Home is Where the Heart Is

Hi!

Welcome to my blog, Kyla's Oasis. I recently embarked on a mission to make my home an oasis that reflects my personality, room by room, through interior design techniques. So I thought, why not share my achievements and mistakes with you? Here goes...

Dorothy said it well, "There's no place like home," and that is nothing but the truth. I live in one of the biggest and most overwhelming cities in the Northeast, NYC. Thus, I've found it necessary to escape to peace and tranquility, and that place of refuge is my home. Logic would therefore dictate that it should to be cozy and very attractive, right?! Well, let's just say it's not quite there yet :-) But it will be. Armed with a solid plan, years of collecting tips and techniques from HGTV (yes I was a bit of a junkie), and much prayer, I declare it will be an oasis!

But that's not all; you can't always be at home, right? Got to pay the bills (and live)! So how does one find peace and tranquility when one is not home? Especially in a city like the one I live in? The answer comes from that old adage, 'Home is where the heart is', and that means we need to do whatever it takes to make our hearts right too. So often we focus mainly on the exterior, clothes, hair, makeup, nice cars, facebook, manicured lawns, pedicures... When was the last time you checked on your soul? If the heart's not right, nothing else will be. Just for the record, this has little to do with romance. But what are you talking about Kyla? My heart's fine! Well, if you're sure that you have peace no matter what the situation, no one is able to rock your boat, and your cup is overflowing with joy always, I say kudos to you! The rest of us will need your help, so do share :-) 

So you've got it, this is a blog about home and self (soul) improvement. I challenge you to follow me and make an oasis of your home, a place that reflects YOU. Did I mention the word affordable? Well, this will not be expensive (I still have to live)! However, I will be providing lower, middle, and higher priced options, just so everyone will feel included ;-)

My home consists of 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom (with a kitchen, dining, and living rooms). The first room I'll tackle is my bedroom. Here's my plan:


1) Buy a larger mattress
2) Select bedding (sheets, pillows, comforters, etc)
2) Improve window treatments
3) Purchase new Dresser and mirror
4) Remove wallpaper, paint walls, sanding, etc
5) Create a reading nook
6) Purchase new bedside tables
7) Add other decorative elements: art, pictures, clock, plants, etc


I recently bought a bed frame, headboard and bedside lamps. I have included a few pictures so you can see the before and after once we're done. As you can see my work is cut out for me :D

I plan to provide updates at least once per week on my progress. This is a huge task, but not impossible. Here are two quotes to bolster your (and mine) courage:

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing." Abraham Lincoln 


"Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might..." Eccles 9:10


Coming next week, finding your personal interior design style (Hint: it's not just one type!)


Happy designing!