Splish Splash: it’s time to update the bath!

Photo: Pottery Barn Kids.

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network-Florida

We’ve all had one. A bathroom in our home that we try to ignore.

It’s the one that was left until last to renovate and the day never came. Or you moved into a home that had builder grade everything and you just never got around to ripping out that huge mirror and long bar of big glass lightbulbs that top it off. Or maybe you moved into a new home years ago and it’s time for a major bathroom refresh.

What I’ve learned from helping interior decorating clients in the Southwest Florida area for the last 20 years, is that bathrooms are often the last in line for attention. Like laundry rooms. But the truth is this: if you aren’t ready for a complete top to bottom renovation, there is a lot you can do to give this (important) room a mini redo. Whether it’s a primary bath, kid’s bath, guest bath or powder room. Here are a few of my tips from the small-on-a-budget bathroom refresh to more of an investment, depending on your time and budget.

Bathroom redux: from drab to fabulous

There was a time when the bathroom was the most unmentioned room in the home. No longer. Today, bathrooms, as much as any room in house, reflect the style of the owners. It’s the most personal space in your home. It’s typically the smallest room and yet you begin and end your day in your bathroom. Next to the kitchen, it’s the most important room in the home.

Have some fun with your bath makeover with this jelly fish bloom wall covering from Thibaut Design’s summer house collection. Photo: Thibaut Design.

And honestly, it’s the most fun room to redo and with a little creativity, it can be spectacular!

Come up with a plan

If you have a bath that you’ve been thinking about redoing, you first need to come up with a plan and answer a few questions.

How long do you plan to stay in your home?

Are you planning to sell soon?

Will you be in your home for 10 years or more?

These are important questions and will help you decide the following:

What is your budget?

Does your bathroom need a little refreshing? Maybe just new hardware? Or a complete makeover?

Think about these questions and consider the following tips for your own personal situation.

Quick refresh

This is a quick mini redo and can be done on a weekend. It will make the room pretty and you will be much happier with the space.

Wall treatments and accessories play a huge part in a bath refresh. From Serena and Lily, Sealife wallpaper sets a coastal tone in blue and white with a Larchmont rattan mirror. The look is comp-leted with two raffia wave sconces. Photo: Serena and Lily.

What to do: Paint the room or wallpaper. This is a game changer that will transform your bath. For something different, paint the walls a bright white, paint the ceiling a blue and accessorize with sea glass colors. Recommendation: Benjamin Moore’s Aura® Bath & Spa paint. It’s mildew-resistant and is Low VOC/ low odor so you can return to using your room quickly.

But there’s more: If you have a large (outdated) mirror across the vanity, remove it and hang a single mirror (or mirrors, depending upon the size). If it’s not possible to remove the mirror, frame it. My favorite go-to source to make a large mirror look better is mirrormate.com. Simply measure, order a custom frame and install it over the mirror. Easy.

Finishing touches: New rug, yes a rug, not the small bath mats, new shower curtain, new piece of artwork, update accessories on countertops (but not too many), repair caulking and have tile and caulking cleaned. Purchase a set of hotel-style bath towels. Add candles or aromatherapy and you are all set to enjoy. Welcome to your new bathroom.

Bathroom makeover

Beautiful Pottery Barn Miller double sink vanity made of mango wood with shaker fronts gives the look of a custom built-in. Accented with pops of matte black in drawer pulls, widespread faucets and mirrors for a modern edge. Top is white quartz. Photo: Pottery Barn

Maybe you have builder’s grade finishes and fixtures. Or perhaps you are planning to sell your home in a couple of years. You don’t want to go overboard but it’s time to spiff it up for eventual resale and for your enjoyment until that time comes. Remember: When it comes to resale, a bathroom gives a potential seller a hint about the condition of the rest of the home.

What to do: Depending upon budget, replace flooring, vanity, lighting, countertops, mirror, hardware, faucets, showerheads, hand shower (kids and pets, not to mention cleaning) light fixtures, tile around tub and shower. Paint walls and trim or add wallpaper. Replace showerhead. Replace toilets if needed. If possible, leave all plumbing in place to avoid additional expense. You are replacing what currently exists with all new and upgraded.

Extras: Again, depending upon budget. Floor to ceiling glass-enclosed shower (makes the room look larger). Freestanding bathtub is an option is space permits. White quartz countertops. Shimmering tiles as accent around tub and shower. New sinks. Artwork. Fan or ceiling light fixture. Accessories. Plants.

