topic Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES-- in Home

QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

Oznell — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 17:32:05 GMT

I was amused that the young occupant of a 450 square foot Brooklyn apartment described her design style as "Jonathan Adler-meets-'Golden Girls'- dumpster diving".

That's quite the hybrid style! It seems accurate. It might not be mine, but I appreciate that she actually has one, and is not just copying what's out there.

Niki and Bennett's apartment--

I could see Dorothy, Blanche and Rose squabbling on that tufted couch!

And her little vignettes are consistent with the "look"...

There's even Jonathan Adler 'geometrics' in her lumbar pillow and picture frames...

We can all have fun with silly descriptions of our styles-- or non-styles-- and of course, plenty of people have no particular design style and are perfectly fine with that.

But, if you do consider that you have one, could you please give a pocket description of what it is?

And/or, if you could post a picture of a room you like, to illustrate, that would be fun. Be as long-winded as you want, and it doesn't have to be done in one day. It can take time to distill so that other people "get" what you are putting across.

As a decorating 'nerd', I always thorougly enjoy hearing what other people think is their own design style.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

vermint — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 19:28:36 GMT

I think my style would be called "eclectic"--I like my things to look like I picked them up here and there.

What I don't care for is everything in the room being part of a matched set, i.e. my living room has matching round end tables, but the coffee table is an antique drawing file with a granite top. The sofa is cranberry and modern, the leather recliners are brown wingbacks, and there is an occasional chair in the corner that has a muted floral print. The cabinet under the TV is an antique oak buffet. Lamps on end tables match, but there are two mis-matched floor lamps.

My bedroom--ornate matte gold/white metal four poster, chest of drawers bought unfinished and stained. A cedar chest (the outside is actually cedar) at the foot of the bed, and an antique secretary that we think is walnut. The nightstands match each other. Lamps on nightstands match, but floor lamp does not.

My dining room--matching china cabinet, table and 6 of the chairs, all wood. The chairs on each end are upholstered, match each other, but are a completely different style from the others. This room also has two small painted cabinets and a leather trunk (it's quite large as dining rooms go).

Kitchen, dining, living rooms are open to each other and the bedroom is visible from kitchen/dining room.

They are all brought together by their hardwood floors and color scheme. which is mostly neutral with accents of cranberry, black and green. All lamps/chandeliers are bronze or dark brown. The rugs in the dining room and living room, as well as the hall runners match--they are all a light tan with a muted red/green/black paisley floral pattern. The rugs on either side of the bed are a leopard print, with pretty much the same tan background of the others.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

Zhills — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 19:34:30 GMT

My home is not really "eclectic," it is "I like it!"

You look that way," I like it."

You look the other way, "I like it."

I enjoy living in it and that is all that matters!

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

Marsha2003 — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 19:51:03 GMT

I've always labeled my style as Eclectic Traditional because it's definitely not modernist. In my last two houses, there were elements of Asian design in some of the occasional tables and decor, but I left all that behind when I made a move this year. After 30 years of navy and rusty red and cream, I was ready for a change.

I kept all of the upholstered pieces as they are a neutral off-white to beige, but I am pairing them with greens and a little bit of pink and slate blue. It's a work in progress as I'm waiting for some of the major elements to arrive so no pictures to show.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

GingerHead — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 22:04:00 GMT

I have 2 at sorta opposite ends of the spectrum, my first is something I call Vampire Chic.

One part of me loves deep, dark, moody, think womb-like with lots of candles, dark walls, old world and worn funishings. I first rcognized my love for this as a kid when I first experienced the Haunted Mansion ride, while everyone else was freaked out and scared I was just drinking it all in, thinking to myself wow, I want to live here, it really had an affect on me. haha. Quick look and found this to describe my vampire chic, although the walls could be darker but I do like the vintage/worn finish of it....

My other is Parisian/french country/cottage/Ralph Lauren-ish.

I love light and bright as well with chippey painted furniture and beautiful linens.

I love an all white kitchen with marble counters with elements of rustic woods and stone....

Another quick search and this kinda displays that although I'd do a lot of decluttering. I like a more simple clean variation of this but it has good bones and I really like the furniture used here minus the zebra print of the chairs, I'd probably do a subtle cow hide print maybe if I were using an animal print to bring in the western vibe I like...

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 21:48:15 GMT

My style is traditonal mishmash.

There is absolutely no continuity in color or style from room to room except for the carpeting in our family room, living room, dining room, stairs, and upper level hallway. The main living areas are traditional. Bedrooms and bathrooms are all varied in colors and accents. Our home will never make it into a design magazine except maybe as an example of what not to do, but we're comfortable here. Aside from maybe some painting and eventually one more carpeting change, we have no major redecorating plans and I'm OK with that.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

feline groovy — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:42:43 GMT

"Budget Casual Eclectic"

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

PickyPicky3 — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:56:43 GMT

"Needs to be rearranged again"

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

Mersha — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 01:02:12 GMT

Labrador Retriever dog hair chic.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

ninjawife — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 01:07:28 GMT

In our previous home the style was traditional but when we moved 10 years ago, we added some contemporary/industrial pieces to our family room and causal dining area. The entire house aside from my children's bedrooms and powder room is painted beige. Blue is the other primary color with touches of red in the family room.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

Queen of shop — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 02:09:13 GMT

@Oznell My favorite decor is British Colonial. Most of my home is that way. I like the feel of tropical. Real and silk trees in the livingroom. Lots of plants and bird prints on the walls. It's a very satisfying ambiance for me.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

PickyPicky3 — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 02:26:24 GMT

@Queen of shop Isn't British Colonial the source of campaign chests? I've always liked them.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

Queen of shop — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 02:38:52 GMT

@PickyPicky3 wrote:
@Queen of shop Isn't British Colonial the source of campaign chests? I've always liked them.

