Joanna’s Not Coming To My House…Here’s What I’ll Do

Chip and Joanna Gaines’ success has been fun to watch unfold on T.V.  But, like 99.99% of the people in the country, Joanna’s not coming to my house to revamp and style it to perfection.  In fact, I don’t think I would want her to because I kinda like doing that myself.  The blog world, magazines, and other forms of media are oozing with the new country farmhouse style.  Although I’m not a farmhouse decorator, I love watching their show for great styling tips.  Today, I thought I would break down a few of them you might be able to incorporate into your home…whatever your style.  Let’s start with the kitchen.

Tip #1:  Less is more

Although we may not be able to overhaul our kitchens and get rid of our upper cabinets there are a few things we can do to elevate the kitchen we clean every day.  Clearing off the clutter is a great place to start.  Notice in her kitchens there aren’t a lot of extra things hanging around on the counter.  What can come off your counters?  Take everything off and put things back with a lot of thought.

Add some greenery to the kitchen.  Place a plant or some flowers in the kitchen.  You’ll have room now for so something so special since your spatulas, salt and pepper shakers, and other items have been neatly tucked away in another location.  I know what you are going to say…but I need my spatulas and spices and etc…. to cook with.

I have a question for you.  Do they bring you joy?  I don’t feel a scrap of joy looking at my spatulas.  Cleaning out my kitchen to place them in a drawer may be a little more work and it may take an extra step to grab a spatula while I’m cooking, but I think it is worth the trade to have a kitchen that looks and feels great while I’m in it.

Tip #2:  Simple arrangements win over complicated

There’s a reason a simple string of pearls or a diamond pendant necklace never really goes out of style.  Sometimes simple is better than complicated.  Home stagers and model home designers know that people want a home that looks spacious, uncluttered, yet beautiful.  You’ll never walk into a model home and see a coffee table covered in tons of knick-knacks.

Joanna knows this also.  See how she uses just a few items on the coffee table and on the shelves?  I must confess, sometimes I’m guilty of over-styling my coffee table.  It’s sort of like putting on way too much makeup or wearing way too much perfume.  Can I do it?  Sure, but I wouldn’t be highlighting my best features.  So take the blue eye shadow away and let the coffee table breathe.

Look how simple the styling is of this space?  I’m going to keep running with the fashion analogy here.  Because the styling is so simple, it allows the light to shine (pun intended).  If I wore big rhinestone earrings, a rhinestone bracelet, and topped it off with rhinestone heels, they would all be lost.  If I wear one stunning piece of jewelry, it can shine and be the star of the show.  Can you add one star to you living room and then let it shine?