Finishing touches: Incorporate a piece of furniture such as a chair, vintage cabinet for storage or basket of shells on the floor. There is no limit to what is available on the market and your decorator or designer can help you select every element for the style that you select.

Quick tips and trends

Take a photo of the room before you begin and look at it with an open mind.

Make a vision board as you decide on walls and sources.

Frameless mirrors are a huge trend and offer a minimalist look.

If vanity is still good, paint it a color.

Add feet to a basic vanity to update the look.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on vanity lighting.

Black fixtures are having a big moment. Proceed with caution. Will you love it in 10 years?

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. Based in Bonita Springs with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and color palettes. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Living well with less: tips for decorating small spaces

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network • Sept. 3, 2022

“A home is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and buy more stuff.”

As an interior decorator helping homeowners in Southwest Florida redo and arrange their stuff and make it look pretty, I love this quote by the late, great comedian, George Carlin. And it’s true.

He also said a home is a “pile of stuff with a cover on it” and if you “didn’t have so much stuff you wouldn’t need a house. You could just walk around all the time.”

Funny stuff. And so true.

Let’s face it: we all have too much stuff. And we keep buying stuff. Trying to find the right stuff and hoping it will bring us happiness.

That’s why I decided to write this article. Our stuff is out of control. Try downsizing to a smaller space and you will quickly come to terms with what you really need and what’s most important.

This is not an article about tiny houses. It’s about living in less space in comfort while regaining control over your quality of life. With a little less stuff. It’s not about condensing your life down to almost nothing. It’s about surrounding yourself with what’s most important. And even if you don’t live in a small space (small being relative), the tips are the same. We never really have enough space no matter where we live. The guidelines apply to any home or space.

Make a small space yours with a reclaimed wood console table that is the perfect base for building a collection of treasures. Artwork, greenery, books, lamp and natural touches including natural seagrass beachcomber baskets that are beautiful and perfect for storage. All are anchored by a handwoven diamond-wrapped jute rug. Check out Pottery Barn’s small space furnishings online. Photo: Pottery Barn

As an interior decorator, I’ve helped many clients who show up in Southwest Florida try to figure out how to downsize with a moving van full of huge, heavy stuff from their previous home. It can be a huge challenge. And an emotional one. Here is a little cheat sheet to get you started and then read on for a few things to keep in mind. If all else fails, call a professional. We know lots of tricks!

Small spaces cheat sheet

Make a thoughtful plan. Before you head out the door to buy containers to store things under your bed, creating a plan will save time, money and stress. The more you plan in advance, the easier living in a smaller space will be. The big question: how do you want your space to feel and what is most important to you?

What are your non-negotiables? What can you absolutely not live without? An antique or vintage piece. Collections from travels. A beautiful sofa that you love. Artwork that makes you happy. Anything that makes you so comfortable in your home that you would be sad to not see it every day. These are you non-negotiables and give you a place to start your plan.

Small space does not mean small furnishings or artwork. It does mean fewer pieces to fit your space. More about this below.

Make your space your own. Don’t be influenced by over-styled magazine photos. It’s about what you love and need to be happy and comfortable.

A few small space don’ts

Don’t over-accessorize.

Don’t arrange furniture against the walls unless there is no other option.

Don’t take everything to your new space. Declutter. Eliminate what you don’t love.

Don’t skimp on countertops. Remember, you have less space so buy quality that will last.

Small space dos

Replace all builder grade mirrors and lighting. No more needs to be said. And if possible, add crown molding in your entry and living spaces. It will give your small space a finished, curated look.

Consider lighting. If your space is flooded with great natural light, go bold with color. Not so much light? Think neutrals and softer tones.

Curate your space. Include a few statement pieces for visual interest. Mix old and new. Refresh vintage pieces with new upholstery/fabric.

Create an entrance. Even in the tiniest space. A small table with a lamp and a place to put mail is all you need and it says “welcome home.” West Elm has some good choices.

In a guest bedroom that does double duty as an office, a daybed that serves as a sofa (with a really good mattress) offers a solution. This Toulouse daybed adds a little French chic to a room that is a busy workspace and an occasional bedroom for visitors. Photo: Pottery Barn

Kitchen. Think about a banquette that can be used for eat-in and dining table. Create one to fit your space at Ballard Designs. If redesigning a kitchen, incorporate drawers instead of lower cabinets. Take the upper cabinets to the ceiling. Countertops: if budget permits, go with quartz for quality: shop for a remnant for your small space and save a lot.

