What's my style? How can I improve my home?
by
Brenda T
+26
I really need help. I'm looking to discover more about my decorating style and how I can improve my humble home as best I can. Is there more than one style represented here or is there a running theme?
19 answers
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I love what you have done in the first pic with the two chairs light walls and fabrics. It's light and airy looking. My motto is less is more and the accessories you have in the first pic are about the right balance. I would lighten up the walls and fabrics in the other rooms and do some editing with the accessories. Have you thought of painting your kitchen cabinets white? I think that would lighten the feel in that room as well as it seems a little heavy to me with the dark cabinets. Thats just my opinion though and you should go with what YOU like.
Teresa F
on Nov 15, 2013
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I just noticed, is your home a mobile? I have a blog where it shows what I did in my mobile home here's the link. http://magazineyourhome.blogspot.com/2013/06/summer-tour-of-homes-my-cottage.html
Teresa F
on Nov 15, 2013
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You certainly have a collection of many styles...and that can be good. I agree with Teresa F that thinning out the accessories will help. Of course some folks like a lot of things around them and that is OK too, but you can't have it both ways! Also, update the lighting in the kitchen. There have been so many stunning posts of different items you can use to make yourself some great lighting in your kitchen. I would say nix the fan, but I live in the south and I am about ready to put mine back up in my kitchen! I think my next lighting fixture on a fan will be a wire basket with an Edison bulb!
Jeanette S
on Nov 16, 2013
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I could be wrong, but, I think all the dark wood isn't really your style, judging from that first pic. You don't have to go white (unless that's what you like) but, can go lighter shades (I'm fond of light gray). When I'm not happy with a room, I take all the accessories out, move around the furniture (those slider things are great for heavy pieces), see if the room would look best with less furniture and then only put back the things I love. If I don't love it, don't want it somewhere else, I put it in a give away box. I always ask my daughters before giving away furniture, and usually one wants something.
Cynthia H
on Nov 16, 2013
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Thank you for the great suggestion. I've already found at least 8 pieces that have made their way out of here based on your not loving them theory.(one was a huge desk!) I simply Freecycle(d) it and it was gone within the hour. Thank you for the insight. It really makes a difference to get the opinions of others.
Brenda T
on Nov 16, 2013
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If you make use of your clip boards on Hometalk and clip anything that catches your eye and that you absolutely love, you will soon start to see a common theme, style or colour scheme occurring. If you find your clip board is still a bit of a mixed bag of styles and colours and no one particular look jumps out at you as being a preference and you love to 'collect' stuff, then I would say, perhaps accept that you have an eclectic style, but only keep what you love and what you feel in your gut works together. It is your home and you need to feel happy with what you have around you. If it feels like home to you, that is all that matters, far more so than trying to fit your style into a pigeon hole. Have fun!
Carole
on Nov 16, 2013
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Please do not use silk flowers they are dust collectors. A few live houseplants will help keep the air clean and bring the outdoors in. If you can't grow plants there are nurseries that will help you pick the right plants for the amount of light. I also agree less is more. and put collection together for more of a statement instead of scattering them all over.
Claudia Bilbrey
on Nov 17, 2013
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Hey, I like your place! AS a matter of fact, I have a lot of the same pieces of furniture, very similar tastes, and about the same space as you have! That's why I am interested in how I can make the best of what I have, so hooked up with hometalk! But right off, I'd say, I like your taste!
Linda Weeks
on Nov 17, 2013
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I would call your "style" " Brenda Style".. I like things that have a meaning.. I may go to a thrift store and see some little something that brings to mind something that I may have had as a child, or something a dear loved one had said or did as I was growing up.. these things are important TO ME, whether anyone else agrees or not... Ive been called a pack rat, hoarder, and other names for keeping stuff that others deem unimportant, but if it means something to me ,thats what matters.... Having said that... My house caught fire last year.. I was told that you have to toss EVERYTHING that came in contact with the smoke, electronics etc are ruined by the water and the smoke... However there were some things that I had to try to salvage.. and amazingly could.. I wish now that I had saved more.... but I was on a short time frame to get stuff before they tore down the old house, plus it was dark inside the house, and the smell was difficult to deal with.... There are things now that I wonder about.. did I get that, is it out in the boxes that are stored to be gone through later?? I find it difficult to turn loose and throw away things that could be repurposed as something else... One of my sisters suggested that I take a picture of the item then throw it away... Its NOT the same!!... Basically what I am trying to say , do what makes YOU comfortable .. There is NO LAW engraved in stone anywhere that dictates that you have to do any thing a particular way... You can incorporate suggestions or hints, or something you may see that someone else has done into your space as you make it your own... I remember my mom saying the more "stuff" you have the more "Stuff you have to DUST"!! lol yet she had a lot of "Stuff" just like I did...God rest her soul, So thats my suggestion... if it means/meant something to you, what does it hurt to have it.. If you get over that time or need in your life for something THEN let it go,,, but when YOU are ready to...
Buster Evans
on Nov 17, 2013
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Hi Brenda In your first pic I love the arrangement of the chairs, dressers in the window, pillows and pictures. I love accents of black and pops of colour. So the pillows and picture frames look great. Can't tell if the curtain rod is black, but if not I would spray paint it. Also I find the curtains are too light in colour and don't seem to match with anything. I would choose a brighter or darker colour fabric either a solid or print. In your second pic everything seems to go together very well in colour and style. I would add a folded blanket at the end of your bed. Something that is the same colour as in your pic pic above your bed like a green or brown would look nice. In your third pic it looks like you added a valance above your curtains. It doesn't really go with anything. I love your bistro dining set, but the little round area rug underneath is too much. I would update the lighting to a something with a large shade. Your two wood units I would redo in the same colour as your bistro set. It is alot of work, but I think it would pull everything together better. Also all the knick knacks on top of your unit is too much, and should be displayed in your unit. In your forth pic I like the arrangement, but just the lamp on the table would be enough. Also I would match all the frames in the same colour, and tone down the amount. Just a bit too busy. In your fifth pic I love your kitchen. You have many nice things, but there is just too many decorative items. I am sure you can find other places in your home to display them, or reduce. Your kitchen is a little buried and cluttered. Also I would update the lighting as well. In your last pic I would also say tone down the amount of decorative items. It is hard to appreciate some items when your attention is all over the place. Also from this pic I noticed the paint colour doesn't really go and compliment your kitchen and surrounding area that well. I would go lighter. Hope I wasn't too harsh. You wanted some different visions, and that is just mine. I think you have great taste but just have too many items. Less is more. Keep us posted.
