More on Decorating by Feel
Today I’d like to continue that discussion about decorating by feel that I started a few months ago. I’m drawn more and more to rooms for their feel more than how they look. Many of you got what I was talking about the last time and had some really great insight.
Here are two more rooms that have a wonderful air of creativity and history about them. Of course, the individual pieces and features of these rooms are gorgeous on their own, but it’s the effect they have together and the special ambiance they create that make them so appealing to me. How do they feel to you? I’d love to hear.
If you missed my first post on this topic, you can find it here.
(Photos: 1.via Delight by Design 2.William Waldron)
That is a neat way of looking at decorating. That is probably why all your rooms always look so great! My apartment just looks like cute and pink collided!!! It does make me feel like home surrounding myself with pink and things I collect. It is fitting for me right now. My next place will be more grown up!
I believe you should always decorate with things that make you “feel” at home and happy, not always just following trends and what is popular at the time.
I love rooms with a sense of history. They feel like life…. not staged. Tells a story to me. I have grown up in a family of art collectors and vintage pieces so rooms like these feel like home to me. Love that first shot and the color of the walls. Gorgeous!
Jennifer
I totally agree!! These rooms look lived in and collected over time. Not all shiny and new and decorated in one day. the best part is they look timeless, not too trendy!!
I think if I ever actually entered that second image, you would have to pry me out of this home, just amazing!
I love the wall color in the first room, against the white of the mantel and artwork, the surprising green, and hits of black. It really works!
For me, this is the only way to decorate. I find that I am only drawn to old buildings with a sense of history and faded grandeur so both of these images definitely appeal. I love the personal collections of art and objets d’art in each room. To me that’s what decorating is all about, filling your home with the things that you love and that stimulate your senses visually and in other ways, such as evoking memories. Lovely post Ally.
It’s how I decorate without a doubt.
I love the moody feel of these rooms. They’re old and interesting, and you can almost smell them (in a good way!). I love the combination of the weathered wood floorboards, gilt frames, and worn rug in the second picture. I can just imagine someone lounging on the chaise and scribbling out a poem
Rooms that have history and texture draw me in. The feel of the room tells me a little bit about the person who lives there.
Layers of real life…
mb from Dallas
Love this idea and that first room literally takes my breath away everytime I see it- I actually emailed the designer to inquire about that green fabric- set against the inky walls, it’s heaven.
I am with you. My house is a mishmash of inexpensive things but the feeling is homey and fun, people always comment even though they have much nicer and more expensive homes.
I agree. These rooms feel cozy and like they have been that way for awhile. Great places to relax and read.
I also love to gain inspiration from how a room feels to me…that’s usually how I start a project and always ask a client how they want the room to feel.
Would I be completely unoriginal to say “collected?” I were I weren’t so uptight so that I could achieve this type of evolved look…
So beautiful that last image especially.
I love this post because, for me, that is what decorating should be all about. Creating spaces that are about you, that reflect your journey, where you’ve been, what you’ve collected, treasures from your family,things you’ve splurged on, things you picked up for nothing. Those are the spaces that feel truly beautiful and comfortable – no matter what is in them. We seem to have lost that sense in life – we want a ‘designed’ look that then has no personality; it may look good but has no soul. Love these rooms!
i truly believe spaces should be an amalgam of inherited objects with stories to tell and contemporary objects. If we do understand who we are and what we want to achieve with/through that space, we are decorating with “feel” and not “look”. we’ll achieve the authenticy these ones you post here today, no matter the style represented (modern, shabby-chic, traditional, minimalist, etc).
Love the floors in the second image! These are 2 great spaces
Wow. FINALLY someone gets it.
I can’t be the only one who was getting bored with decor that looked like someone went out and just bought stuff to fill a space with whatever the “it” things were.
I like decor that has layers and evolves into something that makes you walk in and feel something, anything, other than “this formula of strategically place objects came straight out the box”. Frankly, I don’t even much care if I dislike certain items as long as they feel like they’re adding to the room’s story.
Thank you so much for this!
I love the feel of these rooms, evokes a sense of peace and harmony.
I am doing a giveaway on my blog right now and would love to have you enter!
http://bonjourfrenchie.blogspot.com/
This is how I have always felt about interiors. When I see a space I love, I know I love it because of how it makes me feel. There are a lot of spaces I like, but some make my heart race and make me just want to be there – that’s when I know I love the space. I try to decorate my home in the same way, if possible
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Love the room with the stairwell. It is truly inspiring and I do understand what you mean about feel vs how it looks. I agree. I think the French have a great sense of that.
I love the second room. Although I usually prefer white, simple interiors, this looks like a perfect reading nook…
And I believe that a house has to both BE and FEEL beautiful
What a great discussion! Thanks so much for weighing in everybody.
Jessie: That is very sweet of you to say. I think if your surroundings make you happy then that is the most important thing.
a little luxe: Exactly – they don’t feel staged – although they probably were for the photos!
angela: I’m trying hard to loosen up more too. It ain’t easy!
Solange: You hit the nail on the head. So many spaces lack soul.
Eliana: That is a really good point. It doesn’t matter what “style” a room is when we’re talking about authenticity.
Townhouselady: I’m with you. Spaces like that are not only boring, they’re a little sad.
I was waiting for someone to say just that! I actually seem to talk about this a lot with people, both design pros and not, and often i don’t feel understood.
I think rooms like these need time to evolve, they can’t be “made over” in a jiffy- and this kind of a room, that seems to have acquired a personality of its own over time- is the kind that most appeals to me.
Love the mood of both rooms!!!I like the dark color of the first one!!Thanks for your comment!!!Xoxo Cybelle & Fabi
http://www.fromustwoyou.com/
I completely agree with you. The ambiance of a room, the history and story it tells is what strikes at the heartstrings. If I walk into a room, no matter the colour or decoration category, and it feels right? That’s decorating by feel to me.
I’m sure it’s all by “feel” and I think were all pretty good about enjoying a place or not. A handful of people can make places like that but probably can’t explain just how and why it works. A very few people can do it over an over again and explain what they’ve done.
The best rooms don’t follow design guidelines…rather evoke a feeling the moment you enter.
So many great layers!!
You nailed it – decorating by feel is the perfect description and I love it!
Amen!
The older (or wiser?) I get the more I detest contrived rooms. Rooms need to be personal and relaxed. We are talking about your home! Forget trends! Be alert and current but be true to yourself and give your home a good vibe.
Hugs to you,
Mon
I agree with Monika from Splendid Willow. All rooms are unique because they represent who we are and what we enjoy and relax to. These two rooms make me want to curl up on a chair and read.
Have a sweet day!
I’m really drawn to this idea – so much more personal.
I love the colour of the paint in the top image and in the bottom I’m intrigued by the beautiful chaise. Lovely – look forward to more.