Living room. Go with a full size sofa. Not a love seat. Swivels chairs and rattan chairs are great space savers. Use a rug and make sure it is large enough. Window treatments: Shutters for a clean uncomplicated look. If you prefer drapes, make sure they go all the way to the ceiling. Instead of a coffee table, go with a soft, pretty ottoman.

Bedroom. If purchasing a new bed, go with one with storage. A good source: Pottery Barn. For a small room, skip the headboard and go with a piece of art.

Closets. Well worth installing a closet system with drawers. Saves space and requires less heavy furniture needed for storage.

Paint. Depending upon your color palette, walls and ceiling can be painted the same color. If you are going all neutral, a favorite is Benjamin Moore’s White Dove. Stay with two colors: blues, blue-greens, creamy whites, greens are good choices.

Appliances. If you need to downsize appliances in a small kitchen, there are options. A prep sink, Smeg fridge, a dishwasher drawer. Lower cabinets and upper shelving for space saving.

Guest bedroom/office. Typical of a small space, we need to make this room function as both. Consider a built-in desk with shelving. A daybed for guests and use as a place to sit in your office. A closet system that works for clothes as well as office storage.

And if you don't plan to downsize but would like to stay in your current home with less, these tips work for everyone in any size home. Just be sure to keep what you love. It's what makes your house a home.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

You've Got (design) Style!

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network • Aug. 21, 2021

What’s your interior design style?

We all know that the interior of our homes impacts our mood, work, health and how we react to others. And nothing is more important than the style of your home and the way it makes you feel when you walk in the door.

This room styled by Pottery Barn has a mix of farmhouse, coastal and a little boho style. Pearce roll-up arm, upholstery, chase sectional; farmhouse end and coffee tables; a sprinkling of accessories and artwork. www.potterybarn.com

As a Fort Myers interior decorator, I tell my clients to select a design style that they can afford and one that suits their lifestyle. It’s often not quite as simple as it sounds. That’s why I want to share a few tips.

Before meeting with a new client, I have them answer a few questions. I give them a list of styles and ask them to pick the ones that describe their current decorating scheme. And I ask what style they would like to see in their home.

Some homeowners know their style and others only know what they don’t like (which is fine). Some tell me they have no style and they need help finding one (also fine).

Most of us hold on to our style and don’t change it over the years unless we are making a major change like downsizing or moving to a completely different part of the country. Even then we tend to take our style with us because it’s what gives us comfort in our homes. My own look in my home style is coastal with a lot of primitive pieces incorporated into the mix.

Why should you know your style?

Well, you don’t have to know your style but it will help keep you on track and eliminate expensive mistakes. It’s about making smart choices. And it’s a good guideline.

It takes time to curate your own style so have patience and have fun with the process.

I look at it like this: would you go into a clothing store and randomly begin to try on clothes without any thought whatsoever as to what would look best on your body type? Not likely.

And you would not begin putting a room together without giving some though as to what you like and what works with the layout of the home. Unless you want to end up with a hodgepodge of stuff. Not a good idea.

What do we mean by “design style?”

The short answer: features that define your home’s character and create harmony in a particular style that you love.

Hint: most homes have a combination of two styles. Which I find much more interesting than one style. And the best combination of all is the one that mixes old with new pieces.

First steps

Take a look at your furniture. See any patterns?

Notice what you really love and what can be eliminated.

Look for common characteristics: color, shape, materials.

Visit model homes. Here, designer’s follow a specific style throughout the home. Take notes.

Look at furniture showrooms. But don’t let the salesperson decide your style.

Create a vignette with magazine photos or digitally. Visualizing helps determine what you like.

If the various styles have you a bit confused, this is a very brief summary of a few. There are many more.

Transitional

This style is a “happy medium.” A mix of traditional and contemporary design. Here you have the freedom to mix and match styles for a cohesive style. It’s a no stress style.

Traditional

From 18th and 19th century England and France, you will see pieces that have stayed true to their period with little change. Velvet, lines, patterned fabrics, glamorous chandeliers, oil paintings, florals.

