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The Life That's Lived There

a life well lived

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No one would dispute that Pinterest has changed the face of how we decorate. How could it not? Aren’t we all busy pinning those perfectly styled rooms, that follow after the latest trend, making us all crazy that we can’t have that immediately? My answer is, I hope not. Before you freak out, let me explain. As much as I love the latest HGTV look (I’m a sucker for anything Sarah Richardson) I feel that there is a bit lacking in some of these spaces, and that thing is YOU. Where is evidence of your life well lived if the room was put together in a weekend? What hints are there that parties happen there, trips have been taken, friends have gathered when it all looks too perfect and staged?

Living area

Trust me, I’m not knocking Pinterest, as I am equally as obsessed.  However, if I can suggest, no let me HEED, that your rooms need your history to come alive.  I have always professed that “home is the scrapbook of your life” and there is nothing I mean more in my work than that. I believe that rooms should be a minimum of 80% history and 20% new, which really blows the design trend of heading to a big box store to get your room exactly perfect overnight. For me, unless your home is on the market to sell (which in that case it should be stripped of obvious personal items so the potential buyer can picture themselves there) it needs your stuff, your story, your memories. It also needs a little imperfection.

Living area

As an example, let’s take a tour of the little living room in our last house where hubby and I spent most of our evenings.  I don’t profess that this room was perfectly decorated, but when I looked around, I could see an evidence of the history of our lives and it warmed my heart. It feels like home. In the corner, sat a vintage table that my dad put together back in the late 60s. It was four legs from one table, and a top from another, that he married together to create an interesting look. On top of it sat some architectural salvage pieces I picked up over the decades, with a few small oil paintings hanging above that I found in an antique shop maybe 20 years ago. The scenes are of ships on the water, and for some reason, they reminded me of Boston (my favorite city).

Living room

The curtains that hung in this room and throughout the house (and followed us to our new/old house) were made by my BFF Lisa. She is a seamstress extraordinaire and every morning when opening these, I think of her, how talented she is and how grateful I am that she is in my life. There was a pedestal with a marble top that was from my parents house (which survived the 1971 earthquake in L.A.), with a bust of David sitting atop it that was a present acquired at a white elephant Christmas party two decades ago (it started out terracotta and looked like a giant Chia Pet, but I painted it to look a little more high-end and quirky, this is my something “weird”). The bookshelves held my library of decorating books, collections of boxes, photo memories, and a collection of R’s (my husband asked once, “what’s with all the R’s?” Really? Our last name starts with that letter). Furniture consisted of a few nice upholstered pieces (totally non-matching at this point), too many pillows, two chairs that I bought at an estate sale for $5 each and reupholstered, and an ottoman that needed to be redone but had a cowhide currently covering it. In the corner was the buffet we got from my husband’s grandmother when she died, with art work from my father’s collection. The artist is Duvill, from the 60s, and we call it “the old man” even though I’m pretty sure it’s a portrait of a rabbi (we’re not Jewish). Behind the couch was a table we bought at Ethan Allen back in 1984, with a wood box (which started my collection) that has the words “Cape Cod Sea Chest” stamped on the top, and Cape Cod happens to be my favorite place in the whole world.

Living area

When I looked around this room, I saw all these tokens of our life well lived. We were comfortable in this room, and although my husband stared at the television mounted above the fireplace, my eyes wandered off to see evidences of estate sales and flea markets visited, unique items from trips we have taken. I get inspired remembering where each item was found, pondering their history, or looking at the beautiful faces of our children in photos. I have done a lot in my life, but nothing as grand as loving these three blessings that have now become wonderful adults, spouses, and parents. I laugh at myself because once my middle daughter asked me, “why are you so obsessed with us?” and I was like, “how can I NOT be?” Yes, I am more of an obsessive personality (hence all the collections and slight hoarding) but they are my greatest joy and accomplishment. We share a lot of love, and I guess I saw all of that in this room, and it makes me love my home even more. Man, I miss this house!

Living room

It’s easy to buy ‘things’, but I appreciate when those items can have meaning, symbolize something, bring forth memories of good times, and be a cozy backdrop to the life we still love each day. Stop and think, what are your greatest possessions? Do you have them out to enjoy or are they hidden away? I know also that there are different phases of life we go through, where we can have less breakables out when our children are busy toddling around, but a balance can be found. My children were shown (at a young age) that some things needed to be looked at with our eyes, not our hands. Not every room could be decorated like that, they need to have a space where their little lives can be lived also, but whatever stage you are in, you can find a way to have your rooms ooze meaning. Rooms need layers (more about that later), and we all have stuff, but hopefully I can share with you a way that you can create a space that is mostly YOU and not just a copy of a Pinterest board. And sometimes, along the way, through more artful decorating, you might just discover a little bit more about yourself. At least that has been my journey, but if we allow ourselves to buy what we love, what truly speaks to you, you will find a common thread after awhile and a bit of self discovery. Your story will come alive in your rooms, and you will see how home becomes the scrapbook of your life.

Otis guarding the door

Hi, I’m Jill.

Creating a home is a process and it's something best done over time. Home should be a haven where we can craft the life we want. I love homes with lots of books, comfy spots to lounge, organized spaces to work, beautiful treasures from life and travels, and mementos from a life well spent. But the thing I love most about homes, is the life that's lived there.

