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Monday, July 8, 2013

UN-DECORATING!

 

ornate mirror + chic console + bright colored ottomans

UN-Decorating is actually not a word, I made it up because I think it explains a very important Design process that we often refer to as EDITING!!

Often times when we think of design, or decorating we think of all the additions we will add to a room. 

Coastal Style: Hamptons Style in Black & White
Most designers will tell you it is actually  more important what you don’t add to a room that will make a room look well designed.

There will always be two camps when it comes to editing, those who like a more-is-more look, and those that like a big is better, less is more look.

In both cases editing, or Un-decorating needs to take place to have a cohesive look.

Comfortable arrangement

Editing is not always easy to do, especially when you have a picture in your mind how you think  the addition of a certain element will work in the room. 

The new element might be a piece that you just purchased, and have wanted for a very long time, but once in the room it feels as if everything needs to change.

image Cote de Texas Jane Moore's Townhouse
If you find that you are having to change everything in a room over, and over to try, and fit the one piece in the room, it is not right for your room.

Good Life of Design
In my own experience, while consulting, and in my own home, I have found that it is not a good idea to keep adding more to a room just to make it look different.

What winds up happening is you end up with a room that has no flow, and it just looks cluttered.

Absolutely, positively gorgeous living room by Steven Gambrel.
Take a look at one of the rooms in your house that you would like to freshen up. Be honest, be strategic, start pulling out some of the unnecessary objects that make the room too busy.

Designed by Sherry Hart Design Indulgence. Love the use of color and textures, great displays in the bookshelves and on the mantel
 via

Keep in mind the eye needs to have a place to rest in the room, Not every wall has to have something on it. If you put something on a wall, or any surface it makes that wall or suface important. It is saying STOP and look at me.  
Chances are you need to do some editing if:

When looking in your room, your eye jumps from one area and object to another. There should be an easy flow to the room, nothing jolting.


Remember, you want to be able to look at your room as a whole picture not individual snap shots from one area, or element to the next.

Is it time for you to do some editing in your rooms?

“Enjoy the Process,” Of:

UN-DECORATING!




 
 

13 comments:

La Dolfina said...

Well stated my friend!
I find myself undecorating quite often these days :)
XO

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

I am definitely one who needs to practice the art of un-decorating. But I get going and just can't stop myself. So I guess I will always be one of those "more is more" kinda gals. Don't blame me - I inherited my Mother's genes. LOL

Great advice and pics. xxoo

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

GREAT LESSON!
You can not say it enough....!

michele said...

i'm crazy about undecorated rooms. they can breathe!

michele

The enchanted home said...

I think bottom line its important to have your own personal "stamp" in your rooms and to not follow some cookie cutter routine as many do. I think the idea of editing a room is sooo important but its a step often overlooked. Good post!

Karena said...

OK, you got me Kathysue. I am on it!

xoxo
Karena
2013 Artists Series-Kerry Steele!

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

I am going through this process now, and I didn't know how attached I was to things that need to find another home.
Great post, Kathysue!
Happy Tuesday.
Teresa
xoxo

vignette design said...

I do believe in un decorating too. It's just that it's hard sometimes to put things away that you love so much and reflect your personality. Still, I'm trying to pare down and edit.

Merlin said...

To each his own I guess. Great photos! franki

designchic said...

I so agree, Kathysue. It's often hard to do in our own homes, but I've definitely had Kristy do in my home and I've done in hers....gorgeous images!!

Melinda said...

I should do it more often than I do - but yes undecorating and editing is as important as decorating.

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

Great post...and so important!

Kat said...

I am definitely a less is more kind of gal. But I'm married to a packrat LOL. He's learning :-)