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.

We finally live here!!

That's the Minnehaha floating by my house!

It's hard to believe that it has been two months since my last post! Today happens to be the first day of school and I am finely feeling like I have the chance to update my blog and take a deep breath! I guess you could say that I have been pretty busy moving in and getting settled! Whoa...Moving is not easy! There has been so much to do at 980 to get it up and running that I swear, there have been days were I don't sit down until I lay down to sleep!

Aside from the movers delivering items that I hadn't seen in almost two years, our college kids came bounding in the house along with a few significant others. So, before I knew it, we had a house full of teenagers and twenty-plus year olds ready to hit the lake and start up their summer fun! So, you can imagine that settling in was a bit of a challenge with that much excitement happening! Our summer days have been filled with boat rides, jet skis, fishing off the dock, lunch on the porch and lots and lots of laundry!!

I wish I could say that the house was all planned out and decorated way in advance, but unfortunately, that is not how I work. I tend to have to live in spaces before I can truly decorate them. And although furniture has been ordered, chairs are being recovered, rugs are coming, etc. I am still in the process of figuring what goes where and doing my best to make it all come together in a thoughtful and emotional way.

Needless to say, I am beyond excited to share all the fun that I have been having and now that summer has slowed down, I will be able to do just that!

Me and Buster on a boat ride!

Get ready for some fun decor...I can't wait to show you!!

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!

Spring has sprung!

There is something about Spring that just encourages change! I swear, it is these days, where the temperature is rising, you can hear the drip-drop of the melting snow and the birds signing along in perfect rhythm that makes the anticipation of it all so rewarding! And I for one, am ready for change! It has been almost a year since we moved into the carriage house (which I adore,) but I can honestly say, it's time to move! The builders are now off of the second level, which means the painters are right behind them! The master bed is built and breathtaking, the "oval office" is complete, the boy's floor has its first coat of camp green paint and I, along with the help of Nan from The Sitting Room have made final decisions on all wall coverings. Also, Jon's wife, Mary and I are just tweaking our final lighting decisions. Mary has an amazing eye and I am so lucky to have her input and ideas. She loves to incorporate vintage and new lighting, giving the house a lot of interest, charm and sophistication.

A home begins to emerge!

SO much is going on at Mona Bina… Lots of saw dust and paint fumes, but you won't see this girl complaining! Landschute is working hard to make the May deadline and we are thrilled with all of the progress!! The painters are following right behind the cabinet makers and the house is really taking shape! So far, I LOVE every little detail and I cannot wait until we move to the main floor to work on the kitchen and living room! Here are just a few pictures of the progress thus far! Enjoy!!

Molding going up the wall!

"Boy's

Boy's room-detailed arch window…Ready for paint!

Ruby's built-in headboard!

Master bath vanities being installed!

Master closets being installed!