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?
Yes! I have been trying to find more original art since I scored a beautiful oil painting at the thrift store. It doesn’t have to be fabulous, just nice color and subject matter. I have no theme in my home, and it isn’t beautiful by most standards. I like sentimental items, but I cannot stand clutter. And I have also decided that I *will not* have any items made of resin in my home. Ick.
Rhonda,
Thanks for this post! I couldn’t agree more.
Rhoda, I completely agree. I tend to decorate by color not themes. My last and only theme were the blue and white ribbon geese. Yikes! That was 20 years ago. I love birds, but don’t want to overdo that one either. I have mostly old family photos and pencil drawings on my wall. A couple of wild life prints that hubby likes and that’s it.
I like to thrift (which is good b/c that’s what fits my budget!) and my most important criteria is that I have to LOVE it to bring it home. If I do, then it doesn’t matter to me where it originally came from (Italy, Target … ) and it doesn’t matter whether anyone else likes it or not! Well, sometimes I ask my hubby! 😉
I do tend to agree with the whole Kirkland’s thing. I went in there the other day and realized that I couldn’t find a thing because it DID feel incredibly mass produced. That isn’t a knock on people who love Kirkland’s…it just isn’t MY taste (although it use to be).
I have definitely become more of a form and function person. I don’t have enough space in my house to have things that I don’t just ADORE. I think that if something really speaks to you, or has a significant meaning, use it!
Your home is your sanctuary and you should love it, whether it is original art, or mass produced…beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 🙂
Great post…thanks!
Rhonda,
I enjoy your blog. I have a small decorating business in Houston and I totally agree with you. I too was on the Tuscan bandwagon in 2000…but tried not to get too carried away. We have lived all over the world…most recently…Jakarta Indonesia where I feel in love with the textiles and hand carved doors with the rich patinas. My pet peeve is to go into a home where everything is from a store. If I see one more scrolly iron work..I think I might scream. People cannot expect to finish a house in one day or even one year. A home should be constantly evolving, like we are , filled with interesting finds from our adventures along lifes journey. Another thing that bothered me in Indonesia was the Americans that would take a catalog from say Ethan Allen and have furniture copied….we are living on the other side of the world why on earth would I want something you can buy in the US? I never like anyone to say to me your home looks like it is out a magazine even though they think it is a compliment. Glad you brought this up…a mistake I see time after time.
As a designer, I think part of my job is to help clients determine their own style. I also think that they are paying me to help them to design a space that not only reflects their style, but that doesn’t have a cookie cutter feel. They want custom, and when Target and other mass merchandisers begin to carry a “theme”, I’m going to steer my client away from it. The pendulum in design doesn’t swing small. We’re moving away from the heaviness of Old World and Tuscan and moving toward the opposite…clean, bright, straight lines, and modern. It’s a balancing act, and some people are better at it than others. It still goes back to what the homeowner likes. I’m going to push the envelop a bit.
Hi Rhoda, I do love art, and I really appreciate how everyone decorates differently with it. Great, fun post. And looking forward to this Friday! 🙂
Thank you, Rhoda, for that post. I completely agree with you, especially about the mass-produced art. If you’re not an artist, with today’s digital photography many people have the tools at their disposal to make wonderful, personal photo art. (Especially my husband!)
Rhoda, Great post and one I totally agree with. I too have been guilty in the past of following trends and then I would be bored with it in a short time. I now shop for the unusual, vintage or antiques, which I know I will not see in every store window.
I’m not sure how I felt about this, say about 8 years ago, but now I don’t like the mass produced stuff. I always look for original/unique things at thrift stores and yard sales. I love that Domino look too. I have a large wall in my living room that would look great with a frame collage.
My art is all made- from pictures, from our kids’ paintings, or custom art pieces. I love photography, so we use alot of my pictures in decorating. I have never found a painting I liked better than what we have!
While you’re at it, please tell my mother-in-law and my boss to hang their pictures at eye level instead of up by the ceiling.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts wall art. I tend to go for the unique too.
I too have decorated my home with touches of old world/tuscan. I recently sent photos to my extended family in Italy because I was so proud of the “look” that I had achieved. Their response after viewing my pictures… “That looks very American!” LOL Great post… love your blog!
Just came across your site. I think you did a great job on your home, but to be honest, I would have guessed you purchased many of the items at those stores you disdain.
I loved your post Rhoda and I agree. I’ve been guilty of buying Kirkland’s wall art, but when I’ve gotten it home, it’s never felt right. I have a couple of original art that I’ve painted or purchased and there’s certainly no comparsion. They don’t belong in the same space with the mass produced art.
When I first started to read your post, I confess, I wondered about it…..but then in the end I heartily agreed! When I look around my home, I too love collecting thrift/garage sale art…..one of a kind pieces. A recent favorite was an original oil painting of a windmill, beautifully framed at the Good Will for $2.50! It’s the focal point of a wall grouping in my Living Room. I also like unusual things hung on the wall…..an pair of antique Moravian childrens shoes I bought in an antique store in Prague, vintage china plates, clocks, or interesting shelf groupings, one of a kind rusted iron pieces, or personal photography pieces blown up and framed. SO yes……those things and more make for much more personal, unique, one of a kind look and a fraction of the cost. Makes me want to go garage saling!
Toni
I’m a fan of original art. My current favorite is pencil etchings.
I laughed as I read this. I’m helping my mom decorate her new {to her} home and she loves the look of old world/mediterranean. On a recent shopping trip she picked out all your “faux paus” items.
Thankfully she’s allowing me to decorate her interior. My goal is to achieve the old world essence without using themey decor. Thanks for a great post! Lisa
i agree! all that “live, laugh, love” stuff is just too much. i like original pieces, old windows, doors, & shutters. my dining room has a wall with a collection of old plates. and no one else will have something like that because i collected them for months for garage sales & goodwill. your house is gorgeous. ignore the jealous lurkers! 🙂
Hi Rhoda! I was thinking about this post and realized that there is one room in my house currently sporting a specific “theme”- it’s the coffee theme in my kitchen. Luckily, I haven’t gone too overboard- yet. I think I can correct it. My question to you is this: Regarding vignettes, I’ve heard it said before that you should try to “tell a story” (actually, I think I read that here?). So where do you draw the line between telling a story in a vignette or wall display and expressing a theme?