Have you finished decorating your home yet?

Whenever I’m tempted to make a rash design decision in my home, a little voice in my head (which sounds suspiciously like my interior designer cousin) will remind me, “Don’t rush! Decorating a home takes time. Typically, I listen to that voice of reason, waiting for the fabric I want for the dining room chairs rather than settling for a quick fix or delaying artwork until I find the right piece for the space. And while I’m promised that this approach will eventually result in a home that’s 100% true to my taste, it often feels like a never-ending process. In an effort to set reasonable expectations, I asked a few respected people Southern design pros, “Have you finished decorating your house yet?” The short answer? No.

The most feisty answer? “Absolutely not,” says Birmingham Decorator Nicole Roby. “Homes are an extension of people and families, and so homes evolve as we do. The function, purpose, trends, and life that is lived in a home are constantly changing, so there is no way so you can really finish decorating your home.”

Chelsea Handegan, decorator from Charleston, South Carolina, agrees, but she says there are smart ways to make an impact without a major raise. “The design of a house constantly evolves to adapt to the changing needs of its inhabitants,” she says. “In my case, it’s constant padding to suit a four-year-old, a cat and a dog. I always preach to customers (and anyone who will listen, really) to spend on quality furniture with good lines and save on upholstery; you will have these coins forever and can collect them multiple times!

For Dallas creator Javier Burkle, those moments of reinvention are part of the fun. “While a young family’s playroom may be the center of attention for a few years, I enjoy helping my clients turn the same space into a casual family room for everyone to enjoy when the children will be taller,” he notes. “I also believe that a house design should tell a cohesive story, which gives room for changing rooms in the house. Try moving an accent chair from the living room to the bedroom, for example, to breathe new life into a favorite room.”

The story continues

A decorator, however, loves a finished project. “As an interior designer, I’m constantly finding beautiful new things, whether on my travels or at industry market events. It’s tempting to want to change things up at home, but I’m a creature of habit,” says Paloma Contreras, based in Houston. “Once my house is done, it’s done, until I’m ready to move in or completely redo it from top to bottom like we did in our last house.” She will concede, however, that small changes can scratch the occasional itch to redecorate until a new canvas comes along. “These days, I tend to keep the big finds exciting for clients and continue to make small changes around the house, like layering artwork and accessories. That said, we just buying a new house and I can’t wait to decorate it!

Like Contreras, Myranda Randle Grulke, of Little Rock, Arkansas, Realtor and Airbnb Ambassador and Superhost, also found that new environments inspire new design ideas. “When we moved from our 2,000 square foot Tudor cottage to our 5,000 square foot mid-century home, my whole decorating perspective changed,” says Grulke. His one constant? Indoor plants.

Ultimately, however, designers say the fluid decorating process is all about creating a home that feels like home, and it’s always worth the wait.

“We love a put together look – an approach that takes time, thought and thought,” adds Burkle. “I advise my clients to choose a fun prop on their travels and buy art if they like it, because the result is a space full of memories and stories you’ll love coming home to. home…that’s what we all want!”

For more Southern Living news, be sure to Subscribe to our newsletter !

Read the original article at southern life.