Modernizing Traditional Family Pieces
It is common in the South for families to pass pieces down for generations. I am blessed to have something in almost every room of my home that belonged to a family member at some point in time. However, the challenge comes when mixing those pieces with today's more modern, laidback lifestyle. Even the current traditional style is much more casual than our grandparents traditional tastes. It can be especially challenging when the piece you've inherited is completely opposite your own design choices, or is a treasured family heirloom that cannot be altered in any way (ie. paint) ;)
However, in my opinion, the best rooms are a balance of new and old. Older pieces have a patina and character that cannot be replicated, and often have a quality not found in today's furnishings. They add a sense of warmth to a room. The new keeps those older pieces from looking shabby, outdated, or dowdy. The design board below shows an example of this mix:
However, in my opinion, the best rooms are a balance of new and old. Older pieces have a patina and character that cannot be replicated, and often have a quality not found in today's furnishings. They add a sense of warmth to a room. The new keeps those older pieces from looking shabby, outdated, or dowdy. The design board below shows an example of this mix:
Two commonly inherited items are rugs and buffets. To balance out the traditional heaviness of these two pieces, I added in fun lighting (love that Sputnik style chandelier!), abstract art, and upholstered seating. I pulled the blues and golds from the rug, and used them in the art and lighting so that even though the pieces are very different stylistically, they still share a commonality.
To further ensure the space would read as modernized traditional, I used Farrow + Ball's Wevet (white) on the walls, and Worsted (gray) on the trim. By using color on the trim, instead of traditional white, the design continues to contrast the seriousness the older pieces bring to the space.
Hope this helps some of you who may be struggling with mixing those family pieces in with your own style. On a sidenote, Farrow + Ball released nine new colours this year, and they, along with Paige Minear at The Pink Clutch, are generously giving away a gallon to the reader who creates their favorite mood board. Head over to Paige's blog to find out how to enter. Good luck!
Design 101: Turning Your Style Words Into Tangible Design
Sheesh! Is it just me, or is summer flying by? I had hoped to post multiple times a week, & each time I go to post a new entry, I realize it's been at least a week since my last one. But you probably didn't stop by to hear about my time-management skills (or lack thereof), so let's get down to business, shall we?
In determining our style words, we can figure out what is truly important in our homes. Homes & memories often evoke strong feelings - wouldn't you like your home's memories to be pleasant ones? Style words are very personal & will be different for each person; along those same lines, the same style word can take on different meaning for each person. Therefore, I think the easiest way to explain how to turn your style words into actual, touchable design is for me to walk you through what my style words mean to me, & how that shows in my home.
In determining our style words, we can figure out what is truly important in our homes. Homes & memories often evoke strong feelings - wouldn't you like your home's memories to be pleasant ones? Style words are very personal & will be different for each person; along those same lines, the same style word can take on different meaning for each person. Therefore, I think the easiest way to explain how to turn your style words into actual, touchable design is for me to walk you through what my style words mean to me, & how that shows in my home.
Classic, charming, kid-friendly, sentimental, joyful, cozy.
Classic:
When it comes down to it, I'm more traditional than modern, & I'm not super trendy either. In fact, for my wedding, my mantra was "classic, simple elegance" (& the byline of this blog includes simple elegance as well). To me, this means that a lot of my choices will hopefully stand the test of time. They are not too flashy or ornamental, but are well-made & enduring. My big purchases are classics, & I hope I will still have them in 20 years.
The two pictures above exemplify the word classic to me. Audrey Hepburn's style continues to inspire; even her simple bike riding outfit of black sweater, cigarette pants, & flats can be found in stores today. The chesterfield sofa has been around for over 300 years, & is a style found in both showrooms & retail stores - Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, & West Elm are all currently selling their version of this great sofa. What I love about the one above is that, while the style is classic, the color is a little more fun, so the room could go in many different directions: country, retro, traditional, cottage. But that's a lesson for another day.
Charming:
This is one of the more subjective terms. In my home, it can also tie in with classic & cozy. A lot of the charm of a home, for me, has to do with the details & architecture of the house. Great millwork & lighting, flooring, tile work in the kitchen & baths.
