The Question That Stops Us: Where Do I Even Start?

Where do you start when you want to transform a space?

That question can feel surprisingly paralyzing. Whether you're refreshing a patio, redesigning a living room, or tackling a full home makeover, the options and decisions can quickly become overwhelming.

There are plenty of decorating hacks and design rules out there. But before any of that matters, there’s a deeper question worth answering first:

Why?

Once the “why” becomes clear, the decorating process stops feeling like pressure and starts feeling like an adventure.

That’s exactly what happened with my patio refresh.

Over the next few posts, I’ll share the process of bringing this outdoor space back to life—along with some simple decorating principles that can completely transform a space without buying all new furniture.

But first, let me share the “why.”

When Your Creative Energy Goes Somewhere Else

Since purchasing our first store, Memories Vintage Market, in 2020, almost all of my decorating energy has gone into the stores. Honestly, most of my energy overall has gone there.

Home slowly became a place I passed through rather than a place I invested in.

I’d sprinkle effort here and there, but never with the same intention and creativity I gave to the stores. Eventually, I realized something had to change.

The Quiet Conversation That Changed My Perspective

At one point I asked God a question I come back to often:

"Am I really doing what I'm supposed to be doing?"

His gentle answer surprised me and filled me with both hope and curiosity.

"Amy, you can do everything you need to do. We just need to address the little issue of perfectionism and control."

Oh… just those little guys?

I knew God could work with whatever I surrendered to Him. I just didn’t know how that would unfold. It took another year before I was ready to agree to the terms of surrender, and things aligned enough for a real shift to begin.

Slowly, I started realizing something important:

I wanted to (and could actually) give my best gifts not only to my work—but also to my family.

Why This Patio Matters Now

This summer, as I plan to reprioritize home and family, I look forward to memories and moments that matter.

That shift changed my motivation almost immediately.

Suddenly I wanted our poolside patio to feel inviting. I wanted it to be a place where we could gather, relax, laugh, and enjoy the summer together.

A place to:

• Start quiet mornings

• Work while the kids swim

• Host friends

• Slow down as a family

For years I avoided decorating spaces unless I had the time, money, and energy to make them perfect.

But here's what I'm learning:

Decorating becomes a lot more joyful when you remove perfection from the equation.

Letting Go of Perfect

Understanding a few decorating principles and allowing the process to unfold over time completely changes the experience.

Instead of pressure, it becomes play.

Instead of perfection, it becomes adventure.

My “why” for this space isn’t about impressing anyone. It’s not about creating a magazine-worthy patio.

It’s about loving my family, enjoying our home, and sharing with friends.

The Reality of Our Space

Over the past few years, our Summer hosting has definitely slowed down.

And when we did host, it was usually the high school football team.

My pride took a hit every time someone saw our home in its uninspiring state… but honestly, teenage boys were probably more impacted by pizza, swim, and being part of the family than my would-be image as a skilled decorator.

Still, this space never felt like somewhere I wanted to linger.

It was functional.

But it wasn’t inviting.

It wasn't nothing.

It was a place to start.

The Starting Point

Here’s the reality of the patio before the refresh.

It worked.

But it wasn’t a space that called my name or offered a retreat for the soul.

With my renewed focus on family and creating a place of emotional and creative rest, I was finally ready to bring transformation.

I wanted this space to become:

• A cozy morning spot

• A creative outdoor workspace

• A gathering place for friends and family

And most importantly—a place that reflects real life, not perfection.

The Decorating Principles That Will Transform This Space

Throughout this patio project, I’ll be sharing a few decorating principles and tips that make a huge impact:

• Color

• Opposites and contrast

• Rug size

• Sourcing quality pieces

• Plants

• Lighting

• Embracing the process

It’s amazing how balancing these elements can transform a space you once overlooked into your favorite place in the house.

Decorating Principle #1: Color

This space originally felt a little… blah.

Nothing terrible. But nothing inspiring either.

So I started with something simple: color.

After sweeping away the winter leaves, I gathered a few things I already had and brought in some blue accents.

These blue cushions were actually purchased for completely different seating.

They don’t technically fit these chairs.

And honestly?

That little imperfection might be exactly what makes the space feel more relaxed and welcoming. It serves as an unspoken permission to be real.

The Secret Design Trick: Opposites

You’re already seeing one of my favorite design principles at work: opposites.

Great spaces almost always include contrast.

Think about opposites in:

• Texture

• Color

• Shape

• Style

• Pattern scale

• Materials

Contrast creates dimension.

When a space feels flat or uninspiring, people often think they need a full remodel or all new furniture. But very often, simply adding contrast is enough to create the transformation they’re looking for.

Sometimes a few thoughtful adjustments are all it takes. We will unpack more about color and contrast in the coming posts.

Coming Next in the Patio Refresh

In the next post, I’ll share another decorating hack that completely changes how a space feels:

Rug size.

It’s one of the most common decorating mistakes people make—and one of the easiest fixes.

And we’ll keep watching this patio slowly come to life.