In this two-part series, I'm chatting with time management expert and host of The Busy Vibrant Mom podcast, to unlock the belief that 'we have no time' so you can get UNSTUCK in the process of learning to love your home. Our conversation was a long one...so long that it's extending over two days (be sure to hit subscribe so you don't miss part two, coming out next week). In today's episode we're talking about how to effectively, efficiently and with minimal expectations - manage your time as...

 Do you have a room in your home with low natural light?  When you have a room in your home with little to no natural light, you have three choices for decorating:  1. Leave it as-is and do nothing 2. Try to lighten it by highlighting the contrasts 3. Embrace the dark and create an intentionally moody, refined, cozy space   If you'd like to learn more about how to combat a naturally dark room in your home, go back and listen to Episode 224.  In today's episode we are embracing the darkness...

 10 design elements to design a timeless, classic and cohesive looking home    Do you ever get tired of seeing home design trends come and go? It's the nature of trends, that's for sure, but they're so quick that by the time you're ready to embrace it...it's gone just like that, then you're left wondering why you have the hot pink sofa with the bubble chairs and the retro lights. Why? Because Barbiecore was a trend two seconds ago but hasn't been seen since last summer.  It's time to learn...

 Do you lack natural light in your room and it feels too dark?    Listener Annie is wondering how to lighten up a dark room, so in today's episode I'm sharing 5 ways you can lighten up a dark space. Next week's quick tip will include 5 ways to intentionally make your room moody and broody.  5 ways to make your dark room feel brighter (only one of them is with paint!).  1. Contrast 2. Warm metals 3. Heaviness/ weightiness of furniture 4. Layers 5. Ambience    Do you have a question that you...

Do you have everyday clutter that you don't know what to do with?    Everyday clutter is visual clutter that we live with day in and day out. It's useful clutter - things like cords for tech, coffee canisters on the kitchen counters, keys and mail. Every home has everyday clutter, but does every home have a way to contain the clutter in a way that looks pleasing to your design sensibilities (aka pretty)? In this episode I'm sharing easy solutions for hiding everyday clutter that goes beyond...

3 Ways you can incorporate vintage furniture into your more modern design style:    So, you LOVE modern farmhouse design aesthetic, but mom brings over your grandma's vintage hutch. It's lovely, but it was lovely in grandma's home because it was grandma's. You wouldn't mind entertaining the idea of keeping it, but you don't know how to marry such an antiquated piece of furniture with a more modern home with modern furnishings.    First thing's first...if you're receiving this as a gift from a...

 Are you afraid of making a MISTAKE?    What if I choose the wrong color?  What if I mess it up? What if I choose the wrong size?  What if I don't like the change? What if I like it?    Raise your hand if you feel stuck in in-action because you are afraid that you'll make a mistake while decorating your home? In this episode I share my reasons why making a mistake might actually be the best thing for you! Why? Because mistakes mean ACTION. And action is opposite of being stuck.    The 5 Ps to...

 Have you ever wondered how to shop like a designer?    What do they do first? How do they save money? How do they make decisions with confidence? How do they know it will look good together before they bring it all home? In this episode we're answering listener Sidney's questions - how to shop like a designer so I can stop making poor choices? In this episode I share the five steps to shopping with confidence, staying in budget, making careful selections and it all starts with... PUTTING...

 Trend alert for 2024: Quiet Luxury Homes    The markers of a Quiet Luxury design style are design elements that:  ~ mix old/new ~ use earth tones ~ have a classic subtle design ~ are quality pieces ~ are minimalistic in nature ~ are comfortable and inviting   But HOW do you infuse Quiet Luxury into your home? In this episode I share 6 easy ways you can start infusing different elements into your home's design that feel and look like they belong inside a Quiet Luxury magazine! Want specific...

 Can decorating your home be as EASY as going grocery shopping?!    In today's episode we're taking an every-day errand that you likely don't think twice about and using that concept to help make decorating your home easier!  Shopping the perimeter at the grocery store is something you might do to focus your attention on gathering healthy foods, making good choices, and staying on budget.  The same idea applies to your home. Focusing on the perimeter of your home is a strategy you can apply...

 Have you been waiting ALL year to know what's hot in home design this coming year?    Scouring through blogs, articles, Pinterest pins, Instagram posts...all the places...you might be surprised to know that not a lot has changed, trend-wise, going into 2024. We're still seeing sustainable materials, bringing the outdoors in, a move away from white, more color and more personality from last year.  So what's my BIG takeaway?    Be mindful, intentional consumers who aren't afraid to make...

 Does this new year have you itching for simplicity in your home?    "How do I simplify my decor?" This question came in from a listener and that's what we're talking about at the start of this brand new year. Simplifying your decor doesn't mean you have to become a minimalist or move into a tiny home. Simplifying your decor can start by taking a good look at what you have and being intentional about what takes up real estate in your home.   Six easy steps to simplify your decor:  1. Think...

