cozylifebysema

How to maintain a stylish, cozy home with a large family? Sema shares her secrets on slow living with two kids, three dogs, and a cat, proving that aesthetics and real life can coexist.

“How does your house stay so tidy and stylish with two kids and four pets?”

This is the comment I see the most on my social media. It is a fair question. When you look at Instagram, you often see perfect homes that look like no one actually lives in them. But here at Maison Cozy & Life, we believe in reality.

So, the honest answer is: It doesn’t always stay tidy. And that is perfectly okay.

A Home is for Living, Not Just Looking

I share my home with my two children and a furry squad: my three dogs (Winnie, Mandalina, and Piglet) and my cat, Hulusi. From the moment my children were born and our pets joined the family, I made a conscious decision: I would not hide my decor. I didn’t put away my favorite vases, and I didn’t cover the furniture in plastic.

Why? Because I wanted to teach them to live with beauty, not apart from it.

Of course, this philosophy comes with its own chaos. Yes, there are dog hairs on the vintage rugs sometimes. Yes, you might find a toy car parked next to a ceramic teapot or Hulusi napping on the dining table. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. A sterile, perfect house has no warmth. A happy home is a messy, loud, and loving one.

Embracing the “Lived-In” Aesthetic

My design style is “Cozy Maximalist,” and part of that style is the layer of life itself. The wrinkles on the linen throw, the stack of books currently being read on the coffee table, and the joyful chaos created by the kids and pets—these are not imperfections. They are the soul of the house.

My advice to anyone afraid to decorate because of “mess”:

Design a home that serves you, not the other way around. Use durable fabrics, embrace layers that can hide the occasional clutter, and remember that memories are more valuable than a spotless floor.

Welcome to the real, unfiltered side of the slow living lifestyle.