Country Homes & Interiors February 2005
Country Homes & Interiors March 2005
STYLE TIP: LIVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE.
It bears repeating.
“Style Tips” is a regular feature on The Inspired Room where I share a few ideas on how to create your own authentic style.
One of my mentors is Alexandra Stoddard, as many of you know by now (click here for more info on that little tidbit about me). One of the things I remember her saying in one of her books is that she is an advocate of the “unmade bed look.“
What this means is not necessarily that you don’t make your bed, but that you allow the layers of your bedding to show in some way. Allowing the details of the sheets to informally peek out from a coverlet or fold over a quilt is simply more inviting and welcoming than covering it all up with a bedspread. Not only does the bed look like it is ready to crawl back into (good idea), but it is not so stiff and formal that it feels untouchable.
Do you like ruffly sheets? Flowered ones? Striped top sheets and solid bottom sheets? Or all matching yellow sheets? Bright or pastels? Are you drawn to fluffy down blankets or do you prefer coverlets? Stiff pillows or squishy ones? Lots of pillows or few pillows?
Each detail reveals something about you. Even if you aren’t a fan of the “Unmade Bed Look” having a formal bed with relatively stiff covers and few wrinkles allowed says something about your style!
So tell me, how would you describe your style, based on YOUR bed’s look (or better yet, the DREAM look if you could have the look you want?) I can’t wait to find out!
My own unmade bed.
I actually DO make the bed every day. I just like the more casual look of a less formally styled bed when it is made.
I’ll go first with an assessment of myself, based on my current bedding. Because I know you are all dying to know. I’d say my bedding says I am practical (as I do not own multiple sets of fancy patterned sheets, just one set of high thread count plain soft cream colored sheets that I wash and put right back on!). But I am not too practical as my matelasse coverlet is soft cream colored too. A creamy neutral like that is a bit risky with kids and dogs climbing all over it. Also, I could have several sets of inexpensive sheets but I would rather have one expensive higher quality set. Hmmm, sheet snob. My coverlet, shams and pillowcases have a subtle pattern and texture. This shows I like detail but not over the top detail. I like detail to surprise you and unfold rather than always screaming out for attention. That is my personality too, I have my moments of exuberance but I also have my quiet subtle side.
My choices show that I need a soothing environment for the bedroom without too much pattern on the bed. But, I do have a boldly striped sham on the bed so I guess that shows that I like a punch of color in a sea of creamy ones. Again, I see that tension between my practical side and my more daring side. I have two European shams for the back of the headboard, and the one striped sham and one accent pillow. Not a ton of pillows but enough to make it cozy and soften the hard edges of the bed frame. I’m a cozy person, but a restrained cozy! My coverlet and shams are not foofy but my bed is an old fashioned iron bed, so I guess I am a more tailored romantic. I make the bed with some perfection (I like the coverlet to be straight, for instance), but I never iron my sheets.) Perfectly imperfect is a good description of my style preference.
My description of my style based on my bedding also shows that I am a very WORDY person. I talk a lot. See how much we can learn from this exercise?
Now, how about you?
Photo: Coastal Living online William Minarich
I think the scary thing about decorating is……What happens when “all of a sudden” you realize your tastes have changed and you are sitting amongst items you’ve bought over the years that are just not doing it for you any more?
I love so many things I see on your blog, other blogs, magazines…..not so much on TV, anymore, (where did all the good decorating shows go?) …… I know I’m being influenced in a good way ……. but how do you make the switch without breaking the bank?
This reader poses a great question! Many of us find ourselves in this same spot. We have a collection of furnishings and accessories that just don’t feel like “us” any longer. Or we want to freshen up our look and we aren’t sure how. Most of us can’t start over from scratch. Creating a style you love out of what you have is oftentimes more challenging for people than being able to start over with a whole new look. Once you have lived with a certain look for a long time it is hard to visualize a way to make it look new again.
The good news is that updating your look oftentimes can be accomplished on a limited budget and with just a few simple changes. I do this all the time for clients (and I love it!), so if you need some personal help to get going, set up a consultation with me! I am now offering virtual personal style consultations at an affordable rate to help you refine and update your style. I’d love to help. More news to come on that (email me if you want details). But for now, here are a few quick tips to get you thinking or making the switch on your own:
1) Start with one room. Don’t overwhelm yourself with trying to makeover the whole house all at once.
