My style then
My style now
My daughter-in-law, Cady, and I were passing time looking at home decor magazines last week in the hospital. She was commenting on my decor style and I told her how it has evolved over time.
I’ve enjoyed watching both Cady and our daughter-in-law Ailsa, create beautiful homes for our sons with warmth and coziness, which in my book are BIG must-haves for any environment.They both have great taste and translate that taste into their surroundings.
If you’ve followed my blog and Instagrams for long then you know I’m all about visual beauty be it in fashion, design, or sites and sounds of travel and home.
Years ago I decided to ask a friend who was a designer to help me upgrade my little one bedroom apartment. He told me to go through magazines and pull out rooms I was drawn to and loved. When he and I met a week later, he analyzed what I chose and deduced for me my style, which at the time was something like, “Colonial Viet Nam.” I honestly can’t remember what the heck that means, but I’m supposing it was what we might call today, “Asian Bohemian” (if anyone knows what that means!)
What I learned from working with Jeff the designer, is that looking at magazines (or on Pinterest these days) helps coalesce our preferences, be it in food, fashion, or in this case decor. It’s a lot about taking risks, feeling the liberty to pull together what looks right to us, throwing out the notion that there’s a right or wrong way to decorate. Who decides what’s right for our home but us? If it looks right hang it!
Over time it’s natural to grow tired of one style and long for something updated. Most of us grant this evolution to what we wear, but the same is true for home style as well. What moves our soul now may do little for us later. Which is why I’m watching and discerning new looks all the time, via blogs, magazines, and input from friends who are several steps ahead. My friend Kathi Graves for instance, taught me lots about mid-century design years ago, a style we both still love.
So if you’re needing new zest in your surroundings, try searching online or via some blogs. Two of my very faves are TheDecorista.com or HomeontheRunway.com, both of which feature an eclectic mix of design styles that inspire and stretch the mind-set limits on what’s possible.
Then experiment and take a few chances. Try moving things around like my sister, a master home “stager,” does with finesse and ease. A new coat of paint is a cheap thrill, and a small little frame with a photo you love will trigger warmth and gladness. Fill your home with things you love to look at (most of all people!) and items of beauty that stir and nurture.
Happy growing in your happy home.
