Psst—We just learned about another great way to support the Sandy Hook relief fund: generous Etsy artists are donating their earnings from shops this week to the cause.
We’re finishing Clara’s handmade Christmas present and will share photos and details tomorrow, but in the meantime many readers asked what we would do differently if we were decorating our first house today instead of two to six years ago. In an earlier video we mentioned that when we revisit old photos we love them, but there are always one or two things we’d change. So here’s a room-by-room roundup of what we’d update now.
The Living Room
What we’d change: We didn’t use this space as much as we should have in such a small house (about 1,250 square feet), so we’d aim to make it more functional and inviting. A round coffee table would be more game-friendly than the glass table we kept clear for styling; a padded ottoman that stays clutter-free is more useful for toys and game night. We’d also add more color via sofa and chair cushions, patterned curtains or lampshades, and brighter art to break up the tone-on-tone look.
We put together a whole-house moodboard of items that would inject color and interest throughout the home. Some highlights include bold fabrics, a shaggy rug in the bedroom, carved or round coffee tables for function, and playful pillows and ottomans to make rooms feel lively and lived-in.
The Kitchen
What we’d change: We loved the little kitchen even though it was narrow. If we could change one thing it would be a window that looks out to the backyard rather than into the sunroom, but that would have been a major structural change. More likely we’d update the area rug and wall color over time—maybe a colorful striped rug paired with darker, moody walls for a dramatic, cozy alternate kitchen vibe.
The Nursery
What we’d change: The nursery was bright and cheerful, which suits us better now than the neutral living room scheme. We’d likely swap out accessories like the rug for something bolder, but otherwise we still adore that first nursery we made for Clara and wouldn’t change much.
Our Bedroom
What we’d change: We would add under-bed storage since the room was small, and update bedding over time to a fluffy white duvet with patterned pillows for a fresher look. Replacing the tan curtains with patterned fabric and swapping the jute rug for a plush shag would make the bedroom feel more luxurious and layered.
Our Bathroom
What we’d change: This space already reflects our more current aesthetic: color on the walls, contrast from dark accents, and a DIY vanity. If we were doing it today we’d add a printed roman shade to the window for extra pattern and visual interest.
The Office/Guest Bedroom/Playroom
What we’d change: We were cautious about floor-length curtains because the sofa sat in front of the window, but pulling the sofa out a bit and hanging dramatic curtains high and wide would make the room feel taller and airier. We’d replace the mismatched desk chairs with fun, reupholstered finds and swap the small ottoman for a larger, storage-friendly version to make the multi-use room more functional and stylish.
The Den
What we’d change: Bringing in a colorful rug and brighter accents helped wake this room up, and if we were decorating it today we’d push that further: a large piece of colorful art over the sofa, more vibrant pillows, and subtle patterned curtains. Swapping the desk chair for something less traditional and adding a bold lampshade would make the space feel more playful and personal.
The Laundry Nook
What we’d change: This small space was extremely functional and one we still miss. It worked well being adjacent to the living room and hiding storage behind bamboo blinds. We’d add a few brighter decor pieces and swap out leaning art for more colorful choices, and we’d quickly replace the gold doorknob if given the chance.
The Half Bathroom
What we’d change: We liked the striped walls but would choose more interesting sconces and a cooler mirror to lift the space. A patterned fabric shade and playful art would add personality and make the small room feel special.
The Sunroom
What we’d change: We’d use a larger jute rug so both daybeds sit comfortably on it, swap in brighter floor cushions and pillows, and consider repainting the floor a solid chocolate color to let textiles become the focal point. If we were staying longer we might paint the walls bright white to play off the blue ceiling and vibrant textiles.
The Patio
What we’d change: More color—bright planters, colorful cushions, and more flowering plants around the perimeter to make the outdoor space feel joyful and welcoming.
The Basement
What we’d change: We enjoyed the basement project and would keep most of it the same. We wouldn’t add too many chairs since we rarely sat down there, but we might paint the door red to echo the front door and add more shelving for paint and supplies as our stash grew.
The Front Yard
What we’d change: Not much—except fixing the worn roof (which we did before we moved) and reducing the amount of lawn to maintain by naturalizing parts of the yard with trees, shrubs, and mulch. We loved the facade and the big green lawn, but less mowing would have been welcome.
The Front Porch
What we’d change: We’d build planter boxes under the front windows to add more curb appeal and color, even if that meant rearranging the rocker and glider a bit.
The Backyard
What we’d change: Again, less lawn and more naturalized areas with trees and shrubs would reduce maintenance while keeping enough open space for kids and pets. We loved the privacy and sweet feel of this lot and still miss it.
There you have it—a room-by-room brain dump of what we might do differently if we were decorating our first house today. Do you ever look at photos of past homes or rooms in your current house and wonder how you’d change them now? Our core tastes—wood floors, white cabinets, natural textures and classic furnishings—haven’t changed much, but our current home feels more colorful, playful, and joyful to us. Thanks for reading—we’ll be back with Clara’s gift photos tomorrow!