Slow renovations: hey it's ok to take your time
Real talk
Confession: I often look around my house and ask woefully ‘why isn’t this done yet?’ and wonder ‘if only this was different’. The plans of what I’d love to change are in my head, always evolving, and my patience is constantly being tested.
I get it. If you’re into interiors, you’re probably surrounded by beautiful (and it really is beautiful) imagery online, in the media, in newspapers and magazines and more. I too am surrounded by it. Partly because it’s my day job to share amazing interiors but also because, on a personal level, I enjoy going down the rabbit hole, having a nosy at other people’s houses and being inspired too. But that’s what it is: inspiration. It’s not real life – or at least not real life for the majority of the time for the majority of people. I think it’s good to remember that when you’re mid doom scroll.
That’s why some of my favourite Instagram posts are the ones that share ‘Insta versus reality’ content among the more polished imagery and Reels. We need a dose of reality to keep us on an even kilter, especially in a digital world that purports a perfect home without mess, dirty dishes, laundry piled up or half-finished DIY that’s awaiting a free weekend to be completed. Surely that’s not just my house!
I started The Home I Made as an outlet for my own interior ideas, finds and the story of my home. From the outset, I like to think I’ve been pretty honest. Even as someone who works in the interiors industry, my house is, for want of a better word, pretty ‘normal’. Yes, there are LOTS of things I want to change, projects I want to get going on and pieces I want to buy. But I’m here for the long game. Good job really.
Speaking of the Gram, I’ve recently been served accounts that are championing the slow side of renovating. Ones that show small kitchens, rental properties and the real side of doing up a house – i.e this s**t takes time and wads of cash. If you’re lucky enough to have the latter, the former doesn’t typically apply.
Just this week, I was chatting to someone about to move into their new house, nine months into renovating it. And there was still lots left to do. They, like me, were eyeing up lots of finishing touches and eagerly planning room schemes and the next phase of the works, but knew that it wouldn’t all happen overnight. Another friend has just started a garden makeover, years after the first quote came in. Yes, years.
So, if you too are totting up those things you’d love to tackle in your home, I’m here to say: hey, it’s ok if…
You’ve ran out of money
No one really talks about this, do they? Having a house, decorating, renovating, buying furniture and the rest, it all takes moolah. Lots of it. It’s ok if your project is stop-start while the pennies mount up again.
Your furniture is mix and match
New everything else, but my living room is also home to a media unit that doesn’t go with the scheme and is long overdue a firm farewell. I’ve repainted it but it’s still not right for the room. I’m pondering replacement options – new unit, shelving, built-in media wall…? Decisions take time. But it’s practical for now.
You look at your [insert thing here] everyday with disdain
Mine is the media unit (see above) and I’m also partial to side-eyeing the very battered sofa in the playroom/dining area which was preloved when we bought it for a steal some 10 years ago and now gets the toddler treatment. It’s done its time, is on the list to be replaced, but does the job for now. A few cushions and a throw can hide (almost) all sins.
Your kids’ toys are taking over
Anyone who can keep toy clutter at bay, I take my hat off to you. Share all of your secrets stat.
Jobs keep falling down the list
The list is always never ending. Things crop up unexpectedly and eat into funds you thought you’d allocate to job x, y, z. Life happens. You can’t be bothered. Hey, it’s all ok.
There are jobs that are in progress
Again, life happens. Good intentions see the start of a project, however small. Then a time thief comes along and before you know it, days/weeks have passed and you’re still looking at a half-done task. Oftentimes, it doesn’t take as long as you think to actually get it done, but when that happens, bask in the glory of ticking off a job. This week, I touched up the paint around a newly fitted light switch. The switch was installed about two months ago, not even lying. Slow and steady, slow and steady. And no shame.
I’d love to hear any more you’d like to add, so please share in the comments. And let me know what projects you’d love to get on and do and for whatever reason, life has got in the way.
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Loved reading this. Thank you! I'm in a new house and funds were eaten up by things you can't see but we're necessary, so only starting to renovate properly now, couple of years after moving in. And now I started my first project it is taking weeks and weeks to complete, again funds, day job, still wanting to have some sort of a social life. All the while, though I'm making up one room only, the whole house feels like a renovation site. I love making my home beautiful, at the same time it's a constant juggle and is definitely not all pretty squares, transformed by the snap of a finger.
Really refreshing and can certainly relate, everyday gets in the way of finishing things. Think it is also good not to do all new, keeping and repurposing is great way to save pennies and add character to a space.
You have inspired me to get some jobs ticked on the list!