This question always comes up when I try to decorate my own home. I love both looks- the more simple, relaxing color scheme and also the bold, bright, fun look as well! I think I need two houses- one that can be riskier and more personality driven and one that can be more traditionally calm and restful! How do you feel about the dichotomy of decorating with these two looks?
BOLD- this doesn’t mean obnoxious or over the top- the right statement making pieces can really punctuate a space with cheerfulness and whimsy. Pure fun.
SERENE- by all means this does not mean “boring”- you can still be bold with a limited more monochromatic palette of colors.
photos courtesy of Domino Magazine, Living Etc., Cottage Living, Coastal Living, KWID, Jonathan Adler.
I think serene is where I (and my boyfriend) feel most comfortable. But it doesn’t hurt to push out of the comfort zone sometimes – and as you said “serene” doesn’t mean you can’t be bold sometimes!
Well Erin,
You must just get two houses! Problem solved :) I have a problem where I have no problem telling others how to decorate their homes, but when it comes to mine I tend to freeze up. I want it to look perfect and since I like so many things I’m never completely sure with which route I want to go. Right now i’m loving all those images from Cottage Living. Those wood floors painted in high-gloss white are amazing. As are all the white inspired rooms in your post. I’m itching to paint my brick fireplace white.
I find that bold design tends to ‘close up’ spaces rather quickly. Of course, this doesnt hold for every case. And that also doens’t necessarily mean simply over-decorating. I personally would prefer serene over bold any day; however, including a few bold pieces is necessary to keep serene from borderlining on bland.
My eye is very drawn to the bold spaces and I get very excited over them. However, I tend to feel more relaxed with the serene spaces. I think I personally go with more serene because it’s safer… I’m hoping to branch out with this next phase of decorating in my condo! :)
i think i am both…is that possible?? :)
Pink- that is totally possible. That is my issue! I think I am both! :)
high Heeled- You sounds like a decorator- all the designers I have spoken to also have this exact problem. When you are so aware of all the options available to you, it completely handicaps you!
thank goodness someone else has these same issues! loving too many things/styles. have horrible pine PB dining room table and chairs and for the life of me i cannot find a new table. so many beautiful ones that i am frozen. sad i design for others, but can’t design for me!
I like serene in the bedroom (check Sherwin Williams’ Sea Salt!) and bold in the living areas. I can move to different spaces depending on my mood. It balances all that i love!
I say use both! I’m so bi-polar when it comes to actually picking something out that the split personality home is perfect for me. :) Different rooms in my house make me feel different anyway, so why not make them reflect that? As long as it doesn’t look like a house is throwing up in 80 different styles, and one is very strategic about using the different feels, I think it could be a great reflection of personality!
(I say “could” because I’m still trying to decide on things after living in my house for over a year… sigh…)
Oh my gosh I love this post!! My house totally falls under the bold catagory: red, orange and rust color walls with pops of color here and there. However, I love the serene palettes also. Such a hard choice!
I’m in LOVE with the bold looks. I heart loads and loads of color! They scfeam invigoration to me!
Hi Erin: I love your blog. I especially love all the gorgeous photos. I am trying to post photos of the island where I live and can’t figure out how to do it nicely with the blogger templates.Do you program html code? How do you do such nice layouts? Sorry for the tech question. I just like your style – even on your site!
this is why i musy have 12 houses…
unfortunately, i just have the one for now so my style is a mish mosh of everything!
i’m probably a serene-type myself… but love it all! great compilation!
Even in a small apartment, I believe I can do both.
At the risk of channeling Christopher Lowell (yikes!), he did say to opt for neutral larger purchases (sofas, chairs, carpet et al) knowing you can always change the paint, accessories, accent pieces et al.
Total sidebar re: Christopher Lowell and Arrested Development
“When Tobias moves out, Michael mentions that he noticed they stopped Tivoing the Christopher Lowell show, an interior decorating show hosted by an openly gay man.
I think you have a knack for doing both…your bedroom, for example. As for the pics you posted, the livingroom with the zebra-print carpet, wide-stripe chairs, and green walls seems to strike a balance. Beautifully bold, but I could really put my feet up and relax in there. Gotta get me some of those wide-stripe chairs…..
I love your blog. I especially love all the gorgeous photos.
I am so both, that’s why I can’t ever make decisions regarding my home!