Soft and romantic. Calm and dreamy. Simplified and relaxing. 

This is my new theme for my home. At least that's what I'm hoping for.

We bought our home 9 years ago in August and painted the whole thing a muted taupe-like sage green called Mexican Feather Grass by Ralph Lauren. My in-laws had several gallons left over from their remodel just a few months prior to us moving in. I never really cared for the color, but it was free so we used it. 

A few years went by and I slowly started repainting rooms. I started with my guest room and choose a color called Scotland Road by Behr. I immediately regretted it, but I finished the room anyways, hoping I would grow to love it. It didn't happen.

I guess after all, it wasn't the paint color I didn't like, it was the rich warm accents, chocolate brown curtains and bedding I paired with it.
Gag!

But now, 8 years later, I decided to do something about it. After reading the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I decided that I want my home to spark joy. So I gave this room a quick makeover and now I love it, even the paint color!

Now it's just so beautiful! It took lighter linens, and few feminine touches, and less stuff on the walls...hmm imagine that, thank you Marie Kondo. I still can't believe the transformation

  Comforter is Threshold Raw Edge Quilt from Target

Ruffle pillow shams, chanille pillows and the Suzani Embroidered Pillow are all from Target 

This gorgeous French Provincial nightstand is from Vintiques, a local vintage store

The lamp & base are Threshold brand from Target, but I found them new with the tags still on at Goodwill. Score! White doily is hand crocheted by my mom

The curtains are from Burlington Coat Factory

Candles and metal holder are from Cost Plus World Market

 I made this pretty paper doily chandelier with the help of Martha Stewart's tutorial.

All supplies were found at Goodwill, embroidery hoops, yarn, ribbon and paper doilies

As much as I am loving light painted furniture, I will not paint my cedar hope chest. This is handmade by my dad. He made it for my 16th birthday

Metal decoration is from Kohl's

The roses & glass vase were from a garage sale.
Picture frame is from Marshall's and the box is from Graples Home Decor Outlet

I found the covered jar and decor at Goodwill

So far I have updated my master bedroom, guest bedroom, kitchen and dining room, and to no surprise they are my favorite rooms in my home.

There's just something about light, clean colors that make my heart happy. 

Sometimes it just takes a coat of paint, new decor and some new linens to totally transform a room.  Or in my case just the linens and decor :)

Thank you for reading

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up | After The KonMarie Method

I'm sure you all have been on pins and needles, haha, so I won't make you wait any longer. Here's Part 2. After The KonMarie Method

Read part one here.

After the 6 weeks of decluttering, and numerous bags of trash were hauled away, a few hours of folding and 1 giant yard sale later, I finished The KonMarie Method and my home is my oasis. Now I find myself just standing on front of my insanely organized closets and drawers and just smile at my accomplishment. My house brings me joy. It is such a wonderful feeling.

My "Joy List." During the process I started making a list of things I wanted to replace, I called it my "Joy List". Everything on the list was something I needed but it didn't necessarily bring me joy, for example oven mitts. It's extremely difficult to bake and cook without those so I couldn't just throw them out because they were worn out and I didn't like them anymore. I would have to replace them first. And if you are able to go out and replace everything at once that's great! I on the other hand can't do that. So instead I made a list, saved some money and decided that when I would find a replacement for an item, and it was something I really loved, I would get it.

Purging is addictive and FUN! After you finish the book and dive in head first, the joy you receive as your donation/give away/sell pile grows, is astounding. I didn't know how joyous it was to get rid of heavy, burdensome things. I literally could feel the weight lifting. Now that my house is done and my mom and dad have seen the fruits of my labor, they asked me to come help them clean up their house,and I couldn't be happier to help! We are just about done with clothing, and linens. Every time we fill up a box or bag I see such relief in their eyes and they are almost giddy as they haul it out to the garage.

Shopping. The absolute biggest change that has happened since completing the method is the way I shop. I go into a store with a list for the things I need and I leave. Not to mention this is saving us a ton of money and that makes my hubby happy.

