Making Room for Peace | Rebecca Hurt

One of my favorite styling projects that I have had the pleasure of working on over the past couple of years has been with my friend and client, Rebecca Hurt. Rebecca and her family moved into their 2,500 sq ft home just shortly before we were introduced. Coming from a 1,900 sq ft house, the move was quite a big one and so, feeling a bit overwhelmed, Rebecca reached out for some help. Between her down-to-earth vibes, her love of California, and her beautiful collection of home decor I knew that we were going to click. Over the past couple of years, we have methodically worked together on styling the Hurt’s home, infusing their love of vintage and travel finds with the more traditional bones of the space. It has been such a pleasure getting to know Rebecca not only as a client but as a friend. Today, Rebecca shares with us a little bit about herself and how she is currently making room for peace.

NAME: Rebecca Hurt

NICKNAME: I went by Becca or Becks for quite a bit of my childhood, but now I just go by Mom or occasionally, Cranky Mom!

PROFESSION: wife and stay-at-home to 2 ACTIVE tween boys

WHAT ARE YOU TOP 6 CORE VALUES?

In no particular order……Respect, love, honesty, loyalty, positivity, and to be humble in success AND without bitterness in defeat!

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

I was born in Menlo Park, Ca., in the San Francisco Bay Area. I lived there until I was thirteen and then I moved to Newport News, Va.  I have lived more than half of my life on the East Coast, but I will always consider myself to be a West Coast Girl!

WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?

Currently, we are living in Newport News, Virginia.

YOUR HOME IS AN INTERIOR STYLIST’S DREAM! YOU SERIOUSLY HAVE THE BEST COLLECTION OF HOME DECOR. WHERE HAVE YOU FOUND SUCH UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL PIECES?

My collection is a hodgepodge of items stemming from inherited pieces, consignment and thrift store finds, special treasures from traveling, and some awesome bargains at Target!  My parents and my in-laws do quite a bit of traveling. They always snag really cool objects for me to add to our ever- growing collection.

WE’VE OFTEN NOTED HOW SIMILAR OUR STYLES OUR, WHICH MAKES WORKING TOGETHER SUCH A JOY. HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?

I absolutely LOVE working with you Anna!  We have clicked on so many levels since the first time we met.  Sometimes, it’s hard to find someone that shares your same like/dislikes.  Your easy-going approach in the design business makes it so easy for clients, like myself, to work with you!  You don’t rush into the design job.  Instead, you methodically think and draw out each space that you are going to create.  That’s so important!  You always have my interest in the front of your mind when you are styling our spaces.  I really appreciate that!  My PERSONAL style is always changing.  Right now, it’s a lot of vintage, mixed with some modern and traditional.  I know that seems pretty crazy, but it works for me! It’s important for our home to be filled with personal items that tell OUR story.

WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR DESIGN INSPIRATION?

I am pretty much obsessed with any design inspiration from California.  My husband was born and bred in Virginia, so I try to incorporate some “southern charm” around the house too.   Our current house is traditional in design, but I try to sprinkle my West Coast roots around it as much as possible.  My dream home would have a ton of Spanish Colonial influence, but that’s hard to find around here.   I also love bringing the “outdoors” inside.  By that, I mean that I like using neutral colors and having various elements of natural plants and wood in my home.  I love confiscating good pieces of driftwood to hang on my walls.   If I am not reading an interior magazine/book, I am stalking interior blogs or Instagram for ideas! I also love to peruse the local neighborhoods to get ideas for exterior design and landscaping. 

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE STORES TO SHOP AT?

Hilton Village shops are my favorite because I can buy great treasures AND I can consign my stuff too-SHOP LOCAL my friends! I have also grabbed some great items in Williamsburg.  I never count out a chance to find something across the water either!  I love stumbling upon a great item at the Goodwill! My boys would tell you that I am a dumpster diver too-I keep telling them that, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!”   One of my most treasured rugs came right out of a trash can in Smithfield.  Of course, I always manage to carve out time to shop when we are on our travels too! I make sure to bring home at least ONE item from every trip we take.

NEW OR VINTAGE?

Anything VINTAGE makes my day, but I love the smell of a NEW car!  

DENIM OR LEATHER?

I love slipping into a comfy pair of jeans, but there’s also something very special about wearing an beautiful leather jacket that I CANNOT resist!

NATE BERKUS OR ELLEN DEGENERES?

I refer to Nate Berkus quite a bit for small-room inspiration.  BUT, Ellen is my JAM!  In my opinion, her home décor style is impeccable.  She fills her California homes with a sense of calmness with a neutral color palette and beautiful textiles.  Ellen’s choice of furnishings and art pieces is amazing!    Her design philosophy is that, “you don’t have to have money to have good taste…..”  I couldn’t agree with her more!   

