I had a couple of friends over and they said your home feels so cozy. After I smiled and passed on a big fat thank you, they asked how I came up with so many ideas. That was easy – “I do what I want”. They laughed but I was totally serious. I said again, for a pleasant home do what you want and choose what you like.
For a pleasant home do what you want and choose what you like!
So I asked them the same question and only one person had an answer. She said I go to Hobby Lobby or Kirkland’s, see what’s out there then buy it.
That’s all fine and dandy if you like what you find. But if you struggle with design or putting those items together, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. There’s a better way. An easier way. One that won’t have your home looking like everyone else’s or dictate if your decor is in or out.
How I Decorate With Architectural Salvage Pieces
Design should be exciting and personal. It should promote distinction, not a cliché.
If you have a consultation with a good interior designer, they’ll ask questions like what do you love about your space. Or what do you dislike or what doesn’t work for you in your home? Sometimes they’ll ask are there any furnishings, decor items, collections or sentimental pieces you want to keep. All great questions.
Think about it. It took a while for our personalities, likes and dislikes to show up after birth. It’s the same with decorating. It begins with a life of ups and downs, promotions, disappointments, travels, deaths and births. Each one can be a factor in what we like and that takes time.
If you get intimidated by trends or having so many decor styles to choose from. Here are a few questions to ask yourself.
- What do I enjoy about being in my home? Maybe it’s the size, low ceilings, lots of windows, furniture placement or paint color.
- How do I want this space to function? It could be for reading, working, dining, entertaining or possibly doing absolutely nothing.
- Do you like to be surrounded by things or like a clutter free area? Maybe you’re a collector of treasures and need more storage.
- How do I want my home to feel? Sometimes we get enough stimulation from work and need a sanctuary. Sometimes we need more energy from our homes.
A Lazy Hazy Summer Porch
I often say I want our home to reflect us, my husband and I. Really just me because if it were up to him all we’d have are a couple of recliners, a side table and microwave. No thanks. So, I want our space to reflect me; casual, organized, social, and a little quirky. I’d like to add warm, inviting and always up for a good time to that list as well. 😉
I try and keep our two homes separate in decor looks so when we go to the farmhouse, it’s a slightly more relaxing kind of life (even though it’s a ton of work). But you can see that what I like is evident throughout both homes.
My advice – Find some photos on Pinterest, in magazines or of places you’ve visited and put them all together and see what they have in common. It could be a color, a style, a feeling you get when you see them or a combination of all of it. Find the common threads and recreate it.
A Garden Inspired Vignette
Believe me, I’m familiar with the feeling of wanting it all done right now. And if you’ve lived a long time and have collected things for a while, designing a space you love is easier. Not so much if you’re starting over or just now realizing what you like and dislike. Create your story. See it as exciting. Don’t rush it.
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I’m feeling rushed and a little anxious now with our newly painted kitchen. I’ve tried a couple of things on the walls and over the cabinets but haven’t liked any of it. I‘m still trying to figure out what I want so it might be a while before I share it.
How to Add New Pieces to Create a Charming Hutch
All that said, even if you feel inadequate, stick to it! You are the designer. It’s your home. And remember, for a pleasant home do what you want and choose what you like!
Don’t succumb to big box store items unless you really love the piece. And for the items that you’ve had hanging around, ask yourself would you buy it again? I’ve been donating a bunch of decor lately and it feels awesome!
Love this, Cindy!! Couldn’t have said it better!!
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Aww, thanks so much Rachel. BTW, I’m featuring your post this week hat was linked up on Farmhouse Friday 343. Loved it!!!
What a great post, Cindy! I’ve always known what I love and decorated around that although with an eye toward trends. I’ve often been amazed at open houses where people go to a store and buy the whole set of something with nothing personal or decorative. Love hearing your take on personal decorating.
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Buying in bulk has often boggled my mind as well. So many times I’ve wanted to just walk into a store like Rooms To Go and pull people aside and say please let me help you with that. :0 Thanks so much Debra.
I almost started clapping when I read the title of your post !!! This is just such a critical message to anyone who really wants to focus on how their home looks. (There are people in this world who are not really very concerned with how their home looks. So baffling!) And you are so right; it literally can take years of practice to really develop exactly what your style is, what lifts your heart and brings you joy. I started photographing (just for myself) my early attempts at decorating; they were timid, not very confident, and pretty unremarkable. But I had to start somewhere! I am so glad you had friends that took the time to look around at your home and share with you how your home made them feel. That is such a gift. Just today, I had 9 women here for a board meeting (they come over every month for these meetings). I had to ASK THEM to notice I had hung 2 new magnolia prints flanking the china hutch, Just shaking my head…. Anyway – love this post and thank you so much for writing it!
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Whaaat?! That’s terrible. People should pay more attention to things. Especially if they know it’s important to them. I always try to find something I like about everyone’s home. Even if it isn’t my taste.
And yes, I totally agree. It’s baffling when we find a woman who doesn’t care about her home. But people are surprised at my lackluster attitude for fashion. Give me a beautiful chair any ol’ day over a new air of shoes. LOL! Thank you Kristine for commenting and I’ll take those claps! 😉
I am finally finding that out. Now I do what I like and don’t know what style it is, maybe vintage cottage. I play musical chairs and my family says they never know what they’ll find. I think I’m almost through but, who knows, hahaha!!!
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Musical chairs – LOL! I love it! I know what I like now but still move things around. It keeps life interesting and people on their toes!
I’m loving everything I see!! Your home is right up my alley. thank you for the lovely pictures of your home! I noticed you have great slipcovers on your furniture, may I ask where they are from…custom made locally or purchased online? Thanks, Cindy!!
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The wider rolled arm love seat and chairs are from IKEA. The smaller armed sofa is from Pier One and over 5 years old. The loveseat is almost 10 and the chairs are 15 years old! All of them have held up beautifully. Thanks so much for the sweet comment. You made my day.
Love you,Cindy!! I feel a kinship with you for some reason.?? Thanks for your comment, love seeing all the fun and wonderful things you show us!!
I agree with your approach. If we choose what we like, we can design and combine in ways that are unique to us, and only change what we want and when we want to. Have a lovely weekend!
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That sounds so fulfilling, doesn’t it? I hope we can help others feel the same way. Thank you Sandra.
Love, love, love this post, Cindy! I couldn’t agree more! I’m going to share this on my Saturday share post tomorrow!
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That is so sweet of you Missy, thank you!