The Curated Life No. 5

Discover simple home decor ideas, style tips, and seasonal inspiration through The Curated Life…your guide to living beautifully every day.

1.) Neat In No Time

I’m always amazed at how just a few minutes of tidying can make such a difference. This week, I focused on two small but often-overlooked spots: my cloth napkins and silverware drawer. Neither project took long, but both felt like great little wins. Sometimes, it’s these tiny resets that leave the biggest impact, and the most satisfying sense of calm.

• Cloth Napkins: for a while now, I knew I needed a better solution for storing my cloth napkins. I figured I’d need either a large drawer or some kind of bin, but honestly, I didn’t think a bin would work well. After a bit of rearranging, I was able to clear out a drawer in the dresser in our foyer. I gathered all my napkins from their various spots, laundered the ones that needed a refresh, and took the time to fold or iron each set. Now they’re all neatly stored together in one drawer, easy to see and ready to use. It’s a small thing, but it feels so good to have them organized. (Make your own fringed linen cloth dinner napkins!)

• The silverware drawer already had a good storage system in place, so all it really needed was a quick declutter and a good cleaning. It’s amazing how many crumbs seem to collect in there! I removed a few random and mismatched items, gave the organizer a wash, and then put the beaded flatware neatly back in place. It only took about 20 minutes, but now every time I open that drawer, it makes me smile.

3.) Magazine-Worthy Made Simple

In this segment of The Curated Life, I link to a home tour, renovation, or makeover. After you click over and take a look, please come back and read my own take-aways…and get a few ideas for how to make them work in simple, practical ways.

First…

This home is filled with charm, character, and thoughtful design details. Take a moment to explore, then come back for a few simple ideas to help bring that same feeling into your own space, without the high-end price tag.

How To Get The Look

• I love the use of a round table and stools in the kitchen instead of a traditional island. It feels cozier and more relaxed, and it’s a great reminder that you don’t need built-in cabinetry to create a functional gathering spot. If your kitchen doesn’t already have an island, this setup could be easily replicated with very little effort.
• The formal dining room in this home also functions as a library, and I think that’s just brilliant. If space allows, adding a bookcase to a blank wall in your dining area is a simple way to introduce warmth, personality, and purpose. Not everyone has a formal dining room (myself included), but this idea is a smart way to make any space work a little harder.
• Last week, I mentioned how tricky it can be to decide what to hang over a bed. In the smaller bedroom of this home, they used a grid of framed botanicals…and it’s such a beautiful solution. It’s orderly, elegant, and adds just the right amount of interest without overwhelming the space.
• At the top of the stairs, there’s a small table holding a pitcher of fresh flowers. It’s a soft, unexpected detail in a transitional spot…and a lovely reminder that focal points don’t have to be large or expensive. Sometimes, a single thoughtful touch in the right place can make all the difference.

4.) THE FOLLOW-UP FILE

After sending out my guide to decorating with neutral pillows, I realized I forgot to mention one important detail…the inserts I rely on and love. I use down feather inserts that come in a set of two, each with a white cotton cover. They’re available in 15 sizes, have nearly 12,000 glowing reviews, and best of all, they hold that karate chop shape for days. No strange smell, no fluffing every five minutes, just classic comfort and structure that really lasts. Here’s the link if you’d like to take a look. Right now they are on a limited time deal and are 20% off.

5.) THINGS WORTH MENTIONING

• What’s ahead on Sunday: even though there’s still plenty of summer left, I’ve slowly started turning my thoughts toward fall. There’s no rush, and you can ease into the season at your own pace, but a little planning never hurts. With that in mind, I’ll be sharing a collection of fall ideas that is guaranteed to have something for everyone, along with a fresh recipe for an autumn romaine salad that’s perfect for this time of year.
• What you might have missed: like I mentioned above, I shared a complete guide to decorating with neutral pillows, a yummy recipe for chocolate zucchini cake, and a fall blooming clematis that is a real show-stopper!
• I’m going to start sending a little something extra on Saturdays. One cozy idea for fall or the holidays…just simple, seasonal inspiration delivered right to your inbox. If you’re around this weekend, I hope you’ll take a look.
• If you enjoy British cop shows, I just watched Patience on PBS Masterpiece. I really liked all the main characters and was happy to find out that a second season is in the works.