Go Ahead...Get Dirty!

People often say that my home is "comfortable." Someone once even said that it was "emotional," and I knew right away why. My designs are personal (and I find great joy in making them so) which is why I decided to write a post on my own tried and true tips for buying special objects, so that your home can be an intimate reflection of you and your family.IF IT SPEAKS TO YOU...LISTEN!

I've been there, you know, standing in the dusty antique shop searching for something to shout out, "HEY! OVER HERE!" To find the little glass corgi puppy hidden behind the ugly lamp with a three-tiered yellow, ruffled shade. Point is, DON'T GIVE UP! Antique stores require you to be at attention and ready to work. The treasures sometimes find you, but sometimes you have to work to find the treasures. So eat a healthy breakfast, drink your coffee and get ready to work. You won't believe what sweet gems you can find in these little dusty havens.

Disclaimer, not all antique stores are dusty, but some of the best ones are! I love the Buffalo Nickel (great for kids rooms, Red Wing pottery, antique silver, cabin decor,)  Loft Antiques (a good variety of all kinds of styles, I've bought some great shell art here,) H & B Gallery (divine antique furniture, dishes, art, rugs,) The Country Look in Antiques (I have purchased a few of their beautiful antique sail boats-they do not have a website and prefer cash) and well curated (no dust) shops that carry great antiques like, Victory (seriously, one of my favorites) and The Golden Rule (just took home a family of brass ducklings...I know, who knew!)

TRUST YOUR GUT!

I know the feeling of finding something really cool and then wondering where in the heck am I going to put this? But if it really is special...GET IT! You'll work out the details later and you'll be thrilled that you did. One of my "trust your gut" moments like that was the time I found two wicker cubes at a garage sale. At the time, I had no place for them, but I'm no dummy, I knew they were special. So I paid the nice lady thirty dollars and hauled off my, I have no place to put these cubes in the back of my truck. For two years they sat in the basement gathering dust (again the dust) until I had a brilliant idea!! I had cushions made and monogrammed them-another great way to personalize something and make a design statement. Now they are a focal point in my bedroom sitting area. 

EMBRACE WHAT YOU LOVE!

I don't know why or how or when, but somewhere along the way, I fell madly in love with clipper ships, sail boats, sea shells and all things nautical in nature. I assume it's because we bought a home on the water or my major love for Nantucket, but truly this love has always been with me, and because this post is about personalizing your home, I have to show you some of my favorite nooks and crannies of Mona Bina (Home For All.) Bring on the clipper ships...Okay if you insist!

DISPLAY YOUR TREASURES!

Your kids made you a special card that you cherish? FRAME IT in a pretty frame and set it by your desk or by your bedside table. Frame those special pieces of art (not all of it though...You have to trust what is worth hanging in your home...I mean your kids are talented and all, but too much would be well, just that...Too much! I framed my son's first pair of glasses and it makes me smile every time I look at them. They are scratched and bent and totally worn and I adore them. Remember here, that trusting your gut is important...You want to display what is meaningful to you. 

Also, when traveling, find the antique stores! Some of my favorite purchases are from out of town stores. Keep an eye out for antique markets and special venues like the, "Junk Bonanza," that comes twice a year to Minneapolis. I buy my ticket in advance and me and one of my besties, plan for a dusty adventure. Markets like this can be overwhelming, but once you settle into it, the treasures will start to emerge and make sense. They also serve fair type food, which pairs well with this kind of shopping...A win for all. Who knows, one unique find might lead to an idea and spark the whole design or theme of a room. Keep an open mind and by all means...Beat your friend to the good stuff! Just kidding Ellie!!

A home is a love story, filled with images and memories that carry the heart of stranger through the inner workings of a family. To keep the memories of raising your family in your heart is one thing and to display them in your home is another. It's truly a gift to your guests and to your family to feel the warmth of a well curated home. I believe that every room should tell a story, which is why I love stories and decorating-go figure! 

So go ahead...GET DIRTY! Scour those dusty antique stores, roll up your sleeves at a junk bonanza in your area, hit a garage sale, an estate sale or better yet, see what is collecting dust in your parents basement, your grandparents basement or heck, even your own basement. 

I promise you won't regret it!

XO

P.S Are we friends on Instagram? Let's make that happen. Follow @sweetshadylane for daily doses of home decor love.

