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What's Your Style Series & Giveaway

I'm so glad Jenna from Rain on a Tin Roof and Jamie from So Much Better with Age asked me to partake in this series about defining your style.  It will span the next three months and address different areas of blogger's homes.  
I really thought it would be so easy, but instead I learned I'm more of a big hot style mess- 
and I'm OK with that. 

The one thing about style I've learned is that you shouldn't be able to describe it in one word.
It's something that evolves constantly. 
(If if didn't I'd still have a "mushroom cloud" perm and look like I stepped out of Saved by the Bell.) 
Around here I am constantly changing things up because as a designer/blogger I get bombarded by new ideas and pretty stuff on a daily basis.  I also have a recessive hoarder gene that surfaces every time I pass a curbside toss or a "to good to be true deal".  I envision the possibilities, and like a spinster to cats I have a new addition to my house-most likely a new light fixture. 


My living room has been reinvented at least 6 times since we bought this house in 2009.  
Here are just a few incarnations...
2009...

2010...

2011...
 up to the day we started renovations in 2012, 
what a mess!...
and here it is currently:
Although the renovations are almost complete, the decorating will never be.  I have to be painting or slipcovering something.  If I'm not I just don't feel normal. 

So what is my style?
Well today I'd have to say I'm an EclecticMod-CottageBeachy, Preppy mess.
And that might change tomorrow!
I  think decorating around here can be likened to a weather forecast.
There is a 35% chance I will paint the walls a new color.
(This number drops every year because the more I do it the less fun it gets- I also have kids now)
A 20% chance of the sewing machine getting dragged out and then if it does...
the chance of slipcovers is 10% and the chance of pillows is 90% (cause I'm lazy).
And a 50% chance of me swapping out lamps or accessories.

 My style is beach influenced with a nod to mid-century.   I love a good white slipcover- its a blank canvas for the "next" style or color.  I'm also a lover of color & pattern- I can pollute a white slipcover or wall like nobody's business!  I have been fighting my "More is More" sickness lately and toning things down a bit with a softer palate.  I've managed to stick to soft blue-greens and yellow for MONTHS, but honestly I think its because things have been really busy with work.  Give me a few days of idleness and this place would be completely different!  

Another defining element of our space is also usually old signage or letters and in this case an there is old coke machine and some metal "H"s all thanks to my husband.  He used to be a sign maker, and collects that sort of stuff like I collect light fixtures and pillows.
And finally, paint is everywhere- from the stripes overhead to the walls and lampshades.
Its my favorite go to fix hands down.  It's cheap and easy.  I would be lost without it!

I have a two-toned front door.  
Soft and subtle blue when opened, or in your face "the sun is still shining" acid yellow when closed.
My entertainment center is an old IKEA Besta painted white with crown added.
with  "sprinkles" on the inside (cause they're delicious). 

Right off my living room is another living room-
 it's a relatively new "fireplace room" or "where we sit, drink and ponder stuff room".
It is a little den-like nook that we spend a lot of time in during the winter.  (Please note the makeshift laptop Minecraft area my boys set up on side tables and chairs in the lower right hand corner.)  Nothing fancy see, if you want prettier pictures here is a link from Christmas time.
I still haven't committed to a wall color, just a door color.   My goal is to make it cozy.
It's currently undergoing a change.  As you can see, 
there is a greater than 10% chance of slipcover happening- with the possibility of drapes...
Thanks so much for stopping over!  Please hop over to see Roeshel at  DIY Showoff , she is up next.
And be sure to check out all the other What's Your Style players...

Lucy from Craftberry Bush
Melissa from Shabby Love
Laura from Finding Home
Danika from Gorgeous Shiny Things
Roeshel from DIY Showoff
Michelle from Iron & Twine


But best of all be sure to enter the Mohawk Rug Giveaway... 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

22 comments:

  1. Beautiful and no worries - my style is always a mess as well! I love those gorgeous mirrors you have propped against the wall!

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  2. Gah! love the space so much...:) the gingham wall reminds me of the nursery I painted for my niece, I hated doing that wall but loved the end....just beautiful...thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us...xo

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  3. I love that you aren't afraid to make big, bold and fabulous changes in your room - all of the versions were beautiful!

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  4. That GINGHAM wall!!! The whole entry way makes me oh so happy! Bravo!

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  5. The red door really grabs me. Also, I wish I could see the living room rug better--is it oriental or??? I can't quite make it out. Love everything you've done.

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  6. Your house and style is just gorgeous, definitely not a hot mess! And I'm the same when it comes to curb side finds..my garage is full of "stuff" that I know I can make pretty..someday. Thanks so much for joining us on this tour!! Sharing this on my FB page ;)
    Hugs,
    Jamie

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  7. Your house and style is just gorgeous, definitely not a hot mess! And I'm the same when it comes to curb side finds..my garage is full of "stuff" that I know I can make pretty..someday. Thanks so much for joining us on this tour!! Sharing this on my FB page ;)
    Hugs,
    Jamie

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  8. Thanks all!

    Rosemary- the rug is a Persian Tabriz. I did a post on it here with more photos:http://gorgeousshinythings.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-living-room-miracle.html

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  9. Such a beautiful and creative space. From the gingham wall, to the two toned door and the fun gold sprinkles, it's all so inspiring!!

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  10. I love the colors palette and the beachy feel! So pretty!

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  11. would you mind telling me where you get your slip covers? thanks

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  12. It's like a walk down memory lane! The end result is beautiful.

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  13. Really like your current incarnation of the living room. Adding the round window and removing divider/shelf really "debradified" the bones of the room. Whatever happened to your Dirk Digler couch? I still have the photo of it with the gold grasscloth and orange accents on my brain.

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  14. You're talking to someone who is always changing too. I love your current look the best because it's calm and light and airy. I love the modern touches and the buffalo check on the wall is brilliant! I too, have a 2-toned from door, turquoise on the outside and green on the inside. I also love your fireplace room. I have somewhat different styles in each of my rooms. It's nice because it's a great way to display different sides of your personality. Can't wait to see what you do next!

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  15. So BEAUTIFUL! Love that gingham wall! And, the yellow door! And, those fabulous mirrors! Thanks for sharing! LIfe to the full! Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

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  16. I absolutely love the brightness of your place and the pops of color make it sooo happy! happy Friday

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  17. And I thought I was bad!! I always change things around but you one up me! lol Love this post of transformations,one thing is for sure you will never be bored with all this evolving artistry and fun. YOu are right you never know who you want to be tomorrow... and that's the fun part.

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  18. Hi! I really love your style! I own an online home decor boutique with a lot of vintage and antique collectibles I thought would be worth sharing with you! Please check it out and let me know if there is a chance you’d be interested in working together to feature a sale on our website. http://houseofimpress.com

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  19. I love each and every look. You are always such an awesome source of inspiration. And I love that you have decorating ADD like I do.

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  20. Love the ideas and information in this blog, hats off.

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  21. Gorgeous...love the whites and walls. What Color are the solid walls? Thanks!

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  22. Thanks! The walls in the living room are Ben Moore Turquoise Mist, and the white is C2 AMerica's Cup.

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