Imagine this... you walk in your front door and you notice that school bags are thrown onto the floor, your foyer rug is crooked and needs replacing, there's nothing on the walls in front of you to inspire or welcome you home.  You continue on past your living room and you notice the pillows on the couch have seen better days, there is "stuff" strewn all over the coffee table and you are reminded that you need to spend a few days, if not weeks de-cluttering.  You continue on into the kitchen where dishes are left to fossilize on the counter and sink, the milk has been left out and you have to clean up before you can even think of getting dinner started.

How do you feel?

Sit with that for a moment.

Now,

imagine this....

you walk in your front door and you notice that the school bags are left on the floor, next to them, is a neat, bright rug, you look up and there is a beautiful art print on the wall listing your family rules *it makes you smile*.  You continue on past your living room, your bold pillows make you sigh and the inspiring photography books and gardening magazines remind you that you'll be relaxing and enjoying those soon enough.  You continue on into the kitchen, alas, fossilized dishes remain on the counter, but as you flip on the light switch in the kitchen, that orb light fixture that you just had to have illuminates the kitchen and inspires you to cook up something healthy and nourishing - just as soon as you pour yourself a glass of white and tidy up the kitchen.

Which one is closest to how you feel when you arrive home?

Do you even notice how you feel when you walk into your home, a room, your space?!  Or do you not look for fear of all that you want to change?!

Here's my secret to getting happy fast!

I've been known to change and re-arrange furniture ... a lot.

It makes me happy when I've swapped a table runner, or cushion covers, or even moved the couches around.

It instantly shifts energy, I feel like I'm in a fresh environment and it inspires me to de-clutter a little bit.  I'm of the mindset that your environment affects your mood, your productivity and your happiness level - being happy is at the top of my list!

It doesn't have to mean a huge renovation, or a time consuming project, simple touches are where the bang for your buck is.

My biggest secret to getting happy fast is to frame a piece of art and change it up every now and then.  My mood changes, my inspiration changes, and so does my art work.

Here are a few examples of some ways that I use art in my own home.

{Our own photos from Paris which we took on a recent trip that we cropped and framed.  It reminds us of our great adventure together.}

{This is my kitchen shelf that gets switched up the most!  These are all my pieces and they remind me to be creative everyday.  I like the pop of colour in a neutral space too}

{I've installed a few floating picture rails in my daughter's room where she can place knick knacks and her most recent creations!}

{Using a piece of furniture like this antique desk that I refinished and painted black, adds interest to a corner in our living room.  Place a few great pieces on it and around it and it makes for a great stage to re-decorate as often as you like! It even doubles as a bar when we are entertaining!}

For more art ideas, visit the art shop and have a poke around.

What do you do to change up your space?  Do you have any tips to share?  I'd love to hear from you.

P.S. {If you think this post will help a friend make a few tweaks to their space and inspire them too, please share it!}

Nicki xo