Sunday, July 21, 2013

How I Found My Style Sundays- Dixie Delights


Hi everyone!  I’m Amanda from Dixie Delights and I was positively delighted when Pamela invited me to share my decorating style!! 

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What is your decorating style?
I grew up on one of Savannah’s barrier islands and, now that I’m firmly planted in Atlanta, I try to reflect the marshes, rivers, and moss laden trees of my childhood in my decorating.  I call my design style Southern Coastal. 

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How did you "find" your decorating style?
I often say that this house possesses us as much as we possess it.  I knew… just knew… that it was our home the moment I laid eyes on it after taking a wrong turn in my husband’s childhood neighborhood.  I would say that my decorating style found me in much the same way that the house did. 

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My Southern Coastal decorating style is very much a reflection of me.  Nothing in this house is insignificant to me and I could bore you to tears with stories of our furniture, art and accessories.  I display items special to us and to our families rather than tucking them away in closets and attics.  And I buy what I love and love what I buy.  I think those are wonderful ways to make a home really yours.

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I have two young boys and let me just tell you that it has been no small task to balance my love of shiny, beautiful over-the-top things with durable, down-to-earth, utterly invincible elements. This has led to crazy sounding ideas like mixing crystal chandeliers, outdoor rugs, family antiques and Ikea furnishings all in the same room.  The needs of our young and pretty non-stop family have significantly influenced my style.

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What has been your most treasured find for your home?
As hard as I tried to come up with one “treasured find”, I just kept coming back to this fabric – Chatelet Breeze.  Crazy, right?  It was love at first sight and the jumping off point for the entire color scheme of our home.  This gorgeous fabric graces the windows in the kitchen, bar stools in the den and pillows on the banquette.  Sadly, I can’t seem to find another inch of it.  (Do let me know if you know how I can get my hands on more!)


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What tips do you have for creating a beautiful home?
Take care of your home!  My parents instilled a deep respect for our belongings and for the belongings of others, and we have tried to do the same with our boys.  We don’t wear shoes in the house and we only eat in the kitchen.  I never took the pretty things off the shelves or removed the coffee tables.  It sure wasn’t easy, but it was important to us to teach them to be grateful, thankful and respectful of the home that we share.

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Use things that are special to you in your decorating.  From family photos to baby shoes to well loved books from our childhoods, we have used all of these in our spaces.  Not only will it put a smile on your face every time you see them, but it doesn't cost a dime to pull something out of a closet!

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Buy what you love and love what you buy.  I also made a resolution this year to only buy things that I have a specific place for.  In my mind, the most beautiful homes are the ones that are a true reflection of their owners.

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Every room in our home has been decorated on a budget.  Not on a dime of a budget, but maybe on a hundred :-)  I might fall in love with $50 a yard fabric for drapes and then pair it with a duvet from Target.  Similarly, most of my rooms have everything from family antiques to Ikea to something my husband made in the mix.  Don’t be scared to mix price points!

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Have a place for everything and try to keep things in their place.  No matter what stage of decorating completeness we’ve been in, a picked up home is more comfortable, more inviting and just makes me happier.  I don’t run the vacuum or dust the shelves every day (or every week for that matter), but I do make the boys help me pick up and put up every night before bed. (I'm not even going to pretend that they do this without plenty of moaning and groaning.)

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A BIG thank you goes out to Pamela for the invitation to join y’all today.  You can take the whole house tour here.  Pop on over and visit at Dixie Delights any time!!
Amanda
Amanda your home is just filled with so much inspiration! Thank you so much for stopping by today and sharing it with us as well as your decorating tips. It was an honor to have you here!:)


20 comments:

  1. What a delightful home, style and guest writer, Pamela.

    Well done choice! I really enjoyed her home, and her advice.

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  2. Such a pretty family home.
    I agree... mix it up.. buy what you like and don;t be afraid to mix up price points. It's what makes a house a home.
    Thanks for having me ladies.
    Hugs, Gee

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  3. Fabulous post. I love Amanda's southern coastal style.

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  4. such a wonderful traditional home! Love how she decorates!

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  5. What a beautiful home. I love her style. So pretty and inviting.
    Kris

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  6. Amanda has a beautiful home! I love all the chandeliers she has throughout. Beautiful drapery and bedding. Thanks for sharing Amanda's style with us, Pamela!

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  7. It's unusual to hear someone encourage others to "take care of and value" their home. My mother would never have allowed children to be destructive and certainly not allow a dog to chew on her furniture. This is a real problem now. Ask those who have rental property.

    Good for you!

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  8. Beautiful home, love your mix of furnishings. Nice job!

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  9. What a beautiful home and a REAL person behind it. You KNOW I have to go visit her now! xo Diana

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  10. I always love seeing Amanda's gorgeous home. Love the way each room is styled and her gorgeous fabrics.

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  11. love your mantra's on how to find your style. I live by your words and do not buy anything without thinking of where it is going to go. Thank you for sharing!!

    Loved it.

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  12. Such great personal touches that add such warmth....love it. I also love that she makes the boys help her in picking up...LOL I laughed when I read that...

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  13. I always love seeing Amanda's gorgeous home...I so love her style of Southern Coastal...Thanks for presenting Amanda's home to us today...it is always a "delight" to see her beautiful creations!

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  14. Thank you so much for showing us this beautiful home. I would love to know the names of the fabrics used, especially the large scale sea-themed fabric with the little secretary in-between?

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  15. Truly a gorgeous home with a very creative and gifted person behind it. I love how Amanda has stayed consistent with a color scheme and style through the rooms. It gives the home such a flow of beauty. Thank you for sharing her talent!

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  16. Wow! Your home is absolutely gorgeous and I wish my garage looked that good!! Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Could you supply the sources for the shell mirror and fabric for drapery posted here? LOVE your style!
    Thanks

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