKing wrote:
A True Home
"A roof to keep out the rain. Four walls to keep out the wind. Floors to keep out the cold. Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father. Warmth of loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is first school...for the young ones where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind. Where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick. Where joy is shared and sorrow eased. Where fathers and motehrs are respected and loved. Where children are wanted. Where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned. Where money is not so important as loving-kindness. Where even the teakettle sings from happiness. That is home." Ernestine Schumann-Heink
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I liked this so much I just posted this to my blog - thank you!
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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cathhomeschool
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Becky, could you find a college kid or a couple of high school boys to come help you paint? That would save time and money (over a professional). We painted several rooms a couple of years ago and the difference it made is amazing. Some of the painting we did ourselves, and then a college student help with living room and formal dining. He and dh put two coats of paint on (we have a big living area and vaulted ceilings) all in one day. Painting cabinets and changing out the hardware can make a big difference too. Sometimes you can get really inexpensive cabinet knobs at Lowe's or Home Depot. Cabinet painting can be done a little at a time. When I touched up my cabinets a few years back (we thought we might move, so we were prepping the house), I gated off the kitchen/bathroom so that I could still watch the kids while working. Then I'd do a few cabinet fronts and would come back later or the next day to do more. One trick that a friend taught me (saves paint and clean up time) was to wrap the wet paint brushes in saran and place them in the freezer. Next time you're going to paint (can be days later), you pull out the brush, let it thaw a bit, and start painting. The brush doesn't harden and the paint doesn't dry up. That helped tons because I didn't have to do a bunch all at once.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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hylabrook1
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Maybe you could have the dark wood cabinets take on the sense of "accents" by painting the rooms they are in a light color that would be a nice (and brighter) contrast to the dark wood. That might make them look less *ponderous*. Also, what about changing the hardware on the cabinets? We lived in a house with dark 70s cabinets that had large metal handles that gave a sort of Mediterranean look. Switching those out for plain white porcelain (sp?) handles made a huge difference on their impact.
And I don't think you're whining! Sometimes when you look at the same thing too long you just run out of new ways of looking at it. 
Peace,
Nancy
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Servant2theKing
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Becky, I've been contemplating your post even further during our lunch break. A friend of ours beautifully solved the dark room dilemna by playing up the warmth of dark brown panelled walls with similar toned dark accessories...everything in the room has gorgeous shades of brown, amber, dark sage. They have lots of candles, religious images, art deco lights, an area rug in deep tones. The room is very cozy...everything they've done enhances what was already there...they have cleverly created a warm atmosphere that works well with what they have rather than trying to redo everything. Thought you might appreciate these ideas in case painting is not an option right now.
Like you, I have a husband who works late hours and is seldom home, and we're also on a tight budget. Even though I yearn to paint and recarpet, those have been relegated to very longrange future projects. In the meantime I feather our nest with little tokens here and there that make us all happy and try to overlook white walls with flat paint that show every single fingerprint and ding (and actually look worse when we try to wash them), and ignore the off-white carpet that has stains on top of stains. This season of childrearing is so very brief...our children surely will not remember our household decor nearly as much as the love in our homes!
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Cay Gibson
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Dear Servant,
Thank you for that quote. Candycane was my favorite tea this past holiday season. I'll have to go back and read the box.  Like Maria, I plan to share it on my blog. I also copy and printed it to tack inside my pantry and in my domestic notebook. Thank you for sharing it. I  it.
Becky, I sympathize. I also live in a dated (but big) house and have wanted to remodel and update.
But...
A couple weekend ago, my friend brought my girls and I to her niece's birthday party. She wanted us to see her house. It's dated about the same as mine but it's bigger. It's huge! But I immediately fell in love with her style. Her style compliments the age of the home.
She shops flea markets and everything in the house is dated. And it's beautiful. It's chic. It's posh. It's homey and welcoming.
When you walk into the sitting room, there is an old round coffee table in the middle of the room with the paint still chipped on it. She has "Home and Garden" magazines strewn all over the place. She has a vintage style and it was adorable.
I am so inspired now to use what I have and work with it.
I think your home sounds lovely and can't wait to see more advice. I've also been told lots of times about the miracles of paint. We've redone all the bedrooms in this house and paint do help to freshen and spice things up. It gives you a feeling of clean accomplishment. So worth it. 
I also love what Servant said about "religious images always add to the beauty of any Catholic home". We can make our homes lovely centerpieces of the Catholic faith and these older homes are just the place to do it.
I hope to get back to the topic but I have to run right now.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Feb 27 2008 at 1:51pm | IP Logged
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful replies everyone! After I posted my "dilemma" I felt a little embarassed and wanted to go back and delete it. I was feeling like I should be more content with what I have. But, I'm glad I didn't because you've all been so helpful. Servant, I've printed your quote and I think your thoughts about being surrounding by man-made things inside is so true. That's probably why my first thought was to go cut some forsythia branches and see if I could get them to bloom. I also like the ideas of making do with what I have. I think I just need to accept it for now. I was feeling like I wanted to move, but really, this is the perfect house for a homeschooling family. I can't imagine a better place to live, except maybe a house with a mudroom .
I'm going to start thinking about paint colors, the bedrooms really need it - especially our master bedroom. That's probably the best place to start!
