Un-word of the Year

I have loved the idea of crafting a word for each new year. Have you noticed this trend spreading around the internet? Have you picked your word? What a wonderful way to refocus based on each new season of our lives. And goodness knows, seasons change! Each time I picked a word of the year, it brought me a special perspective for my new season. Last year, my word of the year was Smile. In 2012, my word was Do.

This year, I didn’t have to think much to come up with my word. It was already there, waiting for me.

Except, this year, my word just so happens to be an Un-word!

An Un-word?? What is that?

Well, it is my focus word for something I need to RID myself of in the New Year.

I just do NOT need one more thing to do. Instead, I need to Un-do.

Is anyone else with me on this? I think as women we are so gifted at adding More More More, and saying Yes Yes Yes. And then one little thing or one little ‘yes’ SNOWBALLS until we cannot even think straight or we simply find ourselves in the muck. This is not God’s plan for our lives…. to let all the noise drown out the important things.

I am tired of it. The things I really need, are already right in front of me. And frankly, like most of you,

I am just too overwhelmed to keep drowning in the things that I am not called to be doing right now.

And I am not the only one. In fact, some of my awesome friends are joining me today in sharing their Un-words.  And then, we are inviting you to join us too!  I do so hope that you will.

So, my Un-Word — the main thing I am saying GOODBYE to in 2014 — is

Guilt.

Guilt. The self-inflicted kind. And it is high time I kick this party-pooper out of my life.

This guilt constantly pesters me, making me feel like I should be everything to everyone, and yet I am falling short. Those words that parade through my head, chanting “I feel bad. I feel bad. I feel bad.” I feel bad that I never bring cookies. I feel bad that I didn’t bring her that meal. I feel bad that I didn’t write him back. I feel bad that I didn’t get that thank you note out yet. I feel bad that I raised my voice at him. I am not talking about the pangs of regret that lead to good change. I am talking about constant, self-inflicted, feel-bad-edness. It’s like the Little-Engine-that-Hated-Herself.

I am tired of this self-inflicted pain. And I am ready to give it the boot. To Un-word it.

I have a lot of wonderful things in my life. I have a lot of wonderful people in my life. But, like so many women, I try to be a little bit of something to everyone and everything. This is due to a lack of focus sometimes, yes. But also, it is sometimes due to guilt. Guilting me right into good things… that often keep me from being present in the BEST things.

When I take a look at what I ‘do’ right now in my life, the list itself makes me lose my breath and want to find the nearest sand-hole for burying my head. Frankly, it overwhelms me! I have a to-do list of things that MUST get done, and I don’t even have enough time to do those things… let alone things I would like to get done.  But just because this is my reality, does not mean that I need to live inside a tortured mind – A mind that is constantly degrading itself, saying “You are not enough.” A mind that is saying, “I feel bad about this. I feel bad about that.”

Because the reality is, I am nobody’s Savior.

And this self-inflicted guilt is simply Idolatry. An Idolatry that says, “You should fix everyone’s problems. You should help everyone. You should be everything to everyone.”

So guilt. I unFriend you. I am going to bring you out of the dark corners of my mind, and into the light by being aware of your sneaky voice. And when you show your chanty-“I feel bad”-kinda-voice, I will be ready for you. Because I know that you are my Un-word. And you can no longer sneak around in my head, unnoticed.

I am hoping that this Un-word will make a real difference in my year. And, I am hoping that choosing an Un-word will be a revolution of living with true Beauty in our lives. So, to that end, I invited some of my dearest friends to join me in sharing their Un-words. I am so excited to hop over to their blogs and read about what they will saying goodbye to in 2014.

Myquillyn, the Nester, at Nesting Place

Edie at Life In Grace

Angela at The Painted House

Let’s make this a revolution together.

Let’s say goodbye to some unneeded, yucky stuff in 2014!!

Then, let’s band together: Join us for the #unword2014 Linky party, next Tuesday, January 21 .

Craft your thoughts on your own Un-word, and share it in a post and come on over and link up next week. If you don’t have a blog, I would LOVE for you to still share your #unword2014 via Instagram (be sure to tag your post with #unword2014), or by leaving your Un-word in the comments next week. It’s an idea whose time has come!

Will you be joining us?

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I would LOVE to get to know you better. Please leave a comment below, and follow along!

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Take daily, bite-size steps toward living in a home you LOVE: Be sure to subscribe to FHD via email, bloglovin, your fave reader, and follow Fieldstone Hill on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

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Copy the brilliant designers, in your own home.

This Amazing Dining Room Alternative

Today’s ditto  post is a token to so many of us who have unused dining rooms in our homes! When I read The Not So Big House, and Creating the Not So Big House (affiliate links. thanks, loves!) many years ago, it completely transformed the way I think about space, home design and how we use our rooms. I truly do NOT believe in wasted space in our homes. This is very important in a tiny home, a small home, and even more of a challenge in larger homes that have superfluous rooms that only get used once a year.

