When I started decorating my home, I didn’t know what I was doing. Well I knew enough to be dangerous! The things I did and the ideas I had are pretty funny to me now. I thought I would share some of these thoughts with you. I wonder if you can relate to those early days and some of the notions I had.
Wood stains don’t have to match
I thought all of the woods in my house had to match. It seems crazy now, but there wasn’t anyone to tell me otherwise. I think many people at the time thought the same thing. This is simply not true! I don’t sweat different wood stains in the same room any more. But I do avoid using mahogany and pine in the same room.
All the fabrics in a room don’t have to coordinate exactly.
I also thought all of the fabrics in a room had to be the same or be coordinating fabrics. No, no, no. I was wrong. Things are not that restrictive. In fact, I don’t like things to look too thought out. I like the room to look like it has evolved over time. I don’t want the room to look like I am trying too hard. Does that make sense? The French do this so well. The room can be thrown together and it still has an elegance to it.
It’s okay to never be done decorating.
I thought that once you decorated a room you were done. I know, I know. I was SO NAIVE!!! That’s really funny now. I move things around almost every day. It’s fun and I always learn something from it.
Mistakes are part of the learning process
I wish I had known that mistakes are okay. I still don’t like making mistakes on big-ticket items, but I understand that decorating is a process and it takes time to get things like you want them to be. I sometimes move things around and hate the way it looks. The good news is that kind of mistake is reversible and not expensive. And you learn so much from mistakes.
I would love to hear what you know now that you wish you had known in the beginning.
These are great tips… and I’m learning other things from you, as well. I like how you have pics *following* you explanation, instead of preceding it. Some bloggers show the pic first, then the text… I like this way better. Easier to follow. Does that make sense?
Great advice, I’m so new to decorating. Your posts encourage me to go in directions I never thought of!!
Love your tips. The “tip” I’ve been giving myself lately is get rid of things that don’t fit my style–even if my Mom painted them! Mom did tole painting and the pieces I have a very pretty and well done but they’re mostly American country and my style is more French or European. Happily, some of the pieces work with my style so I won’t be getting rid of everything she painted.
Oh! how this post brings back memories (or nightmares)! I have been through so many decorating eras that I feel like an antique myself. Does anyone remember the Spanish phase? horrible…dark and dreary 🙁 Your post is such a good reminder of how things can blend together being so matchy-matchy. I enjoyed your part in the Scoop this week.
It is a learning process. I have moved all the furniture many times. Painted walls – maybe the whole room but often we lived with swatches painted on the walls. My husband’s only request was his bed stay in one place!
Anita,
When my husband and I built our current home, I thought I would never change anything. What a ridiculous notion. Even just within the past year or two, I’ve allowed myself to circulate different things in and out, change wall decor, colors, fabrics, furniture…the sky’s the limit. My 25 year old self would have died on the spot! These things can be done easily and inexpensively. I agree with you that it’s hard to make a big mistake on big things, but all the little things I’ve allowed myself to change has actually made me happier in my environment. I never thought I would get tired of things or decor. Thanks for the validation!
I love your decorating!! You are so gifted. The one thing that took me years to realize was that I didn’t have to keep everything just because it was a “gift” or it was expensive or because I just love it. If it doesn’t go with my decor then I can forgive myself and get rid of it. I no longer think I have to keep everything and make it work. Hard to convince my hubby sometimes but, Oh well. lol!
You are so right Lou Ann!!! Great advice.
One thing I have learned over the years is that everything doesn’t have to be Geometric… When I started out it seemed as though everyone wanted/put their sofa across from their fireplace w/matching balancing chairs… I always felt it obstructed my vision of space… Now the freedom of design with angular placement is acceptable to most persons… This is the valued lesson I have learned … Acceptance of Angular as opposed to Geometric… Thanks for asking…
I have learned that constantly changing things in my home was just a way for me to avoid the inside changes that were more important for ME to work on. I now realize that I was always shuffling and re arranging, because I myself was not content on the inside and was always trying to fix up exterior things. With a few years behind me- I began to work more on interior (self) design and that helped me to be more comfortable and happy with my home, no matter the paint color, furniture or design style. Looking back on my decor choices, yeah – some memories, especially color choices make me laugh, but to birth a happy and sincere smile is the point of ones personal home style IMO. I don’t see decor mistakes because I never was one to obey rules, or follow directions. I think overall its only part of the evolution of our surroundings. I take a very light heart approach to decor … it is only “stuff” at the end of the day . I do think that once a room is decorated “IF” one is comfortable and at peace in that room then it does not have to be altered or changed. The downside of social media is that it constantly invites, waste, consumerism, and the desire to have what is trending and therefore it seems that there is a constant hunger for the next big design or product trend. While I enjoy, farmhouse, primitive, rustic, vintage and french decor choices I also could easily dwell inside a very simplistic Amish style home just as easily. I think you have created a lovely home back from the early days of your blog. I don’t see any mistakes.
Anita this is wonderful advice. I have been all over your blog here and I cant find the article that tells what color your blinds are. I know they are Bali but can you tell me what color they are? I want to order mine but not sure what color to get and I love yours. Thank you so much.
Rosemarie
Rosemarie, they are Cabo Placid, I think. I know I mentioned it in this post also. Click here