Did I say that out loud? Sometimes I am left without adult supervision, and then I just say all kinds of things. Like today.
I try not to post negative things, but sometimes I feel it’s important to say it. And so I do. Then I walk away from the computer.
And I was trying to talk about what I’l be doing this year, so I thought I would start by talking about trends and which ones I’ll be ignoring this year. And then it came to me.
all. of. them.
There. I said it.
I don’t like following trends because they are by their very nature volatile and a moving target. If I truly love a new thing, I’ll incorporate it. If I don’t like it, I will not even be making a slight effort. For example pallets and things made with pallets. I appreciate all of the talent out there and what people have made with them. I think they work well in some homes. I do. But, and you knew there was one coming, it’s not for me. It just isn’t. It’s too rustic for my style. I’ve worked to create my own personal style and although it may morph over time, in some ways it stays the same. I have my true loves and they are always there – French style, understated elegance, farmhouse elements, vintage touches, hand carved wood, antique linens, cool colors and hand made things.
These elements are NOT trends, so technically they won’t ever look dated. Well yes they can, but they are less likely to look dated than the things that were super hot for a moment, then gone from the scene, like a hit and run accident.
My mother’s ceramic duck collection is my example. You know the ones with the blue and orange ribbons around their necks? If you see them today you know exactly when they were hot (the late 70’s.) They have looked dated ever since then, whereas my loving couple does not look dated. Since it was never hot, no one can tell when I bought it. I’m not even sure when it was made. So it doesn’t scream ‘dated’ but ‘vintage’. See how that works?
I’ll be changing things up; I can’t help myself. But the changes I make will be things I like personally, not what is hot for the minute.
I know mid-century modern is smokin’ hot right now. Will I be adding any mid-century modern elements to my home?
Uhhhhh…. no, and to quote Seinfield “not that there’s anything wrong with it” it’s just not for me.
The Pantone colors that are introduced every year, does anyone ever use those colors just because they are the color of the year? Well I personally don’t know anyone that does. Again some years I love the colors, but I’m not adjusting what I am doing to fit the ‘color of the year.’
The DESIGN changes I’ll be making this year.
COLOR
I’ll be adding a bit of color. I’m not throwing out all of my neutrals. I’m just adding a little bit here and there. The mountain house will have a lot more color than my city house. Below I added these vintage Limoges canisters to my bathroom. I found them at the thrift store. It’s amazing what people want to get rid of!
CLASSICS
I’m looking to the classics for inspiration rather than the trends. I’m loving Italian and French painted pieces.
GOLD
I’m loving gilding as long as it isn’t too much. Just look at that detail! It was part of a column that was removed from an old building. I’m not really sure what to do with it, but who cares? It’s so interesting and unique. I found this gem at Round Top last year.
LESS IS MORE
I think a beautiful room doesn’t need much, and can feel confusing if you fill it with too much. I know Charles Faudree could overfill a room and it looked fantastic, but I think the rest of us mortals can mess it up when we add too much. I am working on restraint.
So there it is friends. It’s time to go for the look YOU love and what YOU want. And if you want to keep up with the trends, you can (and there’s nothing wrong with that) but if you want to ignore them, then just do it.
I want to say a big thank you to Maison Chic in France and Casa Chic in Italy for the lovely features in these European magazines.
And finally I’m clearing my shelves so I’ll have room for another batch of vintage pillows. So, I’m doing a big sale on my current stock. These are all made from vintage material exclusively for Cedar Hill Farmhouse.
Your post is so refreshing and I agree 100%!!!!! I know what I love and I am the one to look at my decor daily and it makes me happy!!!! I love French Country!!! But my house is a smorgasbord of things I love!! When I shop with someone and I see something I love and decide to purchase, my friends’s first question will be, where are you going to put that. My response has always been, if you purchase things you love, you will always find a place for it!!! And your home will be filled with things you love!!! Thanks again for your honest opinion!!!
