Best advice I ever got when it comes to home decor
If you’re like me, it’s very hard to pin down your home decor style. I know what I like when I see it, but I can’t put it in a box. I always admire people that when asked can confidently answer, their style is mid-century, or French country, or minimalist modern. Maybe it’s my inner artist that causes the friction. I can truly say, with the exception of one or two, I can be attracted to something within each style. I appreciate quality workmanship and the fine details that are sometimes overlooked by others. I love the current trends, but never want to commit to a whole house filled with costly items that will soon need to be replaced because they are dated. I spend countless hours looking through Houzz, home decor websites and interior designer blogs. I can’t get enough! But when it came time to pulling the trigger, I used to second guess myself and it took For. Ever. to make a decision. Would I still like it in 5 years? Would it go with everything else in my house? Would it cause my space to be put in a design “category?” As I’ve explained in previous blog posts, I’m a perfectionist and although it can be an amazing characteristic in the right situation, it can also cause a lot of inner conflict. What I’ve learned over the years that has made it so much easier; the most well decorated homes are those that cohesively incorporate many different styles, especially items that have meaning to the home owner. Since I do not work as an interior decorator, in every case when I need to make a home decor decision, that’s me!
The most well decorated homes are those that incorporate many different styles and especially items that have meaning to the home owner.
Facts: I love my kitchen, fresh flowers wherever I can fit them, and items with sentimental value. A subtle sprinkling of pieces that remind me of a special person, special time in our lives, or places my husband and I have visited, brings me joy. We recently did a kitchen reno and part of that reno was to add a tall cabinet with glass doors to display some of my favorite things. This cabinet was not meant to be a china cabinet of yesteryear. The point of this renovation was to add some extra storage and more personality to the kitchen. Let’s face it, our kitchens are the epicenter of our homes and I wanted mine to reflect who I am and what I love, since I am in it so much. When I was working on curating the shelves, considering I’m regularly looking for a vase for fresh flowers, I decided a shelf dedicated to vases was probably in order. With all the vases I have, I was struggling to find a grouping that would coordinate well together. Finally, I reminded myself of a key element of design: surround yourself with things you love and you will love your space.
Decorate for you, not your guests or an imaginary magazine shoot. Items don’t necessarily need to match in style to be grouped together. Actually, that can be quite boring. A mix of texture, color and heights keeps things interesting and looking fresh and modern. I immediately went upstairs to grab for a vase that had been in a bedroom for 5 years now. It belonged to my mom and was in the entry of our home for much of our lives. She loved it and it reminded me of her and my childhood home. When I look at it I feel happy, nostalgic and grateful. So why wouldn’t I have it where I spend most of my time? I grouped it with other vases with similar meaning and some that spoke to me, that I just picked up at Baran Home, a local home boutique in Newburyport, MA. This store is filled with reasonably priced trending home decor. Next time you’re visiting, stop by and check them out.
Tip: Scattering just one or two modern pieces amidst the existing decor per room is enough to keep your space current without breaking the bank.
