You know what is one of the best things about owning a home? Decorating it and painting the walls however you want. But let me warn you, if you are anything like us, you might think you love something because you liked how it looked in a picture or magazine–so you do it! And you live with it! And you realize, “Oh, wow. This just isn’t me. At. All.” We have lived in our home for about a year and a half now and our style has completely changed. I really thought I loved color and lots of it! Just check out all of the images I was pinning a year ago:
And then there is this bright blue room that is, no doubt, beautiful. But just isn’t us like we thought it was.
I was a color-pinning monster:
I also thought that we were really into super contemporary design.
Our design style has evolved into more traditional (with a modern quirky twist thrown in every so often) and neutrals. And, most importantly, casual and cozy. I am really digging warm, darker walls these days. Our favorite room in our house right now is our family room because it is just so inviting, calming and cozy.
The funny thing is–that is exactly how we dress ourselves, so why wouldn’t we dress our house in the same way?! We both like classics. Jeans and solid cozy t-shirts or button downs in (mostly) neutral or toned-down colors. Maybe a hoodie or jacket. Flats. Accessories for me usually include a skinny cognac belt, my wedding ring and earrings (pearl studs or hoops). Simple and classic, but casual 95% of the time.
Our wood grain Shaker cabinet fronts were designed for busy, high-traffic homes like ours. Clad with durable textured thermofoils, this line is compatible with Sektion, Akurum, Godmorgon, and Besta cabinets from IKEA. It's the perfect, practical way to add the warmth of wood to all the rooms of your home.
We have teamed up with Loloi to create a line of rugs that are as affordable as they are beautiful. This collection houses a great mix of traditional and modern rugs, in cottage-y colorways, as well as vintage-inspired beauties that you’ll want to roll out in every room.
We partnered with Stuga on a line of hardwood floors — The Ingrid is really livable, and the color is very neutral. It doesn’t lean warm or cool, it’s that just right in-between. We have really loved putting it everywhere in our house. It’s the best jumping-off point for design, no matter your interior style. In addition to being beautiful, Ingrid is really durable — we have three kids, and we always have a home construction project going on. Ingrid stands up to it all.
SHop all
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We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]
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Interesting- my style has stayed somewhat consistent (and my consistent I mean consistent in being diverse/eclectic) over the last few years, but I can recall what type of decor I wanted as a kid and we’ll just say that I’m very glad that the 80’s have come and gone! One thing that I’ve done to keep myself interesting is to approach the different spaces in my house differently. My main living room upstairs has a dark chocolate brown wall and more ‘old world’ sort of accents (reds, and rusts, greens, and wood). My downstairs family room is much different- lots of white, yellow, etc. I have a fairly modern office space with a more shabby bed room look. Basically this way I can continue to love lots of different styles and move around the house with my moods too!
Changing over time definitely happens and it is interesting to see how you’ve captured your changes on pinterest. I am still learning to check with myself on changes. Is this change really “me” or is it influenced by blogs and current trends? Will I tire of it? Do I admire it but not want to live with it? Is it fun to visit at someone else’s home? Would it function, not just look good. I still get tripped up some times, but pondering these things has helped me to make more on-target choices in my home. For example, I love watery neutral tones on blogs and in person, but in my home, they feel lifeless!
I was frighteningly into cozy country cottage stuff a few years ago. I do like a little shabby here and there, but I’m probably lucky that Country Home and Country Living folded. And thank goodness for Pinterest broadening my horizons. I’ve landed in a much more balanced place, and I agree that it’s more like how I’ve always dressed: traditional but in style with some fresh color and feminine touches here and there.
I totally agree! I have actually been redecorating my home over the last year…room by room. Just tired of the same old style and earthy tones everywhere. I wanted to brighten the place up. Actually posting about my living room tomorrow. It’s funny the things we pin because they look awesome, but a lot of it is stuff we’d never do for ourselves! Inspiration is always good though :-) http://www.styleoyster.blogspot.com
Hahaha. Nice.
It was fun to be daring…but now we’re ready to settle down. Hahaha! Look at us maturing.
My style has definitely evolved in just one short year, it’s amazing to see how much things have changed!
I love seeing other people’s styles evolve! My has definitely changed from our condo to our new house. Our condo was all contemporary, stark and decorated in black, white, and red — I still have no idea what I was thinking haha Our house is still modern but I’ve brought in some rustic and industrial touches. I still decorate with black and white (a lot less of it) but have banished red to the curb (until Christmas)!
I totally agree with this post. I have no idea what my style is going to b when we finally have our own house and money to use to decorate. This much I do know, Ryan has more secret opinions about decor and it seriously scares me. This much he needs to understand: when he is working full time being an attorney, I…ME….will be the one making th decisions. I will do the, honey do you like this one or this one? But when it comes to big redesign, reno kind of things, he will most definitely be involved, but for the day to day decorating and accessories, ahhhh I probably won’t ask!
I like cozy, cottage, country with modern elements. Contemporary just doesn’t say come in, take your shoes off, and stay awhile.
I love how daring you are with your paint choices! Some of those salmon, bright green paints would definitely be daring!!