So, 2021, what do you have in store for us?
Besides the same old shit (= Covid19, some political unrest here and there, general doom and gloom etc), that is. After last year, I don’t have high expectations: I know that holidays to exotic locations are probably off the table, and some of my friends might forget what I look like. But it’s OK: all of this is temporary.
No, I’m not saying that life will get back to ‘normal’ at some point. Yes, one day the pandemic will be over (as for the other shit, who knows…), but by then ‘normal’ will look different from what it used to be. However, I’m in no mood speculate what the ‘new normal’ will be like; for the first time ever, I’m learning to live in the present.
And what does the present moment look like in our household?
Well, for starters, I don’t remember the last time I’ve bought any new clothes. However, I’ve spent a small fortune on furniture… In other words, decorating the new flat is far from over.
That’s another first in my life: I’ve never been much of a decorator. I’ve always been more of a ‘living-out-of-the-suitcase’ type. But now, suddenly, having a stylish and harmonious home is my new goal. And it’s becoming painfully clear to me that I haven’t got the faintest idea how to reach that goal…
So, in case you’re wondering what I’ve been up to for the past few weeks, here goes: we’ve finally unpacked all the boxes (except the ones in the basement, but let’s not talk about that). And we’ve moved some furniture around, a few times, and then back again, and… well, you get the idea. As I said, it’s still very much a work-in-progress, and will be for some time.
Anyway, this is what the dining area looks like now:
How has 2021 treated you so far?
Tiina
Linking up with:
Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, High Latitude Style, A Labour of Life, Curly Crafty Mom, Doused in Pink, Not Dressed As Lamb, Living on Cloud Nine, Elegance and Mommyhood, Nancy’s Fashion Style, Shelbee on the Edge, A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style Splash, Away from the Blue, Mummabstylish , Mutton Years Style and I, Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva, Independent Fashion Bloggers
Love love your dining area. What a bold choice, that wallpaper. So good. It has an art deco feel.
I too find interior decorating a lot of fun and I too have no idea. Last time we did it, an interior decorator helped us. And not in the sense that he decorated the whole room and we just said amen. Quite the contrary. He kept us from making fatal mistakes. We are now going to die in this interior. No money to do it again haha.
Greetje
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Thanks, Greetje! It’s actually curtains, not wallpaper. I fell in love with the pattern and I just had to have it, even though I don’t usually like curtains at all.
I’m beginning to think that hiring an interior designer is money well-spent; I am so out of my element here, and I’m second-guessing myself all the time.
Your dining area looks beautiful! That must have been a handful with unboxing and arranging the rooms. Love those prints on the wall!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
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Thank you! Yes, it was shocking to realise how much stuff we’d accumulated (and how much stuff we could fit into that small flat), and packing and unpacking took ages.
Well,2021 was beginning nicely-a couple of worrisome issues resolved better than expected,a string of sunny days,garden catalogs arriving.Vaccines beginning to be distributed.2 wonderful Senators unexpectedly elected.Yes,I’m an American,and till 10:00 yesterday morning I really thought we’d turned a corner.But you probably know the rest…
I am still hopeful,but the damage goes deep.
Your dining room is brilliant!
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Thanks, Kathy.
Well, let’s hope this is the beginning of the healing process, as far as politics is concerned (although the pessimist in me wants to brace for more trouble ahead).
Love your Art Deco-ish wallpaper you are brave I’m always planning to make a statement like this but always chicken out. My husband is a great man at decorating. In the days of Laura Ashley I came home with a couple of rolls of wallpaper for a feature wall it took him about three hours to put it up. I didn’t like it and he painted over it immediately. Your kimono fits in well with your room too.
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Thanks, Flora. It’s curtains, not wallpaper, so easier to change if/when I get tired of it.
That’s the problem with decorating: you don’t know if you like it or not until you actually see it in the room. That’s why I’m very reluctant to take on big projects like painting. As much as I’d love some colour on the walls, I also know that I’d get tired of it very soon.
For someone who says they don’t know what you are doing, your dining room looks beautiful and makes a statement. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the place. And yes to enjoy the present. I think that is the best goal for the year
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
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Thanks! It’s just the dining area next to the kitchen, not a room, really. But it’s the one area of the flat I’m happy with. So, it may take a while before I post more photos of the fact…
That Klaus Haapaniemi kimono is so gorgeous and fits perfectly with your new the interior as well (did I also spy another Haapaniemi on the couch?). You’ve managed to make your home cosy so quickly and also added the finishing touches like hanging the paintings on the wall too. -q
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Thanks!
Yes, there is a sofa cushion, too.
The decor is still a work in progress, far from finished, but I’m getting a better sense of what I want.
Fabulous seating area, and your dinning outfit is perfect. Jacqui
Thanks for sharing on #chicandstylish today.
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Thanks, Jacqui!
Lovely dining area, the wallpaper is amazing and I love this geometric-decó vibe. Totally understand your approach to decoration, as I had to discover my own taste a few years ago when we bought our flat. My first time too!. I made some mistakes and learnt some lessons, but still feel I’m a newbie.
Glad to see your gorgeous kimono again, and glad to see You rocking it!
besos
Author
Thanks, Monica! It’s not wallpaper, it’s curtains, actually (hiding the balcony door and a window). I don’t remember the last time I had curtains (probably never), but I really liked this pattern. It was sold out in most shops, so it took some time and effort to finally track it down.
I find the hardest part in decorating is to make everything work together. And trying to fit all the loose items (= books, CDs etc) somewhere, of course. That is driving me crazy…
Totally agree that books, cds, stationery and devices are difficult to fit, they take a lot of drawers and boxes and still look messy. However I can’t imagine my home without books and music and stuff!
And those are fabulous curtains!
It looks so wonderful, Tiina! And I am swooning over your beautiful kimono! I have no idea how to decorate either but have just started tackling a complete home makeover one tiny step at a time. I figure if I am locked in my house for an indefinite period of time, I might as well spruce it up and make it how I want it! Living in the moment is my goal these days as well. Just enjoying the process of everything while staying far removed from the chaos in the world. Thanks for linking with me!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
Thanks!
I think I know what you mean. We’ve all been cooped up indoors for so long already, and nobody knows how long this will last. The only thing we can do is make our homes as nice and comfortable as possible, to make this experience more tolerable. This pandemic has really made me value a nice, tidy space. And to value having more space. I moved into a bigger flat, after all!
Your dining area looks lovely and that is such a nice kimono! I like lunging around in kimonos at home too! 🙂 It’s definitely been a season for “nesting” and making things at home more comfortable – we did a bit of reorganising and tidying after Christmas to setup for the new year – nice to have something we can control and bring order to, haha!
Hope that you are having a nice weekend 🙂 Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup!
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Thanks, Mica! Oh yes, home is the centre of the universe these days 😉
The dining area looks amazing! I’ve been looking around the house thinking about what I’d like to improve…I haven’t got much beyond the thinking about it stage yet though! I love your kimono, very elegant. Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
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Thanks, Emma!
Hi, i am about to buy this kimono. Can you tell me which size you wear, S/M or L/XL? It looks so amazing. 🙂 Thanks for your kindness.
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This is size S/M. I think I could also wear L/XL as it isn’t very large, just wraps around bit more, and it is longer.