homewithjaymee
Neutral tones • Warm textures • Maisonette
Cozy, Not Perfect: How I Built a Home That Feels Like Us
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When we first moved in, I carried Pinterest boards in my head. I thought if I styled every corner perfectly — the right furniture, the right tones, the right plants — I’d finally have that dream home feeling. But life isn’t a moodboard. Two sons with their routines, pets choosing their own spots, and the everyday clutter that comes with living. The home wasn’t perfect — it was lived-in. And slowly, I realized that was better. ⸻ Letting Go of “Perfect” I used to spend hours shifting things around, trying to keep corners picture-ready. But the styled neatness never lasted. Instead of forcing it, I began to ask: What actually makes us comfortable here? The answer wasn’t perfection — it was ease. C-tables that move with me, baskets to hold the things that always end up scattered, and simple throws that soften a chair without fuss. 
Styling for Real Life Once I let go of perfect, my styling choices changed: • Flexible furniture → pieces that move with us, not just sit pretty. • Textures that age well → linen covers, natural wood, and finishes that don’t mind a little wear. • Pet-friendly touches → mesh gates, easy-clean covers, plants that survive curious paws. These weren’t shortcuts — they were what made the home flow with how we actually live. 
A Home That Feels Like Us What surprised me most? Once I stopped chasing “perfect,” the space started to look better on its own. My favorite corners are the ones where the boys gather for dinner, where a cat curls up on a chair, or where I can pause in the afternoon with tea. Cozy isn’t about flawless styling. It’s about a home that carries real life without breaking under it. 
A home doesn’t need to impress to feel right. It doesn’t need every detail polished. What it needs is space for the people and pets who fill it. When I let go of designing for “perfect” and started designing for us, the home finally became what I was looking for all along. What about you? Have you let go of “perfect” in your home? Share your own cozy corners and how they came to feel like you.
6 September
