Today is going to be our first entry in Your Style Notebook. So, grab your gorgeous notebook, your lovely pen, and get ready to dive in with just a few questions to get us going! {For more on what Your Style Notebook is, check out the first post}
And I do hope you will join in for the entire series, as we work together to fine tune and/or identify your own personal style. Each week, we will work together – kind of like an online, interactive design session.
Our goal: Identify our personal style so that we can surround ourselves with things we LOVE {not just like}.
Entry #1: Out with the Old
In order to make progress in identifying our personal style, we need to clear out some mental cobwebs that could be holding us back. Clear out some mental notions that we THINK are helping us with our decorating, but in fact, they are just keeping us boxed into so-so-ville, and blah-la-land.
May I propose that there is a culprit?
Remember that design quiz you took one day, many moons ago?? You know,
the one that told you that your style was American Country. Or Rustic. Or Shabby Chic. Or maybe Traditional? Or how about Beachy-traditional? What about Minimalist. Or Modern. Or Pottery Barn Style. Or Modern Traditional. Or Transitional? ….. Or my personal least-favorite: Eclectic.
You KNOW what I am talking about.
I call them THE DECORATING BOXES. And I am here to propose that:
The Decorating Boxes are boxing us in!!! {<-Tweet this}
Entry #1: Your Style Notebook
So, your first exercise for Your Style Notebook is:
1. write down “Out with the Old,” and beneath it:
2. write the words that you have always used, or sometimes used, to describe your style. Words that fit into a box. Words that are Specific Decorating Styles. *****Note: I am not talking about general adjectives here. Instead, I am talking about Specific Decorating Styles with Names; the ones that magazines have given the world. They are the decorating boxes, and we are here to save the world from them!*****
3. Next, I want you to cross those words out! {you might want to do it so you can still read the word/s. So you can remember from whence you came!! Victory!}
There now. Free at last!
And just in case you are afraid you no longer have any guidance in your Decorating Life, never fear. We are going to get rid of our boxes and replace those words with ones that will give you direction…. not fences.
Goodbye, Eclectic!!!! And good RIDDANCE!
Our Community Style Notebook
Each week, we will join each other in community, as we share our thoughts. Here are some ways you can be a part of it all!
1. Tweet your Decorating Box words that you are saying goodbye to, and use the Hashtag #StyleNotebook
2. Share on Instagram, using the Hashtag. You can share an image of your notebook, of an actual box, one from your own home, or from a magazine, or a post, or whatever. No boxes here! #StyleNotebook
2. Head over to the Fieldstone Hill Design Facebook Page and leave a comment sharing the Decorating Box you are tossing in the trash.
3. Leave a comment on this post, with your Decorating Box Words!
Goodbye, Decorating Box! We won’t miss you a bit!
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Words now crossed out in my box:
eclectic
Is that not a word that represents those who combine all sorts of styles–modern, rustic, classic, industrial, etc with doses of color–and use what they have and try to add items to bump up their style a bit? I’ve never been labeled ‘pottery barn style’ and I really love how they style their rooms.
out the window, eclectic! I’m feeling exposed . . . . losing my identity. . . . I hope you have a remedy for this!
Freedom! I promise!! 😉
My throw away boxes:
Beach (haaaaaard to toss)
Vintage
Cottage
Rustic
Even though I love the image that those words conjure up. I’m trusting you with my identity here!
Your decorating identity is so much more! Can’t wait to share more!
Casual
Shabby Chic
Bright…always bright is the word people use. I just really like color! haha
gosh, i must use a lot of words or maybe because of my age i have had many homes and seen many styles cause my crossed out words are: tradional, colonial, country, vintagey, cottagey, jewel tones, beachy, early american, federal, old fashioned, english country, british colonial, french country eclectric
I have never actually put myself into a box or described my style. I just like what I like and I’ve felt pretty free so far.
I love how you described it.
I guess my word would be traditional. When we were first married many years ago, I used a lot of Early American which was really popular around 1960. Over the years I have gradually moved to more traditional . . . Queen Ann, antique pieces, French Country, etc.
Traditional, Modern
I am throwing out “comfortable traditional”. And “red”. It is my favorite color but I think I over use it!
rustic elegant, country, French country, shabby chic, traditional, eclectic, cottage, farmhouse
Eclectic, Collected, Scandinavian…what are you doing to me Darlene? I’m planning a major facelift to my MBR. Help! 🙂
Victorian and Shabby Chic
I could have written Cheryl’s comment! I thought eclectic was a good thing. You’re always making me think outside the box, Darlene – such a good thing!
I’m crossing out eclectic and waiting anxiously for something to replace it with. Quick, I was about to make a major decision about some long-awaited projects! Soon reupholstering a good quality sofa my parents gave us when we married and was last upholstered 14 years ago AND finally doing something with the wall up my stairwell that is seen right when you walk in our house – stencil? wallpaper? painted stripes? or this that I’m leaning towards?: http://www.etsy.com/listing/160488084/tapet-patterned-paint-roller-from-the?ref=favs_view_10
Well, look at it this way! You have known your word Eclectic… and has it helped you make your decision? That is why we are TOSSING them! More to come!
In the meantime: pick what you LOVE! no second and 300th guessing!
My words would be eclectic but lately leaning towards transitional. My words are down and crossed out in my box. I am open to an improved way of looking at my style through this series. Thanks for preparing this for us.
I had a hard time with this. I don’t know my style at all. I thought maybe old world, eclectic, vintage! Frustrating…
yikes, crossed out eclectic, rustic, french country, and traditional. Now what?? haha
xoxo
Marking out: eclectic, boho, shabby chic, vintage, cottage,
casual contemporary, modern, eclectic
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