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Decorating styles

Lucille

Lucille

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I am trying to re-do the living room a little. I have looked at pictures in magazines and I really like the looks of the spiffy Manhattan style co-ops with expensive art, a few pieces of sleek forniture, nothing on the windows so that one can check out the skyline.

However, my own reality is evolving into something quite different. I have a tiny old suburban house, and by the time the sofa/chair/ottoman, an entertainment center, 2 dog beds, a book basket, a magazine basket, two large floor bird stands, and side tables holding my bear collection are all put into the teeny living room (which adjoins the equally tiny kitchen/dining area) the effect is comfortable but cluttered.

The teeny kitchen is becoming quite three dimensional with copper wall art, hanging copper pots plus a hanging wind chime collection. There seems to be a species of wasp or some other bug that builds nests inside the tubes of the chimes if they are placed outdoors, so they all got moved inside where they chime as people brush by them.

My 'decorating style' has become not a copy of some magazine photo shoot, but a reflection of me and what I love.

What is YOUR 'decorating style'?
 
My style is very ecclectic. I love rose wood, and my living room/office (my office is like a cubicle in the corner of the room) is made up of a rose wood coffee table, desk, bookcase, and then what isn't rose wood is black pewter or metal. I live in a town house, and I have an upstairs, downstairs, plus a basement, but since the house is split in half, it's not incredibly large. So my cages/fish tank are cramped into the living room at the moment, but I'm going to be moving this summer, so I'm not too worried about it.

I have a lot of candles, and I change the ones that are out every month. This month it's been cappacino candles that make the house smell exactly the same. Me and my fiance also have an eastern world fascination, he's really into India and I've lean towards Asian decor. I have a collection of Buddha statues (I'm buddhist) that are all over my house. My big jolly buddha is my favorite. (I stuck a little sombraro on his head.) My fiance has OMs and Indian incense holders. Where there aren't pictures of my daughter, I have framed prints of my favorite paintings.

My bedroom is like a constant work in progress. I wanted to paint it, but never got around to it. It's Morroccan themed with bamboo shades and dark maroon curtains. And a beaded curtain used as a door for the walk-in closet. I had a beautiful handmade beaded Morroccan bedspread, but we upgraded to a king and it doesn't fit.

My daughter's room is bubblegum pink and looks like a little kids playroom. She's really into Dora the Explorer and Disney Princesses right now, so you can imagine what it looks like.

In my kitchen is my favorite piece of furniture I own. My kitchen table. It's not just any old boring table, it's made up of light wood with a terra cotta tile inlay. It fits perfect with the terra cotta walls, that my childhood friend/landlord's mom insisted on painting them. And on the walls, I have my favorite Dali paintings up.

Then there's my basement.... It's my laundry room, the junk room, and my storage warehouse for my store. The only thing that is organized down there is my inventory.
 
I LOVE to decorate! Maybe if you could post a pic of the room you want to change i could help you out :) It's hard to say until i can see the things you currently own and plan to keep in the room.
 
Angela, thank you. I bet if I had advice it might actually come out OK.
Can't take a pic, the Teen left outta here a few days ago taking his camera with him.
The thing is, I despair of ever getting a truly decorated room because I want all the stuff I have in there, to stay in there. But it is comfy and nice, so I spose I will just live with it.
Spring break I'm putting up curtains, the reason I got to wait is that it involves putting up new hardware as well as learning to drape those window scarves. They are a spicy red color, so although I will never be a pro decorator, at lease I'm not afraid to use colors.
 
You guys just make me sick! :raspberry There isn't a single thing in this house that matches except by accident. But it works for us. Neither one of us cares what color the couch is as long as it's comfortable.

When we make the bed its like, "Sheet?" "Sheet." "Pillowcase?" "Okay." "Ummm, three more unless you want to snuggle up to naked pillow!" "Right!" "Quilt?" "Hmmm, just a sec, it's stuck in the linen closet. Okay."

Stand back and look at it; flowered sheets, plaid quilt, white, blue and green pillowcases...Perfect! :)
 
LakesideBoas said:
You guys just make me sick! :raspberry There isn't a single thing in this house that matches except by accident.
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Shhhhh....don't tell, I bought the drapes to match the dog beds.... :ack2:
 
