When decorating a foyer, people tend to think a lot about what that room “says” to others and how it “sets the tone” for others.
While it is super important that a foyer be welcoming to others, and promote hospitality, don’t forget that it is an entire space in YOUR home, that should work for your family as well.
Most of us don’t have square footage to waste on unused spaces in our home. Who uses your foyer the most? If the answer is “ummm… nobody??,” maybe it is time to think about adding an element to your foyer that draws your own family through the space from time to time.
Your can decorate your foyer to serve many useful purchases. Just add the following touches, and start using your foyer daily.
All of these thoughtful and simple touches will draw you into the foyer, possibly rescuing one of the most underutilized spaces in your house.
All the while, adding beauty. But of course.
SO. What are you going to add to your foyer??
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Today’s Room I love is a practical, accessible, yet beautiful Outdoor Living Room. This room was designed and created by fellow blogger Kate, of Centsational Girl.
{FHD’s “ A Room I Love” series….just a simple hello, from me to you, featuring a Room that I Love, and a quick list of why I love it.}
1. The subtle color theme that happens to be a stellar use of a punch color.
2. An outdoor rug grounds the space and draws you in. It also gives that Outdoor Living Room feeling.
3. Airy outdoor furnishings with open legs to let the wind move through.
4. The cushions look realistic to maintain and care for.
5. Basic needs are met in beautiful ways: light and bug control via the lovely lanterns. shade control via a large patio umbrella that brings more blue into the space.
6. Outdoor Living Rooms need plants too! Love the potted plants on the side tables.
7. Plenty of tables for drinks.
8. A cozy seating area. What makes this work so well is actually the fact that it is not too big. This entire space is conducive to long chats. LOVE that!
DO YOU LOVE IT?? WHAT DO YOU LOVE? DO TELL!!!!!!
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FHD’s Latest Obsession
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Today continues our “Overcoming Decorating Paralysis” Design Series. Isn’t it amazing how much psych we bring into our decorating decisions {or lack thereof}?
For those of you who are new to Fieldstone Hill Design, this series has been filled with ideas on how we can:
Move from the home we wish we had….
to accepting the home we DO have….
to creating a home we love.
And, like most journeys-worth-traveling, this process never gets old. We have to revisit it, again and again.
One of the posts that really resonated with all of you was my post “Decide you won’t decorate for the Jones’s.” One of my readers had an comment that struck a chord with me, and I wanted to chit chat about it with all of you. So, I asked her if I could share. I wonder if you have had similar thoughts:
“I keep coming back to this post. I’m totally drawn to what *other* people like, and the more I identify with the person, the more I decorate for him/her. My favorite bloggers love chevrons, sunbursts, navy blue, and big wide stripes. I hate all those things. But last week when I was at a “house clutter” sort of store I found myself drawn to those exact things!
I kept hearing a voice in my head that said, “Everybody likes these. You’ll be like normal people if you get them.” I can’t decide what I want because of that voice always saying what I’m SUPPOSED to want. How do you get that voice to sit down and shut up?” – Gyen
I have three answers for getting that “be normal” voice to sit down and hush up:
1. “Normal” is not only a lie, but it causes us to make BAD choices.
2. The better you know YOURSELF, the less susceptible you will be to other people’s personal style influence.
3. Find a talented designer who decorates the way YOU LOVE, and learn from them.
Let’s chat about these, shall we??
1. “Normal” is not only a lie, but it causes us to make BAD choices.
Normal. I actually have a great friend, who is a spiritual mentor of mine, share recently how she has felt called to go on “alert” when she finds herself striving to be, or comparing herself or her family to, “normal.” I so appreciated her thoughts on this, and now, I too have been dwelling on the thought. I have been noticing how I get myself into trouble in so many ways when that devil-on-my-shoulder says: Be Normal!
You see, what in the world IS normal? I guess it means, “blending in. fitting in. being part of group thinking.” If you were to go by that definition, it becomes obvious that being normal is not always good. But this “Be Normal”-Thing gets us every time.
Now, let’s apply the same notion to “normal home decorating.” Blending in? Fitting in? Be part of the Group? We can be sure that Coco Chanel would not be on board with that. Now, it is true that if you decide on chevron {be normal!!} while everybody likes chevron, then…. your decor will be “in” for a little while {btw. I happen to like chevron, but if you don’t… then don’t start now!}. But, truly:
Our decor being “in” is not the goal. Our decor “reflecting US” is the goal! {<- tweet this}
So put yourself on alert for that pesky voice that cries out, “Be Normal.” It is a lie that leads to mediocrity, complete decorating disasters, or worse: your home looks like it belongs to someone else.
2. The better you know YOURSELF, the less susceptible you will be to other people’s personal style influences.
Knowing your own personal style is a journey {one you can start today, goody gumdrops! This post will help you get started}. And the better you know your own personal style, the more confident you will become in your choices. Although this takes time… you must invest time into seperating your ‘likes’ from your ‘LOVES!’…. it is worth it. Knowing yourself, and your own personal style, is the fastest way to avoid what Gyen described as:
“I can’t decide what I want because of that voice always saying what I’m SUPPOSED to want.”
As you put in the work to identify your own personal style {have I mentioned, it takes time and work?}, you may slowly find that your very own Signature Style is emerging. Glory be!
3. Find a talented designer who decorates the way YOU LOVE, and learn from them.
It is so helpful to follow the work of several different designers, and to be inspired by a wide variety of talents. But, I also want to encourage you to seek out a few designers {even if it is one} who actually decorate the way you love. Find rooms that make you swoon, and look into the designer and his/her work.
Now, this is not to say that you would make every single design choice that designer would make. That is the beauty of interior design; It is personal. But, if you find a designer or two or three who create rooms that habitually fill you with delight…well, I say, take note! Watch, study and learn! And by all means, ditto!
So, arm yourself:
1. Say No to Normal.
2. Know Thyself.
3. And ditto your faves.
And tell that pesky voice to sit down and keep his opinions to himself.
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{Photography by Sergey P. Iron, via my Just Lovely Pinterest Board}
Inspired To :: Do my ballet workout videos. Paint a wall pale pink. Stretch and elongate. Walk taller with good posture. Poo-poo that breast enhancement that used to be on my list. Get a tutu. Obsess a little more about pale pinks, pale corals, pale salmons and pale peaches {but of course, I have a Board for that!}. Pull my hair back in a severe bun. Listen to classical music. Add some elegance into my day.
So. What does this picture inspire you to do……
What are you Inspired To?
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Have you clicked over to Layla Grace ever? They have tons of sophisticated furnishings.
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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.
be sure to check your email, confirm your subscription, and get your freebie link!
If the subscribe box does not work click here to go to the Fieldstone Hill Design page and submit in the right sidebar.