Goodbye Screen Door

I loved renovating our home, but...It is A LOT of work. Like giving birth to an elephant kind of work. There are many decisions that need to be made (sometimes quickly) and although I did my best to get it all just the way I wanted, I realized after two years of decisions, our last one being the style for the office, I was tired.As I mentioned in my last post, "Go Ahead, Write Your Story," I'm writing a book, sometimes that's hard for me to say, but I am. I'm writing a book. I needed a creative space to well, you know, write! The office sits right off our family room, which is the only stained wood (non-white) room in the whole house. It's cozy and warm and a nice departure from the all white, which I love, so when it came down to final decisions on the color for the office, my tired self said, make it like the family room, that way everything will flow together. Which it does, beautifully, but something about the stained wood office left me uninspired and leary of writing in a cold, dark space.

The office was originally part of the old living room and off that living room, there was a door that led to a screened in porch. Since we hadn't lived in the house yet, keeping the door to the porch was a no brainer. However, a few months of living in Mona Bina, (Home For All) I realized that I was never going to use that porch and something needed to be done about the dark office.

I started in gently. "Hey honey! You know that office is so cold with that porch door. Maybe if we closed it off, we could save some money on our heating bill." Genius, I know. Get him on his level of thinking and go from there. "I mean, we never use that porch. At this point, it's only storage." A few weeks later. "Hey babe, you know it's so dark in the office?" No response, but that didn't stop me. "I'd love to write in there, you know...Have my own spot, but it would have to be painted white." Crickets. Call him at work. "Hi gorgeous! You know, I really want to spend a good amount of time writing (TRUE) and I believe that closing myself up in the office is my best bet, you know getting away from the dogs, dishes, laundry, etc. I think I'm going to call Landschute and see if they can come over for a consult, I have a lot of ideas." Wait for it... "Sounds good sweetie. I can't wait to see what you do!" Mic drop. Actually phone drop. He's AMAZING!

Waisting no time at all, I called, Jon Monson, my amazing architect-always eager and excited for a challenge. I didn't want to change everything, actually I did, but Jon in his patience-heard me out and then offered some great suggestions on how we could avoid spending a ton of money. Thank you Jon! We came up with a plan to close off the porch, put doors on some of the shelves and paint that sucker white!

Truth corner...Did I really need a new office to finish my book? LOL! NO! My writing group lovingly heard my plea for my creative ideas and giggled while encouraging me and reminding me that creativity happens when we powerfully choose to be just that...creative! That can happen at your kitchen table, propped up on a pillow in your comfy bed, or sitting at your favorite coffee shop. 

For me, creativity happens in spaces I create. I can't even express how much I love this room, not just for it's aesthetic, but for the possibility it holds as I pursue my passions. I sit on my little tuffet (which is where I am currently perched) and I write blogs, short stories and pour my heart into my novel. 

XO

Come On In...It's COLD Outside!!!

Every Christmas...And I mean EVERY CHRISTMAS, My husband (bless his heart) questions the size of our Christmas tree. He thinks it can only be 7 feet tall and I always say 8 or 9. Our home has old and new bones with low ceilings, but my theory is - buy it taller and cut from the bottom so you still get a nice full tree. Genius right?  We may look like we're having fun, a happy couple bundled in our winter gear, eyeing one tree after the next, up and down, but kid you not, we are bickering back and forth until Jay finally throws up his hands and says, "Fine, get whatever tree you want." Romantic yes?  At this fun point, I usually go back to the car to get warm as Jay and the nice young men strap the tree I picked out to our car. Magically, by the time we get home and get the tree cut and up, Jay realizes once again, that it is the perfect tree!  Every year I say, "Now remember this next year," but he never does. So it looks like our Christmas tree bickering will continue for many years to come. JOY!

I usually am so excited to get all the decorations out, but this year, I pulled out all of my Christmas buckets and bins and nothing looked worthy. I didn't know if I should  try to recreate what worked last year, or start completely over. I questioned EVERYTHING that I pulled out of those boxes. Is this too old? Does this look country? Why do I still have this? This year, I had to ask myself over and over, "How am I going to make this special again?"

It always starts out as a struggle (just like buying the tree with Jay) and somehow ends up over the course of many days (actually weeks) to be just the right feeling I wanted to portray. The sad part is, I finally get it the way I want and then it's time to take it all down again. Ahhhh...So much work, but so worth all the effort!

