How’s that for a title? Are you curious now?
Today’s post might get me in trouble, but I’m going there anyway. I do have a few pet peeves when it comes to decorating and since I’ve been learning some of these things myself, it’s only fitting that I share them with you. Believe me, I sure don’t have it all figured out, but I know I’ve gotten better over the years, even just since I’ve been blogging. There’s so much inspiration out there, it’s hard not to hone the creativity.
So, today we’re going to talk about what NOT to do in decorating.
- Stay away from Themes: Now, this one is wide open to interpretation, but for the most part, themes are a no-no and can really date your space. Of course, we’ve all fallen for fads and themes, myself included (I have bunnies in my house), but I’m trying really hard to learn those lessons and not get caught up in theme-y decor.
One of the biggest themes of the decade of the 2000’s is Tuscan, as I touched on back in January in this post about the Decade of Design. Now, let me just say, I absolutely LOVE Italy. I spent some time there 20 years ago and have never gotten over it. But, Italy is time worn for a reason. It’s really, really old and the patina that is all over that country just can’t be duplicated very easily.
Like this, this is a classic building in Italy. Beautiful, time-worn, gorgeous patina. See what I mean?
It seems that in the early 2000’s that everyone was jumping on the European bandwagon, particularly the Tuscan look. Faux finishes and stucco walls were everywhere, along with the earthy colors of Italy. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that, I love it all. In fact, I love homes that are built in the Mediterranean style, they are gorgeous when well thought out architecture is put into a new home and added with integrity.
But, when Tuscan gets mass-produced in China, this is what you get:
Look familiar?
Yep, it’s all over the place. Sorry Kirklands, which is where I found almost all of these, don’t mean to knock them, but they aren’t the only culprits, you could duplicate this look at any number of retail establishments. And if you have this all over your house, I’m really not trying to step on your toes, just throwing some things out there to think about.
I beg you, my dear readers, don’t go there. 🙂
The reason I got onto this train of thought is this. I did a consultation recently here in the Birmingham area and the girl that I was helping had a TON of accessories. She just didn’t know what to do with them all. And she had really gone overboard with the Tuscan thing. I don’t think she would mind me mentioning this, since we talked about it at the time and she totally agreed that she was very tired of it all by now. And I know she had invested quite a bit of money into these pieces. So, I used some of what she had and we rearranged some walls and removed some things and moved some of her furniture around and I think she is on the right track now. She was really happy with it all when I left 4 hours later.
So, where am I going with this?
Well, for starters, I’d really like to encourage you when it comes time to buy things to hang on the wall, that you get out of the habit of mass-produced pieces and think about buying vintage or yardsale original art. I have very few things left that are mass produced on my walls (or in my house, for that matter) and my favorite items are those that cost me very little money, but they have a unique look since I found them while thrifting and I won’t see them in everyone else’s home.
Like this little original oil painting I found for $1 at a yardsale. I’ll tell you that these unique finds that you can scout out there are going to be so much more interesting in the long run than those mass-produced pieces of artworks. There’s just no comparison.
So, I hope this got you thinking about looking at your artwork in a different way. Get out there and see what you can find. I’m always excited when I spot some neat things when I’m out there and now I have a house full of original art.
(original oil picked up from an antiques store for $7)
It might not be priceless art, but it sure is to me and I’m finding that I love the original art much more than those framed pieces from retailers that I’ve picked up and eventually tire of.
In fact, I’ve gotten SO inspired recently that I’m planning a little overhaul in my living room. I’m getting a less formal rug than the needlepoint that is currently there, the tapestry is coming down and in its place will be a HUGE mirror (yet to be found) and on the other side of the room, I’ve done a gallery wall. I’ve already got lots of pieces to work with, but looking for more will be a lot of fun.
(Domino) LOVE this look! Stay tuned, I’ve finished my gallery wall and can’t wait to show you.
How do you like your art?
Are you an art snob and only hang the finest on your walls, or does mass produced rule (and maybe you’ve never even thought about it like this), or do you, like me like to scour the flea markets for one of a kind treasures?
I have always loved paintings of women…especially pictures in which you cannot see the woman’s face. I have many beautiful and expensive pieces of original art, but my favorite and the one which receives the most comments came from a thrift store for $10! In an elegant ballgown with her shiny blonde hair falling over her face…some people say she looks sad…others say she looks like she just heard a great joke! I love it!
I totally agree Rhoda! Over the years I have purchased two pieces of art that were MPWA. I got that initial thrill when I purchased them and hung them on the wall. But after a couple of months I’d get this nagging feeling of “something’s just not right” whenever I’d walk in those rooms. Once I took the plunge and sold them on Craigslist and replaced them with a hodgepodge of other items I already owned (barn stars, white platters, a collection of mirrors, etc) I was so much happier with the overall look. I think we tend to see a certain “look” in a magazine or on a blog, and then we go shopping and see something French or Italian or birdie, or whatever it is and we impulse buy rather than carefully think through and examine the look we fell in love with. What we fall in love with is a look – aged, rustic, airy..etc and not the “theme”. I know I still have to reign myself in when I go shopping b/c I can fall prey to that urge to buy even now.
Thanks for opening my eyes! Now I know why I cant find anything I like! I keep going to Kirklands and other department stores to find things to hang on the walls….(not to knock them..they do have some nice things)…..but why should I count on them to decorate my house….I need to be more origional.
i think people should decorate their home with what they like and if it goes out style, oh well, have garage sale!…
Thank you. I agree completely. I really have a hard time even going in places where pictures are sold en mass! (is that bad to say in my outside voice?? :0 )
It just looks so un-original & model home-ish. I think homes are so much more charming & lovely when people decorate w/ vintage finds, like you say. Great job!
