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

My daughter has been doing all the work on this project. Each day I have the goal to do work, but she is the only one making progress on this. Maybe I should make a plan.

A slowwwwwwwww responce to this goal so far : (

I guess its gotta get worse before it gets better eh !

Like the Ugly Duckling into a Swan ; )

I already have the most loved toys hidden in my clutter. Only my grandkids know because their mom throws out toys. Unbelievable but true. I seriously need to rid the room of clutter though. I will bring in the fish and get one of those hydroponic herb growing things because the snails keep winning on the porch. Need a new computer so I’ll go flat screen and save some room.

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!

Get the couple fountain fixed cleaned and in my bedroom with floating candles or fresh flowers in the bowl yep sounds lurrrrrverly ; )

Yeah. Make it the coolest, nurturingest, fun, cookie scented, goofy furnished, green and healthy environment ever. Like you entered a fairyland. It would be great to have a magical grama’s house to visit or live in. Plus I could prototype stuff and do user testing to see if it was fun enough to play with. I used to know a woman who did childcare that had a home like that. It was so great. I’ll start with my room.

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!

so hard to keep things tidy with a small space and so much stuff! I am going to have to work on my clutter goal even more to make this goal work! This is “TayLora’s space” as I call it cause she is the one who pends the most time there. It is a sectioned fpart of the living room that she likes to retreat to for reading and snuggling with the cat- here is the cat without her.. lol