Designer Indecision
A couple of months ago I bookmarked this fabric:
I wanted it to go on a custom bench I’m having done for the living room that will look similar to this:
I kinda loved it and hated it at the same time. I loved all of the burst of color in, but wasn’t sure if people (aka blog readers) would think I was nuts for adding some Southwest inspired fabric in my home. I don’t know if it’s just me, but being a design blogger adds a whole lot of pressure to how I decorate my home. Will people get it? Is it too trendy? Is it over? Have a seen it in another bloggers home already? Plus will Jon the person that actually lives me like it. Like I said lots of pressure, which is probably why it takes me FOREVER to make design decisions in my house.
Yesterday I was catching up on my blog reading and went to one of my design idols blog first and found this image:
{Image & Design via Absolutely Beautiful Things}
Notice the fabric used to recover that chair? It’s one and the same to the one I was pondering above. Seeing it totally made me feel like I had the Stamp of Approval on it. If Anna Spiro loves it then I must be on to something! Of course now the fabric is out there and I’m afraid it’s going to get super popular and I’m left with my indecision.
Ah! Ever feel this way when decorating your home? Misery loves company…so share.
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ON THE BLOG
My living room is one of the rooms that evolved drastically from when we first moved one. Originally I painted the walls chocolate brown and did accents of white, blue and orange. That lasted maybe 2 years.
Our dining room sat empty for months. Okay maybe it was empty for just a handful of weeks and then we couldn’t take it anymore and put in a folding table and plastic outdoor chairs, but in my mind that was still empty.
On the main floor of our house we have a Florida room. Being that it’s a Florida room it is a considered a 3 season room, because there is no heat in the room. The previous owners used it as an indoor patio with outdoor furniture and it looked like this when we moved in.
Girl, you’ve got to do it because YOU love it! (Okay, maybe hubby should like it too) trust you instincts and go with your gut!
um, you have good taste, quit questioning it!
I’m a firm believer in surrounding yourself with what you love and not worrying about the trends. You love it so why not.
yes, I have a TERRIBLE fear of using items in my home that have become “cliche” in the design world. That fabric, however, is a) amazing and b) no where near being overplayed so I say go for it!
I’m a firm believer that if you love it, you should do it. I felt the same way when I wanted a little Chiang-Mai in my house…worried it had been overplayed/overdone etc. but at the end of the day, I just adored it so had to have some. I think that because you’re just doing a bench (and PS, I LOVE that bench) it’s easy enough to change down the road if you get tired of it…so yes, a definite thumbs up from me!!
I say you do it! I love how unusual it is
I’m like you, I second guess myself all the time when it comes to color and I love a lot of color in a tasteful way. I say on the bench it will be fine, but I personally don’t think I like it on the chair. Now that I have seen it on a big piece, I would like it best in small doses; it is a little too southwestern for me.
It’s funny how you think about your home when you spend so much time in the design blog world. The vast majority of people have no idea what ikat is (let alone how to pronounce the word correctly) or that “honeysuckle” is the color of the year. Your home should be a place that you love – a place that makes YOU happy – ok and your hubby. Go with your instincts – you have amazing style – I always love your choices!
Do what makes you happy because that is true good design. If you love it, then you readers who love you will understand it. Be bold and venture forth!
I totally get where you’re coming from! I am my absolute worst client, I waffle all the time. If you love it, you can make it work and make it awesome–the only stamp of approval you need is your own!
I know your pain, too much inspiration can be debilitating sometimes! I agree with all of the above comments…go with your gut! That fabric and colorway will look amazing on that bench and will NOT look at all Southwestern, it will look “Tribal!”
Cathy
sorry to contribute to your confusion, but to me southwestern style and angular modern chrome do not mesh. The fabric is lovely but seems to me would be best on warm wood tomes with a slight nod to country. I mean it would even look fabulous on Chippendale chairs, but the chromey bench thing, not so much.
You love it. You should have it. In the big scheme of things, it’s covering a bench….change it out in a few years if you tire of it. Don’t be afraid to hear you own voice.
Dear one…if you like the fabric, use it. You don’t need anyone’s approval. And a lesson learned the hard way…There’s no way you are going to have the approval of everyone who visits or reads your blog. You only need to satisfy yourself. Enjoy!
Thanks for all of the help ladies! In the end I always end up going with what my gut feels, but it just takes me a while to pull the trigger in my own home.
It was just funny to see the fabric in one of my favorite designers shops and get that, “I was so right, it is cool” feeling due to that.
We shall see what I do. I might just use it for toss pillows and put a neutral on the bench so I can switch things out easily when I change my mind. 🙂
I think that fabric is AWESOME!!! I’ve never seen it before and now I’m smitten and wanting some for myself . . . 🙂
I agree that neutral on the bench with pillows is the safe way to go. But, that bench looks like it would be easy to recover so I say be bold!
I have the same problem with my house!! I think as bloggers we want to make a statement but along with being a blogger… We are blog followers and there is so much inspiration out there!! Bottom line is if you like it it will work! You are the one to see if every day we will just enjoy it for one post!! Good luck with your choice!
Tiffany @ {living savvy}
I vote for the fabric on the bench. It will look fabulous! I find that usually my initial idea was the best.
I know exactly what you mean about feeling the pressure of blogging and it effecting what you put in your own home. There is a fabric I love but I’ve seen it used twice and think “everyone will yawn at that”. I need to get over myself! 😉
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting on my dinning room lights!
What you like IS cool, hellooo! If we didn’t think that, then why would all of us be reading your blog?? : ) I gain so much inspiration from you- go with your gut. I LOVE that fabric and I think it’d be a great choice!
the only “stamp of approval” you need is your’s.
Oh, I so totally understand. I was an investment adviser for twenty-five years and investing a client’s money was a piece of cake but when it came to my own – or someone I personally knew – it was nearly impossible. I over thought every investment choice, which eventually led to inaction, which, when it involves the stock market, can be good or bad, but overall I think I missed some major opportunities. Oh well, live and learn! Are you a Libra by any chance?!