Getting the home you desire is not an easy task nor is it cheap. There are many design blogs that have bombarded readers with their "best" ways to choose fabrics, mix patterns, etc. Well, this blog post is not that.
I am not one to always follow rules, and the more I talk to our readers the more I realize they don't care to always follow rules either. So, here are five non-rules (or advice) you can use to become more connected with your inner design voice to make a home that is truly and uniquely yours.
1. Stop listening to people.
This a little tongue in cheek, because you should listen to solid professional advice--and Outfitting Spaces' advice is as solid as it comes, but there are other people out there just talking to be talking. They know little about design and often pass along information that is often not worth sharing and stiffles creativity for others. For example, it is customary in a traditional southern home to have to a china cabinet, a storage unit meant to display your finest china and crystal. My aunts thought it blasphemous that I refused to place one in my home. I sought out a less traditional, more functional piece of furniture for my guests to feast their eyes upon as we dine. I figure something more soulful would be better appreciated than bunches of unwashed, dusty ware
2. Know what you like, but know what you need.
There is a difference in liking items and styles and knowing items and styles. I like contemporary style but I know for sure I would not like living in an exclusively contemporary home. My lifestyle and personality have no room for it. You need to know how what you like will impact how you will be able to use your home. It is not always worth just a pretty picture.
3. Be flexible.
In order to not break under any type of stress, you have to be able to bend. This thought can be applied to almost every situation in life. Didn’t get the chandelier you wanted because it is out of your budget? No biggie! Another vendor makes one similar. The velvet, navy blue pillows with the lace inlet are no longer available after only being available for thirty-minutes (a real frustration…didn’t you catch it in my tone)? That’s ok; you found another style you liked even more.
See where I am going? We don’t always get what we want, but with flexibility we can sometimes end up with even better.
4. Keep things clean.
I don’t always practice this . I can be a bit of a clutter bug. Burt is good at making sure things are straightened around the house. I make sure things are deep cleaned. The balance seems to work well and our house looks better for it.
5. Live in your space.
My biggest pet peeve is for people to buy nice things to not use them. I believe that a well-designed home is equally usable. There is no point in buying furniture to last if you never put it to the test. Live in your home. It is not a museum. We work hard and at the end of a long day we should not be afraid to put our feet on the sofa because we are afraid of the sofa not looking new. Who has time for that?
Author: Chrishon Sims
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