Oh My

After 22 years of marriage we finally said hey maybe we should buy a home.
This took so long due to raising our first 4 children, they came first.
We felt that after we had pretty much raised them (two of the originals still at home) and Had adopted our youngest son, that we should do something permanent.
Oh, I had ideas for this house, LOL
I still have things unpacked in the garage. But it has only been a bit under a year. I will get to it.
Our living room is early american "we have a three year old". Big, heavy and stained. And a light brown, not exactly a match to the light blue carpet.
My cherry writting desk I have hauled around for years holds the computer and is a sharp contrast to the pine colored tables. Hubby chose the sofa, love seat and recliner and the tables. My contribution is a black iron torche' lamp. The entertainment center was a thrift shop find and houses the T.V. and alot of my angel collection. The mantel is a catch all, but also houses my pitcher & tea pot collection (what would fit).
The dining room has been transformed into the Rat maternity ward & nursery,
until I get some racks built. :willy_nil
My 17 yr old daughters room is laughlingly called the "pink palace" She also has this rubber duck obssesion so they reside in there too.
The youngest's room is just "a MESS" :bolt01:
My room is a combination snake room, sleeping area, computer room, and meeting room. Nothing matches in there. But it is comfortable.
When I do get around to actually decorating, the wall to wall carpet is GONE.
In most of the house. Think we will leave it in our room and Kati-An's room.
I plan on painting the entire interior over as everything is white at this time.
Now advice is welcome: Built in display shelves vs. free standing?
:shrug01: I have a large collection of Angels, and a mid sized collection of pitchers & tea pots.
I have a red/brownish brick fireplace, cathedral beamed celings......we plan on hardwood flooring in here, what would be a good wall color? any ideas
Sorry for taking over your post Lucille.......got on a roll here.
 
Hey that's what the thread is for, to trade around ideas.
Carpet: I can't afford real tile right now so except for the living room, everything is done in vinyl tile, but I chose a good quality one so it looks OK until I can get beautiful stone tile. I put it down myself too, so the cost was very reasonable.

If you have rooms with animals, ANYTHING but carpet is an improvement.
I have two smaller wool floral area rugs one in the bedroom and one in the middle of the living room on top of the wall to wall. They dress up the floor but are easy to take care of.
 
lucille said:
Shhhhh....don't tell, I bought the drapes to match the dog beds.... :ack2:
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OMG! That's it! We're driving to Texas and taking you out. Anywhere! It may take a while, but enough alcohol and honky-tonk music should push thoughts of matching drapes and dog beds far, far from your mind.

Men's pants, specifically the back portion of them, hopefully filled with something worth looking at, will be all that's on your mind!
Hubby will drive, he'll bravely escort us for the salvation of your sanity! :dgrin:
 
My wife and I recently bought an 1893 Queen Anne Victorian which we are currently remodeling. What a nightmare! Everything has to be redone. We're just taking one room at a time. My decorating tastes sway toward a traditional style, which happens to work well with the house. We've got nine colors (tastefully chosen) for the exterior of this painted lady. It's a lot of fun, but a whole lot of time and money.
 
We haven't even brought up the geese lately. Now that I have new drapes, I will have to get outfits made for them that coordinate with the drapes...... :raspberry
 
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Art,

Victorian homes are agonizing to restore, but oh so beautiful when they are done. You'll have to get some pictures!

Lucille,

By the time Rob's able to get vacation I fear your drapes, dog beds, geese and most likely your towels will all be color coordinated! *sigh*
I am just going to have to settle for a writing campaign accompanied by photos of the aforementioned men's pants to break you from this terrible affliction. :raspberry
 
my home is currently styled as "20 month old baby lives here" style. incredibly cluttered and at any moment in time a bomb looks like it has exploded.
 
Victorian aaahhh

Victorian house.......Was at one time my "dream" home. However, time has a way of changing things. I have a very bad back condition and stairs are difficult at times so had to settle for one story.
What is laughable.....I work on the second floor of a older building with outdoor stairs. I have to go up and down them 6 days a week. Reguardless of pain.
But as long as I can make it up those stairs one way or another I will continue to work. And be happy with my little one story house.
I found my Dream was not really about a house................But about a Home.
That is what my Husband and 5 children make any place we are.
A house is a house but add Love and it becomes a home.
 
A house is a house but add Love and it becomes a home.
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That's the important stuff. No doubt about it. Oh and I understand about the stairs. Our house has four flights of them. They were really cool for about a week. Our cats look cool hanging out on them though. :)
 
LakesideBoas said:
I am just going to have to settle for a writing campaign accompanied by photos of the aforementioned men's pants to break you from this terrible affliction. :raspberry
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Pfffft. I'll take what I want from them, send them home, and then THEY'LL start coordinating their drape colors.... :hehe:
 
old beginner said:
A house is a house but add Love and it becomes a home.
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That is true, and very wise. Whatever your house, from palatial to humble, love makes it a home.
 
LakesideBoas said:
I am just going to have to settle for a writing campaign accompanied by photos
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This is the week prior to spring break and it's gonna be a looooong week. Email photos. :hehe:
 
lucille said:
This is the week prior to spring break and it's gonna be a looooong week. Email photos. :hehe:
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Oh My! I forgot about that (it's been a while :) )! Hmmm...Wrangler seems to make the best of a good situation...:dgrin:
 
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