Growing up, I spent my Friday nights at the auction house with my mom hunting for treasures to decorate our home with. Wide-eyed, I’d sit still as a statue and try to translate the “foreign language” the auctioneer rattled off and my mom magically understood. It was fascinating. At the time, I couldn’t see the lessons she was instilling in me… a gift that I wouldn’t realize until many years later as an adult during one of the most difficult seasons of my life.
In 2009, my husband and I were both laid off on the exact same day. We had a new baby and suddenly found ourselves losing sleep over things we never imagined we’d have to worry about. As everything seemed to crumble around us, my life and how I viewed what mattered most literally changed before my eyes. And, as a result, I found my passion and talent for reimagining forgotten items and transforming them into home decor.
My Decor Style
You’ll rarely find me at a retail store. Rather, my Saturdays are spent wandering garage sales, barn sales, and thrift stores.
I adore loved pieces and naturally gravitate towards anything that is cracked, rusty, broken, and chipped. All of which tell a story. My creativity soars when I embrace the beauty in the flaws of things and celebrate them rather than covering them up.
I speak through my home decor. It is my voice and a true reflection of who I am. I suppose you could compare it to the term “Wearing your heart on your sleeve.” My decor style is not perfect. In fact, I lovingly refer to it as perfectly imperfect.
With open arms, I welcome pieces into my home with history and traces of love written all over them. I enjoy mixing old and new seamlessly together to create a look and feel that is unique and unexpected.
My style is collected and authentic with a touch of sentiment and a solid base of love, family, and dreams.
I delight in looking at a piece and instantly being taken back to a moment in time that brings a smile to my face and happiness to my heart.
What empowers me?
I embrace my unique perspective and celebrate what sets me apart rather than comparing myself to others. I follow MY arrow, dream MY dreams, and work hard to turn those dreams into MY reality. I am proud of who I am and embrace all the qualities that make me stand out amongst a crowd. I like being different and creating my own path instead of following the crowd. To me, that is empowerment.
This post originally appeared on HGTV’s David Sheinkopf’s blog. To learn more about David, please visit his Instagram account @davidsheinkopf.
Blessings to you and your home,
What a wonderful post! You have a beautiful style of writing and I love your home. Great job! Can’t wait to follow along and read more about your journey. I’m so glad you started this blog!
Sandy, thank you so much for your sweet comments of encouragement (and for being my very first commenter on my blog)! It was a pleasure meeting you at Haven and having the amazing opportunity to enjoy a weekend of a lifetime together. There is no doubt in my mind you have a very bright future ahead of you. I can’t wait to see where it takes you!
xo, Shannon
Shannon- It’s taken me a while to get to your site but here I am!! What a beautiful first post! You are such an incredible writer. While I have not met you in person, I can tell you are an amazing person inside and out! And I feel like I’ve known you forever! I admire you! You are so creative with your decorating style and I love to see your posts on IG, which I am fairly new to. I am a huge fan!! I’m so glad I found your IG feed. Your photos are amazing. You speak from the heart and there are so many things I can relate to in the things you write. It’s so important for women to know that it’s OK to be who they are. Who cares what others do or think. It is about following YOUR own way in life that makes life exciting and fulfilling! Can’t wait to read your future posts! You are amazing!
Nelly, when I read your message I was moved to tears. To know that I’ve inspired someone is truly one of the biggest compliments I could ever receive. You are a true blessing, my friend, and your encouragement fills my heart with such joy and gratitude. Thank you for always being a beautiful ray of sunshine in my day!
Blessings,
Shannon
How sweet of a landing spot, and I am just smitten by your story. Keep smiling, enjoying life, and just being sweet. I love this little blog in your corner of the world.
Thank you so much for stopping by and sprinkling me with such kindness, Arie! I’m closing my eyes tonight with a big smile on my face thanks to you.
Wishing you a blessed and beautiful Friday, my friend.
Shannon
Shannon this morning I came across your IG feed and then I found your blog. I’m so excited that I found a blogger that I share the same style with.
I love going to auctions and decorating our house with my wins. Before auction day, I will look up the obituary of the persons estate that is being auctioned off. At first my husband thought that was a little creepy but now he finds the gesture very sweet. I’m not sure why I do it but I do. When I look at the things I have brought into our home I always smile. I like knowing it brings me joy just as much as the previous owner.
You are an inspiration and I look forward to following you on IG and reading your post.
Hello, Michelle!
I’m so happy to have you here. Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a wonderfully kind and heartfelt comments!
I too visit a lot of estate sales and love inviting things into my home that I know have history and were cherished by another. I feel exactly the same way that you do… it’s a way of honoring the joy that the previous owner had for an item. I’m thrilled to hear we share the same feelings!
Wishing you a beautiful day,
Shannon