The Best Way To Handle A Decorating Mistake And Not Get Stuck
Discover practical tips on handling and avoiding common decorating mistakes. Learn to turn decorating blunders into opportunities for growth and create a more beautiful and functional home that shows off your unique style.
Decorating our homes is a personal and creative endeavor, filled with exciting possibilities and, yes, sometimes missteps along the way. Today, I want to have an open and honest conversation about why home decorators like us shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes. Trust me, I’ve been there, and I know firsthand how those slip-ups can have an effect on us. And not necessarily for good.
, however, I’d like to say that making mistakes can often be our greatest teacher. Each error has an opportunity to refine our style and make us better decorators. It’s through these experiences that we are true that we truly learn what works and what doesn’t, helping us to develop a keen eye for detail and a more intuitive sense of design. OK, but then see, it doesn’t like the word learned.
However, I’d like to say that making mistakes can often be our greatest teacher. Each error is an opportunity to refine our style and make us a better decorator. Through these experiences, we truly learn what works and what doesn’t, helping us develop a keen eye for detail and a more intuitive sense of design.
This discussion is all about embracing the nitty-gritty aspects of home decor, which is one of my absolute favorite topics! I’m genuinely excited to explore this subject with you today. Let’s chat about how to turn our decorating blunders into stepping stones, leading us to more confident and creative home styling.
The Queen Of Decorating Mistakes
I have made so many mistakes—big, giant decorating mistakes! I should be crowned the Queen of Decorating Mistakes. Like the time I painted my study and back stairs of our StoneGable home Pepto Bismol pink! Or when I transformed my home to look like a Tuscan villa. I call that my Tuscan phase! And all of this while living in a farmhouse!
I’ve made some real bloopers, and I still do! But each mistake has been a valuable learning experience.
I learned that after the initial shock and tears of working in a room that looked like the inside of a Pepto Bismol bottle, I could eventually laugh about it – and laugh so hard I nearly wet myself! Shhh, that’s our secret! I also learned that I could fix it! Yes, it took time, a little money, and some sweat equity, but it makes for a great story. Boy, did I learn about paint color!
Choosing a paint color can still be challenging, but the search for the perfect shade is worth it. My bright pink walls taught me a very valuable decorating lesson—and a life lesson, too! I’ve shared what I’ve learned about paint in some helpful posts. My mistakes pushed me to dive deep into understanding paint and color in general.
But the biggest lesson I learned from all my decorating mistakes was not to get stuck in the mistakes, so impacted by a decorating mistake, I became stuck.
What Is Getting Stuck
Decorating mistakes can have negative effects on us. If we do not handle them positively, they can hurt our homes and our psyches! I call the effects of making a decorating mistake getting stuck. Here are some of the ways making decorating mistakes and getting stuck manifest themselves…
- Giving Up: One of the most common reactions to a decorating mistake is to simply give up. The fear of making another mistake can be paralyzing, leading you to abandon your project altogether.
- Losing Confidence: Mistakes can shake your confidence in your decorating abilities. When things don’t go as planned, it’s easy to start doubting yourself and your taste, which can hinder your future efforts.
- Inability to Finish a Project: A single mistake can make you feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to proceed, leaving your project unfinished. This can create a sense of incompleteness and dissatisfaction in your living space.
- Believing You Can’t Decorate: Repeated mistakes might lead you to believe that you are not a good decorator. This mindset can prevent you from exploring your creativity and enjoying the process of making your home beautiful.
- Fear of Experimenting: After experiencing a setback, you might become overly cautious and avoid trying new ideas or styles. This fear of experimentation can limit your creativity and keep you stuck in a decorating rut.
- Increased Frustration: Constantly facing obstacles can lead to frustration, making the decorating process more stressful than enjoyable. This frustration can spill over into other areas of your life, affecting your overall well-being.
- Wasting Time and Resources: Mistakes can sometimes lead to wasted time and resources as you try to fix or redo parts of your project. This can be discouraging and make you hesitant to invest in future decorating endeavors.
- Comparing Yourself to Others: Seeing perfectly styled homes on social media or in magazines can make you feel inadequate when you encounter mistakes. This comparison can be demotivating and make you feel like you’re not capable of achieving similar results.
- Avoiding Future Projects: The fear of making more mistakes can lead you to avoid starting new decorating projects. This avoidance can stifle your creativity and prevent you from enhancing your living space.
