My Perspective on Space
The largest home that I ever lived in was also my saddest.
I lost my father in that home. I lost my identity in that home. Most importantly, I lost site of what I truly love about the space that I call home.
Cozy Spaces
I love cozy spaces!
I want to feel tucked in to my home like I was tucked in as a child – snuggly, safe and with a sense of warmth that transcends heat.
Julie Kelley, Founder Truly Jude
So, when I walked into a completely refinished historic home, I knew that it was the perfect space for my family.
It even had a big, open kitchen with natural beams and neutral colors made popular by Joanna Gaines in Fixer Upper.
While I love that look, my soul is also inspired by colors and creating beautiful, small spaces!
Have you ever heard of a cozy pantry? I have one! What about a cozy foyer? My creative mind had envisioned the transformation of those small spaces even before we had our offer in.
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Cozy Space #1 – Pantry
Having a walk in pantry, with original cabinets, was dreamy!
When we bought the house the pantry felt dark and confined. I wanted to make the room feel bigger, brighter and more functional for our family.
I wanted a pop of color on the back wall, with deeper walls around it, to draw your eye toward it.
I started by looking for colors on Pinterest and I knew pretty quickly that 1905 Green from Magnolia Home (Jo and Chip from HGTV!) was a perfect match for me.
Our home was built in 1900 and the name seemed serendipitous. This also happens to be the colors of my high school alma mater which made it feel soulful.
I’ve never hung wallpaper, but I thought it might be fun to try in a small space. I picked a brand from another set of HGTV stars, Johnathan and Drew Scott, called Scott Living. My husband and I tag teamed it and the peel and stick wallpaper went on pretty easily.
I couldn’t make my visions come to life without my talented husband. He custom built and installed the three maple shelves in our pantry.
Adding maple elements to our home is soulful for me – it’s an ode to the trees that I love, in the forests where I roam, on the land that feels spiritual to me.
Julie Kelley, Founder Truly Jude
Cozy Space #2 – My Office
Seek What Sets Your Soul on Fire has been my mantra since 2019.
I bought a bracelet that year with those words engraved on it to never forget my goal.
Writing it on the wall of my new home in Vermont felt amazing ~ I had taken big, scary steps to get here!
I chose another Magnolia color, Weekend, for one wall of my new office.
It’s a bold blue-green, but it also makes the space feel calm and cozy.
This space is where Truly Jude came to life!
Cozy Space #3 – Foyer
From the moment I walked into my home, I knew that I wanted a floor to ceiling built in bench and cabinet.
Our entryway is our mudroom and I needed it to work for our family in all the Vermont seasons!
I also had this deep yearning to have a deep color welcoming me home.
I immediately feel cozy – and incredibly grateful – when I step inside. (BONUS – the organization has helped me to train my 6-year-old to take his shoes off and put them right in his basket under the bench!)
Pinterest makes stuff like this look easy, but it is not. It was a labor of love and one of the best gifts that my husband has ever given me.
We still have to add the doors, but as with all good things, it is worth the wait!
Home is a Feeling
We have to ask ourselves, “What feels like home to us?”
Not – what is everyone else doing?
Not- what is the hottest look on Pinterest or HGTV right now?
Not – how will this make me look to someone else?
The key word is feels.
Once you know what feels good to you, you will start to build a soulful space that truly honors who you are and how you want to feel when you walk through the door.
Truly,
Julie
Your. Soulful. Spaces.