This beautiful kitchen is from Joan at For the Love of a House. There are so many charming aspects of this room: the fireplace, built-in cupboard, mix of countertop materials, flooring, lighting, etc. Charm is often lacking in many of today's cookie-cutter neighborhoods. You don't have to spend a fortune to obtain that charm; with just a bit of elbow grease & DIY skill, you can add your own woodwork to make your home stand out from the crowd!
Kid-friendly:
Kids can be rough on furnishings. An errant marker swipe here or a shoe buckle scrape there can instantly mar a piece of furniture. Between my dog & my toddler, things need to be resilient around here. Luckily, there are more choices than ever that can stand up to the daily wear-&-tear of family life. Leather, seagrass, slipcovers, outdoor fabrics - these are just a handful of designer tricks used in households with kids. Some of my better investments have been our slipcovered ottoman/coffee table (easy to throw in the wash when dirty, although it wipes up with a damp cloth pretty well too. Plus, it's padded, so no bumps & bruises from walking into it, climbing on it, etc.) and our seagrass rug. Forgive the iPhone pic, but I was too lazy to get out my real camera & then edit. ;)
Did you know that seagrass is more durable than sisal or jute? Because it grows in water, it's more impervious to liquid stains since water is its natural habitat. I won't go into graphic details, but let me assure that ALL types of liquids have cleaned up easily with our rug.
Sentimental:
I have always appreciated the history & memories of family heirlooms, no matter their value. However, it wasn't until my mom's passing that I really became aware of how much it meant to me to weave family into our home. Every room in our house not only contains family pictures, but also a piece of furniture, art, fabric, etc. from a family member. The vanity my mom used as a child & teen is now my bedside table.
We refinished different pieces from my great-aunt's dining room (like this sideboard on the left), & they are now scattered throughout our house.
Beyond family heritage, I also want it to be immediately apparent to anyone visiting our home that it is the people, & not the things, in my home that are most important. Reminders of the true blessings in my life are in abundance in our house. There are some in the design world who believe a home can have too many photographs; I am not one of those people. And I have multiple gallery walls to prove it. :)
Joyful:
I want our home to be a happy, loving environment. A respite from hard times & a harsh world. This can tie in with the sentimental items, as it brings us joy to see my daughter sleeping in my mom's childhood bed. I am all about traditions, such as using a certain plate every year for birthdays, so those also create a sense of joy. And finally, we like to fill our home with the things that make us happy - good books & music, art that speaks to us, and those gallery walls that capture our best memories.
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| Country Living |
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| Audrey Hepburn via |
The two pictures above exemplify the word classic to me. Audrey Hepburn's style continues to inspire; even her simple bike riding outfit of black sweater, cigarette pants, & flats can be found in stores today. The chesterfield sofa has been around for over 300 years, & is a style found in both showrooms & retail stores - Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, & West Elm are all currently selling their version of this great sofa. What I love about the one above is that, while the style is classic, the color is a little more fun, so the room could go in many different directions: country, retro, traditional, cottage. But that's a lesson for another day.
Charming:
This is one of the more subjective terms. In my home, it can also tie in with classic & cozy. A lot of the charm of a home, for me, has to do with the details & architecture of the house. Great millwork & lighting, flooring, tile work in the kitchen & baths.
Kid-friendly:
Kids can be rough on furnishings. An errant marker swipe here or a shoe buckle scrape there can instantly mar a piece of furniture. Between my dog & my toddler, things need to be resilient around here. Luckily, there are more choices than ever that can stand up to the daily wear-&-tear of family life. Leather, seagrass, slipcovers, outdoor fabrics - these are just a handful of designer tricks used in households with kids. Some of my better investments have been our slipcovered ottoman/coffee table (easy to throw in the wash when dirty, although it wipes up with a damp cloth pretty well too. Plus, it's padded, so no bumps & bruises from walking into it, climbing on it, etc.) and our seagrass rug. Forgive the iPhone pic, but I was too lazy to get out my real camera & then edit. ;)
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| hcb interiors |
Sentimental:
I have always appreciated the history & memories of family heirlooms, no matter their value. However, it wasn't until my mom's passing that I really became aware of how much it meant to me to weave family into our home. Every room in our house not only contains family pictures, but also a piece of furniture, art, fabric, etc. from a family member. The vanity my mom used as a child & teen is now my bedside table.
