Accessing What You Have

You have a dwelling to live in.  If you built it, you already put a lot of consideration into its design, and you get to start with a clean slate of your choosing.  But if you have an existing house to make your home, first and foremost, you need to come to terms with the inherent Architecture.  Another important feature is the Natural Light you have to work with.  And finally you need to take a critical look at the Furnishings you have--what will work, what won't, and what you'll need.

Architecture

You might be attracted to houses that appeal to you aesthetically, because of your interest in historical or regional style, or just for practicality.  More often than not, locale is a major factor in your decision-making.  While the architecture of your home may dictate a certain style, you don't have to be limited to that.  Though you can't always change the structure itself, with color, furnishings, landscaping and one or more of the following, you can often change the character of a house--bringing it closer to your needs and taste.

• Trim: crown molding, baseboards, chair rails, wainscoting and bead board--are relatively easy       ways to add character or help define the period of a house.  
• If you don't care for the existing floors, check underneath.  Older homes sometimes have hardwood hiding beneath wall-to-wall carpet or even vinyl flooring.  
• Window seats, built-in cabinetry and walk-in closets can make a house more functional.  
• Wallpaper can date a house, but is easy to remove.  
• Window coverings can be very decade-specific, but are easy to change.  
• Updating kitchens and bathrooms make a house more livable.

Natural Light

For me, the most important feature of a house is the light that fills the rooms.  Ideally, some rooms get morning light and some get afternoon light--filtered through trees or structures.  Northern and Southern exposures will assure no direct sunlight hits anyone in the eyes or fades your furniture.  Consider privacy, sun light and shade, year-round.   I cover windows as minimally as possible to let in as much light as I can and to bring the outside in.

Furnishings

Most of us accumulate furniture--some purchased when we couldn't afford what we really wanted, a hand-me-down or two, and if lucky, some quality furniture and art that we splurged on.  It can all work together, with pieces replaced and upgraded with time.  Keep well-made pieces of furniture--refinishing and restoration are inexpensive, relative to buying a comparable new piece.  Reupholstering or slipcovering can breathe new life into upholstery.  And painting furniture is a quick fix that can instantly refresh and update a piece.  All these ideas can make what you have appear intentional and coordinated for the house at hand.  Most of us upgrade the quality of our furnishings as our lifestyle, income and tastes change.  Don't rush out to fill spaces.  Add to your home in a well thought-out and deliberate way.