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Minimalist Beauty

living simply with grace, discretion and faith

Minimalist Beauty

Through The Looking Glass–Our City Home

September 17, 2012 by Dawn Michelle

Well hello, come on in!  How’s your day going so far?  I feel pretty rested after a much needed break, yet glad to be back too.  I can finally say that over the past three years of decluttering my home, I’ve finally found some balance through having the minimalist home that I desire.

My ideal decor always includes just enough color and artistry while still keeping things simple.

I thought you may enjoy seeing a bit of my home today.  I wanted to share with you my living room through “the looking glass”.  I recently received an Olloclip for my birthday.  I couldn’t help but want to photograph my living room with the fish eye lens for fun.  Yes, my birthday was last week hence also my week off from writing.

Some things have definitely changed since I last photographed the living room. For starters we no longer have a desktop computer. Now my husband and I both have laptops. The desk area is now my sewing station as well as holds our printer and other business supplies for my Etsy shop Azuha.

You may notice that I added a wooden table runner that we already had to the top of the bookshelf which is slightly different than the decor in Beautiful Books.  I gave two vases a new home on top of the shelf along with fresh sunflowers in a ridiculously large beer mug.

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Much of our furniture is a dark espresso wood which I’ve always thought to be so elegant.  When decorating with dark espresso wood, it is important to use contrasting colors in some form to prevent the overall look being too dark.  We are lucky to have light colored wood floors as a contrast.

I’ve been playing around with adding color with fresh flower, plants, bright colored throw pillows, and a few art pieces.

I love the light wicker basket next to the computer desk which holds the colorful yarns and other materials that I use for my Etsy store Azuha.  Functional decor is the ideal way to decorate.  The patchwork throw pillow adds so much festive color.  My hubby picked that one out!  Good choice Love!

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Although not minimalist at all, a rather large possession that has entered our home is the huge flat screen television which my husband proudly brought home one day.  I can easily live without TV mostly because I love the internet.  My husband is not so much the same.  Honestly if we were the same, things would be extremely boring.

My favorite succulent plant is now on our coffee table and continues to grow wild.  I’m sure that it is long past due to be re-potted.  Although fresh flowers are absolutely beautiful, I think potted plants are even better.

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One of the most important elements of any place that I live is to have a large open space to dance, exercise, and do yoga.  I would rather have the space over things.

Abundant space is necessary for me to feel free.

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I have a bunch of other decorating ideas that I will probably do before the year is over.

I love reinventing items we already have and creating a new space and energy with it in a new way.

I have a few ideas on displaying some of the artwork that we have in a more abstract way.  I look forward to sharing that with you when I can.

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I’ve continually been going through photos this summer and I’ve created a scrapbook that I adore. I’m one who enjoys keeping memories in physical form just never too many.

The idea of a mixed media collage of photography on canvas seems like the perfect art piece.

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Oh, you have to go now?  OK, well thanks for stopping by!  Maybe next time we can have a more leisure visit and even my favorite chai tea.  And just in case you are interested, make sure you check out some of articles that help with decluttering here.

See more from my home here.  Have a beautiful day!

(Images by Dawn Michelle)

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  1. Renee says

    September 17, 2012 at 11:26 am

    Like you I love s p a c e 🙂 . Clutter and alot of stuff stresses me out and I feel enclosed. I would be fine with just a bed and a place to eat. I have children…who love “stuff” so its hard to get rid of everything. So my bedroom is my room for spaciousness. Im loving your open decor.

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      September 17, 2012 at 12:11 pm

      Thanks so much Renee! Everyone has such a different perspective when it comes to things. I try to keep my personal possessions under “control” and minimized while my husbands things consolidated. What works for you?

      Reply
  2. Phoenix Brown says

    September 17, 2012 at 11:51 am

    I love the simplicity! Such a beautiful, airy energy…

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      September 17, 2012 at 12:03 pm

      Thank you Phoenix! Hope all is well with you!

      Reply
  3. Renee says

    September 17, 2012 at 7:39 pm

    Hi Dawn
    Im the type of person who doesnt like to collect and hold on to things. While I like these super simple I let my kids create their own environment…in the bedrooms. Other areas are a mix of everyone. I found this to be helpful in allowing everyone to express themselves. I want so bad to get rid of the walls and having a big open house…maybe once the nest is empty.

    Reply
  4. moya says

    August 13, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    love your living area-For an even more streamlined look you could re hang your pictures keeping the top row always in a straight line. Also you could put that chair back over with the others. Love the picture above the table.

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      August 14, 2013 at 6:22 am

      Hi Moya,
      Thanks so much for the suggestions! We currently moved to a different place this past January, yet I did enjoy some aspects of our former home too. The picture above the table is a piece of art my father painted for me after doing the Broadway Tour of Aida. It is one of my absolute favorites!

      Reply
  5. Sue says

    January 7, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    Hi, I think your approach to minimilism, is so buddist, letting go of “stuff” and attachments is a monumental task, because as you know, we convince ourselves we need it! You must be so much happier mentally, well done, you are welcome to come and spend 3 months at my house to do the same for me.(joking?) you are a being of light. cosmic love sue x

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      January 7, 2014 at 4:46 pm

      Hi Sue,
      Thank you so much for your beautiful comment! My mother feels the same way about the 3 months at her house LOL! Wishing you a wonderful joy filled new year <3

      Reply
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living simply with grace, discretion and faith

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