Using your home as a canvas.
My 3 step method.
Mom gave me a taste for decor. I grew up seeing the pleasure she took in making our home beautiful; a bright apartment in Northern France. Every Saturday afternoon, we’d clean the house! Furniture would often get re-arranged, sheets and tablecloths changed and plants would be watered and talked to… She was always ready for a pop-up guest at any moment!
Now, I too love making our home beautiful and get immense satisfaction from creating “vibey” rooms in our house.
In 2008, we fell in love with (and bought) an 1878 Victorian farmhouse in the Hudson Valley. The place had always been owned by the same family, so it was up to us, 130 years later, to continue the upkeep conscientiously. I wasn’t sure I could take on this much while raising a toddler and homeschooling but dressing up those 20 rooms became a passion!
Pouring all my creativity into this beauty became my artistic outlet. The decorating ideas popping up in my head may have raised a few American eyebrows, but this house is my canvas for a little while so things might get a little wacky… I’ve learned to trust myself by ignoring the:
“Are you sure you want to do this???”
because it always turns into:
“You were right. It looks great!”
You don’t get there if you don’t try!
I hope this post encourages you to be more bold or creative with your own house!
Before…
After…
It might surprise you to know that the French home is contemporary. Even old dwellings are modernized and painted over to reflect today’s lifestyle. I’ve learned that painting over original wood is frowned upon in America but sometimes, it just has to be done... I use bold and dark color to help “shape” the room and high sheens to help reflect the light.
My high ceiling hallway looks open and roomy with light walls, yet the dark ceiling gives a cozier feel. I can still hear the painter; “So…One more time just to be extra clear: You want the walls white and the ceiling dark?” …Yes! Wouldn’t you agree that this was the right choice?
Professionals always warn that high sheen paints bring out the imperfections. This may be true but if even our old plaster ceiling can come out looking beautiful, rest assured it would be a good choice for most rooms.
Don’t be afraid to go for it. It’s just paint!
“It starts with a vision. Then I think of colors, light, then textures.”
Once you commit to making a vision come true, you only have to remember a few decor rules for everything to fall into place. I love taking the time to envision how I want to feel in my space and often ideas flow… If I’m inspired by a painting or a fabric, I let it take the lead. The details of specifically which object will fill the rooms come after the general feeling I’m aiming for. The process is the same every time; I think of colors, light, then textures.
COLOR: Picasso isn’t the only one with a blue period… I’m sure once I have exhausted the navy palette in the house, my trustee Color wheel will come in handy again… Here is how to use it to pick a color. Remember to always take into consideration the wall color in the adjacent room. You want a cohesive feel as you walk from room to room.
LIGHT: Allow for as much natural light as possible. Sometimes, window treatment is not necessary and just hides the view! (Future post on window treatment) Use spotlights, candles, lampshades or string lights to add drama where there’s a need for brightening.
TEXTURES: Implementing all types of textures like wood, stone, glass, metals and textiles can pull the room together and create an instant vibe. I love dramatic and cozy themes!
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
A few elements make this a perfect cozy corner; wood, metal, stone, glass and varied rich textiles. Some dark colors and a pop of white and voila!
A simply sophisticated home is not overwhelmed with bibelots and tchotchkes. Small objects clutter and lose significance so keeping them to a minimum is essential for a calming space. It may help you to remember this rule of thumb:
“Nothing should be smaller than a Cantaloupe.”
Most of us struggle with accumulating too much and it reflects in the way we decorate. We can keep things simple by focusing on conversation pieces and objects that truly bring you joy.
Home decor can be a part of your self-care practice. Allow it to feel cathartic by prioritizing your well-being. Complete small projects that are proportional to your capacity in that moment.
Your house doesn’t NEED you; it is there FOR you! Happy decorating!