Yesterday, I thumbed through this book in the bookstore. It speaks to me. It has moved to first place on my book wish list. I’ve never been a fan of rooms done by a professional decorator. I can spot them a mile away and they almost always bore me. As I look at them, all I can think is, ‘But what furniture did the homeowner choose? What shows the homeowner’s personality?” I could never have someone ‘do’ my home for me. Undecorate showcases the homes of wonderfully individual, quirky people who don’t decorate by the rules. A group of paintings might be hung crookedly. There are dogs. There are kids and kid messes. Loved finds are showcased in seemingly impromptu groupings.
I’d much rather see something real than too ‘staged.’ I like pretty photos as much as the next person, don’t get me wrong. I admire them. But I respond from the heart to real and honest. There’s nothing I like more than to walk into someone’s house for the first time and ooh and ah, not about a perfectly pretty space, but about the what that home tells me about the homeowner’s personality. I want to know the story behind the painting, the collection, the funky chair. How did all of these things come to be together in this space? That is what I find fascinating and compelling.
I get bored with an overabundance of one look, whether it be sleek and industrial or shabby and white. After a while, my eyes glaze over. My home has its imperfections, believe me, but if you walked in the door right now, you would sense immediately what Don and I love. You would ‘get’ us.
Here’s to quirky, electic and slightly off-beat.
That’s why this book by Christiane Lemieux is so wonderful. By the way, it is beautifully written. And no, this is not a book review. I simply wanted to share it with you.
On that note, let me close with the perfect quote from May Sarton (written in 1973):
“Standards of housekeeping and home decorating have become pretentious and competitive… I don’t blame people for fleeing those House Beautiful houses, nonshelters, dehumanized, ostentatious, rarely expressing an individual family’s way of life.
When I was writing a column for Family Circle, I had planned one in praise of shabbiness. A house that does nor have one worn, comfy chair is soulless. It all comes back to the fact that we are not asked to be perfect, just human. What a relief it is to walk into a human house!”
well, i couldn’t agree more!
i will have to check out that book sometime…
Oh, this is right up my alley! Will check it out, for sure. People who walk into my home will see a home that is lived in with old things and new. Thanks for sharing Claudia. Ann
I agree with what you said 100%. Granted, my home probably looks a little too lived in, but you could come in and put your feet up and not be at all intimidated.
We went on the Gavleston Historic Homes Tour a few weeks ago. I hate the homes that look like museums and love that ones that look like people really live in them I could move in.
There was one home this year that I’m sure had very, very expensive antiques. It was decorated in a Victorian/Asian style. At least I think that’s what they called it. It was so dark inside with wallpaper that I’m sure set them back a pretty penny and a hand painted wall that was kind of a dark plaid…must have taken weeks to do. Then with all this old Asian stuff mixed in. The killer was the kitchen. No refrigerator…they had an antique ice box. I asked and was told a real refrigerator and a microwave were hidden in a closet. There was an old antique stove that was very nice, but not practical. They must go out to eat all the time. There was also no television. I was told they didn’t have one. I said if they want to be authentic they need to get rid of the central A/C. We go on this tour just about every year and I’ve never seen one like this before.
Oh I love this post. My decor would be eclectic-I guess, I like a little of everything! I decorate with what I like, something from a vacation, a gift from my kids, something that caught my eye-maybe I just liked the color.I enjoy looking through magazines and decor blogs but, I couldn’t live in a decorator house-I have 2 teens and a messy Labrador Retriever! We actually “live” in our house! And, it represents who we are.
-Lynn
Well said, both you and May Sarton. I couldn’t have expressed it better than that, sugar.
xoxo,
Connie
I’ll drink to quirky.
She surely did! What is a a house with pet furr or hair? A few dust bunnies scooting across a floor. COLOR? The all white look, frankly, just bores me to tears.
Brenda
I’m with you, Claudia! My own home is an “undecorated” house.
That May is one wise, wise woman Claudia. Such a great quote. Such an awesome post. I don’t know what my house would be if it didn’t have little doggie prints on the white bedspread and slipcovers. Not to mention grandchildrens drawings on the fridge and all over my kitchen island. Leftovers from a great weekend. Not so crazy about the candy wrappers all over the den floor however.lol! But that’s what I get for spoiling them and making their dentist a rich man!
Your loving message to me was a blessing to my heart Claudia. Thank you from the bottom of it!
hugs from here…
I agree completely also. In fact- my home is undecorated too. My Mom tells people if you go to Kim’s house it looks like a big museum of “Kim” :) I keep orange ceramic pumpkins on display in my living room year round simply because they make me smile and remind me of so many good events in my life. Who wants to be surrounded by things that don’t make them smile? I have to look for this book now :)
Love this. My eyes glaze over when I look at too much “perfect” also. I gave up trying a long time ago and just have what I love around my house. I like too many styles to go with just one, perfect look. My kitchen is very eclectic, but I’m trying to let go and relax the rest.
Some of the most comfortable homes I’ve been in have been the “undecorated” ones.
Hugs,
Jill
This is a great post Claudia. I too love a home that is comfortable and reflects the people who live there. “Model” homes are not reality. I support “Designer Homes” for charity purposes but not for living in them. I love eclectic! Happy Undecorating…
Hi Claudia, Nice blog! How to add the Glitter Effect Mouse Pointer to your Blog
Hi Claudia,
I love your blog and, as you can tell by my comments, read it regularly. I am always happy to see that you have a new posting each day. I, too, am trying to post everyday during the week. I am taking the weekends off from blogging to spend time with my husband on the weekends…although I do check in to read and respond to comments. I love it that you are not trying to sell anything or promote anything…you are just writing and sharing about your life. I love that about your blog! I am enjoying walking along on the journey with you! In regards to the posting today… I think a home evolves. Like a journal or blog, the home tells a story about you. It shows where you have been and the things you have encountered along the way. I, too, love homes that tell you a lot about the person who lives there. I think our homes should be full of the people and things that we truly love. I can tell that your home is like that… Have a beautiful day! xoxo Kim
my house is about as eclectic as it gets! There are a few pieces that we have bought because we love them and a few that we inherited that we cherish. Nothing is decorated. It is all just here to be comfortable in.
When you walk into our kitchen, (we never use the front door) you find my favorite colors of purple, green and yellow.
I like comfy coziness! My grands are in evidence everywhere you look.
I don’t like the style of our house, as we bought my husband’s grandparents’ house to be next door to his dad. But, we have made it our own.
I’m with you, Claudia. My father was an interior designer. HE DECORATED TWO GOVERNORS MANSIONS AND LOTS OF OTHER RICH PEOPLE’S HOMES BEAUTIFULLY.
Oops sorry for shouting.
But you should have seen our house! Six kids. Need I say more?
That sounds worth checking out. My kind of living!
Great post Claudia. I been told many times my home is “me”. Not sure if that is good or bad, but I like it. :)
Claudia,
As you know from my e-mails…I love this posting! In fact this spring I bought a tablecloth for my kitchen that doesn’t go with any of the other colors in the space. You know what? I love the tablecloth so much I said “who cares” it’s staying because I love it! I also don’t like to follow trends. I have a friend who thinks that everything should blend and flow from room to room, but I like color so I’ve painted every room a different color. Guess what? I love it! My house is definitely eclectic. I’ve never been a fan of matching everything.
I do love looking at magazines that have beautifully decorated spaces, but I’m usually drawn to the styles that don’t looked staged. So cheers to a little dog hair, a tattered chair and things that don’t match! Like many others who have posted, our homes evolve and tell a story about us, and what is important to us.