Hello!

How was your weekend?  Good I hope!  We enjoyed our last few weeks of summer in the pool.  Gotta keep practicing “paddlers” and “kickers” so the boys can finally swim on their own!  I seriously daydream of the day when I can leisurely lounge on the sidelines with a cool drink in one hand and a good book in the other.  Ahhh, sounds sooo nice.

Anyhow, as some of you know I picked up the Domino Book a few months ago.  Lots of pretty pictures and some neat advice… But one thing in particular has had me thinking for awhile.  It says that an important first step to decorating is to determine your style.  Label yourself.  This is something I have always struggled with and I don’t think it’s that uncommon… how about you??  Do you struggle to define what you like in 2 or 3 words?

Here are some buzz words they throw out to inspire:  Feminine, Elegant, Tailored, Classic, Modern, Traditional, Witty, Comfortable, Zen, Edgy, Dramatic, Pop, Vibrant, Clean, Organic.

Any jump out at you?

Or are you appalled by being asked to label yourself?

Does a label restrict who we can be or does it allow us the freedom to be who we are?

Both, I guess.

But since I’m on a trek (of sorts) to become better at my addiction, I am game to play.  Now, to figure out how to describe “my style.”  I can do that… I think.

Here’s what I’m not….

 

 

I actually really like all the rooms, but are they me?  Not so much… especially at this point in my life!  I’m not nearly so glamorous or sophisticated!

Me?  I’m a little more of this…

and this,

But maybe with a little more color?

And of course a sense of humor!

So, yeah, that’s my style in a nutshell.  Well, for now, at least!

Collected Relaxed Happy

I love going to antique stores and flea markets, so a lot of my favorite pieces are from all over the world (although, yes, I have to admit that I’m most in love with Asian ceramics and art).  But I’m not on the zen side of design – I can’t say no to color and I like having stuff; pictures on the walls, finds from our travels, art made by the kids.  No room in the house is off limits (I mean, how could it be??) and that’s nice for us… the kids have an impact in the space and how it’s designed too.

Ever noticed how you love certain rooms, but never emulate them?  This is me to a T!  I see all white rooms and think they’re so fresh.  But then I’ll pick out fabric and go for the wackiest patterns.  I never buy white, beige, cream, taupe.  I don’t want to sew white stuff.  I want to buy fun things and make colorful pieces… I guess, deep down, it’s just not me.  And now that I’ve found my style, I feel better about it!

I’ve been labeled!  Phew, what a relief.

It’s Friday and school’s out!  Oh, yeah!!  (The Snicker song just came on – I know you know it!!)

And I’ve got Mark Hampton’s chapter on wallpaper on the brain – fun stuff to think about, if ya ask me!  And although he was most known for using chintz, I want to share a few of his ideas/thoughts on the wallpaper subject since (not only was it my favorite chapter) it might just inspire you to wallpaper a room or two!

1.  Strongly patterned wallpaper very often makes a small room look larger.  “It seems larger because you immediately have a point of reference.”  This trick works the best in tiny rooms.

2.  Often, a wallpaper allows several patterns to play together in an “orderly” way; meaning it can unify lots of patterns, making the space have a sense of purpose rather than looking random.  It can unify lots of “disparate elements or decorating that you love but that you find difficult to mix.”

3.  Wallpaper can be a great background for art… seems counterintuitive, but a patterned background can have a calming effect when there is a combination of drawings and paintings.

4.  The fear of wallpaper creating a “fussy” look is an opinion of taste not a fact.  A room can look sleek and modern in wallpaper.

5.  In rooms where the furniture is moved frequently, wallpaper works great because when the arrangement is changed there are no “blank” areas on the walls.

6.  Wallpaper is also perfect when your room lacks architectural interest.  “If the existing architectural details are bland, the mood of the room becomes far more assertive with the help of a good, strong wallpaper in a definite style.”

7.  And finally, wallpaper is great when your walls are in bad shape or you love to move pictures, since it’s perfect for hiding nail holes!

All Fabulous reasons to look into some wallpaper!  But really, I just love it ’cause it’s soooo purdy!  But, hey, if it can make your rooms look bigger, walls look smoother and artwork smarter – then all the better!!  Cheers and TGIF!