I just love decor with a story, don't you?

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." — William Morris

Last autumn I started sharing my tips for creating a cozy, timeless English-style home ~ right where you are.

In our years of traveling to the UK, we've stayed in cottages, guest houses, London flats, and boutique hotels that embody this inviting look and feel. Add to that my obsession with English home and decor magazines. I have stacks and stacks going back over a decade!

In past letters, you and I have chatted about:

✨ Actually LIVING in your rooms

✨ Striking a nice balance when adding art and decor that depicts nature and wildlife

✨ Infusing unexpected POPS of joy and whimsy

A tiny corner of our home that brings me joy

Today, let's talk about trusting your instincts and buying things that you love... simply because you love them!

Back in November I had ZERO intention of redoing one of our rooms ~ until on the day before Thanksgiving, Chris and I walked past a shop called Vintage Treasures on our way to grab a bite at Empire Bagel in downtown Thomasville.

A gorgeous pair of loveseats in the window caught my eye and my imagination, and all through breakfast I couldn't stop thinking about them: their high curved backs, their plethora of down cushions, and their beautiful upholstery.

When we got home, Chris innocently asked, "If we got those sofas, where would they go?" Oh boy, did he get an answer ~ which involved a domino effect through the whole downstairs.

I'll spare you ALL the details now, but will share the big change that I am SO GLAD that we did!

This room that leads into our TV snug was once our breakfast room.

We transformed what was once our "breakfast room" into a lovely sitting room. These high-backed loveseats quite literally hug you and create the perfect place for intimate conversations, games of Scrabble, reading, and napping. So cozy!

At first, the fabric was a tad bit out of my comfort zone, but because of some changes we made around it, I adore the bright, polychromatic toile fabric that depicts flora and fauna of India and has a charcoal grey/brown background that grounds it.

Through the magic of AI, I was able to find out that it is called "Tolkein Walnut Mughal Fruit Animal Garden" by Hamilton Fabrics.

Our lab, Rugby, is right at home in the new sitting room

But what made these two beauties even more of a find was their provenance. In a previous life (and fabric) they adorned the stage set of the Broadway musical, Mame!

I just love pieces with a story, don't you?

I truly believe in trusting your gut and buying something you love WHEN you see it.You can figure out how to fit it in later. I've learned that lesson the hard way a couple of times.

What happened to the breakfast room set-up, you ask?

As I hinted above, this change caused a domino effect and also improved other rooms of our home; I'll share more on that in a future letter about another English-style home tip.

Also, I can't tell you how many times in our shop a person comes back to buy a one-of-a-kind item that has been snapped up by another (happy) customer, such as a painting, or an artisan pillow, or a bespoke tote.

"I should have gotten it when I saw it!" is overheard often, and we so wish we could help them!

So, yes, buy that piece that speaks to your heart when you see it. You'll be glad you did.

xo,