I totally agree! Fill your home with things you love!
I also agree. Now I need to say something to dear Anita and I pray it doesn’t hurt her feelings. It’s just that when I first saw the gold gilding whatever it is, I said to myself, Oh, that’s a bit gawdy.
Then when you said it was yours, I was so glad that I didn’t say anything. But you are one of my FB friends and from whom I buy all of my candles.
So I’m going to ask you to look at it again and think if it might need just a tad less gold gilding. If you think it looks fine the way it is, so be it. Just, please, don’t be angry with me?
Jute is the decorating trend I just don’t get. For the life of me, I just don’t get what everyone’s fascination is with it. It is cheap, coarse, itchy, ugly and sheds these miserable, wirey fibers that scratch and irritate. In my opinion, it is the lowest of the low in style and design. It’s worse than wooden pallets and only slightly better than the idiotic trend of covering all the books on you library shelves the same color. I feel so much better getting this off my chest. ; )
Love this post! Thanks for making us feel better than we don’t have to be hip and trendy and put Grandma’s sofa in the living room (My Grandma’s house was full of stuff from the mid-century, she never bought any new furniture since, so whenever I see all of this “trendy” mid-century modern decor I literally think – this is so my Grandma’s! house). I never really followed trends – just bought things I loved. It’s also hard to not follow trends when buying things new as they are always trendy! Agree with the person above – don’t love Jute either!
Love this post – and I love any post that can incorporate a Seinfeld quote! I won’t be adding any mid-century modern either… I tend to stay more classic as well unless it’s something little and cheap that I won’t feel bad about getting rid of in a few years!
Shelley
What a great post! I decided a long ago I was not buying any thing for my home that I did not love.
So that takes me out of having to keep up with trends.
Have a great day!
Awesome post, I will not buy anything mid century, just not for me…..I love French beautiful furniture , I just recently send a beautiful French chair to get pretty face lift…I’m on pins and needles to see how it will turn out….I will stay true to what I love and find joy in it…so no trends for me….I totally agree with the first comment..yuck for jute….thanks for this post I feel so much better sticking to what I love….
Really good post! Thank you –
Thank you Patti!
I love to look at other peoples homes and enjoy looking at a wide variety of styles. I even enjoy looking at trending decorating and design things. But, in the spirit of full disclosure, it’s mostly for laughs. Trendy things almost always remind me of that 13 year old who’s trying so hard to pull of a glamorous look. Or the city socialite trying to pull off Green Acres. ( Did I just date myself or what!)
The homes I fall in love with though are the homes that look like they’ve grown and evolved along with their owners. They look like people actually LIVE in them. They look like dinner is cooked there every night, board games are played there, hobbies are enjoyed there, books are read and put down next to the chair because someone jumped up to go fold laundry. The homes I love have their owner’s personality stamped all over them. The homes I fall for are the ones that don’t feel like a stage set…..they feel real, honest, warm and maybe a little worn around the edges…..kind of like the Velveteen Rabbit as opposed to a porcelain doll that sits on a display stand on a shelf. (Again with the dating myself, lol!)
I have never understood the desire to have a trend setting home.
Your home? I’d be so comfortable visiting with you in your home, very at ease because it’s so you. And you and it aren’t trying to be something you’re not.
I suppose we must have design trends. Whatever would the designers and manufacturers do? If we all filled our homes with what we loved and ignored them, they’d be out of business, lol. I think most of us reach a certain point in our lives where we finally figure out who we are and gain the confidence to fill our homes with what we love. I know I went through many phases of following trends before I figured out what I wanted. Are you having your booth at Round Top this year? I can’t wait for the end of the month!