- Negative Self-Talk: Making mistakes can lead to negative self-talk, where you criticize and blame yourself for the errors. This negative mindset can erode your self-esteem and enjoyment of decorating.
Understanding these reasons can help you recognize when you’re getting stuck and take proactive steps to overcome these challenges. Embracing mistakes as part of the learning process can change the way we look at mistakes.
Biggest Reason Home Decorators Get Stuck
I believe that the fear of making a mistake drives many home decor enthusiasts to hesitate when it comes to updating and changing things in their homes.
I call this FEAR OF DECORATING or F-O-D! This fear is often a bigger obstacle than financial issues. Many home decorators get stuck because they’re afraid of not getting it right. This fear paralyzes decision-making, preventing us from painting, covering, making, or buying new things for our homes.
But shouldn’t we love our homes and make them the best they can be? That means updating, sprucing up, and changing things as they become worn and outdated. It’s all about loving our home and ensuring it reflects our evolving tastes and needs.
I’m not advocating for frivolous spending or a buy-buy-buy mentality. Rather, I’m talking about why we hesitate to make even the wisest and most necessary changes in our homes. Overcoming this fear is essential to creating a space we truly love and feel comfortable in. Let’s embrace the idea that our homes are living, breathing spaces that benefit from thoughtful updates and enhancements.
How To Handle A Decorating Mistake Step-By-Step
The key to handling decorating mistakes wisely is to make a step-by-step plan. A plan is a blueprint for not getting stuck and for moving forward. Some decorating mistakes are small and don’t need a lot of figuring out, while others are more complicated and involved. Use these steps to help you work through any decorating mistakes.
Acknowledge the Mistake
The first step is to recognize that a mistake has been made. It’s important to acknowledge it without self-blame and understand that mistakes are part of the learning process in decorating.
Stay Calm and Positive
It’s easy to get frustrated, but staying calm and maintaining a positive attitude will help you think more clearly and find effective solutions. I once read that if you are in a life-threatening situation, try to look at it as if you were a spectator. Obviously, you will think clearly and make better decisions.
Thankfully, most decorating mistakes are not life-threatening. Looking at them from a spectator’s point of view just might help you feel less stressed.
Assess the Situation
Take a step back and evaluate the mistake. Determine what went wrong and why. Understanding the root cause can help you avoid similar mistakes in the future.
Taking pictures of your decorating mistakes might seem counterintuitive at first, but it can be an incredibly useful tool in addressing and resolving these issues. You might also like to use your phone or a notepad and pen to write down any details you need to remember, like measurements and other specifics.
You might also like to use your phone or a notepad and pen to write down any details you need to remember, such as measurements and other specifics.
Seek Input and Advice
Consult friends, family, or online decorating communities for advice. Fresh perspectives can provide new ideas and solutions you might not have considered. Keep a record of what advice you get. It’s easy to forget unless you write everything down.
Make a Plan, Fix the Mistake And Move On
Create a detailed plan to fix the mistake and then move on. Dwelling on the error or overthinking the plan to fix it can prevent you from enjoying your space and progressing with other decorating goals.
Take Action Promptly
Once you have a plan, act on it promptly. Procrastination can lead to stagnation. Always move forward. Do you remember Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion? An object in motion stays in motion!
Celebrate the Result
After making the necessary changes, take a moment to appreciate the improved space. Celebrate your efforts and the new look you’ve achieved. Use this success to build your decorating confidence!
Don’t get “stuck”! Don’t be afraid. Start with one thing and DO IT, COVER IT, PAINT IT, CHANGE IT OUT!
You will feel exhilarated, and your home will look more like the home of your dreams! Be creative and resourceful, and have fun with your home decor!
One More Decorating Mistake Worth Mentioning
One of the most destructive mindsets when it comes to decorating is thinking you are DONE. The moment you believe your decorating is completed, you become stuck! Decorating, like life, is an ever-evolving process. Styles change, tastes develop, and our living needs shift. Believing that your home is finished can stifle creativity and prevent your space from growing with you.
Everything has an expiration date, including decor. We should always be open to evolving and updating our spaces. Decorating is not about reaching a final destination; it’s about continuously refining and enhancing our homes. You can decorate and change things up until you find that sweet spot where your home feels perfect for you. This is all part of discovering your unique style and making your home a true reflection of who you are.
However, even when you find that perfect balance, it’s essential to keep things fresh. Don’t be afraid to make small changes, update accessories, or experiment with new trends in small doses. This ongoing process keeps your home interesting and ensures it always feels inviting and inspiring.
