Sometimes readers love what I do, and then sometimes well to put it mildly they hate it. That’s right, not everyone appreciates my sense of style and adventure.
See? You thought it was all fun and games being a blogger, but we do get our share of criticism. Sometimes I agreed with what was said, and sometimes I didn’t.
I know I like to focus on my decorating successes, but I thought today we would look at what readers disliked the most. And here they are in no particular order.
That’s right. Someone thought this was weird. A tree in a cup weird? I don’t think so. Creative and kitschy in an off-beat way, okay I’ve give you that. Let’s just say meals can be a bit treacherous at my house.
2. The Fall leaves on my plates
One reader thought these leaves were lame. In my defense, I did call it ‘Fast and Easy Fall decorating’ so really what did you expect? (Maybe she didn’t get the memo, leaves Scotch-taped to a plate are cool.)
3. The chair on top of the cabinet
Some readers didn’t get my vision. I thought it had that ‘chairs stacked haphazardly like in an old warehouse’ look. Again the chair was broken and I was trying to find a creative way to use it somewhere. Eventually I did take it down, not because I caved under the pressure, but because I decided I wanted to do something else. I fixed it and painted it. You can see the finished product HERE.
This is unacceptable because plates only belong in the kitchen, and everyone knows that. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. But I’ve got my hands in the air like I just don’t care, or something like that.
The color police routinely write me tickets when I go neutral. This was an affront to rainbows and unicorns everywhere.
6. The white bedspreads in the girls’ room
Someone said it looked like the hospital ward at Downton Abbey. That made me laugh out loud. I had to agree too. I added lavender and you can see the improved room HERE.
This is just wrong. I know it is wrong because a reader told me it was. Do not put books in a chair. Chairs are for sitting only.
8. The ruined antique coffee table
A reader accused me of ruining a valuable antique, because I painted it. This piece is probably from the 1970’s. I can assure you it is not an antique. I did not ruin an antique; I saved it a vintage piece from a landfill. She also informed me this was a coffee table and not an ottoman as I claimed it was. It came with a cushion, so you decide.
9. The book bundles
The librarians came after me for this one. I was accused of defacing books. The books were paperbacks in terrible shape, but that mattered not. This was clearly book treason.
Just look at the fireplace do you see a creepy face? Once a reader pointed it out to me. Now I can’t NOT see it. I had to change what I had on the doors above the fireplace so that it did not look like a face ever again. You can see what I ended up doing for this year, HERE.
So I hope you enjoyed my walk of shame.
Why did I do this post? Well partly to entertain you, but also I had another deeper reason for doing it. I want you to become immune to criticism. If you fear failure, you’ll never try and never reach to achieve more. I think part of the creative process is learning to tune the nay-sayers out. You need to be able to move boldly forward even if no one else shares your vision. So I hope you see it will happen and it’s not the end of the world.
Uh Oh – I have been using a small chair as a night stand for years. Love it so not changing a thing. For any of the above that you still enjoy I hope you do the same for all but the creepy Christmas face because now I can’t not see it ;-D
I too use an old chair as a nightstand. Perfect height, and I can throw my PJ’s over its back. I love to see things used for their not intended purpose.
Best read of the day!!!
I am still LOL.
I guess not everyone was taught as my mother taught me: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.
Opinions are like noses, everyone has one. Somehow the masses seems to think you want to hear theirs. Tell them to get their own blog and say whatever they want.
I love your style, your decor, your homes and your shop.
Keep on keeping.
Thanks Susan, it was fun going over what people said on those posts.
I loved your fails! It’s comforting to know that everyone has these. Makes me a little more daring to know that! Thanks.
You can’t please everyone! I like the quirkiness of your design. It’s you having fun! Now when you start posting elf on a shelf, I will have to reconsider things!!! Merry Christmas and keep creativity alive!
Hahaha. I love the face. Some people have way too much imagination. No, wait. Imagination is a good thing.
Well the face thing was weird for sure.
LOL..I can see the face ..as to evveryones opinion..that is just it..their opinion?You decorate with what u love doing… Keep on ..I enjoy reading yr blogs?Love yr sense of humour.
Funny. I see your ideas as creative and thinking outside the box. They inspire me to change things up with what I have for a fresh no cost look. Kudos on thick skin and your good humor, people should not voice neg comments. Your blog is one of my fav! Thank you for providing us blog readers with enjoyment. Merry Christmas Anita!
Vicki
Vicki, thank you. I’m glad you see it that way.