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| hcb interiors - excuse the iPhone photo! |
Beyond family heritage, I also want it to be immediately apparent to anyone visiting our home that it is the people, & not the things, in my home that are most important. Reminders of the true blessings in my life are in abundance in our house. There are some in the design world who believe a home can have too many photographs; I am not one of those people. And I have multiple gallery walls to prove it. :)
Joyful:
I want our home to be a happy, loving environment. A respite from hard times & a harsh world. This can tie in with the sentimental items, as it brings us joy to see my daughter sleeping in my mom's childhood bed. I am all about traditions, such as using a certain plate every year for birthdays, so those also create a sense of joy. And finally, we like to fill our home with the things that make us happy - good books & music, art that speaks to us, and those gallery walls that capture our best memories.
Cozy:
Cozy makes me picture fires in the fireplace, warm blankets on the bed, & the smells of fall in my kitchen. But it also means good lighting (preferably on dimmers!), both natural & painted wood, & textures that are inviting to the touch. It's an ambiance that invites people in, & makes them want to stay a little longer. Nine & Sixteen's kitchen renovation (shown below) is one of my favorites of all time. It's not huge (& cozy usually isn't), but there seems to be a place for everything. It exudes homeyness & warmth, has beautiful finishes, & is well-laid out. Plus, the lighting kills me! I am absolutely in love with her window placement, pendants, & sconces. Didn't Tessa do a great job?
Whew! That ended up being more of a novel than a quick lesson. Hope it gave you some ideas of how to translate your style words into design. And, of course, I'd always love to help you turn your words into reality! Just email me at hcbinterors{at}gmail.com
Have a great week!
Holly
Design 101: The Aha Moment! Discovering Your Style
I had planned on creating a whole series on how to determine your style & what to do with that knowledge. But, as mentioned in my previous post, I stumbled upon Darlene Weir's Style Bootcamp, & was so blown away by what an incredible job she did that I didn't think I could do it any better.
Instead, I thought I'd expand on what I learned (& what you will too!) from her series. Go on, grab a coffee, visit Fieldstone Hill, & come back to me when you're done. I'll wait....
Pretty great stuff, right? Let's talk about my favorite aspects of the Style Boot Camp: the personal style words & the signature style board.
Instead, I thought I'd expand on what I learned (& what you will too!) from her series. Go on, grab a coffee, visit Fieldstone Hill, & come back to me when you're done. I'll wait....
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Two things surprised me when I finished this exercise. One is the fact that none of my style words are visually descriptive design words - in other words, you can't use my style words to paint an exact picture of a room in your head. Instead, they describe how I want my home to feel; this is much harder to pin down, but also much more helpful in making decisions for my home.
So what are my style words? Classic, charming, kid-friendly, sentimental, joyful, cozy. My next post will delve further into what these words mean to me, & how I achieve them in my home.
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| Via http://pinterest.com/hcbinteriors/cozy-classic-character/ |
The other thing that surprised me was the pictures I ended up choosing for my signature style board. I went through Pinterest, & chose the pictures that made an instant connection. I didn't think through what I liked about them, or if they would go together in a collage. If I loved it after a quick glance, it went into my "favorite images" file. Narrowing those favorite pictures was harder, but I finally chose the ones that drew me in over & over. Again, I didn't think about why I liked them until the whole process was over - I didn't want to put too much thought into it, because then it wasn't as likely to be a gut reaction. And this is what I came up with:
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| Via http://pinterest.com/pin/210402613813719896/ |
What surprised me about the pictures I chose? They are full of blues, a little bit of green, creamy whites, warm woods & metals, and natural textures - all things I have said before are my preferences for a home, so no shocker there. But when I compare it to my previous homes, even though there are a lot of similarities, I can see that there is way too much brown & beige (the safe neutrals). If you look at the above collage, brown grounds most of the pictures, but as an accent, not as the main color. Even the one picture that has a lot of brown neutrals in it, as seen close-up below, has lots of white, warm metal tones, & some pattern. I do not have any colorful patterned drapes in my home - only neutrals - and I am ready for some fun! It's time to cast aside the safe stuff & go after what makes my heart sing.
