Goals on Paper

Ok, I know. Three posts in one day. But I feel like I have to get my goals for decorating the new house down before we're there. Once I get inside a space, I'm overwhelmed by the possibilities and never seem to get ahold of my initial inspiration. Here are the first four goals that are a must to accomplish just after moving in. Many more little details to follow, I'm sure.

1. Potted Plants around the Exterior

Basically the exact look I have in mind.

Our new house is adorable and all, but it has a small, awkward concreted section in the front. It's a bit too small to be used as a patio. So my plan is to do like many of my Thai neighbors and take indigenous local plants and use it in the front of the house.

2. Decorate with Glasses

Some of the glasses I have on hand look just like these.

Before we left the States, after throwing out, selling and giving away almost everything we owned, I found that I had a fixation with colored glass bottles and the like. So, we accrued a small collection from West Elm that remained with my parents and sister (which they are currently using for decor themselves).

For now, I've found that my best bet in Chiang Mai is to recycle wine, liquor and beer bottles of various colors and sizes. While doing so, I stumbled across a unique idea of using them as candlestick holders, which create a nice look. I'll share those pics soon. For now, I need to find a few smaller bottles and get my hands on some blues.

 3. Accent Wall

Not necessarily the color I would choose, but the accent wall does a lot for tying this room together.

Okay, while I am definitely a fan of classic and simple, I'm not into the hospital look for a home. Which is exactly what our new house looks like! There is an overabundance of white, and with the particular layout of the home, it's too much. I don't always advocate accent walls, but since our intentions are to be in this place for one year, I don't want to do too much damage. What color? I'm thinking blue is safe, but finding a large, comfy, decent colored rug has been really difficult for me since we arrived. I'm talking been-to-every-store-with-a-rug-three-and-four-times-over difficult. So, as strange as it may sound, I think I may allow the right rug to dictate that color choice, as well as the style/color of new throw pillows. I also plan for those almost immediately. Nice, clean throw pillows do a lot for my comfort level in a new place.

4. Picture Frames Galor

I would LOVE to achieve anything like this with frames in the new house. But what to put in them? Hmmm...

I'm planning to acquire several picture frames in the next month or so, from all around town, and use them in the living room of the new house. Probably on one of the remaining white walls adjacent to the accent wall I hope for. This might get a bit pricey, especially if I'm looking for anything more unique than your basic 4 by 6 or 8 by 10. But I have a few ideas of where to start. We shall see about that.

The First Phase

So, today my husband and I live in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We teach in an international school, mostly designed for Christian missionaries' children from all around Asia. It has been such a challenge, but one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It's a precious experience to see the impact one can have on a single life. Also, a very humbling one. We have been blessed!

We've been here for a year and plan to stay just one more. For our second year, we will be moving to a different house. Currently, as I'm typing I have a terrific view of various boxes piled to the rim with books, clothing, shoes and other items scattered across the living room floor. John, my husband, is in the States visiting family and friends and returns this Thursday. In the meantime, my job is to pack as much of everything I can into boxes and prepare them for the move. Yikes! Not fun, especially solo. But sort of satisfying to stop and see all the work you've accomplished alone from time to time.

So, why do I consider this the first phase of my simplistic evolution? Well, I don't really. I think I've been moving in this direction for years now. This is just a really huge move for us. We decided we want a smaller house with less responsibilities. One that suites our lifestyle. So we move from a decent sized three-bedroom home, where we entertained guests very easily, to a tighter, more quaint abode. I am looking forward to it greatly, though! I think this is a bit more true to the way we live as a couple, where less is more. This will be our yearly move, as I call it. We just celebrated our third anniversary in April, and again this June/July we are relocating, as we have each year of our marriage. We will again next year. Hopefully soon after, a more permanent residence awaits us.

Our current, rather large house. Moving on to a new situation in a few short days.

John arrives late, late on Thursday evening and then we have one day for jet lag recovery (from a 25 hour + travel itinerary) and then we're off to make endless trips to the new house and back again. That gives us a solid two days to relocate. Wish me luck.

I hope to have pictures of the new house posted soon, along with a few creative decorating ideas.

Growing Wiser

As I write this, I'm very aware of the time that passes more and more quickly with each year. I sound like a grey-headed woman in her rocking chair on the front porch. I'm only in my late twenties, but I have reached the portion of my life where most of my dreams are no longer set in some far off place decades from now. In my mind, they are played out in the near future. They're of the down-to-earth sort I remember my parents having - installing hardwood floors, owning a small piece of property in the mountains, retiring with money in the bank. I recall thinking, Whoa, don't get too crazy Dad. You might bust an artery.

With each passing season I see myself, with these smaller, more attainable dreams. They actually excite me more and seem richer and deeper than those of years passed. That's why this blog is called Idealistically Simple. If I could explain myself today and the goals I have for the future, I think this would be the necessary description. My plan is to chronicle my life as it evolves with my changing dreams, desires and tastes, hopefully only getting better with time. Feel free to use and share any ideas you find here with anyone, anywhere you like.

Enjoy!

Ashley