This ditto features Carolina Herrera Baez’s entry foyer to her Madrid home, as shared by Elle Decor. The entire home is amazing, but I see so much when I study the simple entryway. This fantastic space opens the imagination to a creative function for any superfluous space. Like, possibly that under-used dining room in your home…

{Ditto posts demonstrate a great exercise for you as you continue to develop your own personal style: using your own favorite pictures, and making a quick list of what you actually love about the space. If you study what you love about a space, it helps you to bring what you LOVE into your own home! }

{ design by Herrera Baez and Lopez-Quesada, image via Elle Decor. Follow the Elle Decor link to see more images of this gorgeous home.}

WHAT I LOVE {What I would ditto!}:

1. The use of space. It is impossible to tell from the photos what the original function of this room may have been, but I love how it functions. The room reminds me of so many dining rooms that you see in homes, the ones that are directly off of the foyer and rarely get used. I LOVE this idea as an alternative to a dining room that never gets used.

2. Those walls! I am not sure if the wall is covered in fabric or in paper {probably fabric, as it matches the back of one of the settees}, but the fabric tape border and the nail heads are simply stunning and unique. Gorgeous. And a touch of dressmaker always makes me happy. Ditto!

3. A center table with no chairs, but a zillion books. This immediately gives the room a library feel, and it also invite you to stay a while and find something wonderful to read.

4. Space to mingle and peruse. There is a lot of breathing room in this space. Just minimal seating, and a perch for books. This would be a fantastic corner if you were to host a cocktail party. Which I do all the time….

5. Symmetrical seating. I love some glorious symmetry. The settees appear to be a match, but have differing fabrics. It makes me want to sing: “You may see a stranger….across a crowded room….” Settees that make me sing = ditto!

6. That gorgeous Suzani fabric. The Elle Decor article indicates that the Suzani was given to the couple as a wedding gift, and she had the settee recovered in it. I love that bold and gorgeous choice!

7. Books. books. books. Ditto.

8. Natural carpeting. In a world where hardwoods are king, it is nice to see a gorgeous usage of carpeting. What makes this so successful is that the carpeting is of natural fibers, so it has a textural, earthy appeal.

9. Two fabrics on the same chair. The settee closest to the camera has buffalo check on the seat, and thin striping {that matches the walls!} on the back of the settee. I love this for further decor interest.

10. Grand greens in the middle. Don’t ever skip fresh plants or flowers. They make the space, and add life, figuratively and literally.

11. Pale art to stand out against the patterned walls. This offers beautiful breathing room for the eye when a room is filled with glorious pattern.

DO YOU LOVE IT?? WHAT DO YOU LOVE? WHAT DESIGN ELEMENTS WOULD YOU DITTO IN YOUR OWN HOME? DO TELL!!!!!!

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Take daily, bite-size steps toward living in a home you LOVE: Be sure to subscribe to FHD via email, bloglovin, your fave reader, and follow Fieldstone Hill on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

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I am into natural choices for my family, and this is the main way I avoided taking any medicines during pregnancy, and now that I am nursing.

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A few years ago I wrote a post sharing a new category that I wanted to add to this blog: living with beauty.

The category was meant to cover areas that I am passionate about, but don’t fall directly under interior design. Since then I have shared a few posts that fall under this umbrella: Some recipes, wellness posts, fashion posts, and faith thoughts.

I realized the other day that I have been blogging here at Fieldstone Hill Design for over three years! And in that time I have seen things evolve and change with my writing passions. I am starting to realize that “living with beauty” is not a subcategory in my blog, rather it is the main category of my blog. It is the over-arching purpose of Fieldstone Hill Design. It is the heart of the matter.

Granted, the main topic that I share about here is interior design. And of course! I am an interior designer! This is such a passion of mine, and I love to talk about how we can live with beauty with in our homes. But if blogging is sharing a piece of yourself, the truth is, that I think what I really have to share is the concept of living with beauty in all areas of our lives.

So I wanted to let you know about this change that is going on in my heart, and hence, my blog. More Living with Beauty! I don’t really think too much is going to change on your side of the screen – design is all about living with beauty, but I am a realizing that Fieldstone Hill Design is about more than just design. It is about living with beauty, and allowing that mantra to effect how you eat, how you care for your family, your home, your tablescapes, yourself. THIS is the message I was born to share: Live with Beauty!

I often come back to this poignant small moment in my life:

When I was in Italy several years ago, I remember seeing a little old lady tending to some flowers outside of her home. Before I saw her, I had realized that so many things in Italy are filled with simple, classic beauty:  The way they present their meals, the simple table settings, the beautiful homes, the music, the fashion. And it is most often not a result of showy grandeur. But rather an intentional and careful attention to adding beauty in everything.

And it was that sweet little old lady that sealed the deal. She was slow, she was simple, but nothing was going to stop her from pouring her heart into her simple and lovely flowers. This beauty was a part of her every day. It was a part of her skin and bones. Beauty was WHO she was.

