Slow and Steady Decor
In an interview a while back I was asked what advice I would give someone decorating a new home. My best advice is this: Take your time.
It took me many years and many homes to learn this. Patience has never been one of my fortes. So I’ve bought lots of things over the years because I had to have something to fit a certain space or meet some function right now. In the end I always ended up regretting those purchases because they weren’t exactly what I wanted in the first place.
So when we finally move into the new house, I’m going to take my own advice and fight the urge to get the house “done” as quickly as possible.
What’s your best decorating advice?
(Photos: 1.Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles 2.Sarah Kaye Represents 2.Kishani Perera Interior Design)
Ally,
your so right, Im now learning to take my time and spend time in the house getting to know all of its nuances!!! great advice, from a true expert!
.-= Maria´s last post ..Winter wardrobe =-.
Just discovered your blog…excellent! I just bought a house and am deep in the planning/dreaming phase as we can't start the 'big fix-up' until after the holidays. Thanks for reminding me to go slooow and like you, I've been dreaming of a grey kitchen and have 7 million paint swatches…let us know which you go with! ps..might just be inspired enough to blog the rehab..thanks and stay tuned!
They say patience is a virtue but sadly I don't have it at all. You are so right though. I shudder to think of all the "regret" buys I've made when if I had waited for the real right thing, I would have been happier!
.-= Aspirations of a Southern Housewife´s last post ..Take Time to Luxuriate- Bathroom Makeover! =-.
excellent advice. we are all so very excited to see what you have to work with though!!!!
.-= my favorite and my best´s last post ..sometimes i put boogers in my pocket =-.
Excellent advice. I would say not to be scared to take risks and inject some personality into your home.
Good luck with that advice…he! he! No, really, patience really is good but hard to follow. I'm with you I want everything just so, right now.
My best decor words of wisdom is to shop second hand. I always find things I want in fancy magazines then save all my pennies to buy them. A year later I tire of it but can't get rid of it because I paid a fortune for it. If I shop second hand – #1 I don't pay a lot and #2 I don't feel guilty when I'm ready to change it out. I can't wait to see what you do with your new space.
.-= Michelle – Three Men and a Lady´s last post ..Holiday Christmas Card. =-.
this is definitely a lesson i need to learn. i hate things to feel "unfinished" and i've made a lot of mistakes that way…
.-= Down and Out Chic´s last post ..Holiday Inspiration Part 3 =-.
Such great advice! I'd be regretting a bunch of my decisions had I done an overhaul of our house right when we moved in. Now, I really shouldn't wait 11(!) years, but taking your time is good. Right?!
So looking forward to seeing what you do with your new home.
.-= PS~Erin´s last post ..Last Minute Gifts =-.
I agree, and I try not to be impulsive, but sometimes you see a sofa and know it has to be yours. You’ll have good fun anyhow arranging your existing furniture before you buy more. I think one of the worst things about some houses is that they look as though everything they contain was delivered from one shop on one day, whereas a slow and gradual accumulation adds interest and personality.
.-= mise´s last post ..knitted nativity =-.
Oh, I totally agree.
I rushed to put together the bed linens for our master bed and the guest bed, and now I'm not totally diggin' a couple of my choices. (Even professional interior designers make goofs.)
But because these shams were so costly, they won't be replaced any time soon.
.-= Raina´s last post ..Your thoughts please =-.
your advice is the best advice, alek, and so true. we waited on choosing many pieces in our apartment (partly by chance because I had an original idea that was more involved), and in the end the places that took the longest to fill are the ones I love most (like that shoe trolley.) I think it takes a while to even understand how you need a new space to function — because sometimes it's not obvious what you need. so excited things are (slowly) coming together for your house!
.-= jen jafarzadeh´s last post ..ricotta muffins =-.
Completely agree with this advice! It is the patina of time and history that gives a home its character – through the furniture and accessories collected over the years, each with its own story. Buying a whole bunch of things in one go to create an immediate effect just won't give you that wonderful lived-in feel.