Keep curating your look, and remember that the joy of decorating lies in the process itself, not just the end result. Stay flexible, be open to change, and let your home change with you.
Frequently Asked Question About Making Decorating Mistakes
What Are The Most Common Decorating Mistakes To Avoid? Some of the most common mistakes include neglecting scale and proportion, overcrowding a space with too many accessories, failing to establish a cohesive color scheme, pushing furniture against walls, overlooking the functionality of a space, not considering the flow between rooms, and not hanging curtains high enough, can disrupt the harmony of your home. Avoiding these common errors will help you create a more balanced, stylish, and functional living environment.
What can I do to avoid making decorating mistakes? To avoid decorating mistakes, start by planning your space. Stay true to your decoratin style. Measure everything and make a layout. Choose a color palette. Choose furniture and fabrics before picking paint colors. Keep scale and proportion in mind to avoid overcrowding. Balance the room’s elements. Place furniture thoughtfully, considering the room’s flow and function. Seek inspiration. Lastly, trust your instincts and enjoy the decorating process.
What should I do if my room lacks personality? If your room lacks personality, add elements that reflect your style and interests. Incorporate personal touches like artwork, family photos, or souvenirs from travels. Mix in unique pieces, such as vintage finds or handmade items, to add character. Use colors and patterns that resonate with you. Layer textures and materials to create a more inviting and dynamic space. Don’t be afraid to experiment and let your creativity shine through.
See More Interior Design Tips
Learn more about interior design concepts that will help you be a better decorator.
Happy Decorating, Friends!
Wow Yvonne! Reading this post bright and early this morning makes me want to drop everything and get to work transforming my home! However, today I’m helping my daughter prepare for a gender reveal luncheon that she is hosting tomorrow – our first grandbaby! Can’t wait! I’ve been following your blog for years (but never comment?) and now realize I pass your road every week shopping or visiting my daughters in Strasbourg and Lancaster, I love your home!
Mary, congratulations to your daughter and to you! I had my first grandbaby not long ago and it changed my life! I am so so happy for all! Enjoy this gorgeous Lancaster County day!
Your posts re being brave trying new looks has motivated me. I will step out of my comfort zone and keep looking for sofa pillows with a pop of color! Enjoy this beautiful sunny spring day.
Ann look at these beautiful pillows: https://www.stonegableblog.com/spring-summer-pillow-love/
I picked out over 60 pillows with so much style!
I’ve gone through different phases decorating my house too. I went on a couple mission trips to China and ended up decorating my house in oriental furniture and furnishings. That latest about 3 months. Then I went to arts & crafts style. I’ve also changed my summer decor to everything ‘beachy’. I live on a farm in Iowa! I am just finishing a complete remodel of my main floor. It is farmhouse all the way and I love it and it finally feels just right.
Hi Yvonne! Your post couldn’t be more appropriate for what I’m currently going thru right now. We just spent 6 months and a lot of money with a wonderful carpenter who gutted our complete lower level. Everything is new and fresh and the layout is just right. I dealt with dust, inconvenience and had many sleepless nights making sure every detail was covered. To be finished now should be a relief. Should be. The gorgeous custom built wall unit that houses my husband’s giant flatscreen and takes up one complete wall is to me an eyesore because of a very dull, drab paint color. The doors were all sprayed professionally, the hinges and hardware are all in place and the doors have been balanced. I don’t even go down there because I cannot bear to look at it. It is the focal point of the room. I totally screwed up and my only way to fix this might be with a blindfold. The hubby would be furious if I put one more cent into this project. I’m good with a paintbrush, but this would require the tv coming down and all those hinges and doors taken off. I want to hear more about how you convince your husband that change is necessary, even if the paint is just barely dry.
I can so sympathize with your Diane! I have done projects and just hated them. Right now I’m living with a stone backsplash that was a custom job and really don’t like it at all!!!!!! But, I’m living with it and being thankful for the kitchen I have until I can get new tile.
But every single mistake I make teaches me something that I won’t do again and teaches me lots of things I can share with you.
Can you send me a picture of your new focal point? Then I might be able to help.
Yvonne,
Believe me you are in good company when it comes to decorating faux pas! I have made my share of mistakes especially with paint colors. I learned the hard way that just because a popular paint color looks great in someone else’s home doesn’t mean it going to look the same in your own.
