About Style

The Barefoot Robin | home

In the world of home decor, there are so many rules and don't dos that the whole subject of style can at times be confusing. I myself have always just gone with my gut and incorporated elements that appealed to me, worrying about the overall look after the fact. The result has been at times rather eclectic and that in itself appeals to me.

As with clothing, decorating styles are subject to change with trends and seasons. I think the smartest approach is to purchase neutral furnishings with lines that appeal to you and to express yourself with accessories. Accessories can be moved from room to room at a whim but an eggplant sofa? There are items in my bathroom at the moment that used to please me immensely in my conversation room. And vice versa.

It's never too late to create a style board. What's a style board? It's a collection of pictures from magazines and fabric and paint samples attached to a large piece of cardboard and placed in an inconspicuous spot for you to frequently view, keeping a clear idea of what you are trying to accomplish style wise in your home.

Scour decorating magazines, if you see something you like in a picture, even if it's just something on the wall - clip out the picture.

Go to the hardware or paint store and collect paint, flooring and tile samples that appeal to you.

When you have accumulated a pile of clippings and samples, sort through the pile. You'll notice a pattern developing. Paste your favorites onto a bulletin board or large piece of cardboard and watch your personal style take shape. What you will be looking at is your own discerning taste taking shape before your very eyes. Even if the objects in the picture are not exactly what you have at home, the examples in what you have chosen will certainly inspire you and give you something in which to model your home after. That is why we buy magazines - for inspiration and for ideas.

Questions To Ask Yourself While You Peruse Your Clippings

What colors soothe me?

What colors invigorate me?

Would I rather be soothed or invigorated?

Do I prefer formal, informal or positively laid back?

What type of furnishings invite me to sit on them?

Is my eye drawn to wood (dark medium or light)?

Is my eye drawn to vibrant color or chrome?

Do I prefer a minimal look or is being surrounding by many objects I love what appeals to me?

Do I collect anything, or do I want to collect anything?

While the color palette above may not be for everyone, the use of yellow and raspberry combined have succeeded in creating a bright, fresh and cheerful room. Note that the coffee and side table are not a matching set, yet they work together in this room, furnished comfortably with unmatched pieces tied together by color.

The room above has utilized the cabinet as it's focal point, which has been given added height and presence by leaning the art on top, as opposed to hanging on the wall above. Again the room has been given interest by mixing the styles of the secondary pieces while still maintaining a balanced effect as a result of the prominent focal point. The soothing color scheme works with the furnishings to create an elegant yet comfortable look.

With a neutral palette and carefully chosen furnishings (note the curves), this conversation area avoids the stuffiness of being too formal by mixing various wood finishes and by using a more casual window treatment.

If you fill your home with the things you love, you will have already created your own personal style

Decorating outside the box:

For occasional Tables: Trunks, stacks of books, hat boxes and stacks of old suitcases are good substitutes with lots of style.

For a Dining Room Buffet: An old dresser, stripped and refinished as befits the style of the room and the other furnishings, add interesting drawer pulls. Plates, candles, table linens and serving cutlery can all be stored inside.

For Wall Art: Instead of seeking a large picture for a big wall, why not group unusual objects? I have mounted an antique stove door to my wall, hanging it took some figuring out but it looks great, guests always ask what it is.

Old plates - Moroccan, Mexican, any plates with color, texture and character

Baskets - a grouping of baskets can be very French country - just make sure they are all the same color - they don't have to be shallow, just pay attention to the traffic situation along the wall which they are to be hung

Machine Parts, Gears Etc. - clean them up and showcase together in one big dramatic display

Old Tools - especially old gardening tools with great patina, again grouped together for impact

Numbers Or Letters - vintage look metal and wood letters and numbers inspired by old signs make great groupings

Straw Hats - one will look ordinary - a dozen will have impact

Empty Picture Frames - look for the tacky old fake paintings at garage sales, discard the pictures and you have an object of beauty. Remove the wire and replace with ribbon or raffia or silk rope.

Mirrors - multiple small mirrors grouped on mass are wonderful, for lack of better words!

Rows Of Vintage Knobs - place them in a line down a hall or in a laundry/mud room. Use them for coats, umbrellas, tote bags, etc.

Game Boards - becoming increasingly popular, many old ones have interesting patterns and great texture and color

Chalkboards - in sets of three - totally practical for kitchens, or mud rooms, do the unexpected and paint the old picture in a gilt look frame with chalkboard paint.

A collection of Bird Cages - This is something I want to do, am slowly collecting the cages.

Anything funky - if you love it, figure out a way to hang it!

Do you love the look of primitive folk art?

Are you experiencing difficulty achieving aesthetic balance in your minimalist or modern decor?

Primitive folk art will add texture and character to any room, any style of decor. With today's trend being a mix of old and new, what better time to incorporate some Folk Art to your decor? I have found this great company called Pearce Country Collectables. You can have a look around their web site to see if there is anything you like. Everything is made to order, by hand, so customizing is no problem. The quality is superb and it shows. None of that mass produced in Thailand stuff. The pieces are all designed and signed by the artist (Judy Pearce), each created with an heirloom quality. Note that the prices on the web site are in US dollars. The Barefoot Robin can have any piece you like on the site made for you and at a good price.

