I recently visited my Aunt and was struck by the different feel of her home, compared with ours, primarily due to her beautiful use of color. I especially loved the vintage velvet chairs at her dining room table...
The interior of her home reminds me of a cottage in rural France. The spice-toned colors provide a very warm and welcoming atmosphere, which makes you want to linger! I enjoyed the colorful character and cozy feel.
In comparison, we've used a primarily neutral and white palette in our home. I enjoy the light-filled spaces, which provide a restful backdrop for our full days.
Though I used a lot of color in our last home, this home, with its white wainscoting and many double-hung farmhouse windows, lends itself more to a light and sun-faded feel. The white, slip-covered furniture works well for our house full of boys (since it can be bleached!).
Many people have a strong opinion about color, or the lack-there-of, in decorating. (Thank you for your comments - both complimentary and "constructive." ;) But, I think most of us appreciate a diversity of color palettes, even if they are different from what we use in our own homes. After all, variety is the spice of life!
What a pretty home your aunt has...wish we got to see more! For me I need color but I also love the look of neutral and whites!
ReplyDeleteHi Martina - I love how you use color in your home! I'll try to take more pictures next time. :)
DeleteYour aunt´s house looks very cosy but I need lots of white.To me it´s calming,like you said....variety is the spice of life.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Caroline
I know what you mean! :)
DeleteYou know I like color, but have love more of a neutral backdrop with my walls being off white or pale gray except for my bedroom which may get lightened up some day. I love looking at neutral rooms, but when I have tried doing that I slowly was adding color back in.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a nice mix in your home, Kim. I love that you naturally find yourself adding color back in... shows what you prefer!
DeleteI like both styles very much. The "neutral" color scheme, to me, highlights texture more because I think that our minds see it easier in that environment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice entry. We have a working farm, meaning animals beyond chickens (goats and equines) as well as large gardens so white does not work for us but I do enjoy and appreciate the look. I also like how you note that the covers can be washed and bleached. When I saw your bed linens I was amused by the no chocolate rule. but what I most enjoy is your attitude that no part of your house is off limits to kids. Items can be washed, walls washed and repainted and kids can (and should) learn to eat at the kitchen table which was always the rule when I was growing up and when I raised my kids, no matter how the home was decorated. Eating at the table would go far in eliminating obesity in all ages. I look at your blog to get some nice ideas for my log home (I don't decorate with bear appliques :) ) with a bit of color added to spare me daily washing and bleaching. There are many farm and country blogs that I pass by because they are filled with dirty looking items and so called handmade items like rag dolls and "primitive" wall art that display an appalling lack for needlework and painting artistry. Many of these sites(and magazines) also display vast collections of antiques within the home that I feel more appropriate to a museum than daily life in the country. No farmer in any time would have not used paint unless it was something delegated to the barn, and all farmwives would have insisted on perfect handwork for themselves and for what they had their girls make. Your country style shows an appreciation for fine fabric and artistry within your home, a style that is historically correct, does not overwhelm the senses with clutter, and should be encouraged no matter what the color palette.
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda ~ thank you so much for your thoughtful comments! I have learned more about historic country living from you. I find your comment about children eating only at the table a good challenge for us to work towards... I think you might be on to something. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteYour aunts home looks very pretty. I'm more of a neutral girl myself because I tire of color so easily. So, I find working with neutrals is best so I can add small doses of color when I feel like it. I also like a lot of change and neutrals allow me to do that more easily. I could happily live in your house! It's perfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kelly for saying you could happily live in our house! That means so much ~ I love your home and think we appreciate very similar styles! :)
DeleteI love your white and gray...it is soothing. I always have had white walls in our home until we moved last year.
ReplyDeleteNow, my dining/kitchen and our living area is terra cotta and at first, I thought, O, BOY, wheres the nearest paint store...but I decided to give it a try...so many people that came to see us commented on the Frenchness of the color...and as I added lots of white to the rooms, I am starting to like it...I really like it in the dining area as we have a lot of windows and 2 sets of French doors so it's so light and the color of the walls is fast making me FALL IN LUV...:)
O, and meant to add that after seeing your aunt;s blue transfer ware on her terra cotta walls, I am going to put my plates on my wall...thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI think a photo of my wall color is in my post today.
I prefer to use a neutral color palette and add color in some of the accessories! Love your style!!
ReplyDeleteI liked seeing the comparison ! :) You have a lovely room there..especially like the corner cupboard.
ReplyDeletevery pretty Little Farmstead :)
ReplyDeleteI love the neutral! I am trying to do more of this in my home, slowly, room by room. Sometimes it feels a little blah, but I have to remember TEXTURE!!! Thanks for sharing!
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