 Is your home BORING?  "Boredom is choice" is a phrase I often repeat to my boys when they complain of being bored. With a million and one choices of things to do, boredom is a choice - an equal player in those million options.  Boredom in your home is no different. Boredom is a choice. If you are bored with your home's design, you have a choice of doing something about it or staying stagnant. Choices, btw, don't have to cost a lot.  In this episode I'm sharing eight things you can do in your...

 Do you love saving money?  If you love saving money when decorating your home you NEED to listen to today's conversation with Decorating S.O.S. client, Alissa. In the course of one hour, we saved Alissa almost $4000. When you spend time intentionally planning your space, you not only make decisions that are more aligned with your aesthetic, but you learn to spend your money wisely. Wisely doesn't always mean spending less of it, but learning when to save more on an item and when to use what...

 Do you dread cleaning?  Cleaning...you either love it or you hate it! And if you hate it, it's easy to put everything else as higher priority than the chore you dread. But cleaning your home is a necessary evil...it needs to be done. And I don't know about you, but I LOVE a clean house. I just didn't like the process of cleaning... UNTIL NOW! This episode dives into a cleaning routine that is easy to use, easy to maintain and easy to share with a friend because they'll be asking who your new...

 Do you want your home to LOOK EXPENSIVE without spending a lot of money?  In this episode, I'm sharing 10 practical ways you can make your home look expensive without the added expense! Staying on budget requires intentional design decisions, but your home can look elevated without spending a lot of money!    Enjoy this replay of one of the year's top downloaded episodes and apply what you've learned. Share what you are doing to make your home look expensive without spending a lot of money...

 Home Goals 2024  Do you have them?!   The beginning of a new year can be so inspiring...just think of the possibilities! As a people group we are so good at making resolutions for our health, our finances, our job, our family...but when was the last time you thought about goals for your home?  In this episode I'm sharing four things to think about as you reflect on how your home served you this past year and how those reflections can guide the action we take inside our home this near year....

RULES: you either love them or hate them!    When it comes to decorating your home, rules can be helpful but also restricting. Let's think of them as guidelines. Guidelines are meant to be shifted and change depending on the purpose of styling. Today, we're talking BOOKSHELF STYLING. Bookshelves are an opportunity for you to showcase your personal style while telling your story. Bookshelves, however, can be 100% books or 100% tchotchkes. The balance I like to create and the one we're talking...

 HOW DO YOU SIMPLIFY THE DESIGN PROCESS AND START?     In today's episode we're talking about FINALLY taking action and applying all of the things you've been learning about home design. But here's the hard truth...if you want an easy pill, the easy button, the fast action...hire a designer. For the rest of you who are READY to APPLY what you've been learning, follow these four steps: 1. STOP consuming inspiration 2. Think about your WHY and determine if it is STRONGER than the limiting...

 Do you DELIGHT in your home?  Delight means to take 'great pleasure in' or be 'pleased greatly by' something. At fig & farm (at home) our goal is NOT perfection in our homes. Our goal is delight: to create homes that reflect your family's story while while being a joyful space for you to spend time with the people you love most.  In today's episode, we're taking a break from the tips for home decorating and focusing our attention on creating intentionality inside your homes so you can...

 Can your design style be too specific? In today's podcast I'm answering one listener's question who is asking if her desire to have a Coastal Cowgirl home would be too specific. She wants to know how to keep thematic decorating like that on the sophisticated, rather than cheesy side. In today's episode I'm sharing how NO personal design style can ever be too specific - in fact, the more specific the better. I walk her through a couple of exercises to help her understand how to bring in...

Do YOU know your personal design style?    Hey friend!  Inside this episode you get to be a fly on the wall as I have a conversation with Andrea about identifying her design aesthetic. At the beginning of our conversation she wasn't sure what it was, but you'll hear that she actually knew EXACTLY what it was in very nuanced terms.  Is YOUR DESIGN STYLE within reach just like Andrea's? Every two weeks inside Home Design 101 we have Office Hours where I answer questions from the students so...

 Ready to re-finish furniture, but you don't know where to start?   How do you know if you should paint it or stain it? What do you do with water stains or deep scratches? How do you sand it? What paint do you use?   These are some of the questions you may be asking yourself and these same questions may be keeping you stuck so you end up NOT re-finishing the piece that you want to. In this episode I'm sharing tips for how to successfully start refinishing your first piece of furniture, how...

 "How do I make my bedroom look cute?"    This question came in from one listener who is desiring to make her bedroom look and feel a bit more like a retreat after the end of a long day. Using these 5 tips inside your bedroom (even inside the rest of your home) can help you elevate the look of your home.    1. Create a color palette using three colors: one foundational color and two accent colors 2. Add layers and texture. Doing so creates depth and nuance inside your room. Nuance elevates...

 Are you ready to host for the holidays?    Is the idea of hosting for the holidays stressful? If you answered yes, ask yourself "WHY?" Sometimes it's the personalities of the people we're hosting. Sometimes we don't know how to encourage conversation and it's just so awkward.    BUT SOMETIMES...we are just so insecure with how our home looks, feels and functions that we don't feel confident to welcome others in.    In today's episode, I'm sharing how you can identify which barrier may be...