What I Wish I Had Done In My House…

Even though I am a designer, I always find things I wish I had done differently in my own home. My budget when renovating and designing was not as high as I wish it could be (as is true for most people) so I made some decisions based on feeling indecisive (a common issue for designers in their own homes, I think), my budget and needing to get things ordered in time to shoot the house for the book.

While my house looks great, I do notice things here and there that I want to change 5 years into owning it and have started that process. A good example is the stairwell walls, which I just wallpapered in a bold Schumacher striped ikat that I LOOOOOOOVE. I was worried initially it would be too much pattern with the mural in my dining room, but now I am SO happy I took the risk and did it. It feels perfect.

Spurred on by this improvement, I have walked through my house and made some notes on what I wish I had done, and will comment on what I am going to change/ swap/ add! Starting with the dining room:

I just touched up the trim in here when we moved in- and with the paper it’s a bit yellowed because it was oil, so I wish I had redone it in White Dove like the rest of the house. I would LOOOOOVE a high gloss ceiling in here in white, not sure that will ever be in my budget though. The drapes- I do wish I had done chartreuse silk in here for a punch of color. But that would require reupholstering the chairs (UGH- everything is a set of dominos). These grey wool drapes are amazing quality, and they do look lovely…. I’m torn.

In the formal living room, an easy add is the ceiling paint. The drapes I cannot change unless I sell these gorgeous trimmed panels- which I do love- so this requires a bit more of a think. A change also depends on what I do in the family room- I don’t want patterned drapes in both rooms. I may also swap the pillows someday too…

I chose not to do roman valances because I did not want to block more light, as this room is pretty dark despite the ample windows. But it feels a bit unfinished now.

This room is the most pressing- my sectional fabric, despite being indoor/outdoor, has not held up. Between the dog and kids and myself- it’s so dirty and stained. Such a bummer, as reupholstering a sectional is expensive, but I need to do a deeper color or a small pattern. And that depends on the drapes- I pulled this fabric for a client and have become OBSESSED with the idea of using it here- but I also love a good skinny stripe sectional for hiding stains. Choosing is the hardest part for me, clearly.

The mudroom is a little more of a functional issue- the bench portion of the cubbies has been chipping, as painted millwork does with heavy use, so I wish I had done stained walnut there. I also wish I had done real brick floors in a warmer tone instead of settling for this grey faux brick. Painting the ceiling is easy, as would be a window treatment- but since this is Beans’ preferred spot to lie it would probably get ruined.

Why I did not put a disposal in here in the butlers pantry, I do not know. I’m so annoyed I didn’t.

In the primary I actually have pulled the trigger on some additions! I wanted to do a half-tester in here originally but never did. It’s being made right now to match the drapes. I also am doing a new bed in a blush velvet with a fab trim and a slightly lower headboard (I’ll be selling this one, which is great- custom designed in a Holly Hunt outdoor grade boucle, if you are interested!) I’m toying with doing the ceiling in the palest shade of blush too.

Why I never did a pink room for my only daughter in our old house (remember her nursery???) or this house I don’t know, but girlfriend now has OPINIONS and has decided she hates her room and wants a PINK room. Pray for me- I fear this child is going to give me a run for my money, literally. I love her room, and this paper was so pricey, so I am very hard pressed to lean into what I am sure are whims that will change as soon as next year possibly!

Henry has asked for a little update, which he is due, as he has had the same stuff in his room since he was teeny. I basically replicated his room in this house from the last house but changed the wallpaper, which I was never happy with (you can barely see it). He has a fab new bed, but I may change out some items in his room this year since he’s turning 11 (HOW???) Still red and blue but maybe a little more preppy/ masculine.

We added this full bath to basement in 2021 and I can tell :) I went a little more “mod” here and I wish I hadn’t fully done that. Especially the floor. I still love the green shower, and I’m not changing anything here as it’s the least used bath in the house and I have other fish to fry, but just sharing for a “stick to classic” lesson learned story.

So there you have it, all the little tweaks that may or may not happen over time. I see my house as an evolving laboratory as I grow and change as a designer, so stay tuned always- I’ll be selling some great pieces and trying out new things!