Vintage finds and retro handmade--a sweet mix I know you'll love.

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Friday, February 4, 2011

Targeting Your Personal Decorating Style

Much of interior decorating is about surrounding yourself with things you love and things that make you feel at home.  For a lot of people, that doesn't necessarily mean following every trend.  In fact, they are most comfortable making only minor changes to their decor from time to time.  On the other end of the spectrum, there are the adventurers among us who take a page from Auntie Maime and "Live, live, live!"  They love dramatic change, and do so often.

I was reading through a bunch of trend articles online the other day and thought I'd share a few of my favorites with you.  Chances are something will appeal to you, no matter where you are on the interior decorating spectrum.  Don't know what you like?  Decorating on a budget?  I found some articles for that, too.


For The Adventurers at Heart

I just found this post, called "25 Looks from the Fabulous Auntie Maime" over on Apartment Therapy that shows some screen shots from the movie Auntie Maime.  That movie is chocked full of style trends that are coming back these days.  The apartment is radically redecorated in almost every scene.  I haven't seen the adjustable couches in a store near me, but I've definitely seen oriental and ultramodern elements on design shows recently.  Nobody does it like Auntie Maime, though!

 For those who like the excitement of radical redecoration, the key is to remake your home in such a way that you can always change it again, and you don't have to feel regret.  Large or built-in pieces of furniture (from beds and couches to carpeting and plumbing fixtures) need to have versatile "bones" to accommodate new changes, or they need to be something you love so much you don't mind working it in to each new decorating scheme.

Color Trends for 2011--A paint color trend prediction guide by Benjamin Moore.  Their explanations for the origins of the color palettes are very telling about what is popular these days, and even a little psychological insight into why.  Personally, my favorite grouping is "tribe."  What's yours?

HGTV's Design Styles Defined--This is a pictorial guide to help you figure out which interior design style you like.  It will give you insight into how to accessorize your next radical room change.

Home Decor Trends 2011--I like how this article summarizes the underlying attitudes behind the latest styles.  Texture is in to defeat too much traditionalism, people are going back to their roots, and people are combining new things with items that have the look of old, all to reinvent style.  Is this the way you feel about interior design?  This is your year!

How Can I Remodel for a Vintage-Style Kitchen?-- Nothing says adventurer more than remodeling.  It is very expensive, and not something you want to do every couple of years.  This article shares some tips, most specifically, for how to fix up a kitchen in the 50s style.

For the Cautious Decorator

You know, I think I'm a cautious decorator.  I like change, but maybe I prefer to bring it about incrementally.  Some of this may be due to my thrifty ways.  I like to keep the change, if you get my drift. That doesn't mean I don't like interior decorating, or that I have no sense of adventure or style.  I'm just afraid of investing a lot of time and money, only to discover that I don't care for the look as much as I thought I would.  Are you like me?  Have no fear.  There are articles out there that give tips to help conservative decorators get their feet wet, while addressing their concerns about money and commitments.

Design Bloggers' 11 Top Decorating Trends for 2011--Pretty much everyone interviewed talked about relatively minor changes and trends: things that could be incorporated into future redecorating projects, things you already have, and things that don't cost too much.  Most of the ideas are really outside-the-box suggestions, like using books as decorating accessories, or double-duty decor items (things that double as organizers and storage while looking like regular furnishings).  This is definitely my favorite trends post out of the dozens I read.

 Top 10 Home Decor Trends in 2011--This article starts out touting itself as a way to pinch pennies while going along with the latest trends, but I noticed that it tells you to "splurge" several times.  Well, I can tell you that the underlying principles in this article still hold true--high-impact accessories, versatile pieces, reusing and recycling, durability and timelessness--and you can still achieve them without "splurging," if you keep your eyes open for bargains.

Interior Design and Home Decor Trends for 2011--This article, which draws information from the Sherwin Williams paint company, has some similarities to the Benjamin Moore article above, although it suggests the type of fabrics, accessories, and arrangements that are associated with the color palettes in question.  Maybe you already have your walls painted the color you want.  What should you pair with what you already have, to update it?

I hope the articles in this post will help you figure out what you like, and will show you the steps you need to take to accomplish what you want.  When you've made your plans, artists and vintage collectors like me will be there to supply you with what you need to pull it off.  Best wishes!

Leave me a comment about what was helpful, what was not, or what you'd like to see more of here at Candy Apple Crafts.  I'll be back in a few days with a new vignette of vintage items in the vintage French style, so stay tuned!

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