I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since I’ve shared what we really think. Where does the time go? In case you missed the first round, here is a bit about this series:
We thought it would be fun to post about decisions, projects or purchases we’ve made and let you know our thoughts after living with them for quite some time. Occasionally we change our minds or wish we could have a do-over. It’s all part of home ownership. Then there are times where we actually get it right and wouldn’t change a thing. Today we are sharing five major choices we’ve made and whether we nailed it or should have gone a different direction. Here’s what we really think!
OPEN SHELVING
The great open shelf debate! Almost every day I see someone on Instagram asking, “What do you all think about it?” For us it’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made. My sister first suggested we put it in our kitchen and I am so grateful. It really is our favorite part of our kitchen design. We use pretty much everything on the first two shelves on a daily basis. I really appreciate the warmth it adds and the casual vibe, too. To me open shelving is very welcoming. While it may not be for everyone, we couldn’t be happier with the choice to add it to our space.
*I receive a lot of questions about the source of our shelves. They were custom made by our cabinet maker.
ONLY HARD SURFACES
Regret. Yep! Regretting the decision to have only hard surfaces throughout the house. I will say that the upstairs floors are a dream to clean. They can easily be swiffered in no time and they always look nice. BUT I miss carpet. Here’s the deal. We don’t have a single space with cushioned carpet and I miss that.
While I don’t miss the dust that carpet can create, I do regret not having a soft space for the kids to land or a proper sleepover space. My daughter is lucky to have the sweetest group of friends. But there are 12 in total and I miss having a large space where they can all sleep over. The hard surfaces don’t exactly lend themselves to sleeping bags. If you are about to swap out your flooring, be sure to think through the needs of your growing family. My wheels are definitely turning on how I can fix my mistake.
*For the record, both kids say they LOVE having the wood floor in their rooms. Go figure.
DINING ROOM SIDEBOARD
This is a piece I receive emails about on a regular basis. We added this sideboard to our dining room over a year ago and we love it. It holds so many of our dishes and linens and we love the look. It’s more of a cream or warm white and is not distressed. It comes in a few different colors and ours is called “linen”. Highly recommend this piece.
DYSON VACUUM
This vacuum is no joke. I’m sure you’ve heard people rave about it and they aren’t wrong. I use this EVERY SINGLE DAY and love it. Best vacuum ever. Not only does it swivel and go under everything, it’s lightweight and so easy to use. The attachments make it awesome for different parts of the house. There was a couple of Target debating buying one and I was the crazy lady who interrupted and told them how much it rocks. Fantastic purchase. Worth every penny. You can also find a manufactured refurbished model which will save you a ton.
LINEN DUVET
chandelier hack | master bedroom design
I had always heard about linen bedding but wasn’t quite sure we would like it. Truth be told, when it first arrived I thought it was rather scratchy. But now that we have had it for months I am 100% sold. I adore the linen duvet. It gets softer and softer over time and the texture it adds is gorgeous. I also like that it stays on the bed even while sleeping. The cotton ones we had in the past seemed to easily slip off. Two thumbs up for linen, my friends. If you are wondering if it looks wrinkled, yes it does and that does not detract from it.
POSTS TO CATCH UP ON
I hope sharing about these choices helps you. Whether you rent or own, decisions about what to spend money on can be very over whelming. We will continue to share as long as it is helpful.
Enjoy your day, my friends. I am hoping to knock out painting a few baseboards.
How deep are the open shelves?
They are almost 12″. They were made to match the depth of the upper cabinets they are next to. Hope that is helpful.
Love this post! It’s always fun to hear about purchases and design decisions after the fact and after the initial high of the newness wears off. 🙂 We have all hard surfaces in our home, too, and you’re right — the lack of dust from carpet is great. But I miss a soft surface the most when I wrap presents, lol! I wrap them on the floor and, man, it is so uncomfortable. Also – I completely agree about the Dyson. Our pup sheds like crazy and I pull that thing out two times a day sometimes. Definitely a buy once cry once kind of purchase and truly makes vacuuming enjoyable.
I’m so happy to hear that! YES!!! Wrapping gifts is another time I miss it. I was so sore after this holiday season on my bedroom floor. LOL. You are also so right about the cry once but live happily every after with the vacuum. It’s beyond good. Have a great day. xo
I like these posts. I always wonder what one would change if they could go back. The same with clothes. What did you end up keeping in your closet? Did it wash/wear well?
