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I like traditional mixed with midcentury modern with a minimalist approach. I'm not into fads at all and choose things based on function and a look that (in my opinion anyway) will never be totally out of style. I need a place to sit so I have a sofa and chair, I want to watch tv so I have a television on a stand that hold the components I need, I have to have some lighting so end tables with lamps. There is a clock on the wall so I can tell the time. THAT is pretty much how I approach decorating...what does this space need to do? I actually have a room I wish I could cut off my house because to me it's pointless! HAHA! But as long as my sons are living here it's their space so it's fine, but once they are gone I don't know . If I don't need it I don't care how awesome or fancy or historical or interesting something is....I don't want it. But you'd be surprised how nice the practical things can be, I'm picky and do want something I enjoy seeing.
Some may say a little bland but I don't see it that way. I see "timeless" and "calm" and "pleasant".
I don't like knick knacks of any sort. The few that I do have were not put there on purpose but are there out of laziness on my part.
My problem is I like too many styles and often have trouble putting it all together. I tend to pick up items that make me feel good with less thought to how it will look once I get it home. It eventually falls in place, but what a headache I give myself.
For the most part, I buy vintage, some antiques, and good used quality items. I'm a sucker for unsigned paintings and water colors at second-hand stores [poor mans art].
I am this way too, but I strongly feel that the things I have a strong liking for, all seem to look good together.
The same thing about wall colors. If I like a color it will probably blend with the color in the adjacent spaces.
I like traditional mixed with midcentury modern with a minimalist approach. I'm not into fads at all and choose things based on function and a look that (in my opinion anyway) will never be totally out of style. I need a place to sit so I have a sofa and chair, I want to watch tv so I have a television on a stand that hold the components I need, I have to have some lighting so end tables with lamps. There is a clock on the wall so I can tell the time. THAT is pretty much how I approach decorating...what does this space need to do? I actually have a room I wish I could cut off my house because to me it's pointless! HAHA! But as long as my sons are living here it's their space so it's fine, but once they are gone I don't know . If I don't need it I don't care how awesome or fancy or historical or interesting something is....I don't want it. But you'd be surprised how nice the practical things can be, I'm picky and do want something I enjoy seeing.
Some may say a little bland but I don't see it that way. I see "timeless" and "calm" and "pleasant".
I don't like knick knacks of any sort. The few that I do have were not put there on purpose but are there out of laziness on my part.
To the extent I have a style, this is pretty much it. ^^^^ Less is more. I have lots of books but very few knick-knacks.
I like traditional mixed with midcentury modern with a minimalist approach. I'm not into fads at all and choose things based on function and a look that (in my opinion anyway) will never be totally out of style. I need a place to sit so I have a sofa and chair, I want to watch tv so I have a television on a stand that hold the components I need, I have to have some lighting so end tables with lamps. There is a clock on the wall so I can tell the time. THAT is pretty much how I approach decorating...what does this space need to do? I actually have a room I wish I could cut off my house because to me it's pointless! HAHA! But as long as my sons are living here it's their space so it's fine, but once they are gone I don't know . If I don't need it I don't care how awesome or fancy or historical or interesting something is....I don't want it. But you'd be surprised how nice the practical things can be, I'm picky and do want something I enjoy seeing.
Some may say a little bland but I don't see it that way. I see "timeless" and "calm" and "pleasant".
I don't like knick knacks of any sort. The few that I do have were not put there on purpose but are there out of laziness on my part.
The Louis Sullivan approach "Form ever follows function".
Our "style" is similar.
I do appreciate many other styles and enjoy visiting our friends who decorate their homes in all sorts of manners.
They are comfortable in their homes and so am I.
I like traditional mixed with midcentury modern with a minimalist approach. I'm not into fads at all and choose things based on function and a look that (in my opinion anyway) will never be totally out of style. I need a place to sit so I have a sofa and chair, I want to watch tv so I have a television on a stand that hold the components I need, I have to have some lighting so end tables with lamps. There is a clock on the wall so I can tell the time. THAT is pretty much how I approach decorating...what does this space need to do? I actually have a room I wish I could cut off my house because to me it's pointless! HAHA! But as long as my sons are living here it's their space so it's fine, but once they are gone I don't know . If I don't need it I don't care how awesome or fancy or historical or interesting something is....I don't want it. But you'd be surprised how nice the practical things can be, I'm picky and do want something I enjoy seeing.
Some may say a little bland but I don't see it that way. I see "timeless" and "calm" and "pleasant".
I don't like knick knacks of any sort. The few that I do have were not put there on purpose but are there out of laziness on my part.
I'm like you but not as far out on spectrum. I like colors to blend and eveything to seem to belong. But I want things to function. No chair in my house is uncomfortable. That is by design. Furniture does not block pathways through rooms, although that is not much of a problem in this house. I've got places for drinks while watching TV. I want to be comfortable in every room.