DO NOT convert the US to Canadian dollars to calculate the price of an item. Barefoot Robin friends and customers pay less. If a certain item should catch your eye, jot down the item number and e-mail me or call me for more information. We can even arrange to see an item up close and in person at a presentation if you're not confident making a purchase from a picture. Check out the Web Site! www.pearcecountry.com


	The Barefoot Robin \| home First Impressions \| Creating An Exquisite Room \| Houseplants \| Feng Shui \| The Conversation Room \| Collecting \| The Family Room \| On Bathrooms \| Where We Eat \| A Day In The Country! \| In Bedrooms \| Hostess Rewards \| Contact Us \| About Style \| Other Great Sites \| Products \| Feather Your Nest - Our Monthly Newsletter \| Services About Style In the world of home decor, there are so many rules and don't dos that the whole subject of style can at times be confusing. I myself have always just gone with my gut and incorporated elements that appealed to me, worrying about the overall look after the fact. The result has been at times rather eclectic and that in itself appeals to me. As with clothing, decorating styles are subject to change with trends and seasons. I think the smartest approach is to purchase neutral furnishings with lines that appeal to you and to express yourself with accessories. Accessories can be moved from room to room at a whim but an eggplant sofa? There are items in my bathroom at the moment that used to please me immensely in my conversation room. And vice versa. It's never too late to create a style board. What's a style board? It's a collection of pictures from magazines and fabric and paint samples attached to a large piece of cardboard and placed in an inconspicuous spot for you to frequently view, keeping a clear idea of what you are trying to accomplish style wise in your home. Scour decorating magazines, if you see something you like in a picture, even if it's just something on the wall - clip out the picture. Go to the hardware or paint store and collect paint, flooring and tile samples that appeal to you. When you have accumulated a pile of clippings and samples, sort through the pile. You'll notice a pattern developing. Paste your favorites onto a bulletin board or large piece of cardboard and watch your personal style take shape. What you will be looking at is your own discerning taste taking shape before your very eyes. Even if the objects in the picture are not exactly what you have at home, the examples in what you have chosen will certainly inspire you and give you something in which to model your home after. That is why we buy magazines - for inspiration and for ideas. Questions To Ask Yourself While You Peruse Your Clippings What colors soothe me? What colors invigorate me? Would I rather be soothed or invigorated? Do I prefer formal, informal or positively laid back? What type of furnishings invite me to sit on them? Is my eye drawn to wood (dark medium or light)? Is my eye drawn to vibrant color or chrome? Do I prefer a minimal look or is being surrounding by many objects I love what appeals to me? Do I collect anything, or do I want to collect anything? While the color palette above may not be for everyone, the use of yellow and raspberry combined have succeeded in creating a bright, fresh and cheerful room. Note that the coffee and side table are not a matching set, yet they work together in this room, furnished comfortably with unmatched pieces tied together by color. The room above has utilized the cabinet as it's focal point, which has been given added height and presence by leaning the art on top, as opposed to hanging on the wall above. Again the room has been given interest by mixing the styles of the secondary pieces while still maintaining a balanced effect as a result of the prominent focal point. The soothing color scheme works with the furnishings to create an elegant yet comfortable look. With a neutral palette and carefully chosen furnishings (note the curves), this conversation area avoids the stuffiness of being too formal by mixing various wood finishes and by using a more casual window treatment. If you fill your home with the things you love, you will have already created your own personal style Decorating outside the box: For occasional Tables: Trunks, stacks of books, hat boxes and stacks of old suitcases are good substitutes with lots of style. For a Dining Room Buffet: An old dresser, stripped and refinished as befits the style of the room and the other furnishings, add interesting drawer pulls. Plates, candles, table linens and serving cutlery can all be stored inside. For Wall Art: Instead of seeking a large picture for a big wall, why not group unusual objects? I have mounted an antique stove door to my wall, hanging it took some figuring out but it looks great, guests always ask what it is. Old plates - Moroccan, Mexican, any plates with color, texture and character Baskets - a grouping of baskets can be very French country - just make sure they are all the same color - they don't have to be shallow, just pay attention to the traffic situation along the wall which they are to be hung Machine Parts, Gears Etc. - clean them up and showcase together in one big dramatic display Old Tools - especially old gardening tools with great patina, again grouped together for impact Numbers Or Letters - vintage look metal and wood letters and numbers inspired by old signs make great groupings Straw Hats - one will look ordinary - a dozen will have impact Empty Picture Frames - look for the tacky old fake paintings at garage sales, discard the pictures and you have an object of beauty. Remove the wire and replace with ribbon or raffia or silk rope. Mirrors - multiple small mirrors grouped on mass are wonderful, for lack of better words! Rows Of Vintage Knobs - place them in a line down a hall or in a laundry/mud room. Use them for coats, umbrellas, tote bags, etc. Game Boards - becoming increasingly popular, many old ones have interesting patterns and great texture and color Chalkboards - in sets of three - totally practical for kitchens, or mud rooms, do the unexpected and paint the old picture in a gilt look frame with chalkboard paint. A collection of Bird Cages - This is something I want to do, am slowly collecting the cages. Anything funky - if you love it, figure out a way to hang it! Do you love the look of primitive folk art? Are you experiencing difficulty achieving aesthetic balance in your minimalist or modern decor? Primitive folk art will add texture and character to any room, any style of decor. With today's trend being a mix of old and new, what better time to incorporate some Folk Art to your decor? I have found this great company called Pearce Country Collectables. You can have a look around their web site to see if there is anything you like. Everything is made to order, by hand, so customizing is no problem. The quality is superb and it shows. None of that mass produced in Thailand stuff. The pieces are all designed and signed by the artist (Judy Pearce), each created with an heirloom quality. Note that the prices on the web site are in US dollars. The Barefoot Robin can have any piece you like on the site made for you and at a good price. DO NOT convert the US to Canadian dollars to calculate the price of an item. Barefoot Robin friends and customers pay less. If a certain item should catch your eye, jot down the item number and e-mail me or call me for more information. We can even arrange to see an item up close and in person at a presentation if you're not confident making a purchase from a picture. Check out the Web Site! www.pearcecountry.com Copyright © 2001 Robin Popowich