Modern

Time period is from the early to mid-20th century. Clean lines. Sleek. You won’t find extra embellishments and generally has a more neutral color palette with bold pops of color. No fuss. Clean lines, geometric form, clear spaces, function and storage. Love the 50’s and 60’s? This is your style.

Contemporary

Always changing and a bit hard to describe because it’s what is happening “now” in interior design. It borrows from current styles and trends without focusing on any one particular style.

Coastal

Reflects the natural environment and brings it indoors. Uses neutrals with blues and greens (jewel/sea glass tones). The indoors extends into the outdoors enlarging the living space. Minimal window treatments. Jute, wicker, indoor plants. Bright and breezy.

Eclectic

Eclectic rooms could be filled with iconic pieces from just about every style, and when done correctly, it can work together. Somewhat tricky to pull off but when it does, it is cozy, interesting and reflects the homeowner’s interests. Often combines traditional and modern.

Boho

This style is having its moment with a sudden gain in popularity. Maybe it’s reflective about how we are feeling these days. Free spirit meets different cultures for a look that can be spectacular and fun. Pieces from travels, different cultures, color, and patterns all combine for a totally unconventional and totally fun look. Exotic and layered with bright colors.

Modern Farmhouse

A modern twist on rustic. You know this style if you have watched the HGTV show Fixer Upper. It takes salvaged objects and puts them together in a modern way. Sleek lighting, wide plank flooring combine with blues, greens, lots of black are used to design a comfortable style. Think rustic yet refined with a little traditional.

Minimalist

This one is last for a reason. I rarely see it. For all the talk about minimalism, most homeowners are reluctant to part with their “stuff” to create an uncomplicated, clean and simple design. And I must admit, it takes a lot to pull it off for everyday living. Japanese-inspired, empty spaces with attention to hidden storage and neutral accents.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Inspiration for creating a beautiful home

It’s summertime in Southwest Florida and if you are running a little low on inspiration for your home, a vision board with some of your favorite things is a good place to start. Photos, paint color, textures, samples of wall coverings and fabric samples and anything else that you love, help when deciding how you want your home to feel when you walk in the door. Photo and inspiration board are from one of my favorite places to go to go for inspiration, Kravet. Check out this to- the-trade source at Karvet.com. Photo: Kravet.

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network • July 3, 2021

A couple of months ago a client asked me to walk through her home and give her tips on how she could “make it look like something out of a magazine.”

Before I booked a designer for a day consultation, I talked with her at length on the phone about her home and what I could do to help her. She told me that she no idea what she wanted. Had no strong likes or dislikes. Her home was not really any particular style. Did not have any color preferences. Was clear that she had no design style. She just knew that she wanted it to look great. And she thought she would know what she wanted when she saw it.

As a Fort Myers interior decorator, I can tell you this is not all that rare. I’ve found that many homeowners, especially post COVID, want to change their homes but are lacking clear ideas about what they want. Not a problem!

This is where inspiration comes in. And maybe we are all feeling a little uninspired and disconnected after the past year.

Making changes

One solution is to call a decorator or designer. We are full of ideas. But before you make that phone call, it’s really important to gather some thoughts about what makes you happy and how you would like for your home to feel when you walk in the door. After all, it’s your home.

Maybe you’re making a fresh start in a new home. Downsizing to a smaller space. Looking for a new look after a life-changing event. Feeling the need to restore balance to your home and life. Or maybe you are just plain bored and want something different.

Set the stage

Decide how you want your home to feel when you walk in the door. Everything you do will relate to this feeling. I always tell my clients I don’t need to know details about how they want it to look. That comes later. But tell me the feeling that you want your home to reflect and I will help get you there.

I have some thoughts that I share with my clients on finding your inspiration and you may find them helpful.

Home inspiration and where to find it

Design books

Magazines

Pinterest

Instagram

Design blogs

Hotels

Restaurants

Nature

Travel

Fabric

Fashion

Antique markets

Art

Furniture showrooms

Model homes

If you love to travel or just enjoy dreaming about faraway places, be inspired with this World Traveler wallpaper from Ballard Designs. With whimsical maps of favorite cities, it’s perfect for a powder room or office. www.ballarddesigns.com. Photo: Ballard Designs.

Transform your home like a professional

• Make it your own. Ideas from magazines and Instagram are great inspiration starters but it’s your home and should reflect you.

• Order samples of paint, wallpaper, fabric, tile.