The light off Lake Minnetonka creates a stunning winter warmth. Here, the mantle, in my opinion was still missing something...But what? It would be a few more weeks before inspiration would kick in (Thank you Mark D. Sikes for your book, "Beautiful,") and I added blue and white touches to get just the right look. 

I went through my pantry and decided that this stunning  Juliska soup tureen would be a beautiful touch of blue and white. There is something so fresh and classic about this, that I am just in love with it. The lemon cypress tree was a gift from a wonderful friend and florist, Designer Blooms. 

I have always been obsessed with boats, clipper ships in particular (I have an obscene amount.) My boys always try to steer me away from antique stores that have boats in them, because who has time to watch mom pick up every boat in the store? Living on a lake, I am now in love with all kinds of boats. My tree shows this love with one of my favorites from John Derrian and Company.  Honestly, if you are in NYC head to the East Village and browse his shops. Yes, plural!! There are three in a row and honestly, it's a wonder people don't see me skipping around like a lunatic. So many sweet finds, this pretty paper boat being one of them. AHHHH-MAZING isn't it? Also, a John Derrian find! Vintage art painted on wood. Look at him dashing through the snow...Honestly, I think my heart stopped beating for a good ten seconds here, which is a good indicator that this special piece HAD to be a part of Sweet Shady Lane.

More blue and white and can you even stand that it is in a clipper ship container? Again, heart stopped beating! Found this gem at English Traditions in Florida. This charming nautical nutcracker has an anchor on his hat and I love him! Flowers by, Designer Blooms never cease to make me happy!Traditional greens look too heavy in my house with all the white wood work, so I opt for preserved boxwood to add just the right amount of Christmas magic. I found this particular boxwood on sale (YAY) at Ballard Design two years ago and it has held up very well. I love the different shades of color and depth in the balls that hang from champagne colored ribbon. It's not your traditional red Christmas, but it's warm, classic and inviting. 

The mantle is finally finished! I added two small blue and white containers with greens to carry out the inspiration from the soup tureen. And now I'm sitting back looking at it all, wondering why I ever questioned myself in the first place!  I have to remember that good design doesn't happen over night...It shouldn't. Let things EVOLVE. Be INSPIRED. And find JOY in the little details.

Wishing you all A VERY MEANINGFUL HOLIDAY!

XO...Heather           

P.S Are you following @sweetshadylane on instagram? Lets be friends.

Count down to June 20th!!

I have SO many details that I am excited to share with you all!! First of all, we have a move-in date!!! On JUNE 20th the Strommens will be packing up the little carriage house and moving into what we call "the big house." We are beyond excited!! I can't wait to share all the decorating details, but those will have to wait until construction is complete. Get ready for lots of fun wall-coverings, yummy fabrics, fun finds from Nantucket and all the little details that make a house a home! Here's a peak at what's happening at 980 Shady!

Spindles are in!

Tile work in girl's baths.

Shadow boxes are in!

Cool vintage lights in boy's room!

Lights, Paint, Action!

There is so much going on at Shady that it's hard to tell you about every lovely little detail. But what I am most excited about right now is that Landschute is done with the attic (the boy's room,) the second floor bedrooms (master and girls,) the baths, the basement (just wait until you see how cool-pics coming) and they have moved onto the main floor! The most exciting news at 980 Shady is that THE KITCHEN CABINETS ARE BEING SET IN PLACE!!! Can you tell that I'm excited? :)

I mentioned in my last post that Mary Monson has done such a fabulous job in finding vintage lights and I wanted to give you a sneak peek at her findings! I cannot wait to see them up and lit!

I also stopped out at the Junk Bonanza last weekend and came across a very special old pub sign. It says "Courage" at the top and "The Silent Whistle" below. It used to sit across from an old train station and when the train station closed, they renamed the pub, "The Silent Whistle." As some of you know, we live across the street from the railroad track that runs through downtown Wayzata and I hear that not-so silent whistle quite often. Needless to say, I HAD to have this sign. When I went back to pick it up, the sales woman told me that she could have sold it 200 times. It is such a great piece and will look amazing in the basement.

Vintage Lights

Vintage lights

Old Pub sign

Master bedroom

Sitting room off of master

Just waiting for wallpaper

laundry room table

Love these mini pantry doors

Kitchen cabinets arrived!