From the comments section of yesterday’s post about the DIY Draper chests:
I have a question for you…
I am currently redecorating my living room and dining room. I decided to go with a 70’s British bachelor pad inspired look. Sort of a well traveled look with some Kuba cloths and other ethnic textiles for art. Lots of navy and gray.
Then I looked at this Draper project and realized I am still in love with Hollywood Regency. I am not too far into things to make the switch. It’s just that things like x-benches, Chiang Mai (love and have been holding onto a piece for a while now), chevron, painted furniture, and so on…seem so done now.
Are we too exposed to design? I love my blogs, especially yours (very honest unabashed flattery), but are we over-exposing ourselves (Keep Calm Carry On)? This is something I have been wondering about for a while now. It seems like once I finally get to taking on a project (making ikat drapes now), it starts to seem cliche.
Do you think we are moving too fast with interiors, or do you think we are moving in the right direction where anything goes. Sort of like fashion, you can still wear your skinny jeans or flares. When you start a new project do you agonize over doing something new, or do you just go with what you love at the time even if the idea has been seen?
House Beautiful
Just two days ago I was brainstorming with my mom an idea for my apartment when I nixed the project we were discussing because I felt like it had already been done on blogs or in magazines. I think we both realized how silly that sounded as soon as I said it. Why wouldn’t I do what I really love for my space regardless of whether or not a version has been done before?
I feel like it’s especially tricky as a blogger. If I put up a picture of campaign dressers (which I love), I’ll usually get one or two anon commenters talking about how campaigners are so over and so boring to them. And here’s the tricky part – we look to blogs and magazines for inspiration, for fresh looks, so I can understand in a way why the commenters are annoyed. They’re saying – “Yup! Got it. We know campaigners are/were cool. But what’s next?”
NYT
Are we oversaturated with design trends as bloggers and blog readers? Totally. I have hundreds of blogs in my Reader and sometimes I feel like I’m seeing the same thing over and over again. So I’m there with you.
But I also think it’s easy to forget that most people in the world don’t read design blogs. Most people don’t really know about ikat or suzanis or lacquer or lucite the way we all do. It’s crazy to think that someone is discovering a Keep Calm poster for the first time today!
A neighbor stopped by my house a few months ago, noticed my ikat skirted console table and said – “I love your decorating style…but what is that funky fabric on your console table? Crazy!”
And then just a few weeks ago I was meeting with a client here in the city, who reads my blog and who is a blogger herself, and she told me how much she loves ikat but feels like she can’t have it in her home – like it’s too expected now or something.
NYT
Are we decorating for ourselves or for our design-conscious friends (or blog readers)? Every time I feel like some of the sparkle of decorating is wearing off, I realize it’s because I’m over-thinking it or worrying too much about what other people will or won’t like. Unfortunately I think that comes with the territory as a design blogger. Still, don’t let yourself fall into that trap. If one in a thousand visitors thinks your decor is dated because you love your Chiang Mai pillows and the Keep Calm poster, don’t sweat it. Guaranteed the other 999 will wonder where you got them.
Maybe it’s time we take a collective chill pill about decorating and see it all for what it is and should be – a fun way to express yourself and your style.
What do you say?
PS Have you been watching Portlandia? Shell art is OVER! Seems so appropriate for this post.
PPS All the Miles Redd images above feature ikat chairs, which I love and think I might go ahead and do in my house, even though they have been done before. :)
I agree with many others. We are over exposed to just about everything, including design. And in the process, I have to admit that I just end up feeling like my own taste, my likes, are not enough. I'm not cool enough. I'm not hip enough. My house isn't full of expensive furniture. I haven't had the time to peruse hundreds of flea markets or antique stores to find the exact perfect object to set on my bookcase/make a centerpiece out of/use in some sort of unexpected way. I have time for Target. I have time for a garage sale now and again. I have time for the things that I already own that make my heart shine a little brighter. I, however, don't have time for all the pretentious "my decor, my LIFE, is better than yours" bologna.
I am the original copycat, not being an decorating-gifted person. So when I see something I like, I copy it. However, if I see something in someone else's blog and it looks nice, even tho it's not my style, I compliment them for doing a great job. Someone told me recently that my bathroom walls were white (they're really not), said with disdain. It went in one ear and out the other cuz I know what I'm decorating in that bathroom and I'm not through yet. Gotta find some more blogs I like to copy :) Do what makes you happy! Everything in today's society is in and out fast – who cares – if we like it, we can use it. So there! :)
Great post! It's like do you blog because you like to decorate or do you decorate to have something to blog about? I choose to decorate with what I love and can afford. Isn't everything recycled anyway?! I mean my parents had a chevron striped sofa when I was a kid – what I wouldn't give to have that sofa today :)
OMG seriously…you hit the nail on the head! ditto to everything!! I was just having this conversation with a designer the other day.