In trying to be safe (because I tend to "tweak" my house a lot), all of the big items in my home are brown, tan, etc. The reasoning behind this isn't necessarily bad; my thought was that the more expensive items in my home should be neutral so that I can add in accents that can be easily changed out (& I still think this is a good plan for a lot of people). But here's the problem - my accents ended up being neutral also! Too much color can overwhelm me on a busy day, but not enough can lead to my home feeling flat & blah. Finding the happy balance is the solution.
I think the style boards are a good idea not only for discovering your personal style, but also for planning a room from scratch. As an example, when designing a kitchen, I prefer painted (usually white) cabinets, wood countertops &/or floors, and lighting that makes a statement. However, mixing these 3 things could create millions of different combinations. So, creating a kitchen style board can give me a good starting point for my overall design.
All of the pictures above have at least two of the three elements that I mentioned. In addition, blue cabinetry/wall color, open shelving, & lots of natural light can be found in most of them. This helps me narrow my preferences down even more. Seeing some of my favorite kitchens side by side also helps me determine those aspects that I don't really care for & would leave out of my planning.
I hope that this information has been helpful in guiding you toward determining your personal style. I know the process was helpful for me! Stay tuned for the next post - we'll figure how to translate your style words into design ideas.
Holly
In trying to be safe (because I tend to "tweak" my house a lot), all of the big items in my home are brown, tan, etc. The reasoning behind this isn't necessarily bad; my thought was that the more expensive items in my home should be neutral so that I can add in accents that can be easily changed out (& I still think this is a good plan for a lot of people). But here's the problem - my accents ended up being neutral also! Too much color can overwhelm me on a busy day, but not enough can lead to my home feeling flat & blah. Finding the happy balance is the solution.
I think the style boards are a good idea not only for discovering your personal style, but also for planning a room from scratch. As an example, when designing a kitchen, I prefer painted (usually white) cabinets, wood countertops &/or floors, and lighting that makes a statement. However, mixing these 3 things could create millions of different combinations. So, creating a kitchen style board can give me a good starting point for my overall design.
All of the pictures above have at least two of the three elements that I mentioned. In addition, blue cabinetry/wall color, open shelving, & lots of natural light can be found in most of them. This helps me narrow my preferences down even more. Seeing some of my favorite kitchens side by side also helps me determine those aspects that I don't really care for & would leave out of my planning.
I hope that this information has been helpful in guiding you toward determining your personal style. I know the process was helpful for me! Stay tuned for the next post - we'll figure how to translate your style words into design ideas.
Holly
Design 101 - What is Style?
One of the things I hear the most from my clients is that they're not sure how to define their style. Figuring out exactly what you like is a difficult task. I'll be honest - I still struggle with this. As a designer, being exposed to so many resources & ideas can give me design ADD. However, after a lot of experimentation & contemplation, I can finally discern the difference between what I actually like and what I admire as beautiful but isn't for me. Sometimes figuring out what you don't like can be just as, if not more, important as what you do like.
I take issue with the magazine articles that try to define your "style" in 10 questions. First, they usually only include a few (very general) style terms: country, cottage, modern, traditional, vintage or romantic. Those terms are way too broad to be of much help. Second, how many people can actually be pigeon-holed into only one style? Even if you know that you love all things country, what type of country are we talking about? Rustic, woodsy, Americana? French or English?
Oftentimes, a person's preferences will lean towards one or two major stylistic influences, with an appreciation for other types. For example, I love the cottage look, but for me, it has to be a mix of Southern traditional/prep + New England coastal with a dash of European influence thrown in. The fictional story line of my home would be a Southern belle who moves to a weathered, shingled cottage on the Nantucket shoreline & marries an English farmer. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but it also provides the perfect visual image for me to know if I will love a piece of furniture or fabric for a long time, or if it will be a passing infatuation.
Cape Cod + Southern + English
I can't tell you how many things I have purchased in the past because I thought I loved them, only to give them away 6 months later. I truly liked the table, chair, pillow, etc. at the time of purchase, but because it didn't fit my overall design style, I ended up tiring of it quickly.