Kim Dagenais
on Nov 17, 2013
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Wow I just noticed that you have six other pics. I will comment after I finish eating dinner. LOL
Kim Dagenais
on Nov 17, 2013
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Well I am not going to break it down room by room this time, but have to say you just have too many decorative items. I would change the lighting in both bathrooms. Also the curtains w/ valance in your living room do not really go together. Look forward to seeing pics of your changes. Keep us posted.
Kim Dagenais
on Nov 17, 2013
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I think you style is eclectic! Your collectibles don't all have to be on display. Think of the colors you love -- 3 at most and then begin. There's just too much that attracts the eye. The bathroom is cute. I'd put blinds on the window instead of a curtain and update the faucets. I just did that in my guest bathroom with faucets from Lowe's. Not expensive and gave everything an updated look. The dark framed pictures are too dark. How about some smaller frames with lighter natural scenes. The vase is too large; find one that's smaller and put in a small plant. ZZ plants will grow in any light. I agree with the comment on the living room curtains and valances. Opt out of the valance. Not every wall has to have frames hanging. These are just suggestions. Hope they are helpful.
Mar M
on Nov 17, 2013
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Brenda...first and foremost it is obvious you have put great effort into making your house cozy and comfortable...good for you! If you like something and it's meaningful to you, don't change it unless you want to. Your house is your home and should reflect your personality even if it's not reflective of current decorating trends. But since you asked for some ways to enhance your style here's my two cents whatever it is worth. I think you already have some good bones to the rooms so it is obvious you are headed in the right direction. My initial thought after viewing your pictures was that depending on the area photographed there were so many 'things' (furniture, knickknacks, displays, patterns or colors) to look at that my eyes didn't know where to go first...I understand it's just a snapshot of an area but I wasn't able to define what the focal point in each room was. To me and this is just my opinion, finding a focal point in a room helps define the direction you want it to go in. Could be a rug, picture, bookcase, mantle or any number of other things but it gives you a starting place to build your color, patterns, furniture, accessories, art etc. I agree with some of the others that editing 'unloved or 'under loved' items might help you define your style easier when distractions are removed. Sounds like you have a good start in that direction. That's a great beginning! Kudos for taking that step! I had to laugh because you are a gal after my own heart. It seems we both love to shop and collect. I love to thrift shop and have amassed TONS of what I call 'treasures' (most people would call it junk but it is MY junk and means something to me)! One day I came to the realization that I had too much 'stuff' around and I wasn't enjoying it as much as before (besides which it was becoming a pain to dust and clean...not my favorite pastime). I didn't want to get rid of my treasures so I edited it down to one or two small collections to display at a time. I boxed up the rest and rotate small collections (like photos, marbles, rocks and stones, spools, wind chimes, trinket boxes, miniature bottles etc.) or parts of larger collections (candlesticks, mirrors, baskets, frames, figurines etc.) every few months so I get to enjoy them all every year. For example I have a large collection (over a hundred candlesticks -brass, silver, wooden, crystal etc.) that I cannot possibly display all together without looking like a dept. store so I do two or three small displays (three to five per group) in a couple of places in my home (mantle, bookshelves, table etc.). When I get tired of them or change up my décor I put them away and pull out a batch of different candle holders or one of my other collections to display instead. I appreciate the collection so much more when I haven't seen it for a while. I hope that makes sense. Not sure I articulated exactly what I was trying to get across. Anyway good luck...you are on the right track and have some good basic instincts to guide you.
Jane
on Nov 17, 2013
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find a bright color that you like and make or buy throw pillows
Irene S
on Nov 17, 2013
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I see traditional here. I agree with the others about de-cluttering, but I love that I can see that you are all about family. Looks like you have a nice floorplan. You may want to start by just rearranging your furniture and that may give you some inspiration.
Jen
on Nov 18, 2013
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Brenda I would say your style is eclectic too, as is mine. I just try to group things together so that they balance in scale ( for MY EYE) and after that it's what I like. I am always on the look-out for interesting pieces, and so some things out live their usefulness. In my guest room it's restful and frilly. My bedroom looks much like yours, my husband wants woods to match, but likes floral prints. My wall paints are muted and allow the eye to flow from the bedrooms to the rest of the open floor plan. Our home is who we are.
CindyandGeorge Schaeffer
on Nov 19, 2013
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I so love the first photo. The other photos seem to be of a different home because the dark furnishings don't match your sparkling personality. Your home is beautiful and shows a very feminine touch. I am always upgrading and changing the look of the home. I love when folks come in and praise the peaceful and beautiful aspect of our home. You are on the right path and in the bathroom I'd try a softer color. Red has that fight or flight aspect of it.
Leah
on Aug 29, 2014
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Oh Brenda you just brought a tear to my eye. I had the exact same storage cabinet (in your dining room) that was my Mother's many years ago It's beautiful. Your style is comfy chic. Just wonderful. Your home is YOU! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with all of us.
Diana Deiley
on Apr 01, 2016
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