So happy you like these posts. I will keep doing them. LOVE the idea about clothing and things I ended up loving/not-loving. Great idea for a post.
Love these posts!
We have all hard surfaces in our main living areas and bedrooms, and I find that with kids and dogs, it makes clean-up a breeze. We have carpet in our lower level, and I find that I really don’t like it. I thought for sure I would miss carpet, but turns out I don’t. It was a surprise to me, and I am ready to pull the rest up! (But then, I would probably miss it – catch 22!)
Oh boy!!! Isn’t that funny. See. I was the same way. No carpet allowed. LOL. Why don’t you like it on the lower level? Do you all just ever lay on the floor. I miss being able to do that. Tell me more. xo
Mainly, it’s the cleaning factor. The kids and dogs just destroy carpet so quickly! Rugs are easier IMO. Our lower level is very cold, though, so I am sure we will keep carpet to help with warmth.
I was reading this post at work and laughed out loud when I came to the part about you chiming in on the couple’s debate about whether or not to invest in the Dyson. I did the EXACT same thing about a month ago at my Target. Not even sure why I was in the vacuum section since I’m not in the market for one but, when the husband tried to convince the wife that there was no way it would be as effective as their canister vacuum, I blurted out “Oh yes it will!”
I guess I’m the oddball I don’t like my Dyson. I don’t think it cleans corners well or under cabinets well it doesn’t clean close to them
Oh I haven’t experienced that at all. Maybe try the attachment. That’s what I use for inside my bread drawer. Works great in all the nooks and crannies.
We have begun the remodel process and my husband and are going back and forth about hard surfaces vs carpet. This is not an easy decision by any means. We were both raised in carpeted homes, but both love hardwood. So we have decided to mix it up. Hardwood in the living room and kitchen, tile in baths and carpet in bedrooms and family room. I really appreciate hearing others comment on what they felt they did right and being brutally honest about mistakes. Thanks again and keep up the honesty!! 💜💜💜
I grew up in a mix of both. Hardwood downstairs and carpet upstairs. There are a few more readers that have commented and that may help, too. Thank you so much for your sweet comment. Enjoy the remodel. I know it can be overwhelming but it’s such an exciting process.
I have a question on your bed. I’m shopping similar platform beds, and I’m curious if you miss your box springs. It looks like you just have the mattress on there, correct? That is my only hesitation is getting this kind of bed…getting rid of my box springs, and then regretting that!
Great question. We don’t miss it and the bed is a nice height. Having said that, we don’t love our mattress. We are on the hunt for a new one. Do you love yours? If you love it I would stick with it and the box spring and use a headboard. Just a thought. Mattresses are SO HARD and if you have a good thing going I wouldn’t mess with it. xo
Great post Courtney! I love hearing opinions after the dust has settled (no pun intended.) I may consider the Dyson but I have a hard time with bagless vacuums because of dust kicking back up. What’s your experience with emptying the bin?
Thank you!! So part of why I love it is because it is designed so well. Emptying the bin is crazy simple and not a mess at all. I should do a story on that soon.
We have hardwoods on all three floors and in our carriage house and love them. For large group sleepovers we blow up air mattresses and put sleeping bags on top. In fact, we’re doing that this weekend for a post-prom boys sleepover. Hubby is really into cushy area rugs so I made sure to invest in thick rug pads and also chose thicker pile rugs when I could. We have FLOR tile rugs in two family room type spaces and they are comfy to sit or lie down on. One of the patterns we used was Sweater Weather. If you ever have a family member with allergies the first thing the allergist will tell you is to rip up the carpets!
Sounds you like you have it dialed in. I love it. Please please share where you buy the thick rug pads. I think that is where I have failed. I’m sure my readers would love to know, too. Enjoy the post-prom sleepover. I remember doing that at our home many moons ago. So much fun.
Hi Courtney! Thanks so much for this past! We’re thinking about adding wood upstairs and you have me something to think about! Also, where did you find the 2 potted plants that sit on the sides of your dining room side board? I’ve been looking, but I haven’t been able to find anything affordable yet. Yours are really pretty! Thanks!
Not all models of the Dyson are rated the same – I have the V7 which has very good reviews and I love it. I didn’t even “cry” because I found a refurbished one!
I’m not at the stage of owning a home yet, but I still LOVED this post!! It’s fun to hear your hindsights 🙂 Thanks for sharing!