How I Found My Style Sundays- Mystery Guest

It has been two years since I started "How I Found My Style Sundays" and can you believe that I have not yet shared how I found my style!? I know, pretty crazy.

Spring Porch

How I Found My Style Sundays- Bless'er House

Hi, y'all! My name is Lauren and I am absolutely honored to be here! Thank you so much, Pamela, for having me. (Isn't she the furniture makeover queen?)

If you've never "met" me before, I have a little blog called Bless'er House, and I say little because I have been blogging for exactly 1 year as we have been making our new builder grade basic suburban house a home.

It's been a challenge starting off with very little furniture, a tiny budget, and  a lot of plain, empty rooms to fill, but we have come a long way since moving in December 2013.

In the beginning, it was overwhelming, and having never owned a house before, I didn't even know what defined "my style", but thankfully, it didn't take me very long to figure it out.  Because you know what?  I just throw a bunch of it in together.

How I Found My Style Sundays- A Pocketful of Blue

Hi Everyone,

I'm JoAnne from A Pocketful of Blue and today I'm sharing
 with you how I found my decorating style.

 Well, the truth is I haven't actually found my style yet, not completely anyway.

I would describe my style as primarily cottage but that can mean

 a lot of different things.  For me it means cozy spaces, soft colors,
 charming time worn accessories, and just an overall comfortable feel.
  But I have to say my style changes and evolves

 little by little all the time.

I have incorporated a little bit of farmhouse, vintage, shabby chic 

and country french into my version of cottage style.

Another element you will see a lot of in my house is the color blue. It's my very 

favorite color although the shades of blue that I love have evolved over the years.

Back in the eighties, I loved the very popular country blue complete with the duck

 motifs and little wooden shelves with the heart cutouts ~ remember those?  (cringe)

Then I thought I wanted to move on to something different, so I tried decorating

with other colors like green and red but I kept yearning for my favorite blue.

Today I love the soft blue/green shades of blue and you will see
 a lot of that in my home.

So finding the colors and style I love has taken much trial and error
and it still changes bit by bit all the time.

I have taken so much inspiration from all of the wonderful decorating 

blogs we have today and of course, Pinterest.

I love creating vignettes and one of the things I have picked up on 

is layering accessories.  In the photo above, you can see how I have layered

the dishes, bowls, teapot, etc. and in the photo below, I added the little burlap bag to

the old cupboard door ~ so much more interesting than just a single item by itself.
  It sounds simple really, but not something I would have thought of on my own.

Some of the things I like to decorate with are:

baskets and flowers

mason jars

 old books

pitchers

and pretty plates especially as wall decor.

I also like to change things around often for a fresh look and I try to use
 or repurpose what I already have.  I recently freshened up this wreath
 by removing all of the old dusty dried flowers and adding a few
 simple sprays of delicate flowers along with a blue burlap bow.

Another look I love is pairing rustic items with things that are more soft or
delicate like this old brick with the little creamer and sprig of berries.
  Such a wonderful contrast.

I'm really trying to think hard about any new purchases to keep from having too
 much "stuff" in my home and spending too much money as well.
However, I do love to got to flea markets, antique stores, and barn sales
looking for that special treasure to bring home.
One of my favorite finds is this little table I found at an antique mall.
Doesn't it have the sweetest little curves and details?

For anyone still trying to find their style, I would suggest looking at lots of pictures
and eventually you will discover what you are the the most drawn towards.  I used
to worry a lot about what others would think and I made lots of mistakes that way.
Believe me, I still make mistakes but by going with my gut feelings and
doing what makes me happy, I make a lot less of them.
If you decorate with what you truly love,
 you will be happy with it for a long time.

Thank you so much Pamela for including me in
"How I Found My Style Sundays".
I always enjoy reading about other bloggers' decorating journeys
and I appreciate the opportunity to write about mine ~ so fun.

I also want to wish everyone a very
Happy Mother's Day!
♡ ♡ ♡

~ JoAnne

JoAnne thank you so very much for visiting with us today! You have a beautiful home and I just love the blue. 

How I Found My Style Sunday- My Soulful Home

 

Hello...I am Kelly from My Soulful Home. What a thrill to be here with Pamela and you! (Emmett is excited too!) We are here together to talk "style", specifically my decorating style. (what a compliment to be asked to do so!)

"My style"….hmmm? My style comes more from an attitude about how I want to live in my home rather than a specific 'look' or era. I want to feel warm & comfortable, have others feel welcome and have the house be a place that enhances our happiness.