I don't go into a store to browse. That's how I got into that mess before. It does not give me joy. It actually makes me sick to think of bringing something into my home that I don't love. This does not mean that I won't buy something that's not on the list. But it seems like the only time that I do bring something home that was unexpected is when it almost jumps off the shelf at me! It's something I just love, and I just know. Sometimes I will leave without it, and if I can't stop thinking about it, that's when I know it is a real joy sparker and I will go back later and get it.

I don't settle for something that's just "good enough for now". That is not how I do things anymore. I know now that it's not necessary to have something that you're not happy with or if it's not something that you really love. Call me picky I guess. I can take my time and wait until I find exactly what I'm looking for. For instance I have been looking for coasters for over eight years, seriously, and just a couple weekends ago I walked into Anthropologie and found exactly what I had been wanting. These coasters make me so happy every time I use them, and I use them all day, everyday. I just had to have patience and I knew when I found the right ones, I would know.

Quality. I am now more willing to spend a little bit more on something with better quality if it's something that I love. It's amazing how much money you actually save when you don't spend it on diddley stuff all the time.

Minimalism. I would not consider myself a minimalist but having empty drawers, empty shelves, less things on the wall, less things to trip over and less things to dust, ya it's pretty amazing thing and I can see why it's catching on. Being able to look in your closet and find something to wear immediately without digging through a bunch of stuff that you really don't love is awesome. And it really makes your husband happy when you get ready faster and he's not waiting on you as long haha!

Cleaning is so easy! Less stuff means less to clean. Also when you know where everything is, life is so much easier. I don't have things crammed in boxes and totes, when I open up a drawer or closet I can see everything.

I take better care of my stuff. I don't know why but it makes me appreciate my stuff so much more. I guess maybe it's because everything I have left in my home is stuff that I really enjoy and love. It made the cut and it sparked joy.

Here's a few pictures of my house after...

My Kitchen

I KM'ed my old Callaway design Corelle dishes. I don't know why I didn't listen to my mom 11 years ago and just get white lol!

These are my new ones and I love them!
Link to Corelle dishes

My Dining Room & Laundry 

Laundry Detergent & Cleaners

Entry Area

Living Room

Guest Bathroom

Bathroom, Makeup and Hair Product Organization

Master Bathroom

Alan's Essentials

Master Bedroom

Link to Curtains

Link to DIY Tufted Headboard

Dresser Organization & KonMarie Folding. It is amazing how much more room we have now that things are properly folded. Just Google KonMarie Folding, and you will find tons of videos.

My Husbands Dresser & Closet

BSU College T-Shirts, Socks and Underwear

Undershirts, Jeans & an entire EMPTY drawer!

Shorts, Sweats, Swim Trunks & Athletic Shorts

We separated his t-shirts from his nice polos and button ups

My Dresser & Closet

Socks, Jewelry & Belts

Underwear & Bras

Leggings, Workout Clothes, and PJ's

Shorts & Jeans

Long Sleeve Shirts, Sweaters & Swimming Suits

Rise to the Right. Darkets to lightest. I prefer to hang all of my t-shirts instead of folding them like the book suggests.

I also turn all of my hangers backwards, then when I wear something I turn it so it faces the right direction. This is a good way to see what you don't wear

Guest Bedroom

Link for DIY Paper Doily Chandelier

Link for Throw Pillow

Link to Bedding

My husband spoils me. For our anniversary, he couldn't wait until October, he bought me my first real handbag and wallet, he is seriously the best. Now I can officially retire my old $20 Kohl's bag!

Link to Handbag

Link to Wallet

Then to top it off, we bought a new to us car! Lincoln 2013 MKX. Out with the old and in with the new. She definitely sparks joy!

Is's so nice to have so much less stuff.

I still have several things I'd like to replace, but I'm in no hurry, when I find what I really want, I'll know and I'll get it. 

I just finished the makeover of my guest bedroom and that will be posted tomorrow.

Right now I am in the process of revamping my fireplace, that dated orangey stone and ugly brass as got to go! I will definitely do a before and after with a tutorial when I get it finished!

Have you read this book? Comment below, I'd love to hear what you thought of it and if your life has changed.

UPDATE: Read part 3 here, my life one year later.

*These are my own opinions and I am in no way affiliated with Marie Kondo. I'm just another happy reader.