"Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory" - Coco Chanel
What do you think?
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I wonder if this was professionally done? I hate to be sarcastic because I'm sure someone was really proud of this room, but I almost can't help myself. There is a Restoration Hardware look in the leather sofa and end tables; a Chinoiserie theme with some of the accessories; a Parisian element in the wallpaper and crystal candle stick; and a modern/hip vibe in the artwork and furry stool. It is too much for my taste.
I bet it looks better in person when you are seeing the different textures and actual colors mixed together. Sometimes photos don't give a room the right feeling. It's quirky and fun.
Carey here. When I analyze the balance and placement, there's nothing wrong here, it's textbook. Given the sheer volume of pattern, color, style, etc. I think it is placed almost as well as it can be. If anything, I would muss it up a bit by un-balancing the pillows and trading out one of those side tables for another style/material. There are a few specific items I really like, but the room overall isn't my taste. Having said that, I think it's fascinating in its own way, and I would love to visit it and look at every little thing. As someone else mentioned above, it is likely more appealing in person with richer color, texture and lighting. It's a bit washed out as shown here.
What the room reminds me of is someone who: Is just or recently starting out and does not yet have their own space or the type of space they want; Has a mixture of hand-me-downs, pieces from youth/childhood, Marshall's-type items, thrift shops, etc. (all valid sources, by the way); Has had some exposure to style trends, the value of vintage and likes all sorts of "looks" and brings in lots of impulse items over a short period of time; Is overwhelmed with all the goodies and has not yet had time to fine tune or develop style priorities (which is also valid; I like lots of goodies too, but am learning over the years to evaluate and edit my tastes and what really impacts me; my tastes are still varied, but patterns and priorities are developing). So, there's all that, which may or may not have been chaos in a "before" picture. Whether it was or not, the reality is that this room now works on many levels and probably makes its owner very happy, which is what really counts.
Other than adding some drapes (in a solid, to quiet things down just a bit), I wouldn't change a thing! I just know that the person who loves in this space is intelligent, interesting, and a lot of fun!
This room looks like someone spent a lot of time online photo shopping various design elements and accessories to see just how much pattern they could get into one space. The gnome magazine holder to the right in the picture had to be the piece de resistance.
too much! White linen drapery panels at the windows may help. The wallpaper/rug/pillows/painting combo is just too distracting but on their own they are great. Remove one of the busts, change out the pillows and replace the painting with something more organic like a big piece of driftwood.
Carey again. Kept thinking of this room as I was vacuuming yesterday, and then remembered the Chanel quote you had placed at the beginning of the post. Remove one accessory? No, I actually feel this room could handle even more layers, just not more pattern.
I like eclectic rooms, so I was also trying to figure out what it was about this one that was "off" to me. I think it's that while there is an example of all the contemporary trends, there is not a great deal of comfort. The personal, human "I live here" touch is what's missing for me.
It's a balanced room whose pros & cons depend on personal taste. But for me it looks staged instead of alive, like someone was trying to make a point. Okay, I think I've finally said it all.
I wonder if this was professionally done? I hate to be sarcastic because I'm sure someone was really proud of this room, but I almost can't help myself. There is a Restoration Hardware look in the leather sofa and end tables; a Chinoiserie theme with some of the accessories; a Parisian element in the wallpaper and crystal candle stick; and a modern/hip vibe in the artwork and furry stool. It is too much for my taste.
ReplyDelete"It's too much for my taste" would have been a nice way to keep it on the high road.
DeleteI doubt that you hate being sarcastic... ;-)
I like the exuberance of it all mixed together. Lots of fun stuff to look at. xo xo
DeleteI bet it looks better in person when you are seeing the different textures and actual colors mixed together. Sometimes photos don't give a room the right feeling. It's quirky and fun.
ReplyDeleteCarey here. When I analyze the balance and placement, there's nothing wrong here, it's textbook. Given the sheer volume of pattern, color, style, etc. I think it is placed almost as well as it can be. If anything, I would muss it up a bit by un-balancing the pillows and trading out one of those side tables for another style/material. There are a few specific items I really like, but the room overall isn't my taste. Having said that, I think it's fascinating in its own way, and I would love to visit it and look at every little thing. As someone else mentioned above, it is likely more appealing in person with richer color, texture and lighting. It's a bit washed out as shown here.
ReplyDeleteWhat the room reminds me of is someone who: Is just or recently starting out and does not yet have their own space or the type of space they want; Has a mixture of hand-me-downs, pieces from youth/childhood, Marshall's-type items, thrift shops, etc. (all valid sources, by the way); Has had some exposure to style trends, the value of vintage and likes all sorts of "looks" and brings in lots of impulse items over a short period of time; Is overwhelmed with all the goodies and has not yet had time to fine tune or develop style priorities (which is also valid; I like lots of goodies too, but am learning over the years to evaluate and edit my tastes and what really impacts me; my tastes are still varied, but patterns and priorities are developing). So, there's all that, which may or may not have been chaos in a "before" picture. Whether it was or not, the reality is that this room now works on many levels and probably makes its owner very happy, which is what really counts.
Replace the busy, busy wallpaper with a no-pattern medium gray and what remains sings!
ReplyDeleteCheers.
I'm thinking I'd like to sit down and have a glass of wine and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOther than adding some drapes (in a solid, to quiet things down just a bit), I wouldn't change a thing! I just know that the person who loves in this space is intelligent, interesting, and a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteThis room looks like someone spent a lot of time online photo shopping various design elements and accessories to see just how much pattern they could get into one space. The gnome magazine holder to the right in the picture had to be the piece de resistance.
ReplyDeletetoo much! White linen drapery panels at the windows may help. The wallpaper/rug/pillows/painting combo is just too distracting but on their own they are great. Remove one of the busts, change out the pillows and replace the painting with something more organic like a big piece of driftwood.
ReplyDeleteCarey again. Kept thinking of this room as I was vacuuming yesterday, and then remembered the Chanel quote you had placed at the beginning of the post. Remove one accessory? No, I actually feel this room could handle even more layers, just not more pattern.
ReplyDeleteI like eclectic rooms, so I was also trying to figure out what it was about this one that was "off" to me. I think it's that while there is an example of all the contemporary trends, there is not a great deal of comfort. The personal, human "I live here" touch is what's missing for me.
It's a balanced room whose pros & cons depend on personal taste. But for me it looks staged instead of alive, like someone was trying to make a point. Okay, I think I've finally said it all.
Honestly I think the owner of this room is going to be really tired of it in about a month or less.
ReplyDeleteNice post, your insights are very impressive and helpful. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteinterior design milton ma