The Staycation: The Summer of our Self-Contentment

To say that 2020 has thus far been out of the ordinary would be the understatement of all time.  Our lives have changed and continue to change in ways we have yet to understand.  Any thoughts of a summer vacation have been placed on the back burner making way for thoughts about simply staying home and staying safe.  But, just because we won’t be able to travel does not mean we have to sit at home staring at the four walls.

My normal summer travel always included a trip to Europe to unwind, rejuvenate and be inspired.  I come home with literally thousands of photographs of anything and everything that catches my design eye. The imagery I bring home influences and inspires my work all year long.  In the past when I have had to forgo my usual jaunt I found myself feeling burned out by October. I have thought of my summer travels as a necessary part of business and of a well lived life.  I refuse to let this summer be anything less than a fabulous STAY-CATION.

Think of it for a minute.  You might have a vacation club account at your bank or maybe you already put away some money toward a get-a-way this summer.  So now you have some funds that you can use on yourself and your home.  Take that time off; we have all certainly earned it this year.  I intend to use my time and the few dollars I have been able to gather to freshen and enliven my home.

We have all just spent months on end inside and during that time it seems we have all learned how to cook.  I spent many a day and night trying recipes and baking up a storm. I took to leaving my efforts on my neighbor’s door steps so that I wouldn’t inhale it all and end up so large that no one would recognize me when we finally emerged from our self-quarantine.  Truth be told, I really enjoy making comfort food healthy and I kept up my exercise routine every morning on zoom.  Indulgence was an important part of self-care in the worst days of shelter at home.

Now that the baking is finished, it’s time to get to more than just cleaning out our closets.  I know what I want to accomplish with my staycation makeover and I thought I might share with you some of my ideas and inspirations in the hopes that they might make you feel better about staying close to home this summer.  I want to make my time at home as fulfilling and satisfying as travel normally would during the summer months. 

First things first.  Think about being at home as an opportunity to improve the way you live.  I had to accept the fact that I won’t be seeing Paris, Rome or Capri this summer and that was tuff.  This summer I have a new focus and that focus is about the way I live in my home. I am actually excited to get started!  The planning component is not unlike planning a trip.  I daydream about what I want, I make lists and then I get serious about what I can accomplish based on my time and budget.  Here is what I have come up with:

I have decided after months of being at home that I need more color in my daily life. I love neutrals and like the background they create for everything else.  But, my perspective has definitely changed and I am now sampling colors for just about every room of the house.  I even intend to do some of the work myself!  Here are some tips for tackling painting on your own.

• When selecting color from those paint store chips, find what you like then go down a few shades on the chip.  Once you get the color on the wall, most appear lighter so you want go deeper.

• Don’t be afraid!  Remember, it’s only paint and that is the easiest thing to change.  Be bold! Tell everyone who you are with your palette.

• Preparation is key to anything successful.  Cleaning, filling holes and crack, and taping corners and edges goes a long way when faced with spills and touch-ups.

• The quality of your tools is everything.  Buy the best rollers and brushes you can afford.  It will make all the difference when you actually start painting.

• Try the look out. If you are unsure about your ultimate choice or you just don’t want to paint an entire room, choose an accent wall, or two.  This little trick can make its own fabulous statement no matter your style.

I am also focusing in on some new carpeting.  In trying to make it look its best and stay within my budget, I have done a bit of specialized resourcing that I can share with you.

• Avoid the big box home improvement stores when trying to find the best price on the best carpet. Try the smaller private carpet stores.  You will not only find the best price and better service but, every small business today needs the help after months of lost revenues. You will get the added pleasure of helping your local business owners.

• Smaller carpet shops often have a “back room” where you can find remnants and private sale items at special purchase prices.

• Keep in mind that the luxuriousness and the longevity of your installed carpet depends on the quality of the padding.  Buy the best padding you can afford; it will make all the difference in your home for today and long into the life of your carpet.

• If your budget allows, splurge on all-natural wool carpeting. Believe it not, it will be the best wearing, longest lasting carpet you ever had and it will be easy to clean.  Even those awful spills that require a professional will come out.

• Speaking of spills; one thing I tell all my clients is, when you have a serious spill, DON’T try to clean it yourself and DON’T use any of the spray cleaners on the shelf at your market.  Call in a professional!  They will know how to treat your stain.  I have seen too many carpets ruined by good intentioned homeowners.  In the end you have a bigger problem because the off-the- shelf spray product can often set the stain and now it’s there for good.   Simply blot and irrigate the stain with some water (unless it is all wool) and wait for the professionals to arrive.

Paint and carpet can transform any room in your home. You can give any room a new perspective and your space new life. It can enliven and sooth your soul….just like taking a vacation. I am going to take that time off, I am going to enjoy finding new ways to enjoy by home by exploring the possibilities that will enhance my daily life and not break my bank.  Do some soul searching.  Be bold, be choosy and most off all choose what you love. Happy Summer everyone!

Live Well,

Dann

www.foleystinnette.com

Instagram: FoleyandStinnette

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