Naples was then and is still renowned as a community for wealthy retirees to spend their winters. Starting just before Christmas the “snowbirds”, as Floridians call them, start flocking to Naples, where they stay usually until April or May.
Anyway, my dad found work swinging a hammer at a developing country club where he stayed on for many years. This was the type of place for the super-rich snowbirds to come and buy their dream-homes built right along the golf course. I don’t know what business ever brought my mom and us kids to the country club… maybe just to visit my dad at work. But, I remember vividly visiting the model homes there and what an impression they made on me.
There were snow-white carpets and huge glittering mirrors hung on the walls. Perfectly arranged glass statues and glittering vases overflowing with pastel flowers. I remember the seamless décor in shades of coquina-pink and sea-foam green. I was mesmerized and enchanted by the opulent (and in hindsight terribly tacky) 80’s Florida fashion de jour. To my child’s eyes these were not mere houses, but fantasy castles.
My siblings and I would run through these houses pretending we owned them. (Despite my mother’s anxious pleas: “Do not touch anything!”) Which bedroom would be ours? What would it be like to eat dinner at that marble table, or to see Mom cooking her famous roast beef and dehydrated mashed potatoes in a shiny new kitchen with spotless white-tiled floors?
As it was, we lived in a cozy house with a big yard and a wooden swing set made with love by our dad. By the time I was in 6th grade, my dad had built a second story and a two-car garage on to our little cracker-box house. I even had my own room. But, nothing ever matched.
My mom loves what she refers to as colonial styling, resplendent with cool old milk-jugs and Granny Benches. She loves all things oak and Americana. Since us chicks have flown from her nest she has had more time and money and her house has really come together. (However, my sister and I would agree that the apple wallpaper in the kitchen and dining room is a little dated.) When I was younger, however, she spent more time playing with us than cleaning. Of course, this was a good thing. I have more memories of her helping me squeeze Barbie into a too-tight sequined dress than I have of her slaving away with the vacuum.
As for decorating, that just was not in her budget. There was always money for new school clothes in the summer, as well as about a thousand toys under the tree each Christmas. Yet, that didn’t leave anything left over for fancy furnishings or new curtains. And though my mom was skilled enough to make curtains, her priority was on spending time with us, and not the sewing machine.
Well, now I am the adult with a lovely home I have the time, intention, and the means to do a little decorating… but I don’t know where to begin. In fact, I find myself a little decorating challenged. I just don’t have an eye for it. I don’t know why, but it is something of a handicap. I couldn’t even tell you what style I prefer. Vintage? Shabby Chic? Victorian? Minimalist? Can all those things go together?
We have been living in our current home for over a year and a half, and I am sad to say, all of the walls are still we-have-to-sell-this-place white. In fact, most of the pictures I've hung here are on nails left in the walls from the previous owner.
The house we owned previously had the most cheerful yellow kitchen, a stunning mauvy/purple dining room, and amazing 20’s vintage wallpaper. People often complimented me on the décor. I’d always thank them and laugh saying, “I know, that’s why we bought the place!”
The only home we ever painted was our first house… And though we loved it, I think most people thought our color-scheme was nuts.
Well, this winter my goal is to claim this house as my own! I’m going to paint some walls and develop my own personal style! Frankly… I have no idea what that’s going to look like. As crafty and creative as I am, I am still aesthetically challenged. Really, it is a disability.
My mom and sister are coming for a visit at the end of March and my goal is to have paint and accompanying artwork on all of my walls. This will be a mighty feat considering the starting point. Get ready for some before and after pictures people!
This is where you come in. I need help. What have you done to help cultivate a personal style? Is it just one of those things you’ve either got it or you don’t? In which case, I am screwed. Or is there some hope? Where do you look for inspiration?
Help me please.
9 comments:
Check out Apartment Therapy's book as well as their blog. The book helps you find a style you like. I enjoyed it and its short ; )
The best advice I can give you is to pick colors that make you happy. Something that makes you smile. And then you build a color scheme around that color... making sure they play nice together, like children should. :)
And remember that paint can always be changed! (and with that I'm off to repaint my red entry way wall to green) Ta da!
Becca it's so much fun to decorate! You learn by trial and error. Paint is cheap and easy, and if you don't like it you can always paint over it again! I definitely think I've gotten better at it as the years have gone on. You don't have to keep the same look forever. I started out country, moved to contemporary and now i have a combination of shabby chic traditional. Look at magazines to get ideas of what you like. Look in your closet to discover what colors you are drawn to. Don't worry about every little detail. If you like something, you can always make it work. I can't wait to see what you do. Your house would look cool with a mid century vibe.
Personal style I think comes from not only what you like to look at but also how you want to be in your home. I personally think an eclectic style is great because you can draw from many looks and designs. For years I kept a folder of pictures of rooms that I love. Now, none of my rooms look exactly like those pictures, but elements of them could probably be found in my home....have much fun!
In the past I have taken out a few design magazines from the library to see what strikes my fancy in terms of colors and decorating elements... and then thought about how it could work in my house. Another fail-safe tip is that if the colors go together nicely in nature, they will work in design as well. Sounds obvious but sometimes it helps as a starting point! Also, if you pick a piece of furniture that you like, you can use that as a starting point. Even a colorful throw cushion can provide inspiration as could a favorite rug, etc. Hope that helps :)
Sarah
I like to look at the fake rooms on the paint samples at Home Depot/Lowes and imagine those colors in my home. Then I start wishing for the fancy moldings and trim and built-ins in those pictures also! Then I want to move weight bearing walls and add windows and fireplaces and move the front door! All I can say to you is..."Good Luck!"
they now have tiny cans of paint you can get to sample the colors on your walls before committing...i highly recommend this because the colors never look the same in your lighting as at the store or even on the chip! browse magazines or HGTV website for style inspiration, though your house does have a certain architectural style of its own! it can work with a lot though... how exciting! can't wait to see how it turns out!
Thanks gals. I really appreciate the tips. I've been laying in bed thinking about paint chips and I finally just decided to get up and start finalizing some color choices and plans.
You guys had such good advice!
Apartment Therapy is AWESOME! check!
Colors that make me happy: check! check!
Checking my closet for colors I return to: awesome idea.
I really like the idea of using colors that work in nature. Especially in my living room and the playroom with the huge windows. A little like bringing the outside inside!
Paint pictures at Home Depot and mini-paint can samples also sound like a must.
And it seems I already have eclectic style, which is good as it lets you have it all!
Well, I'm off. So much to do! Thank you again!
Becca, don't know if this is coming late, but I have the same issue as you. What really helped me was picking a picture I really like (the one Jaime and I picked up from Paris). Then I took the colors out of that picture and ran with it. Also, once I picked a color for our hallway (coral reef--pink in Jaime's eyes), I went to Kelly Moore and got the huge color wheel thingy they have for professionals. Then I would choose colors for the rooms that went down that stick (which has five paint colors) so I would stay in the same tone or hue (don't know which word it is). I agree with the small paint cans and looking at the pamphlets from the different paint stores from above.
When choosing furniture, I definitely believe in eclectic. I like the look of combining pieces as well as art work. Plus, I want each piece to have a meaning to me, thus my walls still aren't filled with artwork. Personally, I believe your family room should be filled with tons of your pictures, perhaps in black and white with different types of frames. If you want ideas on how to work this out, please call me. It's pretty simple.
Lots of luck! You'll do great since you're so creative :)
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