9 out of 10 were not fails in my opinion. The chair on the cabinet…. yeah, probably so 🙂 Thanks for this, it was fun!
Ha, funny!
I do not see the ‘fails’ as others did. I love small scale chairs and have one for holding books!
I wanted to possibly get back into blogging, but from what I have read here and on other blogs, people are too critical. I wonder what their OCD home looks like!
Well!! I am flabbergasted! I would definitely not call these decorating Fails. I have done all of these from time to time over the past 45 yrs. Ilove every one of these clever ideas…and that is what they are. I remember back in 1976 i hung a bunch of empty picture frames in a grouping over an old iron baby crib that i had converted into a settee, and one of my neighbors could not understand that and I was the “talk” of the neighborhood. Geesh! I would call them all ” decorating DOs”! Btw I love the tree in the tea cup.
Excellent point Kim!!
You made me laugh out loud! I may not always like what you do either, but I also say to each his own, and I would never go into a friend’s house and ask “Why do you have a (insert item) there on your table, bookcase, etc. That’s plain rude. And you are a friend, kinda….internet friend.
Well that was funny, even if I didn’t agree with all the criticisms . I have had plates all over my house my whole married life. I have plates in the bathroom lol. I also do crazy things with old books and thought your broken chair up high was just a ltttle artzy-fartsy hilarity. But the Downton Abby sick ward was spot on haha and those little trees are kind of messy. If I were at your house and got a bristle in my tea I would not be happy!
Silly me, I was raised to believe that if you don’t have something nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all. I follow your blog because I love what you do and this post made me laugh at the ridiculousness of your critics. Have a grand day and decorate on….
Thanks Valerie, it was funny to me as well.
Love your style of decoration and would never have thought of a negative comment on anything.
Just enjoyable and inspiring, even if one particular thing would not look good in our house … it looks good in yours. Just keep on inspiring us to be creative.
Thank you Audrey. You are very kind. Everyone has their own take on decor.
Post of the day – very funny! But do people really tell you these things? I see so much in blog land that is just plain wrong (not yours-usually!) but have never “enlightened” that blogger, just shook my head and moved on. But now I’m going to make an exception and tell commenter Gloria – plates in the bathroom? No! LOL!
Yes they surely do.
It was a funny read…..people are just mean. Everybody has a right to there opinions but really?
I love most of your ideas but would never be that critical. Your blog your ideas, im just so happy to have all of the ideas from you bloggers…..thanks.
I totally stumbled upon this….what a funny read! My personal favorite: the scary fireplace “face”! Egads! 😉
I would really like to see there houses,without creativity there is no change,boring! Thanks Anita i really enjoyed this post and have a very Merry Christmas.
I never considered them decorating fails. When I saw the tree in a cup I got out my silver tea cups and stuck a mistletoe ball in one and a votive in the other. At my shop Imam displaying an enamel ware pot on a chair. I like the unexpected. I think every room should have something that you wouldn’t normally see. I love your style and blog.
Ha ha this post was a riot!! I can’t believe people can be so mean – it’s your house, can’t you do whatever makes you happy? Bizarre!! I guess some folks don’t have anything better to do.
Anyway, thanks for making me laugh!!
Glad you enjoyed it Debbie!
You are a fabulous decorator…and what fun you have with the art. I am so happy you choose to share!
This is so funny, Anita…and the face on the fireplace topped them all! Just keep doing what you do lol…
Hilarious, Anita. Thanks for the chuckle this morning. BTW – my daughter has the same opinion about plates in the bedroom. She dings me for the ones in my master bedroom all the time.
I don’t understand all the negative comments you got (well, except the Christmas face). I think you are very talented. Not everything is of my taste, but I can almost always find a takeaway that works for my home. Have a wonderfully blessed Christmas!!
Anita! Soooo funny! Yeah you, for not getting upset with people who don’t agree with some decorating ideas. I do have to say that whole face thing was creepy! Lol I’m still laughing! I’m like you, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy it after “the face” was pointed out! Have a very merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas to you too Rebecca
This is the best post ever. People are so bizarre- the things that they feel the need to attack. I’m going to go put some books on my guest room chair, it looks awesome.
Toooo funny! Hi there! I like your decorating And the face was weird! Probably would not have noticed it but do you have triplets? Your little girls room was all too precious!!! I LOVE that look! Great job! Chair was funny too on top of cabinet!!
Hi Anita………….
