Today I stumbled upon an article titled Cleaning House while casually clicking around on Elle Decor. Intrigued by the title (the word clean always gets my attention. I wonder if it’s a product of having OCD parents? Nah.) I clicked on the article. I soon discovered that Cleaning House was formatted and written just for me. If I had a design guide for 2012, these five points would be it!
• Ronda Carman suggests that books as props have a short shelf life! Always remember that ‘An object added for effect instead of affection will always look like an affectation.’ -Rose Tarlow
• Antiques dealer Richard Shapiro lobbies for collecting furnishing and accessories from different time periods. He expresses himself quite boldly when he states the, “monotony of one midcentury room after another, all with predictable, gratuitous, gimmicky accessories.”
• Mary McDonald declares it’s time to retire brightly lacquered Hollywood Regency furniture. She begs, “I think we all have seen enough garage-sale junk sprayed in high-gloss Skittles colors to last through the next century.”
• Designer Mario Buatta singles out “dysfunctional decoration!” He abhors how design today is done for styling and has nothing to do with living.
• Finally Sheila Bridges hopes the DIY craze has run its course. She states that she’s seen enough “earthy, handmade concoctions. Just because it can be reclaimed doesn’t mean it should be.”
Personally I think these designers are spot-on with there 2012 design suggestions. Just don’t come knocking at my door because my own decor frightful. We’re working on it!
In conclusion, sometimes I regretfully ponder how we’ve enjoyed the beautiful furnishings and craftsmanship of older generations. I have a beautiful hutch in my front room that was made in the 1800′s. Despite the few bangs and bruises, it is a gorgeous piece that has and will survive for generations to come. Then I think of our generation…
I apologize now to my future posterity that get to look forward to an overwhelming number of spray painted tables, DIY pillows, bedazzled lampshades and repurposed fluff.
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Amen! Don’t get me wrong, there have been some GREAT pieces that were lacquered, reclaimed, mid-centuried but to see a WHOLE house tours like that? Oy!
Give me back classics! A house with a great mix. Clean lines. Wood pieces. Victorian mixed with mid-century.
I love the bed and bedding in the picture. I have been eyeing a headboard much like that and I priced out white bedding for my bed. Do I dare with kids? Anywho…great styling tips. I could use about 100 more design tips, about $100,000, and someone to babysit the kids while I shop and my house would look BOMB!!!
Okay, I know this may sound silly, but could you please give an example of the skittles colored lacquered reclaimed pieces? I just can’t picture what you are talking about. Thanks.
Very interesting points. I do think there is WAY too much styling going on out there and I think it makes us who actually LIVE in our houses (with 3 kids no less) feel kinda bad about ourselves. My house is actually quite lovely and well decorated but it is very “lived in” most days. And I don’t own one reclaimed lacquered DIY piece;)