Oh my!
Hi Everyone,
Happy November, I hope! However, there’s so much tension in the air, and I fear it will remain for a while. Please join me in prayer that things will remain calm no matter what.
On top of it all, I’m having weather confusion. Mid-October felt like December, and late October felt like early September.
In any case, let’s forget our troubles and have some decorating fun! That’s what I’ve been doing.
While doing so, I have to keep reminding myself of one of the most common decorating pitfalls: the tendency to make everything too perfect—too coordinated, predictable, and banal.
You know the dreaded term: too matchy-matchy.
I’ll never forget back in the 90s when Waverly and other companies had matching coordinates. It’s easy: Just pick your floral pattern and mix it with these matching fabrics. It’s foolproof. You can’t go wrong!
However, we all know better now. Not only can you go wrong, but it is certain that you will. It will be death by matching. Here, let me show you what I’m talking about.
The only thing interesting about this grouping is the orange X.
The whole thing looks contrived and cheap.
Remember that horrid color of the year a couple of years ago? What was it? Redend Point? It was so awful that I devoted two posts to it. Haha.
My point is made. While these palettes might not be to your liking, at least they’re interesting and will help prevent that decorating pitfall of overly matched sets of anything. However, it isn’t easy. Our minds want so badly to make it all match. Well, that is unless you’re British. For folks from England, it’s the opposite. They break out in hives if things match too much. ;]
As in our darling Ben Pentreath. Did you know that he and Charlie sold their charming home, I got to visit in 2017? Yes, they recently moved to their very own dream home. Not that this one isn’t, but the new one is far more grand. I’m looking forward to seeing what they do with it. I’m sure it will be magnificent.
As for my dream home.
Oh my… I have much to share with you! I am still obsessing about searching for the right rugs. I thought I was all set with the living room. But then I did my floor plan, and the almost 8 x almost 10 looked too dinky—not from the short side, but lengthwise. So, then I found a rug that’s two feet wider and nearly seven feet long, which is fine.
I’ve looked at rugs galore, but in the end, I know the living room especially needs to be a vintage or antique rug.
But, but, but… I’m not spending more than $5,000 for this beauty. This isn’t the star of the show, but it’s like one of those cameo parts that burns up the screen for a minute or two. That translates to something elegant, but with enough oomph to hold it’s own while not stealing too much thunder.
This is why mood boards are essential. When I put items together, I can see in an instant whether there’s harmony or not. Harmony is not the same as matching. It’s living peacefully side-by-side despite their differences.
Speaking of the stars of the show. On Halloween and the next day, I received two items. Below is one of them.
Uh-huh… You thought I was making that up, didn’t you?
Well, by golly, it’s back to standard time. Bah Humbug.
It’s such a bad idea for us night owls. In fact, I think we should all be on Pacific Time, year-round. haha
Uh, Laurel. Didn’t you open up the tube?
Well, yes, silly. Of course, I did. ;]
WELL???????????
It’s back in the tube. ;]
Didn’t you take pics before you put it back in the tube?
Uh-huh.
Well, let’s see them— PLEASE???
Really, I want to, but I have to do the dishes and get ready for bed.
I promise to share a lot of wonderful things on Monday evening and Wednesday wee hours.
However, below is a quick preview of a small detail.
To be continued…
xo,
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18 Responses
Your use of indoor plants is incredible—they breathe life into the space. Any advice on low-maintenance options
I love how you highlighted the “matchy-matchy” pitfall in home decor! It’s so easy to fall into the trap of overly coordinated designs. Embracing unique, diverse elements really brings character to home decor.
This post is a refreshing reminder to embrace imperfection in decorating! It’s so tempting to create a “picture-perfect” look, but as you said, going too matchy-matchy can drain the life out of a space. I love how you point out that real charm often comes from mixing things up a bit, letting each piece stand on its own without everything feeling overly coordinated. And yes, some color trends deserve their own rants! Balancing contrast and cohesion is an art, and your advice here shows how adding a touch of the unexpected can transform a room into something truly unique and memorable.
Whatever is in that tube is BEAUTIFUL!!! Can’t wait to see it!
I had to be at work at 7 am and this time before the time change it is very dark drive to work, it is darkest before the dawn. High school students are waiting for the school buses in the dark also. People don’t realize there are many factors that are involved about the change besides getting dark earlier at night. I always look forward to the time change so my morning would start with daylight.
Thanks!
uh oh, I pushed post before I was ready! So that’s to blame for any crazy sentence structure 😉
I think the decorating pitfall can be applied to life also – becoming too obsessed with making things perfect, instead of embracing the harmony and naturalness of imperfection.
Lovely, Dear Laurel!
On a separate note, I appreciate “Standard Time”. I wish they would stop changing it to “daylight savings time” in the Spring and leave time alone. Keep it on Standard time always the way God created it to be. Keep up the great work!
Ohhhhhh, this is going to be good!!! Can’t wait!!!!! So excited for you!!😍
Hi Laurel,
Just seeing the peak of your Gracie panels has me excited. Such beautiful colors! I am confident you’ll find a perfect rug that works with them & your teal sofa.
Curious…Have your sconces been fixed?
Oops! Laurel I meant to add these to rug sources to your rolodex. I know you must have several. The following are 2 I have used in the past and was very happy with their services. They are outside of Boston – but not too far outside.😉
Dover Rug & Home
Doverrug.com
(508) 651-3500
721 Worcester Rd Natick, MA 01760
Faber Rug Company
faberrug.com
(781) 235-5996
19 Central St Wellesley, MA 02482
Laurel, Ouch! You have described my problem – I know matchy-matchy is not good, yet I have such a hard time not making things match. I managed to get out of the too many patterns trend – but I still suffer from wanting my colors to coordinate. Am looking for a cure. Anyway, love the panel. And talk about ending on a teaser. I am dying to see the whole thing.
Laurel, only you (and Ben) can make the horrid Redend Point look good!!
So looking forward to seeing everything come together!
Ohhhhhhh……..wow. The drawing, the colors…….just serenely divine.
My house falls on the other side of the spectrum from Matchy-matcha. Lots of hand-me downs and inherited pieces accumulated over the years which I struggle to pull together. I understand, though, the issue with the use of pre-packaged design items— it looks like a showroom, not a home.
As for rugs, many antique and vintage Persian rugs are long and narrow. These were made before the export market was a big thing, and so do not correspond to modern room dimensions of 8 x 10, 9 x 12, etc. Because they don’t fit in a typical living room or dining room, they can be a real bargain. I think handmade rugs are works of art, and their small imperfections make them even more beautiful. It’s a Persian saying that a rug is the soul of the room. Enjoy shopping for one!
GORGEOUS Will truly transcend the mundane!!! Would also love some art like this – maybe another project😉😉.
I’m with the Brits on this one. I’m all about eclectic decor, colors I love, not making patterns TOO coordinated and quirky thrift store accessories. (see Rita Konig London home and Carlos Garcia cottage on youtube) Now I’m not in favor of pleated lampshades, how do you clean them? And sometimes the Brits can take it a little too far (Mrs. Alice’s tabletops) But I love people who don’t take their decors too seriously and have fun with them.
Am drooling over your panels. I have 3 Isfahans that have teal in them. Gorgeous. And I have really enjoyed reading your process, lamented errors and unfortunate happenings. But have learned a great deal, and appreciate the time you share with us and the effort it tales to share, too. I a am dying to see those panels upon the walls.