If you want to feel a part of the tradition that you were brought up in or one you have seen, it is very easy. Start your own tradition!! Mix things from a lot of different periods. If you have a lot of antiques, and feel you are stuck in the past, go beyond. Color, Color, Color!
It is easier than ever to design with cultural treasures you have collected or are beginning to collect, from around the world.
Take ideas from places you have visited or been to, it is so easy with cameras or smart phones. Even in stores, TAKE A PICTURE of something you really like. An old Cliché, "A picture is worth a thousand words".
Yesterday we talked about layer upon layer with a picture of pillows. The following is another way to layer color, this time in a bathroom:
Notice, that plain old orange crates have been whitewashed and towels rolled up in them. Imagination! Texture and patterns are visually stimulating. I think this is a great idea for a bath off of a pool area for pool towels. Notice the compliments of color in each area. This could be a garden of flowers in all colors. Don't be afraid to experiment.
Look back on design in the past 50 years. It is easy online or at the library. There are what I will call Retro shops popping up all over and in magazines many pictures or reproductions of the retro look. Many pictures of retro ideas, combined with things that are newer.
If you are not ready to redo something in your house, get a group of friends together, discuss ideas, help each other with their projects. This is brainstorming. what a lot of large corporations do to come up with ideas. One person can't possibly come up with all these ideas. Look at a design magazine. They are made up of lot of design articles by many not just one person. And believe it or not, many of these ideas have been around for a long time coming from greats like Carlton Varney or Sister Parrish.
Try something new each week, say for one year. I started with fresh flowers. Each week I buy a different color. The next week, change throw pillows. Now I have a habit doing these two things. Each week, fresh flowers, and a change of throw pillows. Remember early on I told you about my grandchildren saying they will never buy a throw pillow because of me. I have all colors of pillows and store the ones I am not using in the attic. Make a list of what you own in a notebook, things that are put away, check it out from time to time, you may have something packed away that you can use. Recently, it was a couple of light fixtures from my mothers house. One crystal chandelier is in the master bathroom over the tub, and the other is going in the hallway. Later, I will show you some pictures. I move accessories around each time I dust. These things become habits and sometimes it is all you need to lift your spirits. Make a wish list for each room of your house. Try and check off one item each month. It really will work. Many times you can find these things on sale, or at Marshalls, Home Goods, T J Max, or Ross. My favorite place to look besides these places is Dillard's and Macy's. I have found that Hobby Lobby has some of the prettiest artificial flowers, so I add some here and there. Today, I changed a vase on my Dining Room table to Pink and White tulips. It was in my family room with just white tulips, and I found some pink ones on sale and added them to my whites. Really looks pretty.
Just look at the beauty in nature. This was clipped out of a magazine, I really don't know when but the combination of color just jumped at me. I am going to do my pool area adding some purple and pink for fun.
This is how an idea starts. Feel free to ask me questions on how I can help you make some very small changes.
Tomorrow, back to the subject of light, I jump around consistently.
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