@PickyPicky3 Yes it is. I love the old original ones made from the rare woods like teak, mahogany and rosewood. I have a rosewood. They mass produce them now in more modern looks. They are okay too. Some of them do get the point across about British Colonial at affordable prices.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 09:07:54 GMT

@Mersha wrote:
Labrador Retriever dog hair chic.

Golden Retriever here. Nose kisses on the glass patio doors are common and I often wear some amount of dog hair as a fashion accessory. Hence a clothes roller is always in the car.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

CANDLEQUEEN — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 13:55:55 GMT

My style is Traditonal/Modern Farmhouse style....We have a lot of white, and accent with color...

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

DREAMON — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 14:08:41 GMT

Mine would be Coastal Cottage Vintage with a bit of Modern Mix.

I live waterfront on the Bay and like my home to flow with the location and scenery.

Comfort, modern appliances, open and airy, greenery, and warm and inviting is what I look for.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

Oznell — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 14:59:32 GMT

@vermint , wow, your Eclectic style which includes such one of a kind pieces-- agreed, that's also the joy of "Eclectic". When you say "antique drawing file"-- is that an antique drawing file cabinet? Does it have drawers? What a cool table.

Creatively purposing antique oak sideboard as the TV under cabinet, like you did, is another hallmark of your style. I love that look, and one of my favorite designers does the same thing.

@Marsha2003 , do you still consider yourself "Eclectic Traditional", now that you are shedding some of your Asian elements and re-thinking your colors? I've enjoyed your informed comments on decorating in the past. I absolutely love your new colors of greens, pink and slate blue! It's so exciting to be embarking on something new and different.

@GingerHead , oh, boy, I love it when someone is drawn to more than one style-- that's me as well. Your two are particularly fascinating, and I think can be in sync with each other and compatible in one house.

What you are terming "Vampire Chic", reminds me very much of "Dark Academic" style-- are you at all drawn to that? There are quite a few interesting examples online. Similarly moody, sort of intellectual, with old books, leather, candlesticks, etc. And it doesn't necessarily have to be "dark", if it has the requisite soulfulness...

LOVE your two pictures illustrating your points-- thanks for helping us see what you're talking about.

@ninjawife , interesting combo-- I think industrial/ modern can integrate really well with traditional, and make the whole look more interesting.

@Queen of shop , cool, LOVE British Colonial, the dark furniture, yet the 'breezy vibe', old campaign chests etc. There's a lot of that in one of my favorite designers, India Hicks. Her rooms are always such standouts!

@CANDLEQUEEN , again, having the two decorating leanings that you have (which are very compatible with each other), always makes rooms more interesting.

@DREAMON , again, with the picture, fab! The image you posted, which I'd love to step into, is perfectly in sync with your style. I love that you embrace both vintage and modern in with your coastal, gives a zingy and unpredictable feeling.

It's really fun that people here are discussing and asking questions about other people's rooms. More like a real "forum"! Hope people keep posting thoughts and pictures.

I'm going to find some images that come close to what I best like and try to produce in a room, too, and post those. Better yet, I might do a whole post on one of my favorite designers that comes pretty close to my style.

It took me decades, probably, to realize what I like best around me, and that that was an actual cohesive 'style' or mix of styles... Which, I've described different ways, but closest to "Street-side Cottage Retro Mix". I chose 'Street side' to indicate more of an urban cottage approach, perhaps, than a pure rural English or French. The point is, nothing is one pure look with me. I always gravitate toward 2 or 3 compatible design streams...

Edited to add-- @feline groovy , forgot to say I love the "budget" aspect in your "Casual Eclectic". Doing alot with not a lot of funds is a creative outlet. It's what I enjoyed about the sample rooms of "Niki" -- she even had Dumpster Diving as part of her declared style, and that can be so rewarding, literally, in the pieces that can be found that way.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

shoptilyadropagain — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:45:12 GMT

I lean more towards a modern/contemporary style but with warm & comfy touches. I prefer clean straight lines as opposed to anything with curves. I don't want everything (as Heidi Klum used to say) matchy matchy but I do want furniture and decor pieces to coordinate and flow together.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

Mersha — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 17:16:08 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
@Mersha wrote:
Labrador Retriever dog hair chic.
Golden Retriever here. Nose kisses on the glass patio doors are common and I often wear some amount of dog hair as a fashion accessory. Hence a clothes roller is always in the car.

@JeanLouiseFinch Exactly!

I heard that Labs only shed twice a year...the first 6 months and the last 6 months of the year.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PREFERENCES--

Iwantcoffee — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 18:26:47 GMT

I love these rooms by Sarah Richardson. So I think it would be traditional or modern traditional. I like a combo of neutral, color and prints.