What stands the test of time for me?
So, how do you figure out your personal style? One of the best ways is to go through magazines (or the genius idea that is Pinterest) & tear out anything that catches your eye. Then, review your tear-sheets for any common ideas or themes. You should start to see some repetitiveness - maybe you chose a bunch of images of white slipcovered furniture or you notice that you seem to like clean lines & no clutter. This is a great way to begin your style discovery process.
For even more in-depth analysis, I highly recommend taking Fieldstone Hill Design's Style Boot Camp, by designer Darlene Weir. Darlene's process of determining personal style is the best I've seen & was incredibly beneficial to me. One step of the Style Boot Camp is to create a Style Collage. I have to say, I was surprised to see what ended up in my collage (which I will share in my next post), but when I actually took the time to think about my choices, the collage I made is absolutely me - I just didn't know it!
If you do participate in her boot camp & style collage challenge, please be sure to let her know I sent you!
If you would like more help with the process of determining your style or with any other interior design aspect, contact me at hcbinteriors@gmail.com. I would love to work with you!
Holly
I take issue with the magazine articles that try to define your "style" in 10 questions. First, they usually only include a few (very general) style terms: country, cottage, modern, traditional, vintage or romantic. Those terms are way too broad to be of much help. Second, how many people can actually be pigeon-holed into only one style? Even if you know that you love all things country, what type of country are we talking about? Rustic, woodsy, Americana? French or English?
The 2 images above show how subjective naming a style can be - they both appear in the same post about Americana style, but one is definitely country while the other has modern touches. By the way, this subjectivity is one reason why it can be helpful to hire a designer. If you went into your nearest home store & asked for Americana items, which of the looks above would you be hoping to get? A designer can guide you toward your preference without a lot of costly mistakes.
Oftentimes, a person's preferences will lean towards one or two major stylistic influences, with an appreciation for other types. For example, I love the cottage look, but for me, it has to be a mix of Southern traditional/prep + New England coastal with a dash of European influence thrown in. The fictional story line of my home would be a Southern belle who moves to a weathered, shingled cottage on the Nantucket shoreline & marries an English farmer. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but it also provides the perfect visual image for me to know if I will love a piece of furniture or fabric for a long time, or if it will be a passing infatuation.
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| cottageliving.com - tammy connor id - the holiday movie |
Cape Cod + Southern + English
I can't tell you how many things I have purchased in the past because I thought I loved them, only to give them away 6 months later. I truly liked the table, chair, pillow, etc. at the time of purchase, but because it didn't fit my overall design style, I ended up tiring of it quickly.
What stands the test of time for me?
- Natural textures: seagrass rugs, burlap, & woven baskets
- Muted coastal colors (watery blues & greens, the browns & grays of driftwood) with accents of brighter colors (especially artwork)
- A mix of wood & painted pieces
- Leather or slipcovered chairs
- A mix of metals: brass & pewter, gold & silver
- Ginghams, Buffalo Check, & muted Toiles
I designed the Keeping Room idea board below based on my list above. The basics of this room would work for me for a long time, & I could easily change out the art & fabrics with the seasons or as my tastes changed.
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| hcb interiors keeping room |
So, how do you figure out your personal style? One of the best ways is to go through magazines (or the genius idea that is Pinterest) & tear out anything that catches your eye. Then, review your tear-sheets for any common ideas or themes. You should start to see some repetitiveness - maybe you chose a bunch of images of white slipcovered furniture or you notice that you seem to like clean lines & no clutter. This is a great way to begin your style discovery process.
For even more in-depth analysis, I highly recommend taking Fieldstone Hill Design's Style Boot Camp, by designer Darlene Weir. Darlene's process of determining personal style is the best I've seen & was incredibly beneficial to me. One step of the Style Boot Camp is to create a Style Collage. I have to say, I was surprised to see what ended up in my collage (which I will share in my next post), but when I actually took the time to think about my choices, the collage I made is absolutely me - I just didn't know it!
If you do participate in her boot camp & style collage challenge, please be sure to let her know I sent you!
If you would like more help with the process of determining your style or with any other interior design aspect, contact me at hcbinteriors@gmail.com. I would love to work with you!
Holly