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I need a day out for some fun, what about you? May I need a day out for some fun, what about you? Maybe a little shopping trip to @livingstonantiqueoutlet for some treasures. I’m in booths 25 and F7. Lots of goodies! #thrillofthehunt #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to @livingstonantiqueoutlet to find that perfect vintage find to complete your fall decor. Happy hunting! #vintagefinds #thrillofthehunt #vintagestyle
It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on my vintage booth has given me an important mental escape. What could be better than good memories, which are easily sparked when seeing something vintage (“my grandma had those glasses” or “we had that game as a kid” etc.) What vintage items bring back memories for you? #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt
This is my other little booth. It has no number bu This is my other little booth. It has no number but I’m at @livingstonantiqueoutlet next to the amazing @fragments009 who is in booth 46. It’s a tiny little booth but it has some fun stuff. Restocked today, come by and see me! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet i Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet in booth #25. Oh, did I mention that I moved to the booth next door? Lots of goodies and more in my other booth! Also, there’s a sale going on! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt #vintage
Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planne Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planner! This too shall pass, and our comeback can be strong! Hang in there peeps 😋#staysafe #staystrong #erincondren #hopeforthefuture
Since everything is closed these days and we’re Since everything is closed these days and we’re all home practicing social distancing, it’s a good time to paint. Obvi I can’t take anything to @livingstonantiqueoutlet so I’ll just be stockpiling for when things go back to “normal”, whatever that is. This piece painted using @bungalow47 furniture paint in Farmhouse Sink #vintagefinds #paintedfurniture #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #homedecor #restyledfurniture #renewedfurniture
Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by @chairwhimsy and @simplysoutherncottage because this is all I currently have. My mom still has all the dishes, but I brought the goblets home in my carryon last time I visited. I grew up spending several weekends going to the Franciscan outlet with my mom, adding to her Desert Rose collection. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley outside Los Angeles and I think the outlet was somewhere near Sylmar, but it was the 70s and I was a kid searching for china with my mom. They sold seconds that couldn’t pass as perfect, and I remember helping to find the ones where the flaws weren’t noticeable. I remember being there when they began offering the pink goblets and my mom was over the moon! I have 12 of them, the collection she had, and soon I will begin carrying back (once again in my carryon) the dishes so this token of my childhood will live on at my adult table. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! #desertrosechallenge #pink #franciscan #vintagefinds #fleamarketstyle #vintageglass #vintagedishes #desertrosegoblets #homedecor
Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ll appreciate this because this is ingenuity at it’s finest! This cute wood tray has a wood hanger as a handle...genius and one-of-a-kind! I can’t even with stuff like this, I just love it so much. It’s usable and a great conversation piece, available in my little booth at @livingstonantiqueoutlet #vintagefinds #oneofakind #repurposed #farmhousedecor #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #thrillofthehunt

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  • Create
  • Obsess
  • Inspire
  • Decorate
  • Garden
  • Shop
  • Travel
  • Read

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I need a day out for some fun, what about you? May I need a day out for some fun, what about you? Maybe a little shopping trip to @livingstonantiqueoutlet for some treasures. I’m in booths 25 and F7. Lots of goodies! #thrillofthehunt #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to @livingstonantiqueoutlet to find that perfect vintage find to complete your fall decor. Happy hunting! #vintagefinds #thrillofthehunt #vintagestyle
It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on my vintage booth has given me an important mental escape. What could be better than good memories, which are easily sparked when seeing something vintage (“my grandma had those glasses” or “we had that game as a kid” etc.) What vintage items bring back memories for you? #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt
This is my other little booth. It has no number bu This is my other little booth. It has no number but I’m at @livingstonantiqueoutlet next to the amazing @fragments009 who is in booth 46. It’s a tiny little booth but it has some fun stuff. Restocked today, come by and see me! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet i Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet in booth #25. Oh, did I mention that I moved to the booth next door? Lots of goodies and more in my other booth! Also, there’s a sale going on! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt #vintage
Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planne Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planner! This too shall pass, and our comeback can be strong! Hang in there peeps 😋#staysafe #staystrong #erincondren #hopeforthefuture
Since everything is closed these days and we’re Since everything is closed these days and we’re all home practicing social distancing, it’s a good time to paint. Obvi I can’t take anything to @livingstonantiqueoutlet so I’ll just be stockpiling for when things go back to “normal”, whatever that is. This piece painted using @bungalow47 furniture paint in Farmhouse Sink #vintagefinds #paintedfurniture #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #homedecor #restyledfurniture #renewedfurniture
Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by @chairwhimsy and @simplysoutherncottage because this is all I currently have. My mom still has all the dishes, but I brought the goblets home in my carryon last time I visited. I grew up spending several weekends going to the Franciscan outlet with my mom, adding to her Desert Rose collection. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley outside Los Angeles and I think the outlet was somewhere near Sylmar, but it was the 70s and I was a kid searching for china with my mom. They sold seconds that couldn’t pass as perfect, and I remember helping to find the ones where the flaws weren’t noticeable. I remember being there when they began offering the pink goblets and my mom was over the moon! I have 12 of them, the collection she had, and soon I will begin carrying back (once again in my carryon) the dishes so this token of my childhood will live on at my adult table. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! #desertrosechallenge #pink #franciscan #vintagefinds #fleamarketstyle #vintageglass #vintagedishes #desertrosegoblets #homedecor
Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ll appreciate this because this is ingenuity at it’s finest! This cute wood tray has a wood hanger as a handle...genius and one-of-a-kind! I can’t even with stuff like this, I just love it so much. It’s usable and a great conversation piece, available in my little booth at @livingstonantiqueoutlet #vintagefinds #oneofakind #repurposed #farmhousedecor #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #thrillofthehunt
“Goody Two Shoes”, we all know one. Wouldn’t “Goody Two Shoes”, we all know one. Wouldn’t this make the cutest little gift for the goody vintage lover in your life? I love to find fun things like this, they make such unique and thoughtful presents. These are found in my new little booth at @livingstonantiqueoutlet #vintagefinds #uniquegifts #goodytwoshoes #vintage #thrillofthehunt #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle

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