• Make your own vision board. There are free programs online or you can create one on Pinterest.

• When working on a room, I like to lay everything out on a white tray: fabric sample, paint swatches, tiles, bits of inspiration like shells and other objects found in nature, photos, etc.

• Keep it simple and remember: trends are fun but they come and go. Look for classic style that is never outdated.

• Remember to have fun and don’t overthink things.

This month:

• Review your hurricane plan and stock up non-perishable supplies. www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/plan

• With 175 days until Christmas, it’s time to think about holiday decorations. Put a plan together and order what you need. This is also a good month to review what you have and eliminate old decorations that you no longer use. Donate them to a charity. Now you can forget about the holidays until November!

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Finding comfort at home with color

Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2021 Aegean Teal 2136-40. A blue-green with grey undertones, is soothing and tranquil with hints of the outdoors and nature. Walls: eggshell. Trim: Atrium White OC-145 in satin. Photo credit: Benjamin Moore

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • Oct. 24, 2020

Before we know it, the election will be over. The holidays will be here. And we’ll be heading into a new year with optimism and hope as we say goodbye to a tumultuous 2020. It’s a time to reflect and reset. And there’s no better place to start than in our homes.

Benjamin Moore just announced its Color of the Year, Aegean Teal 2136-40 and the corresponding Color Trends 2021 palette. The colors have a welcoming, lived-in quality that is comforting, uplifting and inspiring. Colors that we can really use in our homes.

Cabinets: Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2021 Aegean Teal 2136-40 in satin finish; walls: Aegean Teal 2136-40 in eggshell; trim: Gray Cashmere 21385 in satin. Photo credit: Benjamin Moore

“Amid uncertainty, people yearn for stability. The colors we surround ourselves with can have a powerful impact on our emotions and wellbeing,” says Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore director of color marketing & development.”

As Southwest Florida interior decorator, I’m designing more color palettes for my clients than ever before. Whether during an in-home consultation or virtually, everyone seems to be looking for a color refresh. As someone who lives, sleeps and breathes color, I’ve always believed that popular color trends somewhat reflect what is happening in the world and what we need.

Love this color and want to start out with an accent? Try the inside of a cabinet. Inside cabinet: Aegean Teal 2136-40 in semi-gloss; cabinet exterior: Chestertown Bluff HC-9 in semi-gloss. Photo credit: Benjamin Moore

And it’s no surprise since our homes have never had to work so hard serving as an office, workout space, restaurant, classroom, library and more.

Thoughts about Aegean Teal

My clients know that I advise against following a color trend just for the sake of the trend. But they can be fun and bring a little energy to a room that needs refreshing.

Full disclosure, I love this color. The blue-green with grey undertones, is perfect for our Florida location near the Gulf of Mexico. It’s soothing and tranquil. Inviting. Hints of the outdoors and nature. There’s a harmony and a calm to it.

I love this color so much I used it in the coffered ceilings of my own home and had a living room sofa upholstered to match, two years ago. It still gives me happiness.

I have this color in my own home. Two years ago, I had the coffered ceilings in my entry, dining and living room painted in this color. The walls are Benjamin Moore’s Silver Satin 856. I wanted just enough of this beautiful color to provide an accent. I like it so much that I had a sofa upholstered in the same color in my living room.

And here we are two years later and I still love it. Why? It gives me joy. It’s pure happiness every day. That’s what I want from a color: happiness. And it’s what I want for your home.

And if Aegean Teal does not work, check out the other 11 colors in the Color Trends 2021 palette. Described as having sunbaked qualities, they include Atrium White OC-145, Muslin OC-12, Foggy Morning 2106-70, Rosy Peach 2089-20, Beacon Hill Damask HC-2, Potters Clay 1221, Chestertown Buff HC-9, Amazon Soil 2115-30, Gray Cashmere 2138-60, Kingsport Gray HC-86, and Silhouette AF-655.

How to use Aegean Teal in your home

Just because you like a color does not mean that it has to (or necessarily should) go on the walls. There are many ways to incorporate color into your space. For Aegean Green, a few suggestions: front door, powder room, kitchen or bathroom cabinets, kitchen island, shelves or a bookcase in a high gloss, the back wall of a bookcase, wallcoverings, side table, ceilings, trim and baseboards, accessories, fabric, rug.

