There are few people quite as iconic as Grace Kelly.

Even if you don’t know who she is, you know who she is.  Grace Kelly is an ICON–a real-life princess, lover of pearls and people, nature and relaxing, and feminine realist.

“I would like to be remembered as someone who accomplished useful deeds, and who was a kind and loving person. I would like to leave the memory of a human with a correct attitude and who did her best to help others.”

– Grace Kelly

As I’ve been thinking about this post, I’ve been singing Mika’s “Grace Kelly” over and over in my head because WHY NOT?!

So, with all of that in mind — that Grace Kelly is an elegant, feminine, nature-loving icon who also adored rest and loving on people, let’s dive into this blog post.  In this blog, I’m sharing how to decorate your home like a modern Grace Kelly.

ELEGANCE + ROMANTIC FEMININITY

When I think of Grace Kelly, I think of two things — pearls and big flowy skirts.  It was the 50s, right?! (I frequently say I was born in the wrong decade, because I wish that all of that Mad Men style was still in style now!)

So, how do we add elegance and romantic femininity of a modern Grace Kelly to our home?! Let’s dive in.

CLEAN UP

First, and I feel like this is kind of a no-brainer, but clean your house.  Just pick stuff up off the floor.  Vacuum. Do the 20% of the things that make 80% of the difference in your home, and look around.  What a difference it makes in making your home feel elegant! Even if you don’t have the newest furniture, the most high end artwork, etc. your home feels elegant when it’s clean.

**Sidenote — I know that life happens.  I’m not saying you need to live in a spotless home 24/7… remember I’m the girl that says you should care more about what’s on your WALLS than what’s on your FLOOR… it’s impossible to keep toys put away all the time especially for me so I’d never expect anyone else to do that.  BUT — that 20% of work can truly make 80% of the difference.

TEXTURE

Add the right texture to your home.  This could be something silky, something furry (like a fuzzy blanket or something) — I mean, Grace Kelly looked AMAZING in fur coats, am I right?!  Pearls, lace, tulle.

This doesn’t have to be an entire room, or even a whole piece.  Throw a cozy blanket over the sofa.  Add some furry/fuzzy pillows.  Throw in some soft silky pieces like pillows or a tapestry.  Add original artwork — original artwork provides an elegant and one of a kind texture to your home that’s truly hard to find any other way.

FLOWERS

Add FLOWERS to your home.  Maybe this is just me, but do you know how many times I walk into someone’s house and notice, “OMG, they have fresh flowers! That’s so lovely!” A lot.

It’s a tiny detail that doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg (heyyyy Trader Joe’s Flower Department…), but it elevates your home beautifully. And who doesn’t like the smell of fresh flowers?!

NATURE + REST

Grace Kelly, while truly elegant, was also a lover of rest and in favor of recharging your soul.  Let’s see how we can incorporate that in our homes to decorate like Grace Kelly.

BACK TO THAT COZY BLANKET

If a cozy blanket doesn’t just automatically scream rest and relaxation, I don’t know what does.  Having a cozy blanket on your bed, couch, chair, invites resting.  A cozy blanket says to the people in your home, “Use me! I’m here for you.”

Neutral colors or natural colors like cream, evergreen, and brown make your home feel warm and cozy, while still leaning into the natural colors of the world.

PREP YOUR BEDROOM

Okay — hear me out on this one.  First things first, decide what you want out of your bedroom.  Do you want it to be a place to rest and enjoy time with your significant other? If so — keep reading because I’ve got a plan for you (one I’d love to someday be our evening routine).

Move your phone out of your room.  Get an alarm clock ins read.

Studies have shown that screen time before bed not only keeps you awake longer, and makes it harder to fall asleep, but it also makes it harder to stay asleep.  **Not going to cite anything on that, so if you wanna fact check me, go for it.

Turn off the TV.

Make your bedroom COZY.

Pick it up.  Make it a place you want to be.  So often we take care of our room last — I’m so guilty of this.  BUT when we take a moment to actually care for our own space, it becomes a bazillion times more restful.

BRING NATURE IN

Bring nature in?! Some of you may be saying EW while others are cheering me on.  That’s okay — the bottom line is to bring something natural in your home.

That could be some tree branches or sticks with buds on them in the spring.

It could be some eucalyptus leaves or, dare I say it, leaves changing color, in the fall.  It could be a NATURAL wood frame for your family photos, artwork, or prints.

Whatever it is, bring nature in.  I think Grace Kelly would approve.

SHARING THE LOVE

Grace Kelly said she wanted to be remembered for being a loving and kind human.  Here’s how we can use this to decorate our homes:

WELCOME OTHERS IN

Sometimes the hardest part of a community is welcoming others into your own personal space.  I get it.  It’s scary and vulnerable.  BUT — one of the best ways to love others well is to invite them into our homes, our lives, our churches, our dinners, our families.  Our house doesn’t have to be perfect.  Mine definitely isn’t!  But when we welcome others into our homes and our lives, we are loving them with our openness and vulnerability.

HOST DINNER PARTIES

Notice that didn’t say “SET THE PERFECT TABLE!” because while I am certain Grace Kelly had gorgeous china, silverware, and goblets for every dinner party (she was a princess, after all), I personally don’t believe not having that would’ve stopped her.  She wanted to love people well, and she would’ve had people over either way.

LET OTHERS SEE YOUR MESS

You can take this literally or figuratively.  I personally appreciate seeing that I’m not the only mama with dishes in the sink and toys on the floor.

The point of this isn’t to leave your house a pit nor is it to keep it tiny 24/7 (though if you can, props to you!)…

The point is to let others see the REAL and AUTHENTIC you.  That’s what I mean by mess.  Grace Kelly is the epitome of iconic, but she was also real, and I love that.

VALUE ORIGINALITY

Grace Kelly, a true icon, would have loved original artwork. Why, you might ask?

Well, I haven’t talked about it much, but here’s the final point. Do you know why Grace Kelly would’ve had original artwork in her home? Because she would’ve wanted artwork as elegant, original, romantic, and lovely as she was. She would’ve wanted artwork with a story — her story or a beautiful story she connected with. She would’ve valued the story of the artist and how it intertwined with her own story.

In my mind, there is absolutely no doubt that she would’ve LOVED original artwork.

So my friend, we’ve gone through TEN, count them TEN WAYS to decorate your home like a modern day Grace Kelly.

Think you might be ready to add some original artwork to your home like Grace Kelly? Tap here to shop the latest originals and prints.

If you’re ready to decorate your own home beautifully (and maybe save some $ for some original artwork as original as you are), tap here to get my DREAMHOME WORKBOOK so you can decorate your home like Grace Kelly? Or better yet, like YOU? Want to keep this party going? Grab my FREE print below (I’m pretty sure Grace Kelly would approve!)

Or if you think you may be ready to create a beautiful piece of art yourself, grab my FREE intro to watercolor supplies class!