2) Find an inspiration photo. It is unlikely that you can duplicate it without starting from scratch, but it can give you inspiration about what you really love. You might discover that you prefer a “spring” room rather than a “fall” room, for instance. Looking at inspiration photos can also break you out of your rut and help you to expand your style options.
3) Ask yourself what you dislike about your room’s current style. Is it too dark, too outdated, too colorful or too boring? Compare your current room with your inspiration photo for clues as to what you don’t like about your current style and contrast it with what you DO like about your inspiration photo.
4) Re-design in a day. If you really want a full makeover, you can start today! Take everything out of the room. Even your curtains if they aren’t your favorite. Yes, this will mean chaos for the rest of the house. Then add things back in one at a time, leaving most of the stuff out of the room. If you just add back a few basic items it will be easier for you to visualize and achieve a new look.
5) Do a mini-makeover. If a full makeover scares you or you do have several things you love, try getting rid of just the things in the room that you really dislike, which usually means they are uncomfortable or ugly or beyond salvage. Definitely remove all the clutter and knickknacks so you can visual the room with a cleaner slate. De-cluttering is the key. The cleaner the slate, the easier it will be to start over with a new look.
6) Make small changes. Once you have de-cluttered your room and have just the things you are going to keep, here are some things that can be changed easily and on a budget (even over time if necessary) to give yourself a new look. Using your inspiration photo as a guide, consider updating at least some of the following items:
Sometimes you can shop in other rooms of your own home to find the new look you are after. But if not, head to your local thrift store, garage sale, resale shop, discount store or department store and pick up just a few fun new things to add to your old look. You’ll be amazed how a few simple additions can make everything look completely different.
If your furniture has seen better days, or just simply does not work with your new style, it might be time for some “new” furniture. If you need a new sofa or upholstered chair, you can find often find great deals on name brand quality furniture at upscale resale shops. I recently shopped for a client and found a nearly new Williams-Sonoma sofa complete with updated custom quality fabric that would retail at about $3500, for a REAL bargain. From there, we are building a whole new look for her room and staying within her budget. Sometimes all it takes is one new piece to get the ball rolling.
Have fun!
By way of illustrating how you can find an authentic style designed by and for YOUR life, I thought I’d share these photos from a story found at Traditional Home online. I was drawn to the beautiful bright clear colors and when I read the article, the fanciful style of the home was perfect for this family. Why? The home was originally headquarters to a well-known circus! Their home address? One Circus Place. How neat is that?
To decorate, the family played off of the home’s colorful history, the fact that they adore children (they have two of their own) and that the woman of the home is a children’s photographer (her studio is on the third floor of the house). Their home is all about youthful fun. This house’s design makes sense for them, reflects the history of the home and illustrates their own life on many levels. Whether or not you like the fun colors and patterns, you have to admit this is an original and authentic home.
As you probably know by now, I am not a fan of “theme rooms.” However, with that said, I am a fan of authenticity. There is a difference between creating a home full of your memories or passion for life and getting confused by overdoing a theme. Authenticity can evoke feelings without making everything too obvious. Here, they chose lively, high quality fabrics that produce the same feelings you might have at a circus. It is a happy place.
I like how they were careful to let their furnishings pop, without painting all the walls vivid colors and going crazy with a colored carpet too. The pink chairs and and stripped ottoman are enough. Also, the serious architecture of the home is a nice contrast to the fun decor. This home can handle some whimsy without getting too sweet.
Here, they added colored walls but let this corner of the room have a break in the color by incorporating a black table, simple wood chairs, and neutral mantle. The rug is neutral and this whole corner helps balance things out so you are not overwhelmed by the room as a whole.
When I came to this photo (below) of the clown, I started to worry that the circus theme was being overdone. Seeing the big clown face was (at first) too obvious for me. In designing a home that is personal to you, you still want to keep good taste in mind. It can be easy to veer off into buying everything that screams “this is my THEME.” But, in this case, as I read more of the article, I found out that the home owner’s aunt was a photographer who a generation ago took circus photos. This was one of her photos. Ok, then! If anyone else had a circus themed home with photos of clowns on the wall, I might scratch my head and wonder (or cry), but in this case, it makes sense! It is a fun conversation piece. So, SEND IN THE CLOWNS, I say! WHY NOT??
I just noticed, that table next to the Designer Guild pink chairs has rings, like in a circus! Clever!
The Inspired Room’s Authentic Style Tips:
1) Consider things in your life (past & present and dreams for the future) that are meaningful to you or your family. Family history, places you’ve been, life experiences and your dream life are all good places to start looking for the real you. No one else will share your style if you are true to yourself.
