make my home so darn comforting that everyone who enters falls into a zen coma

Working on the front porch now as my decorating project! I have a pretty clematis growing up one side of the porch, and I have the outdoor sofa out there now and hung one plant.

Here is my to do list for that space:

1. Put the other two chairs out on the porch and arrange
2. Find some throw pillows
3. Find a small outdoor coffee table or something similar to act as a place to set drinks
4. Possibly something to act as a footrest
5. Possibly a long runner-style outdoor rug for warmth
6. Accessorize the area with shells and artifacts
7. Add some more plants, perhaps a blanket
8. Accessorize the lower porch area next to the bench with a few more potted plants, especially a new pot for my baby Yucca!
9. A small fountain by the door would be fun, or at least a bird bath in the garden area

All major components in place for completing Dining Room Zen!! I purchased the table from Cost Plus World Market…seats up to 10 people! Purchased a table runner and a few centerpieces….inherited some Dania cabinets from grandma, and one hutch…now I just need to fill them and accessorize, and hang artwork!! I also need a nice plant stand for this room, and perhaps a bird feeder just outside where we can all sit and watch the birdies!

I have made progress on 1. Entryway, 3 Kitchen, and 6 Dining Room!

1. I purchased a small bedside table from ikea to use as an accent table, and added two pillows to the bench. Just need to add artwork and accessorize the table now.

3. The kitchen is under control! Boxes banished. That is major when it comes to zen!

6. I found a table at Cost Plus World Market that seats up to 10 people and fits perfectly! Now I just need to banish boxes, secure the display cases from grandma, hang artwork and add something pretty to the table!

Here are my new zen zones in my new house needing help:

1. Entryway: I have started on this one, got the zen bench, a beautiful rug, now just need some art work and accent tables! Ambiance will be key, and first impressions are huge. I might have to steal some ideas from magazines or other things to accessorize seasonally!

2. Walls: I have hung no pictures yet to date. One thing I also need to do is create a wall with family and friend pictures now that I have space!

3. Kitchen: this one is almost zen…I have been working on it a lot, and all I need now is to hang a pic and perhaps get a few more things to accessorize

4. Rec Room: This room is coming together. I have jewel tones in there, deep brick red walls with white trim, a rock fireplace with a white mantle, and lots of windows. So far I have my big cozy leather chair by the fireplace, and a micro-suede sofa, entertainment center, and a palm tree. I need to get a few more pieces of furniture, artwork and accessorize the mantle better. I may rotate that with the seasons….

5. Formal Living Room: Just need a few more furniture pieces in here for comfortable seating, and maybe a low bookshelf or accent furniture with storage….artwork is huge in making this room come together!

6. Formal Dining Room: I need a TABLE! I am looking for one that can seat up to 10 people. I also don’t have a hutch of any sort.. debating whether to go quality or IKEA. Right now all I have in here is a wine cart and LOTS of boxes!

7. Bonus Room: Here I will go 100% IKEA. I might even utilize their design consultants, since this room will function as a tv room, play room, craft/art room and also store a drum set.

8. Bathrooms: Zen mostly accomplished. Just need some nice towels, and maybe a few candles.

9. Guest bedroom: I’ll probably go 100% IKEA furniture in here too….something simple yet allows me to have a small computer station for my command center and household notebooks. Right now it is full of empty cardboard boxes, and man litter (aka wires, computer parts and other such man toys)

10. Front porch: This one is on hold with the weather. In spring and summer, I wish to make this an outdoor room! Right now it appears zen enough that I have a stray kitty seeking shelter from the rain on one of my benches…

LOTS of work to do!

Got the bench for the entry way….cute distressed high back wooden bench with arms, for practical use when taking shoes on or off, or for people waiting at the door in the entryway. Fashionable and formidable! Now I just need to find a cute pillow or throw to dress up the bench!

My first step in my new dwelling’s “zen-ness” is to work on the entry way.

What makes for a cozy entry?

I bought a nice new welcome mat for outside, and an inside small oriental rug to sit on the wood floor. My next mission is to find a bench….maybe a black high backed wooden bench, with some baskets or a nice tray to take shoes off in, and 2 small decorative tables for displaying cool seasonal items and storing keys or other important going out stuff. Maybe a plant would be interesting on one of the tables….we have lots of light in the house.

Anyone with any ideas?

I don’t really have space to put one of those tall benches with hooks for coats, and I do have a coat closet already…it is mostly containing shoes, protecting the wall, and looking nice for functionality….

Picture of my hottub room complete with Tiki Bar!

The small back patio has been pressure washed and the table and chairs set up! I should be able to post a pic soon of the finished back patio….that is if I can fight hubby for the computer. Mine is officially dead, gone, toast, so getting on here next few days might be a bit more difficult!

Considering finding a water fountain for my back side patio….I think that would be a nice touch, and peaceful too. Also debating what we will do with the back patio. Half tempted to install a deck with some built-in raised beds, but need to think this through a little more.

Awesome deal….second hand books….Christopher Lowell’s 7 layers of Design and a book on Decorating Interior Spaces to drool over and inspire me on my outdoor room adventure.

I am getting a few ideas for the side patio already, but the back porch I need to think harder!

Fabric will be key, and I need to make a fabric store run for some bright tropical fabrics, and a pot run for some great ceramic pots.