This is what I long for. Beauty. And not Beauty that will fade, but Beauty that will endure and persevere and last and be eternal. Beauty that begins here on earth, in the simple choices of each and every day. And Beauty that will last longer than the sunrises and sunsets. Beauty that reflects something more beautiful.

As I feel my battle-cry at Fieldstone Hill Design growing stronger, I ask you:

Are YOU living with beauty?

So much more to come on this as we unfold this question together. Rest assured, if you come back to this place, Fieldstone Hill Design blog, we will be unwrapping the INTENTIONAL adding-of-Beauty into our everyday! Together. With the help of the Maker of Eternal Beauty AND Earthly Beauty.

Join me in making this subtle change in your life, one that will impact everything! {<-Tweet this}

Want to be intentional about adding beauty to your every day? I invite you to start sharing on Instagram and Twitter, the little ways that you live with beauty, using the hashtag, #livewithbeauty . You can see an example of how I have used it here and here.

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SO. I may or may not have gone completely nutso buying stuff for my gorgeous Georgia Lu this weekend. I LOVE LOVE LOVE  Tea Collection clothing. And they have babies – women. Snag some pretties now: this great sale lasts until Sunday:

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Take daily, bite-size steps toward living in a home you LOVE: Be sure to subscribe to FHD via email, bloglovin, your fave reader, and follow Fieldstone Hill on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

Don’t miss a single post from Fieldstone Hill Design! Have regular decorating goodness delivered {free!} directly to your inbox.

{This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for reading and supporting and clicking to shop via FHD! You are the best!}

Things feel fresh in the New Year. It is time to make changes, and certainly, a time to stay hopeful.

The same feelings apply to our environments. The New Year strikes, and we are ready to renew our homes. Ready to have hope in our spaces again.

Fortunately, there are several easy ways to to renew your home’s look without much cost, or even commitment to an overall design plan.

1. Pillows

But of course.

Pillows are the single-most, easiest way to add change to our homes. Want more color? Want more pattern? Want less? Need to tie your colors together? With the toss of a pillow, you can alter the outlook of your space.

And, with pillows, there is very little commitment. So go out on a limb and try something new.

Here, two bright pillows add brilliant life and a touch of pattern to this calm space:

{via Country Living}

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Here, soft coral pillows are used to tie other coral room-elements together, making the space cohesive:

{design by Tobi Fairley}

2. Throw rugs

Throw rugs are a great way to liven a room. Smaller rugs {6×9 and lower} are fantastic additions to a bare floor, but have you ever considered adding a throw rug on top of wall-to-wall carpeting? Or how about adding a smaller rug atop a large rug.

With this layering trick, you can add color and style to your space. And although rugs can be pricy, smaller rugs are significantly less expensive, and they can be used to revitalize an old rug or beautify a space without the cost of a complete flooring change.

In this space below, a navy stripe throw rug is added to a larger natural-fiber rug. The navy rug adds pattern, color and vitality to the room: 

{via Urban Grace}

3. Flowers/ Plants

 There is absolutely nothing complicated about this next tip.

Simply put: Rooms with plants and flowers are simply made more beautiful. So add them!

More plant thoughts: Find a green plant that you can keep alive {my favorite is asparagus fern}, and keep your eyes open for flower discounts at your local market or grocery store.

For flowers that mimic designer looks, simply purchase two bunches of only one type of flower, trim their stems quite short, and bunch them together in a vase with a narrow mouth. Voila.

{via Hooked on Houses and Architectural Digest}

4. Edit!

I cannot say enough about the impact of this decorating concept.

I have an expression I say a lot. Maybe it is a little bit sassy, but – oh my – it is true:

“You can’t have a beautiful space if it is filled with junk;” quoth Darlene Weir. {<- Tweet this!}

Now, don’t get me wrong. The opposite of junk is NOT expensive stuff. The opposite of junk is useful, simple belongings that are pleasing to your eye. It is time to get rid of the clutter that stuffs your mind and causes you to dust. The time is now!

Need more motivation?

Find out the #1 Tip for Organizing your space, and read my top 10 organizing tips.

 {via Traditional Home}

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Which of these tips are you going to try in your home?

Which of these have you already tried, and how has it renewed your home?

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SO. I may or may not have gone completely nutso buying stuff for my gorgeous Georgia Lu this weekend. I LOVE LOVE LOVE  Tea Collection clothing. And they have babies – women. Snag some pretties now: this great sale lasts until Sunday:

* * * * *

Take daily, bite-size steps toward living in a home you LOVE: Be sure to subscribe to FHD via email, bloglovin, your fave reader, and follow Fieldstone Hill on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

Don’t miss a single post from Fieldstone Hill Design! Have regular decorating goodness delivered {free!} directly to your inbox.

{This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for reading and supporting and clicking to shop via FHD! You are the best!}