A Slow Start to the New Year: Thoughtful Home Updates for Nebraska Winters
There’s something about a cold January morning in Nebraska that invites a slower pace. The kind where the coffee stays hot a little longer, the house is quiet, and you allow yourself to ease into the year instead of sprinting toward it.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not quite ready to map out all my goals for 2026 just yet. Normally, I’d have everything color-coded, neatly outlined, and well on its way before the New Year’s ball even dropped. But this year feels… different. Softer. More intentional.
I recently read that this is the Year of the Horse—a year marked by power, resilience, and graceful forward motion. Not rushed. Not frantic. Just steady, confident movement that keeps energy flowing. I love that idea. Even more so because it officially begins on my birthday.
And since the Year of the Horse doesn’t technically kick off until February 17, I’m choosing to believe that a little delayed goal-setting is not procrastination—it’s alignment. Maybe that’s what I’ve been waiting for.
That said… you can always count on me to have home projects on the horizon.
A Primary Bedroom Refresh (Finally!)
To start the year, we’re refreshing our primary bedroom—a space we haven’t touched since we moved in over ten years ago. Is that embarrassing to admit as an interior designer? Maybe. Is it overdue? Absolutely.
We’ve landed on a deep, moody green paint color that took roughly 70 swatches to find (worth it). In daylight, it reads rich and mysterious. At night, it softens into a cloudy, luxurious green that feels incredibly calming—exactly what a primary bedroom should be.
To add warmth and dimension, we’re planning a natural pecan-toned wood shiplap feature in our tray ceiling, paired with a modern fan. It’s the kind of detail that elevates a space without shouting for attention.
We’ll also be swapping out our rug, comforter, and pillows to fully complete the look. The big question I’m still noodling on?
Do we color drench the room—walls, trim, and all—in this moody green? Or leave the trim as is and play with contrast on the ceiling instead?
Decisions like this are why I love interior design. Thoughtful, layered, and just a little bit daring. Stay tuned.
Capturing It All
Early this year, we also have a professional photoshoot planned with our talented photographer (and dear friend), Nicole. She’ll be capturing the projects we’ve completed over the last few months—and the new ones unfolding now. I can’t wait to share those spaces with you.
Our home is getting a tune-up, and we’re so excited to bring you along—sharing the real-life process, thoughtful decisions, and final reveals as they unfold.
If you’re a homeowner here in Nebraska dreaming about refreshing your space this year—whether it’s a bedroom update, a main-floor refresh, or help pulling ideas together—I’d love to help guide you through it. At Nest with the Nelsons, our approach to interior design in Nebraska is warm, collaborative, and rooted in creating homes that feel just as good as they look.
My calendar is open, and I’m currently booking a limited number of design projects and virtual consults. If it feels like the right fit, I’d love to connect.
Thank you for being here—truly. And if our style or approach to interior design resonates with you, feel free to share this with a friend. We love welcoming new faces into our little corner of cozy, thoughtful design.
Have the best week,
Megan,
Nest with the Nelsons
P.S. If you’ve been quietly gathering ideas or wondering when the “right time” might be to begin, this is a lovely time to start the conversation—no pressure at all, just an open door 🤍
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