2) Consider the architecture of your home. You don’t have to match its style, but it is helpful to be aware of its impact as you select furnishings and decor.
3) Learn the art of subtlety. Consider ways to incorporate the significant things into your decor without making everything a “Ta Da!” moment. It is more intriguing to let design elements unfold rather than have everything hit you right off the bat as you walk in.
4) Definitely avoid cheap and tacky. Fun, sure. Great deals, absolutely. Cheap & Tacky, no. Who wants their authentic style to be cheap & tacky? That is not giving off the right vibe at all! You deserve better than that!
5) Incorporate conversation pieces that allow visiting friends to get to know you.
6) Design a room to work as a whole, not as a bunch of individual pieces. Your house can be full of life, memories and color, but the idea is to pull it all together in a tasteful way so that it all works when you step back.
See more photos and the story from Traditional Home here:
designer: Betty Murdock
Not too long ago, I was honored to be interviewed by The Home Office Organizer blog . In the interview I shared how the name “The Inspired Room” came about (Newsflash, The Inspired Room is now a registered trademark!) tips for personalizing a home office, who inspires me, along with a few other tidbits. I thought I’d share a few of the tips on finding your authentic style! For the rest of the interview, click here. Here is an excerpt from my interview:
You are the “Style Coach.” What are your top 5 tips for someone who wants to create rooms inspired by their life?
In no particular order, here are some tips for getting started on finding your own personal style:
1) Spend time living the life you want and gathering mementos along the way. Your home will come together as you experience life. It shouldn’t be an overnight process!
2) Create rooms and spaces to inspire and accommodate your life. Evaluate what kind of life you really want to live and set things up to make that life possible and enjoyable. Do you love to read? Have friends over for movies? Cook? Write? Have the neighborhood kids over to play with your children? Do you have hobbies? Do you host large parties? Make sure your house is set up to accommodate you—homes should never keep us from fully experiencing what we love to do. Nor should they be staged for someone else’s idea of a good life. Your home should make sense for you.
3) Eliminate things that are unattractive or don’t stir your senses in some way. Avoid random decorations. Most everything should have a story that makes you happy or reminds you of a special time or person. Or at least things should be attractive and facilitate your life in some way. If it is useless or ugly, get rid of it.
4) Make ordinary things beautiful. Most of our life is spent doing ordinary things. Those ordinary activities should inspire our homes even more than the few highlights of our life. Everyday we spend time eating, cleaning, bathing, sleeping, working. Take the time to make these every day experiences more organized and pleasing to your eye.
5) Don’t be afraid to ask for help in creating a beautiful home, but be careful who you ask. Friends mean well but can confuse their personal taste with what is appropriate for you. Friends don’t have to love your home. Designers can be a wealth of information and ideas but can also lead you to spend money you don’t need to spend and end up creating a home that reflects their style rather than yours. Find someone who understands what you are trying to achieve and can use what you already have and love to create something authentic to you.
Not everyone is naturally inclined to be able to arrange things in attractive ways — we all have our strengths. Don’t feel badly if you need some help in organizing or pulling your belongings together so that you can truly love your home.
For more of my interview on The Home Office Organizer blog, click here!
photo: House Beautiful online
Wallpaper
I like wallpaper. I’ll admit, it has been a love/hate sort of thing. I’ve hated wallpapers that I have had to remove, but loved wallpaper that I chose myself. In the right place, with the right paper, and the right wallpaper hanger person, I love it. I know that wallpaper has had a bad reputation for the last number of years in some circles. We can blame that on whoever decided we all needed the country blue geese borders of 1980 or the hideous vinyls and foils that were all the rage back in the day. Yep, I’ve seen some really ugly wallpapers! And I’ve dreaded pulling it off for the damage it might do to the walls thanks to the industrial strength paste that was used.
No matter what your particular feeling is about wallpaper these days, I think it has its place. I have never fallen out of love with it, so to me it is not a matter of whether it is “in” or “out” or “trendy” or not, it is whether it serves a purpose and achieves the look I want. Keep in mind that wallpaper has been around forever, even if it has had some ugly periods in history. Wallpaper can be a great style tool, if you choose carefully. It can define your home as something unique and personal to you. So, since we discussed the use of paper for decorative purposes a previous Style Tips post, let’s continue this topic by diving in to some photos that show where wallpaper can be quite effective for defining individual style.
Give wallpaper a chance.
