The soul of a home: telling your story

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network September 3, 2023

Since Hurricane Ian swept through our area last September, I’ve been privileged to be invited into homes to help homeowners with many different types of projects. From rebuilding and deciding what comes next, renovating, painting, making changes for a new look, downsizing, new color palettes. One thing has become clear: everyone wants a home that makes them feel happy and safe.

As Southwest Florida interior decorator with a passion for design and writing about design, I’m reminded daily that there is very little about the process that is quick or easy. It takes a lot of effort and planning to create a happy home without making mistakes.

When you see a room that you love, there is usually one big reason: the room is designed with the appropriate scale and it flows. A lot of planning and thought went into pulling the room together. It didn’t just happen.

No matter what your style, the sofa is the most important purchase you will make. This Chatam sofa in sky cotton velvet by Serena & Lily with two swivel chairs is the perfect arrangement for seating and comfort. Photo: Serena & Lily.

If you’re thinking about making a few changes to your home or a lot of changes, there are some basic ideas to keep in mind. These are my top 10:

Forget perfection. When it comes to your home, it doesn’t exist. Creating a happy and beautiful home is an ongoing project that evolves over time. So, relax, enjoy the process and don’t stress out!

Have a plan. Before you head out to every furniture store in the area and return home exhausted and confused, make a plan. Include inspiration photos. List your priorities. Put them in the order of importance and check them off the list as your schedule and budget allow.

Have a budget. Everyone has a budget. There are very few of us who have the luxury of doing absolutely everything at once. Once you determine your priorities and have a plan, assign some dollars to each room on your list. It’s all part of the plan that will keep you from making mistakes.

Rule #1. Stop rearranging clutter. It’s still clutter. You can create the best plan with all of the right guidelines but if you don’t get rid of the clutter, your home will never be yours. Which brings us to rule #2: your home is not a storage garage for other people’s memories. If you don’t love it, donate it. Is it easy? No. But it will give you space for new memories and that is worth something.

Tell a story. Your home should tell a story about who lives there. What you love, where you have been, what gives you peace, calm and happiness. What’s important to you. Your story is what gives your home a soul.

Do it once and do it well. Don’t make the mistake of grabbing furniture just to fill a room. If it’s worth having in your home, it’s worth the time and investment to be sure you’re not making a mistake. Ask the questions: is it timeless? Will I still love it in 5 years?

Your home should tell a story about who lives there. What you love, where you have been, what gives you peace, calm and happiness. What’s important to you. Your story gives your home a soul. Serena & Lily’s Brookings floor lamp, Mirimar chaise. Photo: Serena & Lily.

To make a change, you have to make a change. I see this all the time. A client wants to do a refresh or update their home. But when it comes time to actually replace a piece of furniture or try a new paint color, they just can’t do it. They want a change but just can’t make the change. Solution: establish your priorities and move forward.

Create a focal point in every room. This can be an architectural feature, view, mirror, accent piece of furniture or something eclectic. It should be the first thing someone notices when they come into the room. Shown: Serena & Lily’s Pimlico chair and Breakers rattan floor lamp. Photo: Serena & Lily.

Create a focal point in every room. This can be an architectural feature, a view, mirror, accent piece of furniture or something eclectic. It should be the first thing someone notices when they come into the room.

Your sofa is the most important purchase. When it comes to budget, this is where you don’t want to skimp. Make sure you sit on it. Don’t buy it online. And be bold. Try a beautiful new color. Select a style that fits your space. A sectional, two sofas facing each other one sofa with two chairs. Make sure your feet touch the floor.

Blend old with new. This is one of my favorites. A blend of vintage and contemporary gives a room the feeling of having evolved over a period of time. If you have ever been into a designer show house, this is done very well because designers only have a couple of days to create a room that looks like it has been there for a long time. A room with character takes time. Don’t rush it.

Go easy on the accessories. They are the jewelry that complete the look of a room and transform the space. Adding accessories to your interiors gives it a splash of style and personality. Select carefully, edit your collections and only use what you love. If you love too much, put some away and rotate them.

Wrenda Goodwyn is an ASID associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit her blog at spectacularspaces.com/blog