EVERYONE THAT WALKS INTO YOUR HOME IMMEDIATELY FALLS IN LOVE. BETWEEN YOUR COZY DEN TO YOUR SUNLIT SUN-ROOM, TO THE BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE CREEK OUT BACK… WHAT INITIALLY DREW YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND TO THIS SPACE?

My husband and I LOVE the water and all of the awesome nature that comes with it!   We have always wanted a waterview, but never thought that it would be in our budget, but this house proved us wrong!  This place was not love at first sight.  We consider this house to be OUR diamond in the rough.  With a lot of blood, sweat and tears, we are slowly transforming this house into our home.  It is definitely a work in progress!  

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ROOM IN THE HOUSE?

Ha!  I would have to say that my favorite room(s) are the ones that we have finished!  We still have a lot of rooms that need some serious TLC!

WHAT ARE 3 PIECES IN YOUR HOME ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY LOVING RIGHT NOW?

It’s tough to only pick three……I really love our vintage school map of the Virginia Peninsula that I found at a local consignment shop right after we bought the house.  We hang it proudly in our entrance way!  It’s so colorful and it’s an awesome conversation piece.  I also have an evolving display of old baskets on a wall in the den.  Each one is from a very different place.  Finally, I would have to say that my collection of vintage runners would be at the top of my list.  Most of them are worn down to their last level of threads.  They are aged like a good fine wine.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE STYLING OF YOUR HOME IS HOW WE’VE WOVEN IN SPECIAL FAMILY PIECES (I.E. A PIECE OF POTTERY YOUR CHILD MADE, A PAINTING YOU COMMISSIONED FOR YOUR HUSBAND, ETC.) INTO THE SPACE.

 Anna, YOU have done such a great job styling our most treasured items in this house!  I gave you my items (and sometimes my vision) and you created EXACTLY what I wanted.  I cannot thank you enough.   You have an amazing “eye” and you are such a talented artist as well!  Both of the paintings that you did for my husband will have a special place in our home.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

“Perfect” is a strong word in my vocabulary.  I can’t really imagine a perfect day?!  I will say that any day that my boys and I wake up happy and healthy is a GREAT day!  Every day, I strive to make improvements in my life, instead of expecting perfection.       

WHAT DO YOU DO TO UNWIND?

There isn’t a lot of time to unwind in our lives right now. Between sports and school activities, we are going non-stop.  I try to find at least three days a week to do yoga.  If I can’t make it to the studio, I try to do some sort of meditating at home for at least 20 minutes.  I look forward to the summer months to spend more “quality” time with my husband and kiddos.  Summers are my only chance to read a good book without having to start and stop a million times. 

WHO IS CURRENTLY ON YOUR PLAYLIST?

My playlist is all over the place!   I’ve got a little bit of everything from 2Pac to Fleetwood Mac. 

YOUR HOME HAS A NOTABLE LACK OF CLUTTER. HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN ORGANIZED?

I credit myself with being moderately organized, but I could do better. I grew up in a very organized, low clutter home, so I guess that I am carrying on the family tradition.  I never got a lot of things growing up.  Instead, my family spent their money on experiences.  To be honest, being surrounded by a lot of STUFF makes me claustrophobic.  I get very overwhelmed and anxious.  Our house is already pretty chaotic with 2 active boys and a 10 month old goldendoodle, so I try to create a sense of calmness by not surrounding ourselves with a lot of “things.”  I don’t get attached to a lot of things, my husband and kiddos like to keep EVERYTHING!  It’s hard to get them to let go of their stuff.  Currently, we are trying to give away a large amount of the stuffed animal population in the house.  It’s like Noah’s Ark around here…..I figure we will have all of them out of the house by the time they go off to college!   

WHAT ARE YOUR 3 TIPS FOR STAYING ON TOP OF THE CLUTTER?

1.) Purge often-I always keep a “giveaway” box in the corner of our bedroom.   When I notice a piece of clothing or an object that is not being used, I toss it in the container. Once the container is full, I take a trip to the Goodwill.  It is very liberating!

2.) Don’t be ashamed of having a junk drawer……I know that this sounds contradictory to my first tip, but it’s TRUE.  We all need a place to throw all of the items (pens, paper clips, extra sets of keys) that would otherwise have no logical home.   

3.) Remember that life is NOT about things….It’s about experiences. 

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY MAKING ROOM FOR PEACE IN YOUR LIFE?

Right now, I am focusing on shedding all (or most) of the negativity around me.  At 41, I realize that I can only control me and my surroundings.  My husband and I are making a huge effort to focus on the positive in most situations.  We feel that this will have a lasting effect on both our marriage and on our children’s lives.      

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR BIBLE VERSE, MANTRA OR WORD THAT YOU ARE MEDIATING ON?

A friend posted this mantra a few weeks ago and I really liked it… “If you’re not using the stuff in your home, get rid of it!  You’re not going to start using it more by shoving it in the closet somewhere.”

Photography: Luke & Ashley Photography | Styling: Making Room for Peace