A manifesto is defined as a person (or groups) public declaration of intentions and policies. This is something a political person or party does to tell the public where they really stand on issues. Since this year is an election year, I thought it was about time I made a declaration of my own…on design. My design style. My design manifesto.
I’d like to say I’m doing this for you, so you know what I’m all about. But really, I’m doing this for me even more. In this world of HGTV, Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook it is so easy to change design directions with each new couple that hits the airways.
They make it all look so good. Between television and social media, I’m exposed to Farmhouse, California Contemporary, Chinoiserie, Victorian, and French Country on a daily basis. The problem is…I love it all. It is so easy to fall into the trap of loving it all and trying to do it all in your home.
Do you remember that scene from The Devil Wears Prada where Meryl Streep proclaims to Andy that the people in that very room picked out cerulean blue a long time ago as the color to wear and that is why she is wearing that sweater now? It can feel a bit like that in the design world too.
I envision there were some people in a room somewhere laughing manically and saying in hushed tones, “Let’s make them put chevron on everything”. Then they threw their heads back in laughter. Chevron…remember?
I can watch HGTV while having my coffee, head over to Target to do my normal weekly shopping, and be greeted with products I just saw on TV in that totally dreamy house all priced at $29.99 or less. Why wouldn’t it jump in my cart and find it’s place right next to the cereal and bacon?
The problem is, it is easy to end up with a home filled with products seen on TV rather than a home that feels like the authentic you. .
This all stems from a really big recent mistake I made inside my home (details to come in the next few weeks). It wasn’t an expensive mistake (thank goodness) just the back breaking kind of mistake. It really made me stop and think about what it is I really want to see at the end of a day when I put my key in my front door (besides my lovely people).
What are my design truths?
Here they are.
What it is I really love. Now, in the future if you see me putting something in my home that doesn’t go along with this…call me on it. E-mail me. Seriously. It might take a whole village of readers to keep me on track.
I love wood.
Wood on ceilings, wood on walls, interesting wood furniture pieces. Weathered, distressed, stained, and carved. Wood is my friend. Here’s a few pins that inspire me.
I love bead board.
Part-way up the wall, the whole wall, on the ceiling, down the hall. I feel a bit like Dr. Seuss but it’s the truth.
Via Inspired Room
I love painted furniture.
A piece of furniture gets extra points from me if it is French and has carved detail on it with really great hardware. I’m a sucker for a little bit of carving.
I love bird artwork.
I’ve totally gone to the birds. Actually, I’ve always been there. I’ve always loved bird prints but moving to the coast has me now full gaga over coastal bird art. I luuuuv it. Or, as my four year old says, “I really really yuv it”. Speech impairments aren’t cute, but “l” isn’t a concern until the age of 6 so for now I’m going with cute.
I love wrought iron.
Wrought iron hardware and lighting are my total dream. I’ve always had brushed nickel because that’s what the house came with. Not anymore! I’m changing that one doorknob, light fixture, and cabinet hardware at a time.
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I love blue and white
I’ve discovered I really love just blue and white dishes and pottery. No blue walls. No blue pieces of furniture. It is sort of a narrow focus but I just can’t pass blue and white up while I’m out treasure hunting. It just makes me happy, and really, isn’t that all that matters to make it onto my manifesto?
Do you have a design manifesto? Create one! What is it you love if you had to narrow it down to 5-6 major things for your home? Your home doesn’t have to fit one “style”. The style will emerge when you stick to the things you love and most importantly, your home will feel cohesive and be a representation of you. Let’s all be real. Let’s all be who we really are. Whoa, I feel like I should be in a Coke commercial where we all sit around and sing a song together. It’s just design people…not world peace.
I would love to hear what you would include on your manifesto. Leave me a comment. I’d love to get to know you a little better too!
Have a fantastic day.
Nancy
I understand what you are saying! I am attracted to all of those different styles too on the different tv shows, but really when I look at what’s in common is that I really just like well-styled rooms. I love French country, Swedish/gustavian, English cottage, chinoiserie, with a touch of American farmhouse! Ha! Can’t we mix them all?
You love the same things I do. No wonder your blog is an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing all the things you love in a home. Blessings
What a thoughtful post! What you are talking about with a “design manifesto” is pure genius. I share many of the same loves as you: blue & whites, Audubon prints and wood. I also must have tons of natural light (the curtains are ALWAYS open in this house), plants and lots of natural elements from the sea like coral & shells. Thank you for the reminder that I need to pass up instant gratification buys just because they are “on trend.”
Definitely I always go with what I love, what is timeless and classic and ignore the trends. Works for me 😉
I know exactly what you are saying. I really like so many different styles (or parts of) it is hard to focus some times. My list really matches up with your list – great minds think alike.
Very fun post to read and great inspiration! Thank you for sharing your favorites.
Love your manifesto! I just saw a post somewhere….maybe The Painted Hive? Where she listed free bird prints similar to the one you showed and a link to the website!
You go girl!
karianne
PS I love wood, too….I just usually paint it. 🙂