When is Decorating Dated?

 When is Decorating Dated? Who decides what is in style? 

And how to make money when everyone has done it? Everyone decorated in Avocado..lets change it to Lime Green..now lets change it to Aqua Green. Who decides when a color is right or wrong?

There is no rule book when it comes to decorating. But if there were, the rules are meant to be broken.

I recently read an article about a decorator’s idea of dated decorating.Obviously it is a decorator trying to drum up some business.   Not to say there isn’t some truth…just that dated doesn’t mean poor quality or bad taste or just an older look.  Ugly is ugly I don’t care what year it is!   I don’t agree with every decorator’s work I see.   It is what we like, the style, the color that makes our house our home.   Yes, everything comes back around in style some way or another.  Maybe just a different shade of color or textile texture. 

 7 Sins of Decorating    

#1-Mauve.

It has come and gone. A thing of the 80’s and 90’s. If you are using mauve…you are in a time warp.  I am not a mauve person, and would think most men would object.  But perhaps another shade not so drab.  I personally don’t like any “dusty color”.  So let's change it to plum or eggplant.

#2-Track Lighting.  Track and recessed lighting interrupt a beautiful ceiling. Track lighting is bulky and clunky.   I would agree with that point on track lighting. I have never liked it even when it was the newest and hottest thing going. But,  I still love recessed lighting.  There are just some places you need light and don’t have room for something hanging down in the way.  So have to disagree on that one.

#3-Tiles.  Vivid colored tiles are from 20 years ago.   I am not a vivid color person myself…but have seen some beautiful tile work and ceramic sinks.  I think this may be a personal choice. Art is art…but I would think twice before I installed something that would limit the decorating choices down the road for myself or someone else.

#4-Brightly colored oriental rugs.  They say only pale rugs are in now.  I am not a rug person, but guess if I needed a pop of color it would be a rug, or a pillow or some accent piece of furniture.  Some of those rugs are really expensive. If it looks good, I say keep it. 

#5-Wall paper borders.  1980’s over decorating is how it is described.  Pretty much!  But I still see decorators doing it in children’s rooms.  I actually love wall paper boarders…everywhere except the tops of walls.  They can border a mirror, a door way…give a real pop to the inside of a closet.

#6-Flower power. Not in upholstery.  No more floral sofas they say.  Funny I just read another article where a decorator said….get a couple floral or loud colored chairs for a pop of color.  I have seen some  ugly floral sofas and some really beautiful ones. So get the beautiful one!  If it is on Craig’s List…it is probably an ugly one.

#7-Valances-Say no to the droopy swoop.  But you can have a tailored valance with box pleats or a cornice style.  I have seen some homes with blinds and no curtains, curtains made out of placemats , sheets and other odd things.  If it droops and looks good…I don’t have a problem with it.  Sometimes it is just for a pop of color.  Tailored isn’t always for every look. So I can’t go with this one. 

Let me repeat: There is no rule book when it comes to decorating. But if there were, the rules are meant to be broken. 

I will say that I meet a lot of women who will admit they have no idea when it comes to decorating. So if you know someone who does…introduce them!  Clutter is the #1 “decorating don’t” in any color or style. The only rule you don’t break when it comes to decorating.

If you aren’t sure what you want when it comes to decorating. Start looking through magazines.  Start tearing out those pages and start a scrap book of things you like.  Then, start going for that look.  Whether you have the money to do the whole room at once, or you have to do it one piece at a time.  It will get there!  But start! Do you have items that just need repainted? New knobs?  New light fixtures? Sometimes it is just simple things.  Never be afraid to ask for help!

Sherry Scales, REALTOR®

HomeNet Realty

12444 Research Blvd, Ste 100

Austin, TX  78759

512.925.8928 Cell

sherry@sherryscales.com

Visit my website: www.Luxury-Homes-in-Austin.com  to search for homes.