For me that means filling my home with time worn pieces, color, texture & treasures that make my heart beat a little faster. Like vintage gardening books...and old tins. Funny, what lites my fire!

Finding my style did not happen over night. It has evolved over time. I looked, copied, borrowed, tried & edited….again and again. Out of all that experimenting my personal style emerged.

Aside from experimenting, I think what has helped me most to develop my style is trust. Trust in myself that what I was drawn to and felt at home with would work all together in my house.
 

To sum up my style I will share with you the best compliment I ever got regarding my home…"It feels like your house is giving me a hug". That made realize that whatever words one would use to describe my style didn't really matter, it is the feeling that counts for me.

So many things I have collected are special to me, but one thing does stand out a bit from the rest. You see that bust on the corner of the fireplace?

Know who that is? I bet you do. That is my Bill. (aka William Shakespeare) He has been with me longer than my husband of 21+ years and has lived in every place I have since moving out on my own. So, I must say Bill is my most treasured find.

Out antiquing with my mom on a rainy day, I found him inside crate in an old barn. Not a very practical thing to buy as a young law student moving out on her own, but I had to have him. (thanks Mom!)  

My number one tip for creating a beautiful home is to have your home reflect YOU. Surround yourself with things that celebrate the personal. Trust your instincts…oh, and do edit.

Editing is my very practical tip. Create vignettes of the things you love, put other bits away & switch it all around once in awhile. That will keep your home uncluttered, fresh and beautiful.

 

It has really been a pleasure to be here. Thank you Pamela! My front porch is small, but there is room inside for us all. So if you enjoyed my visit do come over to My Soulful Home sometime. I would be delighted to have you. Now it is time for me to start decorating for Christmas!
 ** Kelly **        

Kelly thank you for stopping by today and bringing Emmett with you! I loved reading about how you found your style and the best compliment you ever got. I think all of our homes should feel like hugs. 

How I Found My Style Sundays- On Sutton Place

Hello! My name is Ann and I created the blog On Sutton Place almost three years ago. It's named after the street where I live and chronicles my life as I attempt to create a classically vintage home on a budget. 

I'm very happy to be here today. Pamela has always been gracious and so generous with advice or help. Blogging can be overwhelming at times and Pam is always, always there with words of encouragement. I feel very blessed to call her my friend. 

Like all of us, my decorating style has evolved over the years. Some things have stayed constant from the very beginning. The color blue. Traditional furniture. Heirloom pieces. Now I would say my style is classically vintage (that's my tag line too!) with a little farmhouse flair.

I love to incorporate vintage linen into my décor as well as silver and natural elements. I try not to be boxed in and enjoy mixing styles. I think it's fun and adds interest. 

It took me a while to find my decorating style. I made a lot of mistakes and got off course many times. I think I found my style when I finally came to the realization that I didn’t have to decorate my home for other people. It wasn’t about what people would think…or if they would like it. It was about making a home that my family could be comfortable in and that we all loved.

That’s when I really came into my own and realized I could get the look I wanted on a budget. It took a little longer and I had to be creative…but nothing was out of reach as long as I was willing to roll up my sleeves and make it happen.

My most treasured find really isn't a "find." It's an inherited piece that I didn't even want at the beginning. This chest belonged to my husband’s family. 

When we were emptying out my father-in-law’s condo after he passed away, this was one of the last pieces not spoken for. My husband told me I better find a place for it because we were not giving it away. So home it came and it ended up in my living room.

It is now the star of the show…I adore it. It’s added a little extra storage and  is a perfect place for seasonal vignettes. I briefly considered painting it but was quickly talked out of that by my wonderful readers!

Creating a beautiful home happens when you decorate with things you love. Incorporate your collections and interests. Make your home a reflection of you. A beautiful home is not something that happens overnight. It takes a while and you have to be patient. If you keep plugging away, one day you will wake up and realize that you are surrounded by lovely things and they all mean something.

Every once in a while when I mention something I like…or have acquired something new…my daughter will say “That’s very you.” That’s what you should strive for and it’s what will make you happy. 

I'd love for you to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Google+. Thank you Pamela...I enjoyed being here!

Ann you truly have a beautiful home! I enjoy all of your many projects and love that you are always ready to share tutorials so we can accomplish some of those same projects ourselves. Thank you for stopping by today and visiting with us!

