First, a few of you asked about this vase and bowl from yesterday's post:
They are from Anthropologie, HERE.
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So, I started a new Pinterest board (HERE) mainly for people who email me questions and don't know a lot about decorating, but want to learn. It is called "TRICKS OF THE (DECORATING) TRADE." I run across decorating tips and tricks and ideas all the time on Pinterest and in magazine. Most often, I disagree with them. But on this board are the ones I tend to agree with (but don't always follow - there are always exceptions). Rules like "hang your curtains wide and high," or "for rugs, the bigger the better," and "group like objects together." It also has ideas on things like how to conceal your pet's dishes, how to make your trim look bigger etc.
One of the first pins I added was THIS one:
And I actually changed this pin caption to read:
"Love Jan Showers, but I disagree that "every" rooms needs black. You probably wouldn't put black in a pink nursery, for example. But I love it in the vast majority of rooms and treat black like the neutral that it is."
Not real controversial. Or so I thought. It turned into a pretty nasty comment session between a few people, and I had to delete most of the comments, although a few of the less offensive ones remain. And for once I wasn't involved in any of the drama (it didn't make me angry like it does when people comment that I shouldn't pin x, y, or z....) and I was not involved in the aggression. Phew.
But it got me thinking. What kind of rooms would I NOT put black in? (Not that it couldn't work in some of these rooms - just that it wouldn't be my choice, as it wasn't these designers' choice). (Oh, and I don't agree with the statement about antiques either, but that's for another day :)
At the risk of causing drama with those who don't agree, here they are:
^^^
This one obviously would look great with some black, but it looks great like it is, too - that's why I don't agree that "every" room "needs" some black. The same with these - black would look good in most of them, but I also think they are perfect as they are:
Please don't in any way take this as a criticism of Jan Showers, whose work I adore. She is one of the best designers in the world and I love every thing she does. I just didn't happen to agree with this one comment, but of course not every one is ever going to agree on everything.
At the end of the day, there are no rules. Do what you like! And if you don't know what you like or don't know how to achieve it, ask a friend or decorator. And be nice. Those are my only rules :)
What do you guys think - do you have any rooms without black?
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hi stacy - another lovely post as always. also, many thanks for pointing us to those beautiful blue and white items from anthropologie! also, i'll be following your new pinterest board.
have a wonderful day!
:D
I've heard that comment about every room needing something black in it...and I never agreed with it. I can't say I feel that strongly about it lol. I also can't say I ever think about design rules when I'm decorating. That would completely take the fun out of it for me. There are things that I'm picky about, but it's just personal preference. Words on walls and untailored drapes are two that come to mind, but I know there are creative people out there that can make them work. But, if you ever see a sappy quote on my wall call the X-File people because someone snatched my body.
Oh, dear....well, it IS a personal "thing" and I have to have black in every room...it grounds me. Something about that black item...makes it okay. No sayings for me, though...but, again, that's just me. franki
Love this post! I do have some rooms without black, but most have something black in it. But, I can't say that I purposely set out to do so. The room just came together that way. I do like to see at least one antique in a room (actually the more,the better), but then I am somewhat of an antiqueaholic. I do like the "rule" about the curtains and do like to see a punch of red somewhere in a room if at all possible. All in all, I agree that there are few (or no) hard and fast decorating rules. And at the end of day, one should decorate to suit their own taste and style. Thanks for the beautiful photos. I'm off now to look at your Pinterest board.
I had a friend who used to insist that black and white are not colours. Anyone who has ever worked with paints and a colour wheel will disagree with that statement.
I love that both all white rooms and strong statement with black in rooms are so popular.
You have added some great combinations here today. Especially love the living room with the lilac curtains.
Half of my rooms have some black, half don't. I don't believe in rules. ;-)
I also don't agree with black in every room. In my current house the only black we have is in picture frames. Now, we do have contrast & lots of it! But, I happen to find contrast quite comforting & have a tendency to have some form of it in EVERY room. But, that's MY personal style! -Jenny
I agree with you black doesn't have to be in every room. It's should be something that's a part of the design plan. My bedroom is teal and red, don't want any black in that space, however my dining room has black striped wallpaper on half of the wall below the chair rail is painted in black, my dishes are black toile my drapes are gold with black greek accents and the carpet is teal. I use black in a room only if I have a piece of fabric or accessory that I don't want to paint and must see it in ta particular room.
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