Shellagh
p.s. be sure to come by and check out my bedroom makeover & enter my giveaway!!
Ooooo…can’t wait to see what you do with a “huge” mirror! I just bought what is probably best described as a “mansion size” mirror at an estate sale that measures 51″ x 46″ that is similar to yours in your dining room! It was so beautiful…just couldn’t resist!! Sooooo….hurry, hurry and let us see what your plans are!! 🙂
Great post and so true. And I am a little bit of an art snob – since I sell it…ha! I do have some very nice oil paintings but I have some inexpensive stuff, too. You should do a follow-up to this post sometimes on the beauty of art “collections” meaning mixing different media, different frame styles, different matting techniques, etc. In addition to “Tuscan”, I also really cringe at all the pretty florals / palm trees hung in a row. As for “patina” we use a product here called “fine paste wax” by Lebron. It’s like a powder that you can apply with a large stipple brush and it adds patina and that great dusty look. I find cool little mirrors and things at HomeGoods that are that terrible yellow gold and I just bring it here to my shop and have them “dust it up” and it does wonders.
Oh my word you are so right on! And don’t forget about the Impressionism movement that happened in the early 90’s when everyone had reprints of Monet up in their house! Glad that ones over with. And as far as themes go, I’ve got the beach theme going on in one of my rooms (and although it is wrong and I know it, I still love it and plan to keep it). It’s an over kill, too! I try not to over due it but when I do yard sales in the panhandle of FL, I just can’t help myself! “It’s only 50 cents…” And there is how my room becomes overly “theme-y”. haha
Woo hoo you little trouble maker you LOL
I so agree with you, I never did like the Tuscan look I don’t go for bold dark colors throughout….a splash here and there. is fine.
In my kitchen I always have a theme so I am guilty there, right now it’s Roosters and I just love them…like your bunnies, there here to stay until something else grabs me.
As for Art…..I have only what grabs my eye….I will take a pic and send it to you of one of my faves that I’ve had for a few years…I
Not so much of a fan of an oil with a vase of flowers or things of that nature……just does not grab me !!!
Just like with anything you put in your home buy and do what YOU love….after all you’ve got to live there right ???
If we all did the same thing….how boring it would be !!!
Great post,
Kathy 🙂
Hi Rhoda,
I so agree with you! When you hang things that are special to YOU, then your home becomes a one of a kind place. I have a thought to add. Many times there are local art and craft shows that feature local artists that are just getting started. Usually their art is very reasonable, and you can get it for a song. Recently while in Maui, I went to an artist show in a park and got 6 8×10 photographs-already matted to 11×14 for $120! Can hardly wait to get them
framed and hang in my bathroom!
When I’m decorating a room or house I always avoid retail stores like the plague! I try to find vintage stores or a yard sale, somewhere where you can find more one-of-a-kind pieces.
Provocative post, but one I find a bit confusing after looking at the photos of your house on this blog. Your style may not be Tuscan, but it’s certainly cottage/thrift store trendy. I don’t believe it’s our place to tell anyone there is a way NOT to decorate their walls, as long as they love what they do to them. And no, my house is not Tuscan themed — it’s an “original” Pottery Barn/Ballard Designs-inspired place. 🙂
i think everyone should fill his/her home with items that make him/her smile, but there is a tendency to go way overboard with certain “themey” items. i’m in this spot myself because people know i love paris (the city), and now they buy me things that are “paris-y” in style. it is ok to a point, but i have to go thru and pare it way down every so often or else i end up with a room full of themed stuff.
as for art, anything lovely can be a great piece for the wall. a pretty card framed just so, a snapshot edited on picasa, or a yard sale find. the important thing is that the art speaks about the person whose home it is, not that it meets some magazine criteria or designer idea of what looks good.
Good post! I have one original painting…it’s a scene with hunting dogs that my great grandfather painted. The rest of the pieces on my walls are old black and white family photos, current photos of my kids, my dad’s banjo, and stuff like vintage baby clothes in my oldest’s room….
If you have kids around, you have art. Our upstairs hallway is almost exclusively decorated with art created by my sons. I think it looks great, and I definitely won’t see this repeated in other homes… well maybe at Gramma’s house.
http://frugalzen.blogspot.com/2008/01/our-hallway-art-gallery.html
Rhoda, this post is perfect! I completely agree with you … and so, I stay away from Kirklands and the like. (Not that much of that stuff ever appealed to me anyway.) I love to hang original art on the walls, and have no problem in the world with keeping a wall empty until the perfect thing comes along! I’ve got some updates from the bathroom posted I thought you might like to see! Hope you can get by to check them out soon! Talk to you then! Artie
I agree! Its so boring and uncreative. I dont feel you were telling people how to decorate but really just saying “think outside the box”. Be creative!
I completely agree. Everyone in my area has gone crazy for the Tuscan look. I am so tired of it. It’s nice to have something different that is unique!
XOXO
Jen
Good advice! I hear my niece say one day that everyone has the same old stuff from Lowes and Home Depot in their homes. She is a thrift store shopper and what she said seems to agree with your observations
Teacup Lane (Sandy)
Rhoda,
I couldn’t agree with you more! Great post. I am looking forward to seeing the art wall.
Rhonda