STYLE: Your Home

I (Allegra) don't own my own home.

In fact, I've moved in and out of a lot of apartments.
Making those temporary places feel like HOME was not something I had the energy to do.
I didn't want to invest in painting walls and loving where I was if it was all going to go back into boxes and moved again.{white chair: craigslist for $18. side table: alameda: $40. bench below mantle: pasadena flea market for $50}

Now I have lived in the same place for almost two years and I am finally feeling like NESTING.
The great thing, I realize now, in my decision to push off the need to nest is it has given me the time to truly shift and shape what I want HOME to look like.

In a prior life I was obsessed with Pottery Barn.
In reality, it was wayyy outside of my price range.
And then I started to see something--
Pottery Barn merely recreates what the creative people are doing.
Burlap is in?
PB does burlap.
Mercury glass is in?
PB does mercury glass.
I decided I didn't need someone to recreate for me, I discovered an itch to hunt and create myself.
I found a mass majority of my inspiration in blogs!
{Lola B's, BlondienSC, Loving Pretty Things, Shop With Lulu...}

{paper flowers from the gilded bee. perfect for someone like me who can't keep a plant alive!}

Emily & I first went to Alameda last year--it changed my world and redefined my home.
Meet my definitive piece: my entry table.

A complete bargain at only $110.00 I found the piece that began to mold my creative energy for my nest.
This piece has esentially inspired the entire direction of my home-- and gave me the bug to hunt
because there is something GLORIOUS about the chase
(c'mon ladies, you know there is!)
And if you're me, there's something OUTSTANDING about a steal!
(My husband and I have believed firmly that we should not go into debt to decorate.
We keep a fund just for our home that we put a little into all the time so when we find what we like, it's not a burden, it's something we can truly enjoy)

{& pillow from petite coterie}

I also started to allow myself to invest in the little details.
My favorite pieces in my living room are the glass vase on the mantle filled with pearls and a funky stem as well as my & pillow. The pillow just adds that something extra!

Home details are like accessories...I may not have initially seen the purpose in spending the money on them but they complete a look & feel.

Sure, with the style I like, I have to work for it....and be patient
If you like this style, you know you might have to dig through TONS of stuff...

But when you find the right piece... you know.

Meet my new baby-- my new dining table.
While the photo of it still shows it in the store where she still is, the hus and I saw her and KNEW--
hook line and sinker--this table had to be ours!
(Chase & Bargain. Siiiigh)

This antique farm house table will seat 8 & was such a steal I can't even mention it because you'll mob me.
To quote my quoting friend, Emily, "I DIE!"

After all of these years never making my home my nest, I had the time to develop my final style.
I know I love a hunt, I know I love a bargain, I know I love unique & creative.

Have you defined your style?
Are you still shaping yours?
Don't lose heart!
Tear out catalog images, print blog images, photograph things you see.
Save those images in a binder and watch what takes shape.
Your nest will be yours in no time!

Interested in sharing your creative vision and how it's taken shape?
Submit your style story & images to us
info {at} frenchieandflea {dot} com