Don’t tell anyone, but my bedroom set was bought in 1973. It was trendy then. All medium pine big heavy furniture with a HUGE hutch. It matches nothing else in my home, but I just couldn’t bare to part with it. It is the first and only bedroom set my husband and I have ever had. 🙂
I love French country decor right now too. It’s such a feminine, romantic style and one that is easily imitated with less expensive materials. From my unique perspective as a 70 year old ex-military wife, I do think, though, that French country style is also definitely a trend. Not a flash-in-the-pan trend like neon color fabrics in ski togs but a definite trend that will eventually be associated with the early 2000 time frame. That’s okay because I like it, and I think it will be around for enough time for us all to enjoy it!!! At some point though, people will tire of it and that’s okay. It will be time for something else. I also want to share a funny story about burlap. This is especially for you, Katzcradul as I laughed at your comments about jute. When I was a newly married military wife in the early 1970’s, I had a wall of windows in military quarters that needed curtains. Trying to be financially responsible, I chose the least expensive material available in the fabric store and it was burlap at 49 cents a yard. I made long, pinch-pleated draperies for our living room/dining room for a reasonable price. They had kind of a linen look to them and turned out great. At the end of our 4 year assignment there, the draperies were so sun damaged, though, there was no other choice but to throw them directly into the garbage, LOL!! On the positive side, the military gave me numerous occasions to re-decorate a new home every 2 to 4 years, and try out different design trends!
Country French style has been around for over 100 years, so I personally would not characterize it as a trend, but a style. Look at your ahead of your time making burlap curtains! I made a burlap shower curtain one time. As you say, it did not hold up well over time. Sounds like you have been very resilient.
Thank you! Not that I actually take decorating advice very well, but I use things I have or buy because I like them, including family things (not to be confused with anything valuable). I will never be a trendsetter. It is also quite an expense to restart. Consequently, I’m never out of style because I’m never in style!! (Tends to go with my clothing, too…never duplicated, either.)
OH, SO ON POINT. I HAVE A MID CENTURY AVERSION ALL MY LIFE, COULD NEVER FIND THAT OUNCE OF APPRECIATION. IT WAS BAD THEN AS IS BAD NOW. I OWN NOTHING MIDCENTURY STYLE. AS FOR COLOR, LIVE ME WITH MY NEUTRALS. I LOVE PUNCHES OF COLOR. I JUST DID MY LIVINGROOM CHARTRUSSE FOR SPRING. NEVER BEEN A FAD, TREND FOLLOWER. I DON’T LIKE PALLETS ITEMS BUT LOVE A GREAT PRIMITIVE.
Great post Anita! I think design trends are for the young or for those who lack self-confidence. There, I said it. When you are comfortable with who YOU are you pick things for your home that reflect you…not what the design gods say you need.
Fashion is the same way. My trouble is I tend to do the opposite. If it is trendy, and I like it, I won’t pick it sometimes just because it is a trend. I’m that way with fragrance especially. If anyone can identify the fragrance…I won’t wear it.
That is why I am so hooked on vintage items. It is hard to make them trendy. Trends I won’t be partaking in: Jute rugs (Amen…Katzcradul), shiplap, DIY for the sake of DIY (sometimes it just pays to have a pro do it).
I am new to your blog, but so far, I like your postings. Trends are sometimes fun if I can work them into what I already have in small ways and then get rid of them easily when they aren’t “in” anymore. Or, if I really like something trendy, I can keep it as long as I want no matter if it is passe. But I certainly wouldn’t change my own individual style entirely to match a trend. For example, I know that everywhere I look–real estate ads, decorating magazines, etc.–stainless steel appliances are so “in”. I hate stainless steel. It shows every little water splash or fingerprint and to me it’s an ugly “color”. So I won’t be replacing my dishwasher, which just bit the dust, with a stainless steel one! If my kitchen looks out-dated, too bad!
Bravo Naomi! I like your philosophy.
I like your idea, too! Can’t see the beauty in the stainless steel for the reasons
you state besides it just looks cold which I don’t care for. Guess “beauty is in the
eye of the beholder!” In my wardrobe I love color, in my home I like more classic
and to add bits of color.
