When my children were younger it wasn’t easy to decorate.

I had four little people under the age of six.

I’d add a pillow.

They’d un-pillow it.

I’d fold up blankets and put them in a basket.

They’d un-blanket it.

I’d stack books with metal spheres on the coffee table and they would un-coffee table it.

It always takes a little longer when you are decorating with friends.

And now?

Now my kids are older.

They don’t really un-decorate any more.

Now, instead of taking away the decor, they add to it.

They add plates of pizza crusts and water bottles and homework and almost empty bowls of honey nut Cheerios.

They sprinkle the room with shoes and coats and basketballs and baseball bags and sweatshirts and stinky socks.

Yesterday, as I picked up the room and straightened the pillows and stacked the pizza plates and gathered up the water bottles…

….I realized that all those days of decorating with extra help were over.

Until.

Until I started adding a little farmhouse decorating to the master bedroom.

Everywhere I went.

Every jewelry box drawer I closed.

Every shade I opened.

Every pillow I fluffed….

 ….eight furry paws followed my every move.

They followed me as I made the bed.

They followed me as I straightened the ottoman.

They traveled from room to room with me as I tweaked and fluffed and moved accessories all around the house.

They even helped me un-decorate a little here and there.

They stayed with me every decorating step of the way.

Until.

All that activity wore them out.

Bonzai climbed up into his bed.

And Buddy?

He took a nap in the hallway.

I guess he wanted to guard the door….

….just in case I needed any more help. 🙂

PS  I just added these amazing tufted chairs to my Painted Fox shop.

I love the tufting on the back and the sides and the texture of the material and the distressed finish on the legs.

And the best part?

They are extra comfortable.

Perfect for watching all things Victoria.

You can see the shop here.  You can see the chairs here.  Use the code HELLOBEAUTIFUL to get 25% off right now with free shipping….

…just in case you were decorating with friends, too. 🙂

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Shirley Shirley

    Your post made me smile! So true. My children are grown up but I have 2 cats now. As soon as I change the bed they magically seem to know & appear.Changing a duvet cover is a nightmare! ?

  2. Image for Donnamae Donnamae

    Your assistants did a great job! Our assistant, Bowser...a cat, was helping my hubby fix a cabinet door. Bowser opens the door....goes in, and can't get back out! We are back to putting child locks on our cabinets...gotta love helpers! ;)

    1. Image for kim domingue kim domingue

      Sigh. One dog, one cat. Cat can open anything that isn't locked. Opens closed doors for the dog. Dog will tote, carry or drag anything the cat can't move by herself. The cat will jump up and procure or knock down anything the dog wants and can't reach. And they both love, love, love to "help" me and/or the hubs with any and all tasks and projects. They both delight in hiding important things so their two legged pets will play the hunt and (sometimes) find game with them and provide us with some excersize. Their concern for our health is touching, lol! They are a terrible twosome!

  3. Image for Marisa Franca @ All Our Way Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    Well, I was going to beg you to post a picture of an eight-footed furry friend. I thought it might be a humongous spider. *shudder* I do miss the undecorating and even the added decorating. I love it when they come and everything is wild and the rooms seem to come to life. The fabric of the chair is gorgeous. It would look great in our family room. :-) Have a super Super Bowl Sunday Weekend. Hugs!

  4. Image for sandi sandi

    I have 8 Maltese paws that help me as well! They fit well into my color scheme. It is a great club that we belong to!

  5. Image for Michelle Michelle

    Oh, I remember those days! April's favorite thing after going through her books was to read a mazagine in the liverloom. Translation: 'read a magazine in the living room,' which essentially meant I'd be picking up mazagines all over the liverloom floor by the time she was done. But I knew I had a little book person on my hands, which made me very happy. Now, my present little friend (of the four-legged variety) is too short to 'un' anything, thank goodness, but I've had animals that would. Especially the larger ones. I cherished their company, though, and I know you do too. When the kids are at school and hubby is at work, their company is priceless. By the way, love, love, love the new chairs! I'm like you, though, it could be the most beautiful fabric in just the right style but if it's not comfortable, it's not going home with me. ;-)

  6. Image for Peg Peg

    And...someday soon you'll have empty nest like me! I'd go back to when they were little and un-decorating everything in a heartbeat!!

  7. Image for Jenni Jenni

    I have followed your blog for the longest time and I have never knew about your Painted Fox Shop!? I mean I think I read that right. You added those chairs to YOUR shop. I was scrolling through and noticed a few things I saw when I tagged along with my decorator friend at the Dallas Market. I fell in love with everything but there was a dog paper towel holder that kept me up at nights. It was so cruel I couldn't buy anything? When I started recognize things I instantly jumped to the kitchen section and my heart stopped when I found it!!! I am placing an order for sweet Bart today??. I love your shop!!!!

  8. Image for Jenifer Jenifer

    Didn't think your room could look prettier! Those armchairs are so elegant. I have a question regarding the rug, though. What type of rug is it and where did it come from? Well, two questions, then! Have a happy Friday!!

  9. Image for Linda Linda

    Love those furry fuzzy 8 paws. Nothing like those kinds of helpers ! I lost one of my beloved Golden helper about 3 weeks ago. He was only 6 years old. Broken hearted. Still crying. Still have my other Golden. Give your furry friends a big hug and kiss. Enjoy them !

  10. Image for Colleen@LilacDriveDesigns Colleen@LilacDriveDesigns

    I have 2 fur kids that like to follow me around the house when I clean and decorate too. If I turn around too quickly I will (and almost have many times) trip right over one of them! Eventually they figure out that I'm not doing anything that involves (a) leaving the house without them or (b) getting them a treat, so they usually go lay down somewhere nearby so they can still keep an eye on me, lol!

  11. Image for Moriah Moriah

    No matter how crazy my day my be, I always try to take time to read your posts. They're always beautifully written and photographed. you have a wonderful way of drawing me in and I feel as if we're two friends talking away. What a gift you have ;)

  12. Image for Angie M Angie M

    I too decorate with friends. Two sweet fur babies that always look at me like "not again." Oh well, at least I like the changes.

  13. Image for Jean Jean

    Your prices for your store items are very high. In fact I have several of the items and yours are doubled. I just love so many of them, but too too high.

  14. Image for Bonnie Schulte Bonnie Schulte

    Making memories..it is, what it is all about..Always, always love your post, this one hit the spot..(on my heart of memories...

  15. Image for Cecilia Cecilia

    Aw, your furry friends are so adorable. Mine follow me too and keep me company. It's so nice. I love your pretty room! And those chairs! sigh. Last time I tried to put something light colored in the farmhouse, I was told it wouldn't do. He was afraid he'd get it dirty. Sadly, he was right. I need darker colors. But I can dream! Have a wonderful, happy week! Hugs, Cecilia

  16. Image for Zolane Zolane

    As always, I love your stories and the way they go right to our hearts. Those chairs are beautiful, KariAnne and look so pretty in your space. And I love that your little furry friends joined in the decorating!

  17. Image for Dawn Blasey Dawn Blasey

    I really like your taste and style. I would be interested in getting involved with what you do in some small aspect.

  18. Image for debra debra

    Love the chairs- Are they FIRM? The bad part about buying furniture online is that you can't try them out first! I can only sit in very firm chairs!

  19. Image for Sara @ finditfixitorbuildit.com Sara @ finditfixitorbuildit.com

    I'm currently living in a repeatedly un-pillowed and un-blanketed home:) At least it's getting better every year! Your room is absolutely beautiful. I love how light and bright it is!

Comments are closed.