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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Lisbet
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Becky, we painted our master bedroom a few years ago, and I'm still suprised at the difference. I was reluctant to paint it, because no one see's it -right? LOL! I am so glad we did. It's a very lovely bedroom now, with simple touches here and there. It also motivates me to keep it tidy (not a dumping spot for laundry, etc...)
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Feb 27 2008 at 2:45pm | IP Logged
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That's exactly what our bedroom has become Lisa! It's getting a little better because I am determined to make it nicer, but I think a coat or two of paint would be great inspiration.
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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DeAnn M
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Other ideas for cheap help,
Our Mom's Group/Bible Study is...well...fruitful! There are 7 out of 12 of us pregnant right now! We usually do a baby shower for each baby, but last year one of my friends asked if we could just help paint her dining room. Everyone brought snacks and wine and we had a blast! (Mind you, this was before all of the pregnancies.) It was a fun ladies night out. Anyway, making nice dinner or yummy desserts for your friends is much cheaper than hiring a painter. (Most of us would do just about anything for chocolate. )
Also, a friend of mine hired a decorator to help redo her house. While this certainly was not in my budget, I discovered that she does consultations for $50/hour. ( It may seem like a lot of money but it was SO worth it) She came over and gave some great advice about paint colors and decoration ideas. (Curtains also make a big difference in a room) Maybe you can call around to see if decorators in your area do consultations.
Hope that helps. For now maybe you can just find some pretty flowers to perk you up.
God Bless,
DeAnn
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Michaela
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Becky, I wanted to share a blog with you that I enjoy visiting. Kim shared it on her blog a few days ago.
I believe she is educated in interior design.
There are many inspiring posts there, but take note of how she used a DOOR to decorate a wall.  Pretty Cheap Space filler
She shared a before and after picture of her sister's 80's kitchen. I'm not saying you'll like the black, but she transformed and updated this kitchen only using paint.
Nester's Kitchen .. before & after pic
*ETA -- added blog entry with door and more space filler
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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marihalojen
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When we were remodeling our home I reached a point when I couldn't STAND it any longer, and I created a retreat for me in an unused bedroom. No use spending any money on it as it was in the queue for work but I had to have somewhere bright and cheery that icky cold January.
So I grabbed a leftover can of white paint and a feather duster and dabbed paint all over those ancient yellowed walls. I didn't have enough paint to actually paint the walls and I wasn't going to pull my husband out from sheetrocking the living room to talk about proper paint in a room that was slated to be sheetrocked eventually (cracks in the lathe and plaster ceiling) Add white lacy curtains (just pieces of el cheap-o lace from Wal-Mart, I didn't hem or do anything but fling over the rod) and the room was suddenly filled with buttery warm light and looked clean and welcoming!
For under $10 I actually had a place I loved being and it was brought about by shear desperation in one afternoon.
Never underestimate the power of an adrenaline rush brought about by a rotten weather forecast in winter!
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~Jennifer
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The Mari Hal-O-Jen
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J.Anne
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Obviously, I've never seen your home, but I add several houseplants during the winter to cheer me up. Right now I have rosemary, geraniums, cyclamen, and a few ferns and small palms in the windows and on my desk. Even on dreary days when the house is a mess, I can look at my healthy happy plants and smile. And many varieties are said to clean the air. It's nice to have something to tend as well when my garden is so bare.
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Jennifer
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SallyT
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I will second and third and fourth the difference that paint can make, and it's relatively inexpensive and quick to do, once you get going. It took me a long time to get around to painting the public areas of my house (great room with paneling painted dark taupe; it's now "antique white," and I love it; heavy wood kitchen cabinets; drab everything), but once I got underway, it was done quickly. I just did it in small segments that could be done in a day, to minimize disruption (though the greatroom did take me a weekend).
When we first moved in, I couldn't even afford paint, so I tried to use accessories and art that we already had (icons, chiefly) to liven up the darkness and gloom. I also took the doors off my kitchen cabinets and pretended that they were trendy open shelving -- that opened up the narrow, dark space a good bit (though they do look much better now that I've painted them off-white), and the dishes created some color and interest that would have been hidden otherwise.
Plants are great. Candles are great. Inexpensive splashes of whatever bright color you like are great -- throw pillows, any pictures with bright colors, etc. I splurged recently and bought a $50 area rug (not that large, just big enough to put my coffee table on) in a cayenne-pepper red, and I can't tell you how much it cheers me up. I love red, and this adds real zing to my great room.
I've blogged about this kind of thing a good bit recently: here's a link to all my posts labelled "Home"
I know what you mean by feeling depressed by your surroundings. I love my house generally (though I'm soon going to be leaving it, sniff), but at times different rooms and aspects of it really get to me. It helps me to de-clutter, or rearrange, or move something that's been in one room to another room, where it adds something new. Even finding colorful used books -- I have some beautiful old children's books I got at library sales -- and putting them on display really adds cheer and interest to otherwise boring spaces.
Actually, what I really do love about my house is everything in it that suggests that children live here, and that their lives are full of books and art and projects and other interesting things. The things in my house that say that may not win decorating awards, but they speak to what's at the heart of this home.
Good luck with re-energizing your space!
Sally
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Beautifying a home