But here is a way of thinking about what you call knick knacks. Do you have vases? They can hold flowers, or pencils, or long matches. In other words vases can be functional. Do you have something that is well made, but not functional? It could be considered sculpture. I have some blue glass ball floats. When I look at them on my mantel, I think of being at the Oregon Coast.
Do you see what I am saying? We attribute meaning to some possessions whether they are functional or not. So, they have meaning, or possibly function, and so they become precious to us. I don't want anything in my house that is does not have pleasant associations for me. That is functional to me.
I'm like you but not as far out on spectrum. I like colors to blend and eveything to seem to belong. But I want things to function. No chair in my house is uncomfortable. That is by design. Furniture does not block pathways through rooms, although that is not much of a problem in this house. I've got places for drinks while watching TV. I want to be comfortable in every room.
But here is a way of thinking about what you call knick knacks. Do you have vases? They can hold flowers, or pencils, or long matches. In other words vases can be functional. Do you have something that is well made, but not functional? It could be considered sculpture. I have some blue glass ball floats. When I look at them on my mantel, I think of being at the Oregon Coast.
Do you see what I am saying? We attribute meaning to some possessions whether they are functional or not. So, they have meaning, or possibly function, and so they become precious to us. I don't want anything in my house that is does not have pleasant associations for me. That is functional to me.
I love this post - it's exactly how I feel and how I decorate my home, when it comes to spaces and flow and proportion.
Comfort is CRITICAL to me. I want clear walkways, easy routes thru rooms, tables placed comfortably beside chairs, a place for a drink and/or book by each seating spot, a comfortable coffee table/cocktail ottoman, etc for people to put their feet up without worrying about wood or glass or whatever, decorative pillows that are functional and comfortable, soft throws nearby, etc. I am very picky about linens and bedding as well. We have a lot of guests and I want them to fall into that bed in the evening and feel like they just fell into heaven. Good linens last a long time, so though I may pay more on the front end I don't have to replace them for literally decades.
I DO have a lot of collectibles (porcelain, pottery, that sort of thing) but I rotate them out. (I also rotate out some paintings/wall hangings). I have a closet that I keep pieces in and I change them out a lot. I also have very tall ceilings throughout my house, so I put items on the tops of armoires or cabinets in groups, rather than having them clutter spaces that we "use" on a daily basis. I like spacious counter tops that are not cluttered.
Art must "speak" to me - I never buy something to hang on a wall or set on a table just because it's the right color or shape. It has to have a meaning to me, be a symbol of something. Nearly all my wall hangings are original oils, water colors, pastels, or charcoals, but that doesn't mean I necessarily spent a lot of money on them - I have found paintings literally at junk shops, and with a new frame, they spring to life. One of my favorite LARGE paintings I found for $5, unframed, stuck behind a junky shelf in a dirty, un-air conditioned junk store. It's a beautiful oil landscape, probably 75 years old or so. Another favorite I found was a small, 10" 20" folk painting of some cows in a field, with a beautiful sky above and a cute fence in front - it's probably from the 1920s. I really went all out for it - I paid $20!
Like the above poster pointed out - I repurpose things all the time. Why buy a plastic canister when I can use some beautiful glass thingie instead? Why use a plastic trashcan when I can use a really cool vintage tin? Why use a plastic cup at my sink when I can use a cut glass vintage cup instead? Why buy a plastic pencil holder when I can use a unique ceramic mug or vase? Why not use a fun carnival glass piece to hold the remote controls?
COMFORT is the top priority to me, but I look for beauty AND function in everything, even my pots and pans. Why not have something that is not only useful, but also beautiful? For instance, it took me literally MONTHS to find exactly what I wanted for my bathroom soap and toothbrush holder thingies, but when I did find them, they were perfect. I wasn't going to settle and go with something bland and strictly utilitarian when I have to look at them every day.
My home is a reflection of me, my values, my personality - and it's also my refuge and where I recharge. Balance and beauty and harmony are absolutely non negotiable to me - and those goals can be accomplished on just about any budget.
Last edited by KathrynAragon; 07-18-2013 at 07:26 AM..
“If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
― William Morris
I try to live this concept, and as a result have quite a bit of empty spaces until I find exactly what I am looking for. I absolutely love items from the Edwardian/Art Nouveau era up to (but not including) Art Deco.
“If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
― William Morris
I try to live this concept, and as a result have quite a bit of empty spaces until I find exactly what I am looking for. I absolutely love items from the Edwardian/Art Nouveau era up to (but not including) Art Deco.
Me toooooooo - I adore Art Nouveau and Jugenstihl items and furniture! I do like some Art Deco items as well, but mostly the earlier stuff.
“If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
― William Morris
I try to live this concept, and as a result have quite a bit of empty spaces until I find exactly what I am looking for. I absolutely love items from the Edwardian/Art Nouveau era up to (but not including) Art Deco.
We live in an old log cabin and heat with a wood stove.....we decorate with an " Early Poverty" style....
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"Form ever follows function".
