The perks of downsizing keep revealing themselves, most recently while shopping for curtains and blinds. The experience highlighted how different furnishing this home feels compared to our previous houses and emphasized the freedoms that come with a smaller, more considered space. We also reflected on how past pandemics and hygiene concerns have influenced home design over time—things like separate powder rooms, bright white kitchens, and higher bed frames all have histories rooted in health, convenience, and cultural shifts. Plus, we share our honest thoughts on the new Frame TV and even muse about whether your birthday can genuinely help you pick the right houseplants.
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What’s New
- Here’s a photo of the new bedroom curtains. They’re the Emery Linen curtains from Pottery Barn in Ivory with a blackout lining, 84″ length. They still need a good steam, but they’re a dramatic upgrade over the packing blankets we were using. The thicker fabric and blackout lining make the room feel cozier and more finished while also adding privacy and light control.
- We paired those curtains with brass curtain rods and matching rings, which gave the window a subtle, warm accent and elevated the overall look. Choosing hardware that coordinates with other finishes in the room instantly ties elements together.
- We still love the Ikea Lenda curtains we used in our last house for being affordable and easy to style. In this new space, however, we preferred a less stark white and wanted the blackout feature, so we chose a different option here. Simple styling tips—like adding a lining, shortening or lengthening hems, and pairing curtains with the right rod—can make budget curtains read more expensive.
Updates
- There are fascinating examples of how previous pandemics and hygiene movements reshaped residential architecture and interior design: separate powder rooms and mudrooms for cleanliness and privacy, bright and easily cleanable kitchen finishes, and bedroom features adapted for airflow and comfort. These design shifts show how public health concerns can leave a lasting mark on everyday living spaces.
- We’ve discussed expert predictions about how the coronavirus pandemic might influence future home design—greater emphasis on flexible spaces, better air filtration, and areas that can function as home offices or wellness corners are a few trends to watch. Observing historic responses to disease provides useful context for understanding modern changes.
- For plant lovers who like a bit of fun with their greenery, there’s a recent trend pairing zodiac signs with houseplants. While it’s lighthearted, choosing plants based on your lifestyle, available light, and time for care usually leads to better long-term success than horoscopes alone.
We’re Digging
- In our living area you can now see both the new Frame TV and the felt baskets we use to corral games and media. The Frame TV blends into the room as a piece of art when not in use, which is a nice solution for keeping walls from feeling dominated by a dark screen.
- The Frame comes with a beige bezel as standard; however, it’s possible to swap bezels to better match your décor or opt for a bezel-free look. Choosing a bezel color that complements nearby finishes helps the display feel intentional and integrated.
- If you’re having difficulty getting personal photos or artwork to display correctly on the Frame, resizing images to the correct pixel dimensions—users have found 3840 x 2160 pixels to work well—often resolves distortion and cropping issues. Ensuring your files match the screen’s resolution makes digital artwork look crisp and properly framed.
- We also enjoyed a recent movie that made for a fun evening; it’s entertaining and a bit cheeky in places, so keep that content warning in mind if language or mature humor is a concern.
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