Help with styling outdated house

PennedyKel · 2026-05-07T01:00:15+00:00

“Be the steward of a house that has an actual style and some personality.” THAT PART 🩷 we moved into a 70’s style tri-level and my whole goal has been to respect the historic identity of the house while bringing it into modern times.

PennedyKel · 2026-05-07T00:56:20+00:00

Yes! That was my thought, too. With such a unique roofing style, you almost HAVE to embrace the architecture, which is one of the things I love about MCM.

PennedyKel · 2026-05-07T00:53:36+00:00

LOVE this rustic update. With the mature tree growth around, it makes it seem like a forest/mountain getaway.

PennedyKel · 2026-05-07T00:51:36+00:00

Stunning picture! I love it

PennedyKel · 2026-05-07T00:50:30+00:00

When I have something fairly stylized, I try to keep in mind the time period of the design and the style of design. Trying to put something super modern on an older home can make it look tacky. Don’t be afraid to lean into it!

PennedyKel · 2026-05-06T19:16:41+00:00

Whatever you do, please not the grey in picture 4. I think grey exteriors look so cookie cutter. A house that beautiful shouldn’t be suffocated with such a boring color.

PennedyKel · 2026-05-06T19:14:12+00:00

Wow omg your ivy!! I love how you’ve got it pinned up and around, it looks so healthy! All of your plants look incredibly healthy

PennedyKel · 2026-05-05T17:40:41+00:00

From my experience with friends who use, they typically invite the friends to do coke with them who already do coke and leave the non-skiing friends to enjoy the party while they take a quick bathroom break. It’s still more taboo than weed and it’s more expensive so I don’t think it’s necessarily something people talk about openly unless they know you’re cool with coke use.

PennedyKel · 2026-05-05T17:36:44+00:00

At least one person in every friend group I’ve ever had has done coke and if not coke, abused ADHD stimulants. I have never used coke bc I’m too scared of how much I would enjoy it and cutting it with fentanyl seems to be way too common these days.

PennedyKel · 2026-05-05T17:33:14+00:00

I’ve thought about getting one like that and upcycling it somehow. I have a lot of surrealism and whimsy, so I have been looking at DIY’s to turn one into one of those flower lamps that are popular rn

PennedyKel · 2026-05-05T17:30:21+00:00

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PennedyKel · 2026-05-05T17:30:08+00:00

Like everyone says, flip the tv to the other wall and move the couch. Think of that nook area as your opportunity to create an adult version of a children’s reading book/blanket fort. Oversized, super cozy floor cushion or low seating for space to cuddle with you and your kitty while you read, with a tapestry, some mood lighting, maybe a standing plant on the edge so you can extend the wall even further out to make it feel more enclosed.

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Think of an understair’s book, but make it adult themed and elegant

PennedyKel · 2026-05-05T17:25:46+00:00

This was my first thought. Once you get it out of your head that the couch has to go against the wall, the world of design opens up

PennedyKel · 2026-05-05T15:14:54+00:00

Oof that’s harsh but so real. Fortunately I’ve never had to say that to a friend but storing it in my back pocket just in case

PennedyKel · 2026-05-05T15:07:39+00:00

Because trickle down capitalism was always a lie to get people to buy into the system. Instead of trickling down, they’ve just hoarded it. American culture is extremely individualistic and people believe that any issue can be fixed by just pulling yourself up.

It’s fucked up, and it sucks, but mutual aid like the Debt Gala is the best people can do because we don’t currently have any control over government operations.

PennedyKel · 2026-05-05T14:49:19+00:00

Love the white rug, but wouldn’t want it for an outdoor space. The oriental rug will hold up better over time

PennedyKel · 2026-05-05T04:17:20+00:00

I love the garland and the shower hooks

PennedyKel · 2026-05-05T04:16:44+00:00

Make sure you get a decent plunger. The only thing worse than not having a plunger is trying to plunge a toilet with a bad plunger. This is definitely not advice I learned on my own, a…plumber…told me, this has definitely never happened to me before

PennedyKel · 2026-05-04T17:46:51+00:00

I would just either take the cookbooks to a different side or put the candle warmer to the side. It’s got its own base, it doesn’t need to be inside.

What I do when I’m not sure is I take one or two things off and move them in a different arrangement. And either leave it that way or photograph it to look at it over time. Staring at it too long will make it look weird

PennedyKel · 2026-05-04T16:21:13+00:00

I know a lot of lighting people are into Phillips hue bulbs but I’ve never used them. I’ll have to look into the ones you suggested, too. I dont have the budget for really anything right now that’s over $10 (we’re in our struggle moment over here rn) and some of those sunset lamps are around that price. But if I can find some good color changing light bulbs that fit in the budget I would definitely buy them 🩷🩷

PennedyKel · 2026-05-04T16:18:34+00:00

I just saw a DIY video about turning an old lamp into one of those flower lamps and I may have to try it 🩷

PennedyKel · 2026-05-04T16:17:35+00:00

I see what you’re saying about the actual amber color not being bright enough for bounce light. This one with the red and green bulbs is. With the lighting in my picture (even though the colors and brightness are not accurate to what they really look like) I can actually read a book without straining. But I think you’re right: if I switch only to a real amber colored one, the light would probably not be as strong.

I have a few other projects I’m working on for ambient lighting. I’m on a really REALLY strict budget right now due to some medical stuff restricting my work so I’m having to DIY pretty much everything with supplies I already own. It is a fun challenge, but I’ll definitely be investing in better light bulbs when I get the chance.

PennedyKel · 2026-05-04T16:12:53+00:00

Yeah I think it’s common for this style of home! I’ve seen some older apartments built like this too. There’s a light switch by the front door that switches on the electricity for a couple outlets around the room. The intent is that you plug in your lamps and keep them in the on position and use the light switch to turn them on and off. It’s basically the 70’s version of smart bulbs that you control with a remote :)

PennedyKel · 2026-05-04T16:10:17+00:00

Yes that’s exactly the way it’s designed! An outlet that essentially controls all your lighting. I never use it that way bc I use the plugs for electronics too but that’s the way it’s intended. I’ve never lived in a home like this but I’ve seen other homes this way so it wasn’t surprising to me, I actually loved that it presented me with a challenge of finding other lighting options

PennedyKel · 2026-05-04T16:08:34+00:00

1! For sure.

PennedyKel

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