The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith is a unique book on home decorating.
It takes the approach of if you like it go with it!
The book is skillfully written to encourage the reader to step outside of your comfort zone! It’s geared towards both homeowners and renters with the weight leaning more towards renters but please don’t think that it is exclusively so.
The whole first part of the book goes into great detail on each of the authors many past and present dwelling places…and trust me she describes each so well that it feels like you are standing right in the middle of that particular room. And don’t worry even if your minds eye isn’t quite catching on most of her descriptions are captured in beautiful photographs illustrating, projects, problems and real life!
Let me start off my critique by saying this….THIS IS NOT A BOOK I WOULD NORMALLY PICK! I picked it out of sheer lack of interest in all the rest offered. I am a crafty person by nature but I have always felt true home decorating just out of reach! This book changed my outlook completely
As a pastors family decorating money is slim to none! So when I read the chapter on shopping your own home, I was instantly inspired to do this ! I visited three locations in my home and found just what I needed
1.the kitchen for 3 Mason Jars (1quart and two pints)
2.the Garage for White spray Paint
3. And my front yard for DAISYS
Yep that’s it….and this is what I got…..
This simple country centerpiece literally took me 10 minutes!
And why didn’t I think of this sooner?????
Another chaper talked about the MIStreatment of your windows. She relates a story that she became impatient with waiting to take expense fabric to be sewn professionally for curtains.she just cut the fabric, hung them with curtain clips (she didn’t even finish the seams! *GASP*. So when a designer friend showed up she though she had already had them done! The friend was surprised when the author admitted to her impatience and their incomplete state. The designer friend would have never known otherwise! She goes on to explain that sometimes we get it in our heads that we can’t do something because it’s NOT THE “RIGHT” WAY!! We think that it has to be this kind of Fabric, or only professionally done or……the list goes on and on and on!! Well when it comes to decorating you can go with what you like, what you can afford……and anything weird you so desire! So I need dark curtains in two rooms….and guess what I will be using? SHEETS! Yep brand new 5 dollar cotton sheets. I can make the dark curtains for four windows…2 in each room for about 20$ and get exactly what I want and need without spending LOADS of money!
So here are a few other things I will implement in the coming months
A gallery wall. Showcasing all the things I love (and I won’t be afraid to change it often!
Stumps as end tables…probably white washed, but maybe plain as well! (don’t knock it, they are pretty cute)
I’m going to paint furniture.
I’m going to repurpose things that were once used for something else.
I’m not going to be afraid of something new…and if I don’t like what I did, I will redo it!
So I must absolutely give this book a five star rating! It was such a joy and an encouragement to read! Even if you are not crafty or the decorating type this book can help you love even the most undesirable of situations!
DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this book from BookLook, with no obligation of positive review.
