A Home With Heart: Courtney of A Thoughtful Place

Happy Monday! The end of last week was filled with some sickness around here that got the better of me. Boo. But this week is starting off on a beautiful note with an interview and home tour with the lovely Courtney from A Thoughtful Place.

I have long been an admirer of Courtney’s but had the opportunity to meet her in person at Haven. She is as sweet as I had hoped she would be and a true lady in every sense of the word. I loved her responses to my questions. We both feel your home should tell a story. I’m always so intrigued by why someone chooses to create the home they do. I hope you enjoy getting to know her a bit more (and drooling over her gorgeous home).

Q: Why is creating a beautiful home important to you? A: Our home is where we spend the most time. I think it’s so important that your home truly welcome you and be a sanctuary and safe haven. I honestly believe that all spaces should shine and that the home has a direct effect on how we feel. I have always been obsessed with interiors and working on our home is a true joy.

Q: What is your design philosophy? A: I believe that spaces should reflect the people that live in them. Rooms and homes should tell a story. Just like people that have a rich history and stories to share are fascinating, so to is a home that has something to say. I also believe that a home needs to feel lived in. While it can be beautiful, it should still maintain a comfy and happy feel. Life happens in the home and it isn’t always perfect and pretty! That’s what makes it real.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge? A: I suppose our floor plan. We have a cozy home {code for small} and the first floor all flows together making it a bit of a challenge to design the individual rooms. Q: What are your favorite spaces? A: I think our bedrooms. They all seem to reflect our personalities. I think bedrooms should really be something special and I love that my kiddos want to spend time in their rooms. While their overall spaces are white, we used big doses of color to bring in their personalities.

Q: What do you want people to feel when they walk in your home? A: I want people to want to kick off their shoes and stay. I want nothing more than for guests to feel at home and comfortable. We love to entertain and there is nothing better than when guests stay until the wee hours of the night. Q: What do you love most about your house? A: Probably that it is rich in meaning. I tend to design and decorate around pieces that are important to us. For instance, our subway sign in the living room is created from streets that my husband and I have lived on throughout our lives. I also really appreciate the natural light that we get. I am huge on bright and light spaces. The first thing I do in the morning is throw open the shutters and let the light poor in. Coffee and natural light are the best way to start the day!

Q: Any advice for someone wanting to create a home they love? Take your time. Find one piece you absolutely love like a piece of art or a great pillow and create the room around it. Don’t be afraid to add some quirky touches and allow your true personality to shine through. That’s when a house becomes a home.

For those of you wondering, Courtney was kind enough to provide a few sources: Living Room: custom sofa | rug, chairs, pillows, {HomeGoods} | mirrored dresser {Z Gallerie} Master Bedroom: dressers {Restoration Hardware} | headboard {Target} | rug {Lulu & Geogia} | chair {Marshalls} lamp {HomeGoods} | Wallpaper {Wallpapers Direct} | paint color {Benjamin Moore Pale Oak} | Pouf {Target} Courtney’s blog, A Thoughtful Place, is one of my favorites– packed with daily inspiration and beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing, Courtney! Hope you have a wonderful start to your week!

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