Myquillyn Smith

I love cozy minimalism. I love collecting things with a deep meaning, not just accumulating clutter. This book uses that mindset for seasonal decoration. It emphasizes focusing on things like food & mood for get togethers. Pick a large decoration or one or two statement pieces instead of a bunch of knickknacks. Like one big pumpkin in the fall instead of 20 small ones around your house. I also love that she suggests changing out throws, pillow covers, linens in between seasons, to mark the show more change instead of putting out cheap decorations. She encourages you to use nature from outside, branches, leaves, as part of the decorations as well. show less

Incredibly freeing! The subtitle says it all: it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. I picked up The Nesting Place on a whim at the library while chasing my little boys around the nonfiction stacks. It looked cozy and I didn't have a lot of time to make a protracted selection. I opened it up while dinner was cooking a few days later...and proceeded to finish it that evening. It was a timely message for this frustrated home decorator!

Myquillyn Smith gets it. She understands the show more internal struggles that homemakers experience as we look at the pristine, perfectly staged pictures on Pinterest. Pursuing perfection only has two ways forward: either we keep trying harder or we give up. And giving up (bad as it sounds) is the path to creating a home we truly love—because pursuing perfection is pursuing the wrong thing. Those perfect pictures are not there to be copied (which is impossible), but to inspire us in our own unique decor. She includes many pictures of the flaws in her home and its furnishings... keeping it real. I wouldn't choose all her decor but the philosophy behind it is the real attraction.

There's some practical advice to make the most of your space. I appreciate the perspective on embracing "lovely limitations," things that are inconvenient or awkward in our homes that can actually become a springboard for special creativity. She talks about her former weakness of trying to redecorate just with cute tchotchkes, which just leads to clutter that doesn't quite cover up the real (bigger) changes you need to make. She encourages the reader to not be afraid of making nail holes (it sounds easy as she says to fill them with putty, but what about repainting? Or does this only apply to people with white walls?). She's warm and personable; you feel like you'd like to be friends.

I also appreciated the references to Myquillyn's faith that are loosely scattered throughout. This isn't a book about spiritual growth or contentment per se and it certainly isn't the focus, but it helped me feel like I had more in common with Myquillyn than just a desire to make my home beautiful. The chapter about the boy her family sponsors through Compassion International and her visit to his home was a nice addition.

In short, I loved this book and am so thankful I stumbled across it. Recommended! show less

I am not the kind of person to read a book about decorating, normally. My house has always been the source of so much insecurity that I let it interfere with hospitality and friendships. I wanted so desperately to keep others from judging my home, I wouldn't invite them--nor accept their invitations in fear I would be expected to reciprocate.

I don't remember exactly how I stumbled upon Myquillyn Smith's blog at The Nester. Relief poured into my heart as I read about realistic goals, show more imperfect beauty, and really living in my home rather than trying for a showplace. And this inspiration also comes in (my favorite thing) a book!

No, I don't love all of her design choices. We have different tastes. Yes, she does feature multiple pictures of the same (developing, always changing) wall.

Nevertheless, this book changed me. I hung the pictures that had been leaning against the wall. I made a wreath I wasn't sure would work. I tried something, and let it stay even though it wasn't perfect. I tweaked it a bit...and a bit more. My house hasn't fully transformed, yet. But I have. Now, I have hope. show less

This book isn't awful, but I can't recommend it, despite some good tips and ideas. It's repetitive, it's unnecessarily religious, and the author has some very antiquated views on gender roles and gender norms.

There were a lot of good ideas and good tips (embrace imperfection; decorate for you and your family, not your neighbors; remember that blogs and magazines use staged spaces; etc.), but nothing you couldn't find easily on her blog (on several dozen others). And, I really appreciated show more her candid (not staged or pre-staging) photos. But, there was a lot of unnecessary discussions regarding God or God's plans (keep in mind that I was raised as a Christian, have a grandfather who's a retired minister, etc. so I'm not generally put off by such things) and he views of gender roles were kind of offensive. I get that in her household, the husband is the "provider," but she spoke as if that should be the norm for all of us.

I was really surprised by how much her religion and beliefs regarding gender norms affected my overall enjoyment of this book, but, even after some time to reflect on the decor content, I still feel like this book was a waste of my money. It's repetitive, it's full of long autobiographical stories, and surprisingly lacking in actual advice and ideas. Yes, she spoke often about embracing imperfections, etc. (which I appreciated), but I didn't feel like there were that many ideas and tips. The few that she presented weren't new, special or anything that you can't find in every top ten tips list.

Don't buy this. If you can overlook (or embrace) her Christian banter and her gender stereotypes, consider finding this at a library. It's relatively short (I read it in just a few days), so it's a fairly quick read. show less