As you said, you have to listen to your home and its style. Going too far in one direction style usually doesn’t work. I love to add summer elements in my home in the warmer weather for a light and airy feel but going too beachy or coastal just doesn’t look right since like you I don’t live near the coast.
I do like a clean, uncluttered look and try to mix my décor with both modern and vintage.
I’m sure we can all identify with your post today.We are in the process of finally getting a new kitchen and I have agonized of each and every detail hoping to make the right choices I can live with forever.Keeping it simple and hope it all come together.
All the pics are “springtime fresh”
GREAT TIPS! I’m a professional interior designer and believe me, I make mistakes. Design is an art with a little science thrown in (measurements are objective no matter how badly we want that oversized sofa to fit). I ALWAYS tell clients to get paint samples and watch them throughout the day/evening. And please, if the color doesn’t work, change it immediately. It’s better to get it right than to just get it done.
Such amazing advice!
I can so understand you with the decorating mistakes. The rooms in my house use to be all different colors. I finally went back to one color, a dark tan with white trim on the main floor, with plenty of black. I LOVE IT! Easier to decorate and add pops of color. Finally realized 5 years ago that I love dishes! White especially and all kinds. It is fun to decorate. Thank you for all your helpful hints and I love your decorating styles.
I think we can all relate to this post. We built our house 12 years ago and if I had to do it again, I would make several major changes. I don’t know if it’s getting older or what, but I want simplicity in my home. We can always learn from our decorating mistakes.
Yvonne, I so agree with most everything you said except this: There may be people who love pepto bismol pink walls (I don’t) or love the Tuscan colors. Let’s face it, farm house décor on all the blogs is a trend as well. 10-15 years from now everyone will be installing wall to wall carpet again, wall paper is already coming back, and most likely shiplap and burlap will have seen it’s day. That’s just the nature of decorating. For those who love to be creative, like you do, things will always be changing in some way, right? I just want the people with pink walls or Tuscan colors, not to feel put down because they still love a certain color or style. Our homes are that….ours….what makes us happy and those we love. But I do love your encouragement to not be afraid to try something NEW, or to make changes. We all need that encouragement. Let’s face it, our homes, however beautiful we make them, will not go with us to Heaven, but those we love well within their walls are the most significant investment we can make, which may not leave a lot of time and money for decorating. I just needed to say this.
Thank you, Toni.
I so agree, Toni! Also, not everyone has the $$$ to correct a mistake.
This post came just as I’m trying to change things up. I decorated in the cream/brown phase ( 2006) and now want to change much of it to whited & cream. Fortunately, I bought neutral furniture so it is only curtains and small decor items. I’m thinking of painting some things gold that are bronze but can’t seem to get my courage up. This post might just give me the push I need.
Yvonne, I love reading your posts and all of your stories (and listening to DTT!). I was laughing to myself when I was reading about decorating mistakes. When we moved into our first home, a 1920’s 4 square, the kitchen had yellow painted cabinets with black fake wrought iron hardware, and the wallpaper! Oh my the wallpaper! Large, and I’m talking 6-8 inch, vegetables and fruits randomly placed with … coffee grinders! We were young and I was pregnant with twins so we lived with it for about 6 months and then did a “fantastic” update!
We couldn’t afford new cabinets so had them refaced in medium oak, and then dove into the popular trend of the day, country blue and white thin striped wallpaper with… a country goose border! Do you remember that trend? The goose with the cute blue ribbon around its neck? And I bought a goose canister set, made and painted a white goose wood welcome sign and had white eyelet curtains! I feel for the people who had to change all that when we moved out 2 years later.
Btw, we have NOT put wallpaper in any of our homes since we moved out. EVERY room was coated in layer upon layer of old wallpaper!
I remember those geese! Oh my! What were we ever thinking?
I loved your paint story. We just had an addition built onto our small ranch style home and when I picked out the color for the powder room, I thought I had chosen a light sage green. Imagine my dismay when the room ended up looking like the inside of a child’s Easter basket. It was that awful green shade of fake cellophane grass. Went paint shopping the next day and had it repainted. Now it is a beautiful grey blue that I absolutely LOVE. Even the painters were relieved by the change! Your home is lovely by the way and this was a very interesting and informative post.
You make me giggle! I know just how you felt!
Yvonne, you make me smile as you are so authentic !! So real and so truthful!! I have made and still make a lot of decor mistakes. Part of my problem is I get complacent with what is..that is why your blog is so important to me. You pose ideas and experience that makes me take a second look and rethink my home. I am forever grateful! Blessings to you!
