I didn’t always know how to describe my home style. For years, I tried to fit into popular design trends, pinning inspiration from every style imaginable; farmhouse one day, coastal the next, with a little French country mixed in. But nothing ever felt quite right.
It wasn’t until I started embracing the reality of where I live, an old house in a small, rural town in Pennsylvania, that things began to click. Slowly, I stopped chasing trends and started paying attention to what truly felt like home. And what emerged was a style that reflects the pace of my life, the charm of our surroundings, and the stories of the things I love most.
Today, I’m sharing how living in a small town has shaped my decorating style and helped me adopt a slower, more meaningful approach to creating a home I truly love. My hope is that by sharing this with you, you’ll begin to see ways you can create a home you truly love too.
Where I Live Influences How I Live
Our home is an 1880s brick colonial in the heart of a tiny town. We’re surrounded by historic buildings, rolling farmland, and a community that still takes the time to say hello on the sidewalk. Life here moves at a gentler pace. There are fewer stores, fewer distractions, and honestly… less pressure to keep up with the constant churn of what’s new and trendy.
That simplicity has filtered into the way I decorate, and the way I approach decorating.
My Style: A Blend of Old, New, and Lived-In
Living in a small town means I don’t have quick access to chain decor stores or same-day delivery of trendy home goods. But I do have:
- Antique stores filled with pieces that have a story
- Local thrift shops with hidden gems
- Yard sales that offer treasures you didn’t know you needed
Over time, my style has become a mix of:
- Traditional and vintage pieces
- Cottage and classic influences
- Warm wood tones, creamy neutrals, and muted greens and blues
- A deep love of texture, history, and imperfection
It’s not a style you can replicate from a single catalog or blog post. It’s collected. Layered. Evolving.
Why I Decorate Slowly (and Why I Love It)
There’s a kind of peace that comes from not rushing. Whether it’s waiting months for the perfect light fixture or living with bare walls until I find the right art, I’ve learned to enjoy the process. Here’s why:
- I Make Fewer Regret Purchases
When I wait, I tend to choose better; pieces with longevity, character, and meaning.
- I Appreciate the Process More
There’s a special kind of joy that comes from finally finding the mirror or stumbling upon a vintage piece that completes a room.
- My Home Evolves Naturally
Instead of trying to finish a room in a weekend, I let it tell me what it needs over time.
- I Focus on How It Feels, Not Just How It Looks
Because I live in a place where beauty is found in the everyday, in chipped paint, old barns, wildflowers, I’ve learned to see my home the same way.
How to Embrace a Slower, More Intentional Decorating Style
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to keep up with trends or completely transform your home overnight, here are a few tips I’ve learned:
- Start with What You Have
Use what you already own and love. Rearranging, repainting, or reimagining existing pieces is often more satisfying than buying something new.
- Let Go of “Perfect”
Homes are meant to be lived in. Allow your space to be in-progress and know that it doesn’t need to be Instagram-ready to be meaningful. The journey is part of the fun!
- Take Your Time
Collect slowly. Wait for the right piece. Make room for discovery and change. Allow yourself to live in your space so you can made better choices when you are ready to buy.
- Reflect Your Environment
Let your surroundings, whether that’s a city skyline or a country field, inspire your palette, textures, and materials.
Final Thoughts
Living in a small town taught me to slow down, to appreciate charm over perfection, and to decorate with intention rather than impulse. It’s shaped not just my style, but the way I view my home, as a reflection of our life, our memories, and what brings us joy.
So if you’re feeling stuck or uncertain about your home’s style, take a breath. Let it come together slowly. Focus on how you want your home to feel, and the rest will follow, piece by piece, moment by moment.
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