When my darling husband and I first started our journey together I shared some of the ups, downs and pitfalls of house hunting. Our quest for the perfect nest was somewhat less than smooth. In the end, though we chose the path of least resistance, it was not a choice entirely without drawbacks. Specifically, there were some immediate decorating challenges.

So we unpacked, and immediately began correcting the decorative deficiencies.

We build our library in the weird little empty room off the patio, so that this:

Ended up transforming over a few weeks into a home for my books:  

And made me so happy.

We then painted and decorated both the library and the cold white living room so the main floor was fit for entertaining.

 

We eventually painted and decorated the master bedroom and master bath (yes, it was not only poorly laid out but poorly decorated as well).

We then equipped my art room/office for my needs.

It had natural light but needed some upgrades to be able house my clutter.  Now it definitely holds my clutter

My beloved designed and laid out my garden retreat.

 ->  ->  -> 

We have come so far, but the war is not yet over. There has been a lull in activity for the past ten months, but we have been mustering our strength for the next battle.

We are renovating our kitchen. Because really, who could be expected to live with this?

I am going to need all my strength to pull this one off … and really patient contractors.