Use Aegean Teal 2136-40 in satin for a window seat or piece of furniture. Walls shown are Muslin OC-12 flat. Photo credit: Benjamin Moore

It’s a fact that making a color change in your home is the biggest change you can make for your decorating budget. Note these tips when creating a new color palette:

Color don’ts

• Rush to make a decision

• Pick color from a tiny swatch

• Paint without testing the color on the wall

• Pick a paint color before you have anything else in the room

• Think only about the room that you are painting. Color needs to flow in order to work.

• Paint every room a different color.

Color do’s

• Create a color palette and work from there. Consider your window treatments, upholstery, pillows, artwork and accessories.

• Buy the best quality paint you can afford. It makes a difference. And go with the lowest VOC or no VOC.

• Color challenged? Magazines, Pinterest and vision boards all help.

• When all else fails, call a professional. Our job is to keep you from making mistakes.

We still have a couple of months before we say goodbye to 2020. This is a good time to begin planning your strategy for reenergizing your home.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Staying home: survival tips

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • April 4, 2020

It’s not business as usual.

Since my last column a month ago, our lives have been turned upside down. We’re all at home. Social distancing. Self-quarantining when necessary to protect ourselves and our families. We’re stressed out. On information overload. Worried about the future. Concerned about our friends and family. And we are exhausted.

Home sweet home has become our refuge and hopefully, it’s what will keep us safe and able to come out on the other side of this crisis called coronavirus.

One of my favorite places in Key West: the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens is a step back in time to the world of a maritime pilot in mid-19th century Key West. The grand home that is now known as the Audubon House was built by Captain John Huling Geiger in the 1840s as a residence for his family, who lived there for more than a century. Peaceful and restful. Photo: Wrenda Goodwyn.

It’s not the time to talk about tips on redoing your home, affordable decorating or the latest trends. That will resume at another time and hopefully, soon.

But this is a fact: we’re all at home and we have to find ways to make the best of it and get through each day. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. And because I have a home office and spend a lot of time at home when I am not meeting with clients in their homes, I have a few suggestions that may help.

Make a list. Every morning. Instead of just falling into the day and spinning around, spiraling into exhaustion, make a list of some things that you want to accomplish that day. Like: Make your bed. Call or text a few people. Order some necessities online. Walk the dog. Read a book. Trust me: a list helps.

Do something for someone. A note to see how they’re doing. A gift card for a favorite restaurant. A promise to meet up in a couple of months for breakfast. Or it can be as simple as not buying too much of scarce products so others can get what they need. Order something for someone who needs a little help. Donate to a charity to help our medical workers.

Start a vision board. Go through that stack of magazines or do it on Pinterest. I like clipping pretty photos out of magazines. Pick a topic. It can be your dream house. A vacation. Beaches that you want to visit. Soothing images.

Keep a journal. Not to record every frightening part of this situation but to keep you on track. Five things to be thankful for each day. A list of what you want to do when this passes (and it will). It can be very simple but writing it down helps.

Mental escape. Go someplace. Take a tour of Buckingham Palace or the Frida Kahlo Museum. You will find some great choices here.

Organize your closet. Take everything out. Everything. Give the space a deep cleaning. Walls, floor, shelving. Then piece by piece, put back what you want to keep. Don’t stress out about this. Just do your best and you will feel a little more in control.

Clean something every day. It’s important to keep surfaces really clean. Give your kitchen a wipe down every day, several times a day. Countertops, sink, refrigerator, drawer pulls, switch plates. One day a week, clean bathrooms. Another day, vacuum and mop floors. Pick a day to do the bedrooms from top to bottom. I find that this works much better than cleaning everything on one day. And it’s less exhausting. Make your list.

Sort all those photos. This is a really good time to go through the piles of photos from before everything was done digitally. Sort them out into piles and send them to friends or family members who will appreciate receiving them. A thoughtful gesture for this time.

Read a book. If you don’t have a library card, you can get a temporary one that is available to help us all through this situation. You can do it online here. This great resource allows access to newspapers, magazines, videos, music, audio and downloadable books and more. Check it out. I find audio books to be really helpful before going to sleep.

Mental health. We are all glued to the news and social media for the latest updates. But too much information nonstop is not healthy. Find a source you trust and limit updates.

Take care of the basics. Sleep. Nutrition. Exercise. Fresh air. Sunshine. Try to practice these each day. Do the best you can. Stay safe.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog