Spring 2018 Outfit 11: How to Decorate an 80’s Split Level

We’ve been doing a lot of redecorating in our living room lately.

We moved in about a year and a half ago (it will be two years in September), and I have done almost no real decorating since then.

We have given a few rooms a paint uplift, and our room got a bit of a makeover and the nursery was completed.

But other than that, I’ve just let things be.

Part of the reason is that I was a little busy raising three babies (insert winky face here), but it was also because I lacked the inspiration to do so.

In the past I’ve always just gone to Ikea and Target or wherever else to fill my space with stuff right away. In other words, I want it to look done now.

And honestly I probably would have done that this time around as well, but I was a little bit stumped about our new house.

We went from the most charming (tiny) 50’s style rambler to a house we picked for the school district. Ha!

It’s an ’89 split level, and it hasn’t been remodeled a bit since then.

We looked at over 50 houses when we were looking for houses, and we were so indecisive. I really wanted an early 20th century cottage with a white picket fence and a window swing in the front. I’m a little picky.

But we quickly realized that our ultimate goal of being in a school district where our children would thrive, and having streets they could ride their bikes on were more important to us than the aesthetic.

To be honest? I struggled between wanting my house to be Instagram worthy, and wanting a house that worked for my family. I’m thankful that David and I went through the process together because he kept me so grounded.

(By the way, I am in no way saying our priorities were the right ones, but they were our priorities so they were right for us).

And the houses that were available in the school districts we wanted were hardcore 80’s split levels. Like, pull no punches we are straight from the 80’s split levels.

But something about this house felt right. I could see the potential here! We do have plans to do some remodeling at some point, but it probably won’t be for a good long while.

So ANYWAY, I was a bit stumped on how to decorate an 80’s split level. My style definitely lends itself to something a bit more vintage than that.

But just recently, we had a stroke of inspiration from a couple of chairs we found on Facebook Marketplace, and then we found a massive palm at Costco, and then I made a pair of curtains, and then I found some cool artwork at Savers, and then we found a super cool couch for FREE that just needs a skirt removed and then eventually a reupholstery… it just kind of snowballed from there.

And it’s felt really good. We plan to do a massive paint job of the upstairs this spring, and I know it will just continue to feel more and more like home.

David and I were discussing the other day though about how we were glad we didn’t just rush into decorating our house right away, because I would have made VERY different decorating decisions if I had decorated in a rush. I’m so glad we sat on it for a year and a half, and let the decorating just kind of happen.

There were times when it was hard to have patience, and feel like I was living in a home that wasn’t really mine, but I know now that it was for a reason.

We have some really fun paint plans, and I can’t wait to share them with you! After we get everything painted, I’ll share some photos in a weekly roundup post (another reason I’m thinking of going back to candid posts… it would be nice to share this stuff with you in real time).

So moral of the story? Don’t rush things… and try to find your decorations secondhand because you’ll be guaranteed that they are unique!

Outfit Details:

White Tee: Thrifted | Same Tee from Original Source | Everlane Option

Mom Jeans: Thrifted | Similar Ethical Option | Affordable Everlane Option

Kimono Cardigan: Thrifted | Similar Ethical Option | Similar in Dark Gray | Similar Vibe | Everlane Option

Black Mules: Thrifted | Everlane Option | Almost Exact | Affordable Option

Clay Earrings

P.S. If you like the outfit I shared today, would you consider sharing it on Pinterest? Just over over any of the images and click the “pin it” buttons. Thanks so much!

Until next time,