This is a snippet of a conversation about excessable ideas for decorating a friend's family's new home.
TE:
My wife and I are in the middle of building a home. What resources would you recommend for us? We don’t want to make any major décor or design mistakes.
JE:
My first suggestion is to buy up a stack of design magazines. Pull out the pages that appeal to you. Not just the rooms on the page that you might like, but anything that appeals to you.
TE:
We’ve been doing that. Looking at the home decorating magazines makes us feel so overwhelmed.
JE:
What makes you all feel so overwhelmed? Is it information overload?
TE:
Kinda- it’s the details- like where am I supposed to find the 6” green and yellow teapot- like in the picture- so that our new kitchen will be cool and in style?
JE:
Remember not to get bogged down in the details of the accessories. Accessories for homes change with trends. Trends are just that- trendy! Not long lasting in the style department. The accessories that will last are those that are interesting to you, and to your family and how they hold up to your real lifestyle.
TE:
How are these mystery accessories chosen?
JE:
It’s not so much a magic list of accessories. It‘s an issue of fashion and passion. It’s about the fashion of the day, and the homeowner’s own passion in collecting or their life story. It’s a little bit of make-believe too- Designers will ‘dress’ the rooms for these images. Believe me, the perfect bowl of apples, the perfect houseplants – all these things in the pictures are just set up for the photograph. Don’t let these images intimidate you. Give yourself a reality check. Having the perfect teapot, bar of soap or flatware isn’t going to make your home ‘it’.
TE: I like to hear that. It’s not magic secret list. And it’s about us, not the stuff.
JE:Exactly! It’s about your home. Not the hit list of ‘it’ items to own. Nothing dates an interior faster than unfashionable accessories. People spent a lot of money and time getting the right things for that moment. Then fashions change, and then, there you are stuck! Think of all the brass stuff that people had to have in the 1980’s. Can’t give it away now! Often, the text that goes along with the photographs can tell you the reason why a designer chose specific accessories, styles of furnishings, colors and even art work.
TE:
Cool! So, it’s like shoes or a handbag or the latest electronic gadget. These things just change as fashions do. So, tell me how you would go about reading the magazine, so that it’s a good experience and not like I fee like I’m in detention for not knowing what I should already have in my home!
JE:
JE:
Remember not to get bogged down in the details of the accessories. Accessories for homes change with trends. Trends are just that- trendy! Not long lasting in the style department. The accessories that will last are those that are interesting to you, and to your family and how they hold up to your real lifestyle.
TE:
How are these mystery accessories chosen?
JE:
It’s not so much a magic list of accessories. It‘s an issue of fashion and passion. It’s about the fashion of the day, and the homeowner’s own passion in collecting or their life story. It’s a little bit of make-believe too- Designers will ‘dress’ the rooms for these images. Believe me, the perfect bowl of apples, the perfect houseplants – all these things in the pictures are just set up for the photograph. Don’t let these images intimidate you. Give yourself a reality check. Having the perfect teapot, bar of soap or flatware isn’t going to make your home ‘it’.
TE: I like to hear that. It’s not magic secret list. And it’s about us, not the stuff.
JE:Exactly! It’s about your home. Not the hit list of ‘it’ items to own. Nothing dates an interior faster than unfashionable accessories. People spent a lot of money and time getting the right things for that moment. Then fashions change, and then, there you are stuck! Think of all the brass stuff that people had to have in the 1980’s. Can’t give it away now! Often, the text that goes along with the photographs can tell you the reason why a designer chose specific accessories, styles of furnishings, colors and even art work.
TE:
Cool! So, it’s like shoes or a handbag or the latest electronic gadget. These things just change as fashions do. So, tell me how you would go about reading the magazine, so that it’s a good experience and not like I fee like I’m in detention for not knowing what I should already have in my home!
JE:
When you start out, look for the ‘featured’ articles, often shown on the cover. These featured layouts are in the back half of the magazine. The first half are monthly columns and lots of ads. Leisurely look thru the articles and see what is interesting to you.
TE:
This is just to get a feel for that issue, or what I like?
JE:
TE:
This is just to get a feel for that issue, or what I like?
JE:
Correct- just to see if there is anything that speaks to you. Then, look through the magazine the next time with a goal: What colors are the designer’s using? What paint colors am I attracted to? What are the common threads between the different homes shown?
TE:
So, this information will give me clues about what colors I might paint my house. What is common between each article that I like; stuff like that.
JE:
TE:
So, this information will give me clues about what colors I might paint my house. What is common between each article that I like; stuff like that.
JE:
You got it. You are looking for clues, like an archeologist. Ask yourself ‘What can I discover in this article, which translates to my home’. The third time you thumb through, look at fabrics. See how they are used. What textures are being used, and where. Does this designer use different details on window treatments? How is the upholstery made up? What details do you find charming?
TE:
TE:
These tips will really help when it comes time to make decisions about window treatments and new furniture!
JE:
JE:
It’s a bit like window shopping. I always suggest going to the best stores you have available. Learn the about quality and good style. You don’t have to buy, just learn. Then as you go on about your project, things will pop out that are similar. You’ll see ideas and objects that will show up with great style, but without the expense. And in this case, find the best design magazines you can locate and learn what is out there.
The photo appeared nationally in Decorating Magazines, featuring Fabricut fabrics. The photo was styled by Jeffrey Evans Design.
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