Confession…most, if not all, of the years I have shared my fall home tour here with you, there has been quite a bit of ‘staging’ done prior to taking the photos.
Vintage suitcases trying to look casual all stacked on top of each other with pumpkins spilling out. Extra throw blankets and pillows tossed onto chairs which makes it more than evident that no one is actually supposed to sit there.
There would be tables set for parties that were never going to happen or freshly baked bread with just a few pieces sliced up to look like they were waiting for someone to walk by and grab one.
I would huff and puff and sweat as I moved around furniture and rearranged things to get the perfect shot and then as soon as I had captured the image, huff and puff and sweat moving things back to the way they are normally arranged.
Which means that what you would see was not really an accurate portrayal of how my house looks on any given day.
Now, from a photographer’s perspective, there are always things which have to be adjusted to get the best look, always staging involved.
But, this year I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.
This year, I wanted it to look like it would if you just popped over to pay me a visit one day. Granted, normally you would see dishes in the sink, a laundry basket or two, papers on the desk in the kitchen and socks, so many socks. What is it with kids leaving socks everywhere?
But, for the most part, this is my home…unstaged.
Now, for the sake of full disclosure, I will say that for my fall mantel blog post I shared last week, I did move a couple of chairs away from the wall and had them flank the fireplace.
And I won’t be taking you to see the rooms upstairs because with a 15 and 11 year old, well, you understand.
But, if you’re ok with a blogger sharing a fall home tour that has a little less and doesn’t look like the inside of a home decor store exploded everywhere, then I’m your girl!
All I wanted this year was to see ripples of fall through my home rather than huge splashes.
To have little pops of the colors of Autumn here and there but only if it could be done in a matter of minutes and didn’t involve any huffing and puffing.
I’m not going to have a table laden with gorgeous place settings and handmade napkin rings.
But you are welcome to sit down on a stool at the kitchen island and talk to me while I figure out what to make for dinner.
Lately, more than ever, I’ve been feeling that pull towards simplicity in my seasonal decorating.
And not just in my decorating but in my life too. My desire to have a peaceful home is greater than it’s ever been. With so much coming at us all of the time, creating a haven for myself and my family means I’m choosing to control what I can control.
And because I believe a peaceful home begins with a peaceful heart, I’m giving myself the gift of really enjoying the seasons rather than making them stressful by dragging out decorations that will only be used for a photo or spending hours staging rooms that look like they’re an advertisement.
So, I’ll just keep sharing ideas for your homes that I think you might like and inspiration for your heart that I think you might enjoy.
Because my desire isn’t to just have a home that is beautiful to look at but, instead, to have a home that is beautiful to live in.
Thank you for letting me open my door to you today dear friends,
Love the subtle “hints” of fall decor. Very pretty!
Thank you so much Kim!
Love the simplicity and you are correct, let’s just live and enjoy our lives!
Thank you so much Darlene! Have a great weekend!
Vanessa, I love your post and your home ! It looks so peaceful and comfy, something I always hope my home will look like. With two fur babies, there are days I think I have two toddlers around, their toys are all over the place! What is wonderful when you come into your home after you’ve been a way and there is a peace…..you’ve found the right combination.
I used to go all out with decorating; however, now as I’ve gotten older, like you I’ve scaled back. It’s more peaceful, not in my face. As God watches over us, may your home be filled with love, laughter and wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for your kind words DJ! I know that fur babies can definitely be like toddlers. Teenagers can too sometimes! LOL! Peaceful is definitely my goal for my home and I love hearing from folks who feel the same way. Thank you for stopping by today!
I wish everyone was honest in their post and or pictures. We all project the “perfect” side and no one can live up to that pressure.
You’re so right Barbara! There is no such thing as perfect so we need to make sure we don’t perpetuate a false ideal. Thanks so much for coming by!
You have a lovely home!
Thank you so much Laura!
it’s wonderful, peaceful, useful and intentional.
Pamela that is a high compliment for sure! Your choices of words are exactly what I hope everyone who comes to my home feels. Thank you!
Vanessa-Beautiful!! FYI-Your house is WAY neater than mine EVER is-and there are 3 adults living here!!
Awww thanks so much Diane!! And believe me it’s definitely not always neat. There’s a reason only a few rooms were shown. LOL!
P.S. I know I still owe you some photos and a book!!! I’m literally like the most forgetful person ever these days!
Vanessa, Your message rings true and timely. I have been wondering lately how the frenzy for perfection has gotten so out of control. We all want lovely and welcoming homes but if we get lost comparing our homes and ourselves with others we will never be content. It is a good thing to “share” our homes and to encourage one another to take interest in making our homes a place of beauty and a safe haven. I think you have done just that!
Thank you so much Cheryl! I can’t tell you how much your kind words and encouragement mean to me!
This is so refreshing! I can’t thank you enough for keeping it real! Your home looks beautiful!
The arrangement on your dining room table is simple, but it is beautiful! I like that it isn’t too busy or bright. It is very comforting and peaceful to look at.
I have several bins of fall decor that I try to find a place for every year, but not this year. My daughter is getting married next week, so I haven’t had the time to decorate the way I usually do. I have just a few things sprinkled around for pops of color in our main living spaces and that is it. I, like you, Vanessa, am loving the simplicity of the clean, unfussy spaces. I think this will be the standard around my home from now on. This was a great post and your home is so lovely. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I applaud you for just keeping it simply beautiful! It’s so much easier for the average reader to relate to and be inspired!
Lisa
We downsized considerably a few months ago and relocated, so I gave myself permission to cut back on all the holiday decorating. Plus we have some renovations to do to make this home ours. I agree, it’s nice to have a few pops of holiday decor, but lugging out boxes and rearranging the whole house had to stop. So simplify we did and it’s been great. In fact our whole move centered around being more authentic in our lives and our home. You home is lovely and has breathing room without all the fuss. By the way, we have the sock issue too! I don’t understand that at all. Both my husband and my 13 yo son leave socks about and then the pup carries them around. First world problems I guess!
love the simplicity of your fall decor. I appreciate you doing an easy and not over-the-top look. It’s something people can actually apply to their homes! Looking forward to upcoming Christmas decor. Thanks
Vanessa, I think your way of simplicity is beautiful! Seems that the less of decorating is more! Your home looks like’home’!
Beautiful as always! An inspiration for me! thank you
Your home is beautiful and inviting. I like the simple touches of fall ….not a lot of clutter.
Your home is beautiful and has just the perfect touch of fall!
No huffing and puffing is needed…your home is beautiful!
Beautiful home, beautiful words, beautiful idea. Less truly is more! When you’re aren’t too busy, could you please tell me where you got those gorgeous stools in your kitchen? Thanks so much!
Thank you so much Judy for your kind words! The stools were purchased on overstock.com
I’ll also confess – – I’m a tad jealous that your house looks THIS GOOD on any given day!!! Your ‘EVERYDAY’ home looks better than if I attempted to stage mine a thousand times. (ok maybe I’m being a LITTLE hard on myself, but you get what I’m saying) All of this to say – beautiful home!
Love everything about this post! Thank you for sharing.
Entering your site for the first time; oh my, it’s almost Christmas. You are saved to my Favorites because I agree with all you shared – photos, ideas, and especially your words! Real and transparent. Others have labeled me a minimalist and though it sounded negative (and a few meant it to be), I now embrace it as the real me. Less is more, and it equates peaceful, orderly, and beautiful, IMO. Your design style is all of these.