Boy, I’m so glad you said that about stainless steel, I hate it with a passion, I also HATE and I mean dedpise the color gray, which everyone is painting everywhere…UGH…there, got that off my chest!!!!
Okay Linda, glad you feel better.
I also hate stainless steel and granite countertops, every HGTV show, and magazine seem to have them, I like a mix of the French country, Shabby Chic, Cottage look myself, I to never EVER HAVE LIKE MID CENTURY MODERN,. It seem all the big chain hotels,(I work in one) , resturants, and offices everywhere are going minimal urban, and uncomfortable in furnishings and artwork, I cant stand it, well got that off my chest too thanks , Also hate burlap, every wedding in the last two years I worked(part-time waitress) DID BURLAP AND RUSTIC, GAG!!
Don’t forget the kitchen ceramic counter tops!! 🙂
Very well said. I totally agree that you should decorate with what you love. And it’s always nice when design trends happen to go with what you already love, because then it’s easier to find those things.
I’m so glad you put that out there, Anita. I don’t follow trends either, as they date quite quickly. I like things that will stand the test of time. I like neutrals with a teensy touch of color. I don’t like clutter. Too many things and too much color doesn’t allow my mind to rest. A very uncomfortable feeling. I do like stainless steel appliances. Like French country, they are timeless. Your home is very welcoming, Anita.
And, I almost forgot. Congratulations on being featured in a French and an
Italian decorating magazine. How exciting!
I’ve never, ever wanted my house to look just like everyone elses…and that’s what happens when one uses mostly HOT trends…like you, i will use a few if i really and truly like them…but furniture that is heavily distressed, paint chipping all over the place…they look fine elsewhere…just not my cup of tea…we should have only things we love and think are beautiful in our rooms…and that is different for every body, I think.
Well said Anita some of my friends are always changing their decor. They let trends influence their decisions and after a while they fall out of love with it. I love your home can wait to see your new home in the mountains of NC it is a beautiful state!
For me it’s Shabby Chic and I have a lot of distressed furniture that I love and am proud of. I enjoy actually doing the ‘redo’ and I distress lightly. Its like a hobby for me and the best part is, I’ve save a lot of money! You should see some of the stuff we have brought home!! 🙂
Anita,
I am always looking at your home for inspiration and guidance. It is good to see what styles you incorporate and you just have the best taste.
Well said!!! Couldn’t agree more! Buy what you love and love your home.
Well said!!– a fad lasts less than 2 years, a trend lasts 5-10 years but true style is timeless. I wonder when people decided they had to completely change up their homes every 6 months Just to be able to have the latest? So much of it is marketing at its best!
THANK YOU so much for this post! I have loved interior design since I was a child ( a looonnng time ago), and once I had my own home, purchased only things that I absolutely loved. Some things I fell out of love with rather quickly as I explored to find my own style. I am “fascinated” by so many things I see on Pinterest, blogs and in design magazines, BUT that does not mean that I will be putting any of it into my home as some things (trends) really don’t speak to my heart. My home was built in the 70’s and has Brass door hardware, cabinet pulls, light fixtures, etc. When that went “out of style” and brushed nickel was the rage, I worried that my home would look “dated” to others but I could not bring myself to get rid of everything in brass (which I think is much warmer than silver tones) nor could I afford it! It finally dawned on me that it what I like, what I enjoy and what I want; doesn’t matter to me if others disagree. That being said, I can truly appreciate other styles or brushed nickel or oil rubbed bronze in other people’s homes, but it is just not for me.
I prefer “classic” style with some eclectic touches. I love touches of French Country, English Country, and a bit of Cottage, Farmhouse style all mixed with Traditional furnishings. Sounds like a mess, but it works! A warm, casual, elegant feel is what I love most. Trends are way too much work and too much money for me. I also want to spend more time enjoying my home that spending all my time “changing” it up!
I applaud you for speaking to not following the trends! It really spoke to me and I’m right there with ya!
Blessings!
-bh
Thanks Barbara, for your insightful thoughts.