I have been tossing and turning ideas around in my mind for the next big topic – the topic of ‘No Time to Decorate!’ And, it is high time I tackle it in my overcoming decorating paralysis series.

{haven’t read the series? Oh, I really think you will love it! Snap out of that decorating paralysis, will ya?!}

Only. I have a big, big, BIG challenge with my next topic of Time. Um. I have none. Or, at least, it feels like that to me!

Time, or lack of it, is a HUGE issue when it comes to being paralyzed in our home decorating. And, yes, I do have lots of thoughts on the topic, and even tips to share. BUT….

It truly is MY OWN PERSONAL area of weakness for Decorating Paralysis.

You know. The whole “cobler’s kids have no shoes” kinda thing??

So, here is where I need your help. I want to kick start the next portion of my still-to-come “Overcoming Decorating Paralysis :: No Time” Post with YOUR ideas.

So, without further ado,

1. What is your number one tip for making time to decorate?

2. How do you carve in time to do comparison shopping and color comparing?

3. Can you think of any other time saving tips when it comes to decorating and/or organizing?

4. Do you bite off your decorating projects in bits or chunks?

I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!!!

GO!

{click over to the post to leave a comment, if you are reading this via email or reader. Also, to find the comment section to leave your brilliant thoughts, click on the words “Leave A Comment” in the lower left of this post, beneath my pic and signature.}

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Inspired To:

{top photo: design by Emilia de Poret, bottom photo: design by Erica Cook. Both images can be found as a part of my Inspiration Display board}

INSPIRED TO ::

• make some designer art.
• Do some designer shopping!
• Frame a quartet of gorgeous scarves.
• Think outside of the box when it comes to art…. I may already have the perfect art just sitting in my closet – do you??
• Keep my eyes open for scarves that have a theme.
• Be willing to drop some cash on good frames, even if I got the shopping bag art for free!
• Ask my shi-shi friends to give me their shopping bags!
• Never complain that I can’t afford good art. Just get creative instead.

So. What does this picture inspire you to do/feel/create/think……

What are you Inspired To?

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TWO DAYS LEFT!!

15% off of furniture is kind of a big deal! I LOVE Layla Grace for its stunning, sophisticated furnishings. This great sale is good for 2 more days. Use the code below to get your discount!

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Today’s “ditto worthy designer” is Steven R Gambrel. Two weeks ago we took a look at a fantastic line-up of spaces from this talented interior designer – his living spaces, dining spaces, and outdoor spaces. There were too many stunning rooms to fit into one post, so today I am featuring a few of his kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

For rooms that must function in the necessity-of-life, these spaces do not disappoint. They are just as beautiful as any other space Steven R Gambrel designs – with his signature touch of simple glamour. This holds true for him, from hallway, to bathroom, to living room, to back porch. I love that!!

And once again, before you dive in, consider these design concepts that I believe make his spaces SOOOOO ditto-worthy. {and don’t forget to think about what YOU would ditto from these spaces!}

Steven R Gambrel’s spaces are ditto-worthy because:

1. he is masterful at adding layers
2. of the mix of traditional lines with modern design elements
3. there is an overall elegance and sophistication
4. and yet, there is a practicality and comfort that caters to a life-well-lived
5. he often has a simple, yet amazing, use of floor-to-ceiling drapes
6. his masterful use of rugs and carpets to add comfort and “frame” a room
7. his spaces have plentiful and beautiful lighting
8. there is a thread of glamour added to everyday living: stunning bars, coffee tables piled high with art and design books, things that shimmer – shine – reflect – sparkle
9. his strokes of bold design are brought into each space in a way that does not interfere with comfortable living
10. he offers a mix of contrasting textures that make the space feel alive

Would you dare to bring such simple beauty and glamour into your home?

Not fussy. Just glamorous.

{all images via the Steven R. Gambrel portfolio}

so, what would you ditto from these STUNNING spaces????

