One of the biggest things I'm looking forward to is the opportunity to redecorate my living room. Right now it feels like an elderly couple lives here. We have a heavy-looking leather sofa, Ikea furniture including a bench that is meant to be outdoors, Army loaner furniture, and some sturdy armchairs that Kenny picked up almost for free at a thrift store.
And, there's a lot of color and pattern going on in my home. I'm a quilter and a papercrafter. I love color! But, I've been collecting photos of rooms that speak to me and I've noticed a pattern. They all have a very quiet underlying palette with maybe a burst of color. There is often one signature color. I'm particularly impressed when people are able to carry that signature color throughout the home. How do they have the restraint to do that? Kevin Sharkey writes, "I was struck by the disciplined editing each homeowner possessed. After all, these collectors have access to some of the finest furniture, accessories. and artwork in the world. Time and time again, they prove it is not what you put in a room but what you leave out."
Disciplined editing will be key to my new living room. To achieve that I need a theme so I know what should stay, what should go, and what I need to buy.
I've managed to achieve this with my wardrobe but until now I haven't had a clear vision for my home. After Sophia was born and I wasn't feeling particularly comfortable with how my body looked I started reading up on how to dress. Wardrobe Magic and The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece
were particularly useful. I learned what shapes and colors work for me so I can quickly identify what I want to buy. I know it when I see it. I chose black, white, and sometimes khaki as signature neutrals so when buying accessories I can limit myself to a smaller number of higher quality items. For example, I can just buy black boots. I don't have to have black and brown. And for color I will usually go with bright, clear shades of blue or pink. Shopping for clothes has become so easy that I can even have a lot of success online which is important here in Germany where the Euro is so strong and the fit of clothes is a little different.
were particularly useful. I learned what shapes and colors work for me so I can quickly identify what I want to buy. I know it when I see it. I chose black, white, and sometimes khaki as signature neutrals so when buying accessories I can limit myself to a smaller number of higher quality items. For example, I can just buy black boots. I don't have to have black and brown. And for color I will usually go with bright, clear shades of blue or pink. Shopping for clothes has become so easy that I can even have a lot of success online which is important here in Germany where the Euro is so strong and the fit of clothes is a little different.
Now, to translate what I've learned about my wardrobe to my home. I found Keri Russell's dining room as shown in Elle Decor to be a great inspiration.
Black Eiffel summed up this Natural Chic style in a way that I think I can apply. "The combo of wood, metal and neutrals are lovely and it feels rather French to me."
Wood. Metal. Neutrals. Pop of a signature color. Natual Chic. Restraint. This is what I'll be looking for in my new home. But how will I ever pick just one signature color. I can't decide between red or turquoise!