How I Found My Style Sundays- Sweet Chaos

Good morning! I'm so thrilled that Pamela invited me to join you today for How I Found My Style Sundays.

My name is Carolyn, and I share an Indiana home with six men ...  my husband, our 4 little men and a big mutt named Lucky. Our home is loud, busy and chaotic. But, it's filled with love and laughter, which makes it pretty darn sweet too. Hence, the name of my blog is Sweet Chaos.

This is the house we have called "home" for the past 6 years. The architecture is probably best described as "Williamsburg Colonial." And, while I have a deep appreciation for the bones of the house, I haven't felt compelled to decorate it in homespun Early Americana.

Instead, I would describe my decorating style as "traditional with a twist." I like to mix classic furnishings with modern transitional pieces. I'm definitely drawn to the colors (aquas, blues and greens) and natural elements (seagrass, bamboo and grasscloth) of a coastal cottage. But, I also really like a little boho chic (and pink) thrown in from time to time.

How's that for a concise description of my style? Ha! Pamela is probably kicking herself for inviting me here :)

So.... how did I find this style that I can't eloquently describe?

Well, I suppose it began back in the 1970s with Tuesday Taylor's Townhome. It wasn't the luxury estate that Barbie lived in, but Tuesday could be either blonde or brunette with the twist of her head. So, she had that going for her. Anyway, my point is that I always enjoyed decorating my dolls' homes more than actually playing with the dolls.

Despite spending a good part of my childhood in a bedroom with a red shag carpet, I somehow developed an appreciation for interior design at a young age.

I've always loved home tours and open houses and reading shelter magazines. And, when given the choice between clothes shopping or home shopping, I'll choose home shopping every time.

But, as much as I loved decorating... for many years, I didn't trust myself. I was so afraid of making a mistake or buying a piece of furniture that I might not love in 10 years time. I always wanted someone (usually my poor mom!) to weigh-in on my decisions and validate my choices.

I'm sure my mother would like to go on record that she did NOT validate my choice of dining room chandelier.

But, here's the thing. I love this chandelier. And, I have come to embrace my style and not worry if other people like it or not. I still value my mother's opinion, but I've learned to trust my own instincts.

That turning point came when we embarked on a remodel of our master bathroom a few years ago.

This was the first room I ever designed from scratch. I had a vision for how I wanted it to be, and I remained faithful to that vision, even when the remodeler would try to sway me in a different direction.

As a result, I absolutely love this room! It is exactly my "style." Even when I see a gorgeous bathroom on Pinterest or in Elle Decor, I never wish I could trade for it.

The master bathroom project gave me the kick in the pants I needed to start making the other rooms in the house more a reflection of my taste. Simple changes like paint and throw pillows have lightened and brightened the rooms that I had always felt were too dark.

Kitchen

Foyer

When we first moved to this house, the sunroom was the one room that really reflected the colors and the style that I loved.

I found myself always adding little touches to the sunroom, because all the things I loved seemed to fit in there so perfectly. That's when I realized I needed to incorporate that look into rest of the house.

Sunroom

Slowly, but surely, our house is starting to reflect my style. I love my boys for never complaining about the pops of pink :)

Family Room

I've even started an interior decorating business to help others uncover and express their personal style.

My advice for creating a beautiful home is to trust your instincts and have FUN! Don't concern yourself with the latest trends, because we know they won't be around for long. Make your home a reflection of you by surrounding yourself with things that you love. Even if everyone else thinks your chandelier belongs in a haunted house. Ahem.

You can't go wrong when your big ticket items (sofa, loveseat) are neutral and classic. Then you can easily and inexpensively update your home as your style changes or evolves.

I also believe in seeing the beauty in imperfection. There isn't a piece of furniture in our house that hasn't been nibbled on by a puppy or scratched and dented by a toddler wielding some sort of toy. I like to think that life has given our home character.

Side Entry

I know someday I will be sad when there are no dirty little fingerprints on the woodwork.

Mudroom

Or when the toilet seat is always down.

Kids' Bathroom

Because although I love decorating... more than anything, I want our house to be a "home." A place where my kids feel safe and loved. The people I share this house with are my greatest treasure.

Tween Bedroom

I want to thank Pamela for having me here today to share my style story. I'd also like to invite all of you to visit me anytime at Sweet Chaos.

Carolyn I think I have already told you how much I love your new dining room chandy! Great words of advice you have for us today. I still am majorly in love with your bathroom renovation. Thank you so very much for coming by and visiting with us today!