I remember when I had a red room, a blue room, a green room, and a pink room. Where did I think I lived, the White House? I thought it was a way for me to enjoy several different colors and styles all in one house. And that worked OK, until I would want to change something out.
So what happened when I really wanted a new chest in my red room? Well if I moved a new chest in, then I had to get rid of the existing red chest. Why? Because the red chest would not work in any other rooms in my house. I couldn’t move a red chest into my green room, or a blue chair into the pink room. They were the wrong color. After I decorated each room, I was really felt stuck with my original choices. Not being about to move things around can be quite emotionally challenging for someone who loves to decorate. My ‘I can have all the colors of the rainbow’ approach ended up giving me fewer choices rather than more.
Once I thought that was allowing me to be flexible, but it ended up locking me up in a way that I didn’t expect. I felt that if I went with the same color in every room that would be boring. What I didn’t realize is that when you have a consistent look in your home, you can move things from one room to another quite seamlessly.
I move things from one room to another all of the time, creating a new look all of the time. Now, I would like to demonstrate how one purchase meant that 4 rooms got a new look.
Here is my case in point. I bought new chairs for my closet. Why? Because they were fantastic, vintage made in Italy and super reasonable. But really we’re friends so please don’t ask me why I bought them. Friends don’t ask those kinds of questions.
This set off a chain reaction at my house, because I already had a chair in here.
Now I love this chair too. Did I have to get rid of it? Of course not! I moved it into the bathroom. The oatmeal colored linen worked well in the white bathroom, but of course there was bit of a problem.
I already had a chair in here.
And this chair got moved to my vanity. The color and style of the chair worked perfectly at my vanity.
but of course, my vanity already had a stool here.
So it got moved to my guest quarters, where it fit in beautifully.
That one purchase affected 4 rooms. It works so well being able to move furniture from one room to another without any clashing. And what a fabulous treat to make one purchase and be able to update the look in 4 rooms.
So now you know the value in having a cohesive look in your home.
I agree 100% and I love to move my stuff around. But your comment reminds me of a dumb, yet funny thing I did once. We bought a 70’s house to remodel and use for rental income. It had red, blue and pink shag carpet. We removed all the doors and I labeled them “red room” etc. After 6 months and all the remodeling was done and all the rooms had tan carpet my husband couldn’t figure out which doors went where. “North, south, east and west might have worked better” he said.
I think that kind of decorating comes from years experience of trial and error. I have made many errors! Now I try to buy quality prices, that are versatile. I wish I had read these blogs years ago!!!
This reminds me of the book ” If You Give A Mouse A Cookie”!
Thank you, i needed that talk,i need to cover a chair and you have helped me see the light. lol Have a great day.
I sure hope my husband reads this, just to prove to him I am right.
Great post.
Thanks,
*Smiles*
+There are other ways to do this also. I have different color walls and I have used nutural upholstried furniture. Then my notions are the colors of the theme ( Indian and Mexican) that I use in my home. No Southwestern theme here. I use the Indian theme in the rooms that I want to be peaceful and quiet. The Mexican theme is in the kitchen and places I want to be happy and joyful. Having a place in Mazatlan we bring back alot of notions and decor. Having Navaho grandchildren we tend to love the Indian decor too. Do you thing this is a mess? I am constantly moving stuff around and having a ball. I guess you would have to see it. My attitude is there is always a way to do things. Lisa
Well at the end of the day, you need to do what suits you. Glad you are enjoying your home.
Hi Anita…Thank you so much for your timely post. We are in the middle of re-painting the interior of our home and I have been a bit wishy-washy with just one color, or several colors throughout. I decided on one cohesive color throughout (Farrow and Ball Wimbourne White) and after just reading your post…WHEW…I think I made the right decision. 🙂 Thanks so much for confirming that!!! I really love your blog and I hope one day that our home is 1/2 as beautiful as your lovely homes. 🙂 Thank you so very much for all of your time and hard work in bringing all of us such joy and inspiration with your fabulous creativity!
I’m so excited for you Libby. It sounds beautiful!!!
Anita,
LOVE having pieces that can be switched easily from one room to another, dear friend!!!
Once warmer temperatures arrive, I have a couple of ‘pieces’ that will be receiving a Renewal!
Your post are always a source of inspiration!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Your home is beautiful! I am stuck in a 50’s ranch that needs a new paint job in every room. I have lived for 23 years in rooms with all different colors and I’ve become so tired of them! So paralyzed with decorating because I don’t want to make anymore mistakes! I have been torn about color choices and it just makes so much more sense to have one color throughout to get that cohesive look! Now to find just the right color…. How much more fun it will be afterward to pick up new furniture pieces and accessories while out “junking” and not worry so much about “Where can I put this?”. You are a great inspiration! Thank you!
Thank you Dawn. Have fun junking!!
You always give me something to think about!
Great inspirational ideas for a cohesive look with homes. Thanks for sharing them. They look immensely inspiring!!
I couldn’t agree with you more and love your style! But what do you do when a spouse has a big opinion? I love when all rooms flow into the next with a calming, cohesive look–he thinks all rooms should make a statement–it’s a balancing act for sure! haha