My personal advice regarding decor is to use paint to give room colour. The conventional advice is to keep walls neutral, and then add colour with accessories that can be changed regularly. But when a tin of paint costs the same as a single cushion – well, it makes more sense to keep accessories neutral, and change the wall colour whenever you feel like it.
But then again, I have a scarlet red kitchen, so I kinda like colour
I got a kick out of reading your advice, what little I know about you and all your moving, how could you possibly take your time!? But you are so right, rushing nearly always results in regrets, I hope you can slow your pace on your new home.
My advice is if you find something you LOVE, get it if you can, even if it doesn't seem to work. If you love it you can make it work, and it will continue to work over time in a variety of spaces.
Janell
.-= Janell Beals´s last post ..In Between The Holiday Rush The Office Redesign Got Painted =-.
I agree, great advice.
I don't think that my advice would be helpful as I have always been a bit like you. I tend to rush in and buy something because I simply MUST have it, only to find that it doesn't look right.
I'm sure that you will do a wonderful job on your new house. XXXX
.-= Jacqueline´s last post ..SNOW at ' HOME ' …………… =-.
my advise, if you're looking for a professional help, is: commission an interior designer/stylist you connect with. don't check only her portfolio, check if she/he likes the same things you do, such as movies, food, fashion, travel, accessories… because i believe it's through these little details you'll know if she's going to understand what you're looking for.
my advise for myself, as i'm a designer is: take your time. i buy only things that i love and that i really connect with, with meaning to me. i love to tell stories through my personal objects.
Good advice! I find it so hard to be patient, especially when shopping for clothing. I often regret rash purchases and then its to late to return them
That is completely fantastic advice. It took me almost a year of living in our house to really begin getting it pulled together and decorated. My friends thought I was crazy, but in that year I researched and gathered items my husband and I both love. When I did begin decorating it came together so quickly and we could not be happier with the results.
Oh beautiful. I love that study from the Christmas house last year. That fireplace by Francois & Company is amazing. I loved reading your advice. I need to take that myself. I love to just be finished, but im always happier when I take my time and get it just right.
Great post!
good advice. simple yet meaningful…wish i would've listened. could've saved myself a lot of cash.
.-= bananas.´s last post ..you'll shoot your eye out =-.
Ally – absolutely, undeniably, perfect advice. I have to say after 8 houses and 4 states that was always my primary mistake. I keep telling myself to Sloooowwwwwwwww down. Practically everything is better slower..
Thank you for your kind comment last week. So grateful and happy to hear from you. It's been such fun following you throughout this year. I'm excited for what's next in Atlanta in your next gorgeous home. Merry..merry Christmas xx deb
.-= Deborah Milne´s last post ..Babes In Toyland =-.
Great advise Ally. I say the same. I still have plenty of empty spots in my home after 4 years, because I have totally decided on some things or don't have the money for what I really want. I decided to be happy with that.
Merry Christmas to you and your family in your new home and state. Hope it is wonderful for you.
.-= Melissa A.´s last post ..Winter Snow (Feat. Audrey Assad) – Chris Tomlin (Must See) =-.
Great advice! I have been in my current home for two years (the longest I've stayed anywhere in the past 10 years), and we just now figured out the best way to arrange the living room.
This sounds like a no-brainer, but my best advice for decorating is to use the highest quality paint and painting supplies. Cheap paint looks lifeless, cheap rollers and roller covers leave lint and lines, and don't get me started on cheap brushes. This goes for exterior paint too. And the price difference is really negligible.
.-= Marsi @ The Cottage Cheese´s last post ..A White Christmas (and not the snowy kind) =-.
This is such great advice. I'm not the most patient of persons either but I like to make sure I buy things that I really like which can sometimes take a while to find. In the interim, I've been using inexpensive ikea pieces to fulfill the functionality role.
.-= Arianna Belle´s last post ..Snowy Scenes & New Years Goals =-.
i agree, take your time. and patience is not one of my forte's either. but I try.
love that second image, i am really into grey and white at the moment with wee shots of colour:)
xx
callie
.-= callie grayson´s last post ..MERRY CHRISTMAS! =-.