Psst — We just learned about another way to raise money for the Sandy Hook relief fund: generous Etsy artists are donating proceeds from their shops this week. What a thoughtful idea.
We’re putting final touches on Clara’s handmade Christmas present and will share lots of photos and details tomorrow. In the meantime, many of you asked what we would do differently if we were decorating our first house now, instead of two to six years ago. In a previous video we mentioned that when we revisit old photos we usually spot one or two things we’d change. So here’s a room-by-room rundown of tweaks we’d make today.
The Living Room
What we’d change: The living area didn’t get as much use as we’d hoped, especially in that small 1,250 square-foot house. To make it more inviting and functional we’d swap the delicate glass coffee table for a round, sturdier option or a padded ottoman that can handle toys and game night. We’d also add more color — brighter throw pillows, patterned curtains or lamp shades, and livelier artwork to break up the tone-on-tone palette. A few well-placed accents would make the room feel friendlier and more lived-in.
We put together an overall moodboard of whole-house ideas that would add interest and color throughout: playful fabrics, a mix of rugs in different textures, sculptural lighting, and a couple of statement chairs. Many of the pieces could be found affordably by hunting thrift shops or reupholstering secondhand finds to get the look without overspending.
The Kitchen
What we’d change: We loved that compact kitchen, even if it was narrow enough to touch both counters at once. One big wish: a window facing the backyard rather than into the sunroom. That’s a major renovation we probably wouldn’t tackle, but smaller updates would be easy and impactful: replace the area rug and paint the walls a deeper, moodier color like navy or chocolate to create contrast with the cabinets, then bring in a colorful runner or playful textiles for balance.
The Nursery
What we’d change: The nursery was bright and cheerful — more aligned with our current style than the neutral living room colors. We’d mostly keep it as-is, maybe swap a rug for a bolder pattern or introduce a new accent textile here and there, but overall it’s still a space we love and miss.
Our Bedroom
What we’d change: Our bed sat low, so we’d build it up to include storage underneath — essential in a tiny room. We’d also update bedding over time to something airier, like a fluffy white duvet with patterned pillows, and replace the plain tan curtains with patterned fabric. Swapping the neutral jute rug for a plush shag would make the room feel cozier and more luxurious.
Our Bathroom
What we’d change: We worked on this room later in our time there, so it already felt closer to our current taste with color and contrast. If we lived there now we’d likely add a printed roman shade for the window to introduce more pattern and interest. A few small tweaks — an updated mirror or accent lighting — would finish the space nicely.
The Office / Guest Room / Playroom
What we’d change: I was hesitant about floor-length curtains with the sofa in front of the window, but pulling the sofa off the wall a few inches would have allowed for dramatic, tall drapery. That would make the room feel taller and airier. We’d also replace the mismatched dining chairs at the desk with more comfortable, characterful seating — perhaps a thrifted chair given new life with upholstery — and trade the tiny ottoman for a wider, storage-friendly option.
The Den
What we’d change: Adding a colorful rug brought this space to life. We’d take that further now: add a single large piece of colorful art above the sofa, swap in brighter pillows, and consider subtly patterned curtains to complete the look. A more playful desk chair and a bold lampshade would add personality and lift the whole room.
The Laundry Nook
What we’d change: This small space was surprisingly functional and we still miss it. We liked the hidden shelving behind bamboo blinds and the proximity to the living area, which let us keep an eye on the TV while doing laundry. We’d add a few brighter decorative accents and swap out some leaning art for pieces with more color. Also — swap the gold doorknob for an oil-rubbed bronze finish for a quick style update.
The Half Bathroom
What we’d change: We loved the painted stripes and would keep that playful spirit. To elevate the space we’d choose more interesting sconces, a statement mirror, and a patterned fabric shade for the window to bring in texture and personality. Small swaps like these would make the powder room feel much more deliberate and fun.
The Sunroom
What we’d change: We’d choose a larger jute rug so both daybeds sit comfortably on it, and swap floor cushions and pillows for brighter, patterned fabrics to play up the blue ceiling and the views. If we planned to stay longer, painting the walls crisp white would showcase colorful textiles better and keep the room feeling fresh and breezy.
The Patio
What we’d change: More color outside — bright planters in lime, teal, and tangerine filled with flowers, bold outdoor cushions, and more colorful perimeter plantings would make the patio feel joyful and inviting.
The Basement
What we’d change: The basement renovation was fun and useful, so we’d keep most of it. We probably wouldn’t add seating since it wasn’t used for lounging, but we might paint the door a bright accent color and add extra shelving to accommodate our expanding paint collection.
The Front Yard
What we’d change: Not much. We replaced the worn roof before moving and that helped curb appeal. If we could change anything else, it would be to reduce lawn area over time — add more trees, shrubs, and mulched beds so there’s less mowing and more low-maintenance landscaping.
The Front Porch
What we’d change: We’d build planter boxes beneath the front windows and rearrange seating slightly to make room for them. Large, planted boxes would add instant charm and color to the facade.
The Backyard
What we’d change: We loved this private, sweet lot. If anything, we’d naturalize more of the yard to reduce mowing — add trees and native planting to create a more woodland feel while preserving plenty of open lawn for kids and pets.
That’s our brain dump of what we’d do differently if we were decorating our first house now. It’s fun to look back at old photos and imagine new possibilities. Our core style hasn’t changed — we still love wood floors, white cabinets, jute textures, and cozy throws — but our current home is definitely more colorful and playful. Do you look back at old rooms and think about what you’d change now? It’s amazing how a few strategic swaps can shift a space from neutral to joyful.