Have you ever watched I Love Lucy? It ran for awhile and it showed trends in furnishings of the 50’s. I watched old Leave it to Beaver shows to look at the design and found how both these shows dealt with trying new decor and making mistakes! And making wonderful choices too. I have a small home with five windows in the great room. It has vaulted ceilings on two sides so these window coverings are my “art” There’s not so much wall space! I like color so I’ve used less expensive window coverings as my way to switch up my look. I’ve found West Elm to have great prices so I’m off to a totally new look. Yes wallpaper on a kitchen vaulted wall is in the future. I saved to make minor changes. If we really don’t like it? We will save to change it. But I truly believe it takes determination. My biggest critics I’m trying to learn that I need not listen to their criticism. Oh a funny thing about the Peptones Pink walls. Maybe even brighter. I knew someone who did that in a bedroom and then had a job transfer. There was a bit of a bidding war over her house. She never repainted any of her bold paint choices. The family who bought the house said the pink bedroom was a selling point as their little girl fell in love with that room!! Smile!!!!
YOU GO GIRL. You are a girl after my own heart… and decorating hutzpah!
Oh dear…..reads like you are talking to me! I’m still stuck with a little Tuscan- getting tired of my mustard, reds, and sage green combo. Have no idea where to go from here- other than maybe a jute rug. My former home in the 90’s was a stucco Tuscan style- perfect! Now living in more of a cottage/craftsman style! This post has really made me think about what can be painted, covered or replaced. Many thanks Yvonne❤️
Susan
Loved this post! Yvonne, you tickled my memory of a paint decision gone very bad several years ago. In our previous home the half bath had dark teal, heavily (note that I did not say ‘heavenly’) floral wallpaper. Down it came with the excitement of painting it a beautiful light aqua. Huge problem. Got the project completed, and for the life of me, it was as though I was hyperventilating when I went in there. For some reason I felt like I was drowning. I needed suggestions. Had a friend over whose design sense I respect. She walked around the house and down in the basement she spotted a large framed print that was my grandmother’s…a vessel overflowing with peonies. “WHY IS THIS DOWN HERE AND NOT ON A WALL?!” She knew immediately where it needed to be hung AND what color the bathroom needed to be. So we repainted it the garnet red she suggested. Golly I loved that powder room! A couple of years later we sold the home and the buyer gushed over that little bathroom. It was one of my happiest do-overs e-v-e-r. I had not thought about that in a long time so thank you for helping me realize that sometimes the sweetest memories do come with extra effort. Have a blessed day!!
This has been such a fun post to read as well as all the comments. I am struggling over which fabric to recover 2 Berger chairs. I know I should just put the new Crypton fabric in a light beige on them (it protects against dogs and grandbabies), but I love the tone on tone fabrics with a pattern. It made me feel better to see that others struggle with making a decision too. I see you are getting another bout of cold weather! Burrr! One more chance to enjoy one of your delicious soup recipes! Have a blessed week.
Oh I can relate! I fell in love with the Victorian era (remember Victoria magazine)? I had florals everywhere. My poor husband was a good sport about it. I finally started replacing all the roses with neutrals and I still love antiques but the heavy, dark ones? Um, no. I don’t like dark spaces. Give me bright light-filled rooms any old day. I’m finally decorating for who we are, not for some trend. (Yep, fell into the farmhouse one too but finally realized while I like the look, it’s really not us. I have a few touches as they fit our causal, comfortable style). I think we have to make those mistakes to figure out what we like or don’t like and that’s ok as long as we can move on when needed!
You are so right Cecilia!
Your post is so right on the nose! I have to tell you about my own decorating adventures. I’ve been a homemaker for 10 years, and lived in this house about the same amount of time. When we moved in here, the decor was HIDEOUS. Seriously. Orange carpets, 70s yellow linoleum, grandma wallpaper (no offense to any grandmas out there). Oh, and the ceiling in the dining room was white with gold paint splashes!! It was just bad. But I was too afraid to do anything to it because I didn’t trust myself or even know what I wanted to be honest. Then I started cutting out pictures from magazines of homes that I liked and pasted them into a notebook, and I slowly started to understand what I liked in a home. About four years ago, I finally took the plunge and did a total remake of our downstairs! I put in light neutral carpet, painted the walls a soothing tan color, painted the elegant craftsman trim (that used to be the same color as the wall before so you could hardly see it!) a shiny white, painted the gold ceiling white! Then on top of all those soothing light neutrals, I added some colorful country accents. I just love it, but it took a lot of looking inside myself and a lot of guts to bring it forward! I hope your post helps inspire someone else to find their own beautiful home!