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15% off of furniture is kind of a big deal! I LOVE Layla Grace for its stunning, sophisticated furnishings. This great sale is good for 3 more days. Use the code below to get your discount!

* * * * *

 Don’t miss a single post from Fieldstone Hill Design! You can have every post delivered directly to your inbox. It is free, and your email is never used for another purpose.

If the subscribe box does not work click here to go to the Fieldstone Hill Design page and submit in the right sidebar.

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Photo Inspiration

Defining your style with pictures

{The post below was part of my Haven Conference break-out session content}

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{this post is part of a series that tackles how we can overcome our decorating paralysis, and how we can begin having homes that we love. today. Click to read the additional Overcoming Decorating Paralysis posts.}

Remember when I told you that, in order to identify your own personal style, you needed to get to work?? Yes. Well. Here you have a gentle reminder to….. get to work! Below is a guide on HOW-TO define your style with photo inspiration.

Now, do the fun part… and start collecting photo inspiration:

{image via Fieldstone Hill on Pinterest}

Pinterest.
Decor Blogs.
DIY Blogs.
Online Decor Magazines.
Print Decor Magazines.

Does all this visual inspiration help you to effectively decorate your own home…. or just confuse you?

I hear from clients and commenters all of the time, “I am so confused. I just don’t know what I love. One day it is this, and the next day it is that.” All of this great visual inspiration can cause mental clutter, and keep us in a state of confusion about our own personal style. Just when we think we know what we love… another “more beautiful” idea comes along.

Well, there are lots of ways to narrow down and define your own personal style. And today I want to talk about one of those ways: Inspiration Photos; the very things that can cause so much decorating confusion!

Believe it or not, all of that eye-candy can help us discover what it is we truly love:  if we look at all of our photos collectively, with the aim of finding the common denominators.

So, if you are willing to take my word for it…

1. Gather some of your favorite online and magazine images, and if you have a Pinterest account with a collection of some of your favorite things and spaces, pull that up as well. {Pinterest.com is wonderful for this, by the way.}

2. Decide on one room for your focus, and narrow down your pictures to that particular room.

3. Now, narrow down these pictures to those that you truly adore and would actually love to live in. If this part is super hard, that is okay. Even going with your “best guess of what you think you love” will be good enough.

4. Time to get down to business. Take a serious look at all of the photos that just made the cut. And remember, the aim is that you are looking for commonalities and generalities.

And then ask yourself questions of commonality, such as:

• What furniture pieces, furniture lines and placement do all of these rooms have in common?
• What colors and/or color moods do all of these rooms have in common?
• What do the patterns/fabrics present in the spaces have in common?
• What textures and/or finishes appear in several of the images?
• What adjectives could I use that would describe most of these images?
• Do I notice anything else that appears in most of these images?

5. Once you have answered these questions, take note of what you discover about your common loves. Literally, take notes. Write down all of the recurring themes and patterns, no matter how big or small.

Then, once you have made these observations, reflect on them for a while, and see if you can narrow down your thoughts to specific observations and concepts.  Then, confidently “own” these concepts. If you discovered that there is a touch of fuchsia in every single picture, well then… maybe it is time that you admit that you love a touch of fuchsia. Own it! It is YOUR love!

So… the next time you talk yourself out of getting the fuchsia pillow {the one that makes your heart sing….} , because it is much more “practical” to get the brown one, by golly, go with what you finally know you love!

I would love to know:

What are YOU learning about your style from your photos??

* * *

15% off of furniture is kind of a big deal! I LOVE Layla Grace for its stunning, sophisticated furnishings. This great sale is good through the end of October. Use the code below to get your discount!

* * * * *

 Don’t miss a single post from Fieldstone Hill Design! You can have every post delivered directly to your inbox. It is free, and your email is never used for another purpose.

If the subscribe box does not work click here to go to the Fieldstone Hill Design page and submit in the right sidebar.

{This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase via FHD’s links, you are helping to support this site! Thank you!}