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 feel), 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 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.

Now 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 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!