I once painted my large laundry room Hershey bar brown. GROSS!! Kinda killed my love of chocolate for a while. I built my first home in 2003 and sponge painted every wall in the house. It’s fun to look back at trends and laugh.
It’s the same mistake for me, for 35 years: overdecorating. I put too much stuff in a room. Too much furniture, wall art, etc, etc. Then I have to edit, which means holes in the wall, furniture in the attic. Trying to give extra stuff to grown kids. I know I need to replace with the new things that excite me not just add. ? Would you please write a post about editing!
Oh, I am an over-decorator too!!! I love to embellish and add! Editing is a great thing for every home decorator to learn. Yes, I will do a post about editing in early spring.
good morning,
I love the dresser and that huge clock behind it. If you don’t mind me asking where did you purchase the clock. Your home is absolutely beautiful and your talent of decorating is a blessing.
Thank you for sharing
You can find the clock on Ballard Design.
i have a modestly-sized two bedroom condo. My decorating style is new traditional with a healthy dose of flea market chic. My favorite color is blue. My favorite patterns are stripes and Jacobean florals. My condo is accessorized with vintage family heirlooms (especially photos), AFFORDABLE antiques and thrift store items. Lots and lots and lots of thrift store items. People can’t believe what I paid for a lot of the stuff in my decor because it was so cheap!! I like to tweak my decor on a monthly basis to keep up with the seasons or holidays. I think the designer Rita Konig best represents how I like to decorate if you want to check her out.
I’d love to see your home! If it is designed like Rita then you have such a fresh take on fleamarket finds my friend!
I remember the Tuscany phase. I painted all the walls in my home green and yellow. I do laugh at it now. I was talking to a friend recently, who said they just wanted their home to be finished. While I understand where they were coming from, I think you are spot on about learning from mistakes. I keep making them, but my style has evolved and I’m learning so much through the process. Seeing my home through the camera lens has also helped me learn. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
Hi Laura! My home’s style has greatly evolved too! And it feels more and more like “me” with every mistake I make!
I’ve moved three times in the past three years, collecting traditional furniture from Philadelphia and French Country from DC. They now reside in a 1990’s Florida home. My living room is almost painful to view. Somehow, it needs to be more light and airy. I want to embrace neutrals but am decoratively paralyzed by the process. It will be my 3Q2020 challenge; convert my northeast sensibilities to non-cliched Floridian casual. Fingers crossed!
You have discovered something that I feel very personally (for me) strongly about. I think a home’s style such as craftsman, farmhouse, traditional townhouse etc should, to some extent, guide you to a style.
Right now we live in a very open concept, window-filled home on a golf course. We moved from a farmhouse. While much of my big-ticket furniture is a pretty new classic or new traditional style I had to say goodbye to some very chippy farmhouse pieces. They just did not work in our new home. I use some farmhouse accents because we live in an agricultural area but my bigger items have a distinctively different look.
For me, I think a home is happier if the style on the outside and the decor on the inside work together.
Yes~Yes~Yes, I too have and continue to make mistakes as my home evolves.
Just this week I am painting my bedroom furniture.
I painted a gentleman’s chest and the decided I hated it. In that process I found I loved the look of pine furniture with a white wash left in the detail areas. Who knew. I love naturals much like yourself so please keep these wonderful daily posts coming our way.
We learn a lot from those mistakes, don’t we! So glad you discovered you love whitewashed pine. I love it too!
Great discussions on this post!
We have all gone through “The Phases”.
Having it been country,
Victorian,
Tuscan and now Farmhouse. These phases come and go, along with a lot of money.
In my experience your home should reflect who you are and what you like.
It is our home and not a decorating showhouse.
Many times it comes out wonderful because you develope your style along the way. You know you have made it when you wake up every day happy when you look around at your space.
You have collected pieces along the way that truly reflect your style. We can laugh at past mistakes and as you get more mature enjoy the way light hits a room in the morning or a tree shades in the afternoon. And count our blessings for a home that family and friends enjoy sharing together.
To me that is the best decorating.
And searching for that fun new little piece that you go home and rearrange the whole house around!!!!
Blessings to all!
Your home is beautiful! Where did you get your rug in the living room. (Pictured in from my of the fireplace – beige and white) thanks so much!