So late to the party but…. I just wanted to say that I have been obsessed & over exposed for some time…years in fact. I can't go to a dentist office, or store or anywhere with out completely eyeing the materials and having a conversation in my mind that goes something like "I just swear that color on the wall is Sherwin Williams #6128 Blonde,yes it is and that is a Robert Allen fabric or make note to self to research a certain colorway or texture of whatever when I get home!" It is so completly OCD and wacky and I know my friends don't do this because they are not in design. So we are over exposed by our own doing because we love design. It really is not bad to be exposed to so much, one just needs to be true to one's own best instincts/ knowledge of the principles and elements of design!
a-freaking-men and thank you.
Yes, we do over think as design bloggers or homeowners. I have a post lined up to write about, there is nothing new under the sun. I think it depends on how long you have been into design. If it is for more than a decade or so,you will definitely realize that what goes around comes back around again. Hopefully in a new and improved look,but basically most things are, been there done that after awhile. That being said, is why it is so important that we all really get in touch with what we LOvE!!!!! Great thoughtfully written post. KS
Great post. I have just started blogging, about my house, my life. And I feel so intimidated, because my home is small, and I don't have the budget to do some of the things I want and that I see others have the means and time to do. Then I have to remind myself. I am creating my home for me and for my family, not for a bunch of people who I don't know. If they find it interesting good, if not, oh well. They don't have to read it. I think that is a hard thing to remember as we want ot be liked and get approval from others. Sigh.
Great post and very well put! Thank you, this was a wonderful reminder to embrace my home and fill it with things I love. It is so easy to get restless and discontent with our homes, and even critical or perfectionistic out of fear of what others might say/think. This sums it up well: Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style.-Billy Baldwin
Your post is absolutely spot-on!I'm not a blogger, but I might be someday. But I have been "keeping house" for over 40 years. I've seen all the trends come, then go. I followed a few, avoided a few, and made lots of mistakes along the way. Your post totally resonated with me because I read so many design blogs. Yes, we're overexposed. I've learned to despise the word "dated." But as we mature and get more experience, we learn to follow our instincts and our personal style and disregard the rest. And yes, I plan to make a Keep Calm sign soon. I'm a quote-lover and that one is perfect!
Sometimes I feel things get a little trite, but what really irks me is when I've been doing something or had something for what feels like FOREVER, then some blogger comes along and proclaims it's "cool" or "in." That drives me a little bananas. I feel like saying "HEY! That was my idea first." But, what's the point?
I love this post. I think you have such a good point, we should design for ourselves. Your site is so inspiring! Keep it up!
Authenticity never goes out of style. But it seems harder to find, lately.
I've bought a Keep Calm poster 4 years ago. I'd kind of been thinking of not keeping it up anymore. My husband thought it was strange when I first bought it. Until a few months ago when he saw it on a blog I was looking a "Hey, don't you have one like that?" Yes, honey, they're quite popular." "Hmm. Cool." And now he likes it. :)
P.S. – Great commentary, btw! It's like anything, really… there's always gonna' be those kids who won't listen to a band when they become mainstream, or people who won't wear clothes after everyone else is wearing them. Ah well.
I have the complete opposite problem…I rarely like any of the new styles and trends, so my house stays pretty much the same. That might be why Nate Berkus, Martha Stewart and House Beautiful aren't exactly knocking my door down. LOL
I know this post is old, but I am so emotional on this topic! As a designer I come up with some original and creative ideas, but by the time the project is finished and ready to be photographed, it always seems that someone else has just beaten me to the punch. So frustrating! But you are right, "civilians" aren't used to it or bored. The KCACO poster I used in my friend's nursery is her fave thing, and everyone loves it, even though using it made me barf in my mouth. Hahaha
Love your blog!
-e (modern24seven.blogspot.com)
"Maybe it's time we take a collective chill pill about decorating and see it all for what it is and should be – a fun way to express yourself and your style."
I couldn't agree with this more! Glad to have found your blog via Sheila Zeller.
As a designer (and blogger) my philosophy has strongly become centered around authenticity. Your post explains one of the reasons WHY we need to focus on authenticity in design.
Thanks for such great thoughts.
Kelly
http://www.thebravenewhome.blogspot.com
THANK YOU for this reminder. I'm not a designer, but am attempting to put our home together in a way that I love and reflects our family. It's easy for me to forget the fun part of it all, and get hung up on "is it fresh, new, original". I will keep this in mind as I search for inspiration for a room that has me stuck right now. Thank you LGN! You are inspiring and real.