As the warmer weather gives way to evenings in the 40’s and the grass (or sand) turns to mud and leaves, I am desperately trying to savor what is left of outside living. I am one of the millions of people that tend to feel a little “blah” right around the time the first round of leaves have been raked.

This year, in an effort to really enjoy my new home and all of the seasons that I will watch change from the windows, I have decided to be proactive. I’m recreating some of the things that I love about the outside, inside.

1. Plants

Step one for me was to do a little research on houseplants. I have a notorious black thumb, and have always leaned more toward cut flowers because of it. (They are going to die anyways, right?!) This year I went on a frenzied Internet search to find the easiest, most patient and tolerant plants that I could find! This list from Today.com proved very helpful http://on.today.com/1HxZhfW

After determining the types of plants that I can (maybe?) handle I set out for the store. I should have assessed the kind of light each room in my house had, but I didn’t. I would suggest that you do, because now I have plants for days in some rooms, and none in others. But I can’t even begin to tell you how much adding a plant or two really gave my rooms life! I love, love, love passing through the kitchen or writing on my sofa and seeing that burst of green. Fingers crossed these babies can survive me through the winter!

2. The Right Lighting

I have and will always be a lamp girl. I LOVE a good lamp. My husband much prefers the overhead light, but I feel like lamps add a certain depth and mood that no overhead can. This year I was able to successfully add a lamp to our kitchen without his ever noticing! It may be because one of the things that we overlooked when buying our home was the lack of ceiling lights--we have THREE rooms that have no lighting fixture! I’m cool with it: as soon as the time changed, I went on a lamp-happy shopping spree!

Possibly one of the coolest lamps that I have found is a snazzy geode lamp! (You can see examples here http://bit.ly/1GPduY9) This little piece of nature helps bring a bit of the outdoors in. Paired with my new plants, it is like we are living in the biodome!

In all seriousness, my lamps allow me to brighten up otherwise dark dark depressing looking spots in my home. The next lighting purchase on my list is under the kitchen cabinet mounted lights. Anything to lend a little light to my cooking skills!

3. All the Smells!

I will have to admit that since my Facebook feed became clogged with essential oil promotions and invites to online essential oil parties I have been skeptical. How could so many people get so deeply involved so quickly? And why would they want to show me pics of their essential kits over pics of their super-cute families?? It had to be a scam, right? Well friends, I think I’m about to take the dive into the world of essential oils. After my son’s classroom started diffusing them for calmness (I will try anything that will calm the kids), my friends started showing up without the drippy noses that our family seems to be always suffering from, and walking into a home that housed 3 big dogs and smelling nothing but light lavender...I’m in! I haven’t received my diffuser yet, but I have started using a drop or two in my bathroom and it smells pleasant now!

Until I get my diffuser (ahem...my birthday is next week) I will stick to the nature-inspired candles that I have snapped up recently. Nothing makes a long cold rainy day feel better like a whiff of spiced apple. When I need a mental vacay, tropical and citrusy scents all the way.

It is scientifically proven that the olfactory sense can affect the brain in major ways. Some days I miss my family, and when that happens certain smells can take me back to the farm in a heartbeat. Slow down and smell the roses, or the fir trees, or the fresh cut grass, people!

4. Layer on the Texture!

In the North Carolina summertime, it is hot. To beat the heat, I tend to strip down my house to the bare necessities. Blankets take seasonal residence in the linen closet, many of our rugs are banished to storage, and curtains never close. As soon as the weather takes a turn however, month by month layers are added.

This year, after moving into a house that sports beautiful hardwoods and very cold tile, I upped my layering game! My favorite layer thus far is the new wool rug in our den. It feels like sunny clouds under our chilly feet.

With little kids in the house, who like to touch everything that they pass, a variety of texture makes sense. We’ve pulled out muted flannels, thick velvets, and silky faux furs. Look outside for the layers that naturally adorn your yard. Our area doesn’t disappoint. Replicate the silk of the sand, the lightness of the ocean foam, the fuzzy sea oat tops. Pick your outdoor dream spot and replicate it inside. By surrounding ourselves with what we love about the outside, it is making it so much easier to stay inside.

5. Rain Boots and a Coat

As much as I love my house, and as much as I am sure you love yours, Southeastern NC’s natural beauty is just too amazing to stay away from! Get yourself some nice boots and a good coat and go explore.

If you haven’t found that home that nurtures you through the cooler months, contact us. We can find the view, the land, or the neighborhood that you’ll love enough to never leave!

http://www.seacoastrealty.com/