You are talking about my favorite rug, Julie! It’s wool and nothing stains it! I love this rug!!!!! Here’s the link:https://rstyle.me/+MNbtnCKBrdT7m6QglJAMZw
I love your posts and read them daily. Thank you for talking about decorating mistakes. The Tusan phase is still in my living room. We painted our walls gold using Venetian plaster. I thought it was beautiful at the time. We plan on redecorating in the fall. Thank goodness.
Can we talk about something I find to be the hardest part about decorating. I will have a vision of something in my mind but I can’t find it in the stores or online. Does this ever happen to you?
ALL THE TIME, Sharon!!! Right now I’m looking for white linen chairs that are a bit boxy for my dining room table. But can’t find the ones I have in my mind. Oh, if only I could create a furniture and accessory line!
One of my favorite quotes by Karl Lagerfield: “Trendy is the last stage before tacky.”
LOL! I’m not sure I believe that. But everything trendy is the last stage before tacky for sure!
Yvonne, you gave me courage to correct a decorating mistake I made, even if it was a bit costly! I’m referring to hanging drapes or curtains at the top of the wall. I loved the fabric of some curtains and hung them above my first set of tall windows but below the upper most windows that had shutters. I could tell it just wasn’t right, and lived with them for a whole year! I ended up special ordering 130” curtains that hung from the top of the wall. I should have known better! Thanks for urging us to fix our mistakes and move toward making our homes places of rest and refuge.
Good for you! It’s hard to correct those costly mistakes! But you did it! Now doesn’t your home look and feel better? And don’t you love it more! I say no contains are far better than wrong curtains!
This blog was so encouraging. I’ve been working on decorating my home and made some mistakes. It has made me feel like giving up but then I get a good nights sleep and try again. May I ask how to fix one error? I bought a dining room light the same width as my rectangular table, thus my room now feels top heavy. Do I need to start over with a different light or can I fix this with rug underneath the table or perhaps chair covers that might bulk up the bottom half of room? Any input would be appreciated. The ceilings are 10’ tall.
Hi Kathy, what a great question. Here are my two cents… don’t try to correct a problem by creating another problem. Fix the first problem and get it right. UGH! I hate costly mistakes too! But fix it right and you will feel so much better! Believe me! And your home will feel right too! As far as the ceiling height, I don’t think it matters too much, just don’t go too small.
Sell the fixture on sites like FB or Craig’s List or others.
Can you send me a picture so I can see if it’s the light fixture or the table?
As always, I love your home!! Can you tell me where you got the rug inside your front door? I love it!!
We had a cabinet refinishing specialist come out in 2013, after a small kitchen fire. We had installed granite and tumbled travertine backsplash (Tuscan?) in 2010 and didn’t want to rip all of that out, so we were wanting estimates on refinishing the oak stain (from the late 80s/90s). She told me that decor/styles change about every seven years. We didn’t use her service (expensive). Someone else refinished them in a walnut stain. They are solid wood, that was a factor in the decisions we made.
My problem is that I always latch on to a trend at the tale end. I think when we had that done, black/expresso cabinets were popular, followed by all white (I know because my daughter bought 3 house in the space of 7 years and had them all)! I feel stuck with this “Tuscan” kitchen, although I don’t hate it. I cannot paint the cabinets as I don’t think the oak grains would look good painted white or with the busy granite counters. I was thinking to just wait it out another 2 or 3 years and see what happens after the all white phase ends! Who knows, stained short cabinets might come back!
Hey Carol, I feel that way all the time!!!! It’s best to go classic with your big-ticket items like kitchen cabinets. White is classic! So is a dark stain. Nothing stays somewhat on-trend forever and everything (every single style) has its heyday! Go classic!
I read the comments with interest. One advantage of frequent moves and living in military quarters meant I got to make changes for each home but not to the white and neutral walls. Looking back, every place had a new look! That was the fun part of all those moves. Thanks for sharing your decorating stories. We’re all still in progress, aren’t we.
Yvonne,
Where do you get your wicker baskets, trays, and bowls?
I love, love, love your blog. Your recipes are delicious and your decorating ideas are the best.
I so look forward to your emails.
Thank you for sharing.
God bless you,
Mary ?
Hi Mary! And I’m so thrilled you are part of the StoneGable family! I get my decor from many sources. Local shops, Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs, Wayfair, Crate and Barrel, Target, Walmart, Etsy, Amazon and more! I know my style and when I see something that I know will look good in my home I pick it up!