I think your decorating Boo Boo’s are great…………hey, I decorate to make myself happy, and don’t care if someone else likes it or not……unless they are my family, of course………..
So create and decorate on, hon………….not everyone has the same taste, or creativity, but it is all fun, andhey, they have the choice to come by and view it or NOT!!
Blessings for a Lovely, Peaceful and Joy Filled Christmas!
Nellie
Omg! The fireplace face! I can’t not see it now either! It even has teeth! Lol! Reminds me of the time that I spent a month making a cross stitch picture of morning glories for my stepmother. She loved flowers and gardening and her favorite color was blue. Perfect, right? Oh! It came out soooo pretty and I was so excited waiting to see her expression when she opened her gift. She took one look at it, turned to me with a puzzled look on her face and asked me why I had made her a picture of frogs. Frogs? What frogs? She outlined the emty spaces between the flowers and the leaves with her finger and, sure enough, those empty places looked like frogs. After that, I could never look at that lovely picture again without wanting to go “ribbet, ribbet”. Sigh. Fail.
Ha, ha, that’s funny!!!
How will we know what we like until we try it??????
And … funny… but have you noticed how what looks so great one day will get on your nerves after a bit and what looked like a flub yesterday will eventually be a trend?
And… wouldn’t the world be boring if we all liked the same things?
You have a beautiful home….and I almost always see or read something here that inspires….
I would not be concerned about what other people think about your decorating. It is your home and you need to do what you like. I would not care what they think.
Agreed Annette.
The creepy Christmas face is hilarious!! Thank you for sharing your “oopses”!
I can’t stop laughing, great post… ?
Thank you for encouraging others to be themselves! The whole point about sharing your style with others is … it’s “your style”! If it doesn’t inspire them, they can move along to the next place & find something that does! Keep up the beautiful work, because I love seeing it! ❤️
I am rolling!!! Great post, Anita! I love the FACE! And I think that might be a piano bench? I have one just like it! Made a ruffle slipcover and voila, an ottoman!
Oh that’s probably right Emily. Thank you my Dear.
I loved the leaves on the plates and I could have moved into the hospital ward. Even though the lavender looks good I think you had it right the first time. The plates above be made spectacular and let us not forget the books on the chair—fantastic.
Keep on Keeping on.
Anita…This was such a fun blog…with your sense of humor…actually I rather liked your mistakes…and I can’t even think of one reason folks didn’t care for the xmas tree in the teacup…I think it is adorable!
Everyone’s a critic, right? I LOVE what you do. Keep on truckin’.
Hi Anita,
I have been enjoying your blog for about a year. What strikes me most is the bright airy feeling your style brings to every room. Mistakes are part of the experimentation process, I make sooooo many. Lovely of you to share yours, although not sure that half of them are even mistakes! I look forward to seeing your next projects.
These are seriously hilarious! The Downton Abbey Hospital Ward is my favorite.
I alway put books in a chair and we use the book pages at the store in cloches for display! I agree with one reader, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything!”
Anita,
You do such a great job. Thank you for all your inspiration.
Ha, that was a fun read! It’s a good thing you can smile at the responses you get.
I missed this post the first time around. Very funny post. But do kind of see the hospital scene from Downton Abbey (love your changes) and the scary Christmas face fireplace. Yup, once you see it, you can’t un-see it.
Oh my goodness! People ARE so critical! I wonder how many of those critics have a wonderfully successful blog or have published a book? LOL! I find myself second-guessing myself many times, then I think “who lives here?”. ME – that’s who and my two dogs. They don’t say much and I like MOST of what I do…and IF I don’t I can change it! I love your ideas and may sit Christmas trees in all my cups!
Thanks!
mmmm, I looked at the “flops” and got three lovely ideas!!!
isn’t wonderful that we’re not perfect yet?!!!
peace,
elaine
I love to reuse, redirect, repurpose, paint and repaint sometimes. Just being a little creative in my decor.
I could buy more stuff, and put more stuff in the landfill OR I can appreciate and put new life to an old and unusable book, chair, stool or whatever. THANK YOU for your ideas. Keep inspiring us…….
Love all the positives and negatives in each of your ideas?
I look forward every week to what you are doing. Love you ideas – they make me think of ways I can create all around me!
Oh my Anita, I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time. Thank you for starting my day off with a big smile on my face. I especially loved your last comment about the Creepy Christmas Face. I have one of the Downtown Abbey Hospital Rooms in my daughters old room. I personally like the look & I’ve taken out all the busy colors and love the look. I guess the decorating police will come after me too if they here about my room. I think personally it would be fun to try to create a Creepy Christmas Face over the fireplace. I’ll let you know if I succeed at it this Holiday season.
i must really disagree about the plates because, i will admit that i used this idea in one of my guest rooms. i also love the books.
