Sunday, July 7, 2013

How I Found My Style Sundays- Top This Top That


Hi there! I am Laura from Top This Top That and what a treat to be included in Pamela's "How I Found My Style Sundays" series.
Truth is... I am not sure if I have found my style. Is that bad? Is that so terrible? You too? You see, I don't think I am ready to look at the same color on the walls, furniture placement or accessories in a room for ever. And because of that I like to define my style as constantly evolving, growing and maturing....kinda like us.  I hope.
I think the turning point in my free spirit not wanting to be tied down or committed (I should mentioned that statement has no reflection on my husband who I love, adore and am happily married) to the same look and style happened when we moved to our farm in the country 11 years ago.  When we moved in everything had that perfectly decorated traditional look that I had in my previous home. I also had no kids back then....so it worked.  But now, my once master bedroom adorned with custom duvet and curtains in blue and gold ........
Looks more like this casual but romantic style with washable white curtains and comforter. It's also a perfect style for the 3 little ones that thing the bed is a trampoline.
Even my living room has seen a change of my style. When we first moved in the walls were dark green and flanked with French toile curtains and fringe. All my furniture was bought to match.
A few years later, seeking a more casual space, I lightened up the room with some new color on the walls and decided on some solid drapes in sage green.  By putting the clocks on the walls and placing different style pillows on the couch, I removed a lot of the "formal" from the area. 
And now today the space looks like this with another wall color change in grey. I've introduced more textures and patterns in my drapes,  pillow and rug and have incorporated some mismatched furniture pieces into the space. I have finally learned after all of these years that not everything has to match in your space to look good or put together.
I think the key to my evolving style is to make my home comfortable and functional, not only for people that come to visit but also for my family.  What once were rooms that were magazine perfect, are now rooms that look like they are lived in...with love.
My once love of dark colors on the wall are now replaced with more neutral color. I am constantly shopping my home to move things around where it makes more sense . Living in the country has also introduced me to garage sales, thrift and resale shops for furniture pieces and unusual finds. I never look past the chance to repurpose or reuse a piece. The table above was $10 and I recently transformed into a beautiful coffee table for our family room. This old dresser that once belonged to my husband was painted and now serves as a credenza in my office.
My" this room doesn't make sense, lets make it more functional"  voice speaks to me everyday.Now function is very key in my design choices. For instance, this room that was once designed  to serve as our breakfast room when we built our home was never sat in and never felt right.
So we moved some things around including rooms, furniture and rugs and turned our original family room into our new breakfast area.
The original breakfast area is now a little space that I call the "Mom Zone" or the keeping roomOne of the best decisions that I have made. It is used every morning for my wake-up tea time and a frequent spot to read or chat on the phone. 
 It's all about taking risks with your decorating and style, and making sure that you have a space that speaks to you, that you connect with when you walk in. A space that you love so much , that once you sit down, it's hard to get up and leave. I'm pretty sure that if you walked into my home you would think the same thing too. I would love for you to come by Top This Top That and see for yourself! Thanks Pamela for having me and have a great summer everyone!
Laura your home is such a beautiful space and I love that you are forever changing things up. Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting with us today and sharing your tips!


14 comments:

  1. Laura's home is so beautiful. It is warm and inviting. Sometimes not having a set style and just surrounding yourself with what you love is the best style. Beautiful home. Thanks Pamela for sharing Laura's home with us.
    Kris

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  2. Love, love , love her home. It is so welcoming and inviting and her style is gorgeous. Hugs, marty

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  3. Her home is beautiful work in progress. Are our homes ever done?

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  4. I loved seeing the changes in her home as her family grew. Lovely home.

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  5. Her home is so beautiful! I agree with her about her style changing! Mine does as well...probably we all do at some point and time! Blessings, Tammy

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  6. Her home is so beautiful! I agree with her about her style changing! Mine does as well...probably we all do at some point and time! Blessings, Tammy

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  7. Thanks Pamela for sharing Lura's home with us. Such a pretty and relaxed home.. like she said, lived in and luved. That's what makes a house a home!
    It's the evolution of style as you live in a home and 'use' the pieces that makes it comfy!
    Hugs, Gee

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  8. Gorgeous home! I think I love every room! :)

    Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos

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  9. Your home is so pretty, you have lovely things, furniture.
    Since when do we have to have a style? I think our styles change as our lives change, our kids grow up, whatever kind of life changes we experience.
    I know I don't like alot of styles I used to think I could never change, never say never. We keep growing and evolving, that's healthy. Happy summer

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  10. Pamela- You found a great person to feature here today- Laura is a wonderful person- xo Diana

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  11. Thank you, Pamela, for sharing Laura's lovely home! She is such a sweet lady and I absolutely love her style!~~Angela

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  12. Hi Pamela! Oh, thank you for featuring Laura's home - it's just gorgeous. Hope you're doing well.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  13. i so love Laura and her blog...her home is beautiful and I love the transformation of each room...Laura has a great sense of style and creativity...She is the best!
    Thanks Pamela for a great "How I Found My Style" post this week...

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I love when ya stop by so leave me a comment if ya have some time! I always try and respond but sadly enough sometimes I am unable to return the love due to noreply blogger status.