Decorating With Flowers

Helllllooooo 2019! My goodness I can’t believe it’s already mid-January and I’m finally getting the ball rolling over here. Like 99% of you, I have been going through a major cleaning and organizing purge during the first few weeks of the new year! I took down Christmas and in the process decided to purge A LOT. So much in fact I had several people ask if we are moving. Nope, just cleaning things out for a fresh start! Over the past few years I have started to really minimize my decor, focus on less is more, less clutter, more clean lines. I want to love each piece that is in our home and also have it be practical (with a few exceptions of course!). It has been a big shift in my design style from previous years when I felt the need to fill every single space with lots and lots of stuff.

All this to say, I am definitely feeling the bare naked house now that the Christmas decor is gone and I have fewer items in all the rooms. On one hand it feels great and on the other, it needed a little something. Anyone else feeling this way? I have a solution.

FLOWERS!!!! I know it’s technically still winter but I’m already itching for spring and wanted our house to have a fresh feel to it and give it a little pop of color. Decorating with flowers is one of the best ways to bring color into your home and instantly give it a new look. They are beautiful, elegant, and make the house feel so welcoming.

I headed out to find some beautiful blooms to fill our home with during this in-between season. I always find myself drawn to blush pink tones during this time of year. I find that the classic, soft, romantic tones provide a really fun contrast with my harder black and white decor. Sometimes it’s the unexpected changes that become the most fruitful.

Seasons of Change

As we head into this new year, I can tell you one thing….. 2019 is going to bring about a lot of change for our family. For the past 7 years we/I have been so focused on raising our three little babies and taking one step at a time through these crazy years that not a whole lot has really changed in our daily lives except one big move, 30 minutes away, and adapting to the kids’ changing schedules. I don’t think I’ve ever gone into a new year SO excited to see what our lives look like by the time we ring in 2020.

We are at the point where our kids are getting older, we don’t have any nappers anymore, all of them will be in some amount of school next year, life in a lot of ways is getting easier (but busier), and we feel like we are in such a great place. I truly love this stage of life right now and it feels like the right time to start taking a few leaps of faith.

I started blogging over 7 years ago with the desire to tap into my creative roots and it has turned into such a wonderful career for me. I don’t take this community for granted, that’s for sure! I have always thought of this little space/business as a stepping stone to where I want to be one day but that end goal has often been foggy in sight. Every step of the way I have felt God molding me, refining my desires and passions and helping me grow. There have been so many times I have thought about stepping away and closing this chapter of my life but God has made it VERY clear that this is right where I’m supposed to be and to keep going.

Over the last 2 years, I have been praying for more direction and clarity as to what my future holds in the design space. Home decor, design, interiors, all of that is such a passion for me and a place where I feel my creativity blooms the best and it’s something I want to expand on. I have thought about writing a book, taking on interior design clients, doing residential design, doing commercial design, flipping houses, starting to do more videos, the list goes on….

Last year ended up being one of my very favorite years of blogging, EVER. It ended up being one of my most successful years as well. I’m telling you this not to brag but to say that I think I started to really pull back the fog a little bit and see a clearer vision into where I want to take this business in the future and I have the big Man above to thank for that. It’s hard to be still and listen sometimes, and I’m still learning how to do it. But it’s worth it.

Taking A Leap of Faith

I am so excited for 2019 to see where this space goes and how it will evolve. I’ve seen various blogs close down over the past year and I can tell you one thing, I’m not going anywhere any time soon and I’m even more excited to share some of the bigger things that are in store. This year will be the year of taking quite a few leaps of faith, going after some big goals being ready for change. My husband keeps telling me to ‘just go for it’ and we are really diving into this year with a lot of unknowns ahead but also ready to meet the challenge.

Going into January with the knowledge that this year is going to get a little crazy has put me into a crazy ‘nesting’ phase. And no, there are NO BABIES this year, but I do feel like I’m mentally preparing myself during this calm before the storm. Simplifying the house, selling off all unnecessary items, getting our family more and more organized and making our house feel fresh as we enter this new year is actually really helping me feel prepared and at peace!

So bring on 2019 because I have a feeling this year is going to be one wild ride!

Photos by the wonderful Shaylnn Marie Photography

About Taryn Whiteaker

Taryn Whiteaker is the voice of style behind TarynWhiteaker.com (formerly Design, Dining and Diapers) ! Taryn is a previous PR/Marketing professional who got back to her creative roots after becoming a mom and now shares her passion for home decor and design for the world to see. Taryn lives in the greater Seattle area with her husband and three kids and loves coffee, the outdoors, and exploring with her family.