My bedroom was almost perfect – dark cream paint, a beautiful new bed set, two new swivel chairs that were gray but somehow a warm tone of gray. All I needed were drapes so I waited for just the right ones. The ones I thought were right are now up and sooo wrong. A sheer fabric that is cream and gray – a cold cold
gray – I am upset each time I walk into the room – I can’t just throw them away and purchase new ones – hubby’s suggestion was to dye them (just like a man). Any suggestions? Thanks.
There is no piece of furniture (or drapes) that is worth getting sick over. Get rid of them and get new ones. Listen to me Emily, please don’t let a pair of drapes keep you from enjoying your room. I would rather have no drapes than one that spoils your room and the enjoyment you get. Be careful about the undertones of color. I’m sure what happened with your drapes is that the undertones in the drapes fought with the rest of the room. One thing, like this can throw off an entire room. Please read: CAN YOU MIX WARM AND COOL COLORS IN DECOR:https://www.stonegableblog.com/can-you-mix-warm-and-cool-colors-in-decor/
I made the mistake of not making a decision and having not cohesive but cute items that resulted in the house looking not pulled together. I had too many little things from too wide a variety of design styles, and I do not want a super knicknacky home. I liked so many colors, I stayed undecided and had bits of too many colors (not overloaded colors but just a smattering of too many and more eclectic than I want to be). It never looked quite right to me even when I had cute things in the main area. I decided to make a decision! I chose white/cream, light green, tan, and small bits of blue and red in my artwork and a few accessories. I donated or passed along generic items and used one of a kind type things that are vintage or if new, look vintage or have character. I said goodbye to the colors outside my very favorites and am much happier with how it is here. It is cohesive now,and it is my heart and not a mishmash design.
Oh, you did the hard but right thing, Tracie! Good for you! Thanks for sharing your story!
Such sage advice! Thank you for your amazing blog where I’ve learned so much. I’ve been loving your sunroom rug for the longest time, and now am ready to pull the trigger!! I don’t want to “stagnate” any longer. Can you share where you purchase that beautiful rug? Many thanks.
Thank you for your kind words, Susan. I’m so glad you have made the decision to get unstuck! So sorry to say… the rug is no longer available. Everyone loves this rug. I found it on erugs.com. I have searched for it everywhere! Here is a pretty rug that is similar. I’m not sure of the quality.
Thank you for this wonderfully encouraging post!
Is decorating with family pictures in beautiful frames taboo in any room? I don’t see these in any decorating blogs.
Not at all. I have family pictures in my study and bedroom. The reason I don’t decorate with family pictures in the areas I photograph is that our children want to keep their children out of any media. You can understand that in this day and age.
Great advice, Yvonne! We have made a lot of blunders in our lifetime — paint & a living room sofa and loveseat! The paint was an “easy” fix but the furniture wasn’t! We ended up selling our furniture in our living room when we sold our home one year later! The people that bought our home absolutely loved our furniture and were happy to buy it! This made us happy, too!
Have a great week! Thanks for all your wonderful posts! I love reading them!
Hi Mary Ann, Oh, you dodged a big one with the furniture! Yay! I love when things work out. So glad you are enjoying the posts. xo
I’ve tried Tuscan in my contemporary/transitional home that has 23 windows, none of them are smaller than 46″, so it floods with light (if I let it)! It was so dark during that phase and I have pictures to prove it…it was all so “drippy”! I’m still dealing with remnants in the kitchen and I’m just going to have to live with it as I don’t see a renovation in my future as we paid a lot of money for the granite countertops and backsplash and cabinet refacing. I’ve also had a pepto bismal pink bedroom and I’m currently contending with an apple green office…at least people on conference calls appreciate that color (it’s more subdued on video). Patience is a virtue when you see new trends come out every season. I’m learning through you that you shouldn’t hop on board in a big way with trends! It’s better to keep the trends to pillows and accessories. Now, what to do with those rolled brown leather couches with the brass buttons!
Loved your real talk about decorating mistakes! Your Pepto Bismol pink walls story had me laughing. It’s so refreshing to see a designer who embraces the mess-ups instead of hiding them.
Your “Fear of Decorating” tip is spot on – sometimes we just need to take the leap and try something new. Thanks for the motivation to keep playing with my space and not get stuck!
Awesome article!
Nor,
You are so welcome. We all make mistakes, especially me!