Sunday, February 3, 2013

How I Found My Style Sundays- Jennifer Rizzo


I want to thank Pamela for having me here today! I am honored!
Hi! I'm Jen Rizzo and I write over at my lifestyle blog JenniferRizzo.com. I love to write about everything  from Home decor and crafting to art and DIY projects. I am an artist and designer and I design my own home decor for various retailers and my new on-line shop opening at the end of February.
My decorating style is  a bit eclectic. I like to call it Pottery Barn meets Anthropologie with a bit of modern cottage. I like a bunch of vintage, a bit of modern and a lot of artsy-ness thrown in. I love to make my own decor and make things personal. I think your home should be about you and what you love.The sign above the doorway in the kitchen is the town where my mother-in-law grew up. 
I love to change things around a lot too. 
In fact, my husband says when he walks through the door, it's never the same house twice!
It's like redecorating for free.
Everything we do to our house is always on a budget. I find that a great challenge sometimes, but I think it pushes me to be more creative.
 I found my decorating style through trial and error. I always liked old things, but I also found I was drawn to bold patterns and modern shaped lamps. If you look at my early blog pictures my house was a mish-mash mess! Even though I knew my style, it took me years to have the courage to finally take that step!
My most treasured find for my home has actually been space! We are in an 1,100 square foot spilt level. With 3 kids we are tight, and I've gotten really good at squeezing out the last square inch of any room!
 We managed to carve a studio space by building a built-ins at the back of our dining room.
 And our breakfast nook saves us a lot on floor space as well by not having the table centered in the middle of the room.
And our front hall closet was useless for every day, and we needed space for the winter gear, so we ended up tweaking our front entry.

If I could tell you any tips for creating a beautiful home, they would be these:
Don't be afraid to make your home authentically yours.
 That is what is going to make it so wonderful. Who cares if the trend is white, and you love color. Go with color! Put what you love in your own home!
 Go with your gut. For YEARS my home was dark and heavy feeling. Every picture I looked at was light and bright, but I just couldn't seem to find the courage to take that step.
 Our kitchen renovation a few years ago pushed us into it and it was the best push ever.
And finally, don't be afraid to change things! As a family, needs change. As a person, tastes change. Gone are the days of living with the same color for 30 years. Change your home as it needs to be changed! It costs nothing, and there are really no risks with moving a chair from one place to another.Don't be afraid to take risks and follow your heart with your home.

Thank you so much for having me here Pamela!
And thank you so much for being here with me today. I'd love it if you stop by Jenniferrizzo.com and say hi sometime!

Jen

Thank you so very much Jen for sharing your beautiful home with us. It truly has been a favorite of mine for some time now.

24 comments:

  1. Jennifer has done a fabulous job creating a beautiful homey home in a small space. I didn't realize it was even that small.

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  2. So glad you included your kitchen in this post, Jen! Love your kitchen! Everything looks great in your home and now knowing you did this in 1100 sq. ft. makes it even more impressive. Thanks for sharing Jen's style with us, Pamela!

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  3. This house is beautiful! I would have never guessed it was that small, or that it's a split level! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. I love your style Jen! I do redesign work and I am always telling my clients this very same thing....decorate with your own loves/style...don't think it will be wrong cuz it's not a hot trend right now. Believe it or not....it's a hard sell sometimes with folks. They always want to do the "right thing"...hello..there is no right thing.
    Anyhow....love your post and thanks for stopping by On My Front Porch...we are delighted your here. Heading over to find your site!
    Kelly

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  5. I love your style...my entire home for the most part is a very pale yellow. I always want to paint them but mornings like this morning, I look around and enjoy the decorations and the walls work as a showcase for them and I don't want to paint them. I am so torn....

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  6. Jen has a lovely home. I love how her true self shines through in each photo.

    - The Tablescaper

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  7. What a luvly home Jennifer. I am glad you have shown that you CAN decorate and have a luvly home in a small space!! We live in a small(ish) ranch style that I call 'The Cottage'. It totally reflects the style of those that live in here. Relaxed and cozy.
    Thanks for sharing ladies!
    Cheers, Gee

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  8. Jennifer's home is gorgeous and appears much larger then it is!! Her kitchen has always been a favorite of mine!

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  9. I was surprised when you said you only live in 1,100 sq. ft. I see so many pretty vignettes in your home, I just assumed you had lots of space. I agree with you on use of space. We added a window seat in our dining room to push our table off center and create more space. We use furniture and rooms in the most functional way for us, not as they were originally intended.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  10. I never would have guessed that her home was small, it is BEAUTFUL and she has done a great job. I TOTALLY agree about making your home, YOURS and doing what YOU love!!! I am off to peruse her blog now. XO, Pinky

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  11. I'm finding every word of these How I Found My Style posts to be full of great advice and so helpful. I look forward to it each week. Thank you so much for sharing this!

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  12. What a wonderful post! I really enjoyed seeing more pics of Jennifers pretty home and how it has evolved through the years. She gave some great advice too.

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  13. I've always loved Jen's home...she definitely has her own personal style that's cozy and bright and fun! Love her advice!

    XO,
    Jane

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  14. Such a pretty home. Love the old, new and in between...very nice!

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  15. Beautiful home Jennifer! I never get tired of viewing it!So beautiful and all done on a budget LOVE that!
    xx
    Anne

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  16. Your home is simply gorgeous and goes to show that you don't need a huge home to make it beautiful and spacious. Thank you for sharing.

    Teresa @Magazine Your Home

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  17. Wonderful advice! You prove that you can have a beautiful home no matter the size or budget. I really appreciate and respect those who can be stylish without pouring loads of money into their home. I think it does force you to put more of a personal touch in your home and I always find those personal touches so inviting and calming.Fantastic share.
    melinda

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  18. Lovely home! All that in 1,100 square feet! Stylish and space savvy!

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  19. Thanks for sharing. I love hearing words of wisdom :) Great advice.

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  20. I love Jennifer's beautiful home ... admittedly, her kitchen is my favorite room in her home! So very talented ... thanks for highlighting her, Pamela and thanks for the tour, Jennifer!

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  21. Thank you so much for featuring me Pamela! I am honored.

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  22. Jennifer, Your home is brimming with eye-candy! Love your style! ~Kristie

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  23. I enjoyed Jennifer's tips and ideas...so well said with great advice.

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  24. Your home is simply gorgeous! I love your kitchen!

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