Well I agree Jill. That was tongue in cheek. I’m not taking my plates down.
That’s funny. Made me smile. Even if I don’t like something someone does, I don’t tell them. I love your blog. This one is funny, like I said.
I was expecting something horrible, but these are just a matter of taste. Smiling again.
I don’t consider any of those as fails. In fact, I think they are wonderful. I have incorporated some of those same decorating tricks myself (books on a chair, tree in a cup, plates in a bedroom). I think the little things we do to make our homes beautiful tell others a lot about who we are; our likes and dislikes, our love for life and for family, and our sense of humor.
Wow…. that’s all I can say… You are creative beyond words and take the time and energy to inspire us with your style. I can’t believe people actually took the time to criticize your decor and creativity. I’m appalled. It’s not all about pleasing everyone, it’s about taking the risk and showing your subscribers how you created an amazing space that pleases you and giving us inspiration to think outside the box. Good for you for taking it so well…. Thank goodness I didn’t go into blogging…. I’d be crushed! ha ha! I love everything you do and thank you for sharing your ideas with us… still shaking my head here in Canada.
Everyone has an opinion, but they are not living in your house! Great post!
Well, I think everything you do is great. I do see the Christmas face. And maybe if the little tree in the cup was green? Other than that, these so called “mistakes” are a drop in the bucket to all the beautiful decorating and design you do.
oh, my…. people really had the nerve to call you out for these things ? That wasn’t very nice. Each blog I subscribe to is written by someone who has different visions. We are all inspired in different ways to do things that are unique. I don’t believe these were fails on your part. I get tired of the cookie cutter decorating I sometimes see and really enjoy those little surprises that are thrown our way. Don’t change a thing!
“I got my hands in the air like I just don’t care” Now that really did make me laugh out loud! I knew you were the best “lamp picker” on the planet, but I didn’t know how funny you are! Thanks for a great article!
Oh! My! Anita! This was an interesting post! It never ceases to amaze me what other people have to say about things! My Mom & Dad always told us that if we had nothing nice to say to someone, then we shouldn’t say it!
Your home is absolutely lovely and I just love your country French decorating! Just keep on doing what you do!
How we thank God that your babysitter is home from hospital.
I cannot hide my disbelief that people would be so rude as to tell you what they did not like. Where have all the manners gone?
What an absolutely FUN post! Loved all the comments as well. Such an outstanding blog you have – and outstanding supportive readers. Those that make negative comments miss the spirit of everything about being creative. Don’t let anyone corral your ideas or creativity or sharing them with those of us who love everything including the “fails!!”
Loved what you did with your chair. It is gorgeous!
We all need to develop a “thick skin” attitude to ward off some rather negative and rude commentary.
Oh, my! There are MANY plates hanging over guest room beds at this very moment! I loved this posting…giggled over several of these ‘mistakes’ that I, too, have committed [though having a lack of color will never be one of them!].
I just found this post and I love it. I just started a blog and I was hesitant because of all the negative people but this post has given me courage to push on. I love your decorating ideas even the ones some people think are mistakes, except maybe the fireplace one.
Ive read many books that are now uncovered, tea stained, and sun faded. Some use all their creative energy to criticize others, Id rather paint a table
This was so funny!! Thanks for sharing!! What ever happened to “if you can’t say anything nice”………….
The Creepy Christmas face had me throw my head back with laughter! But I loved the little tree in a cup. And books on a chair. What’s wrong with the unexpected? Nothing, that’s what.
This TOTALLY made me laugh… especially because I was the wet blanket that just commented on your ‘fur’ post! LOL! You go girl!
P.S. Since my mom has hit her 70s, she sees faces in EVERYTHING! I’m going to show her your Christmas Fireplace pic, and see what she says! I’ll let you know! 😉
Ha ha Julie! That’s too funny. Well I don’t expect everyone to like what I do. The main thing is that you get inspired to do your own thing.
Love your style…don’t change a thing!
Plates above the bed, horrible. I hate anything above my bed. Gives me the heebie jeebies.
Tree in cup, would have never thought of that and glad I didn’t
Chair on top of cabinet-dangerous and looks like the mad hatter was there.
-Can’t stop looking at the face on fireplace
Otherwise, ok.