This has been fun to read! For me the perfectly decorated home would have a man cave for DH's recliner and that wide screen TV he wants.

Ha ha. There you go C-Mom put the things you don't want on show all in one room! Will he have room darkening shades to keep the glare off the TV when he's watching his favorite teams too?

A perfectly decorated home means different things to different people. I think it's a matter of the form over function side versus the function over form side. Either side can be taken to extremes.

Too me, a spotless, beautifully designed home can look heartless and uncomfortable A functional home with no thought to decoration can look chaotic....and uncomfortable There is a nice medium in there somewhere.

Perfectly decorated was something I used to think was obtainable, but my life only allows me to get so far, and reality rears it's ugly (sometimes undecorated!) head.

Check out the business featured in the NYT last week.

Here is a link that might be useful: A book by its cover

I wonder if there isn't some reverse snobbism in all of this-because very neat and/or picture perfect houses are perceived to be lived in by people who are cold, deny themselves comfort, superficial, heartless or obtained by people who have unrealistic lives, etc. and that is supposed to pass without comment (as true?)--but if this thread said "I believe that everyone who has a recliner is trash, and their house probably smells bad because they are dirty" people would jump all over that.

I am not making a particular judgment about either scenario and I happen to think recliners can be comfortable. I am just commenting on the mentality of the discussion :)

I never said that a home with a recliner, huge TV or room darkening shades was the only way to have a warm and comforting home. My point was that if that's what helps make a home for some feel warm and comforting than they shouldn't be frowned upon. If we all liked the same exact things in our homes there would be no reason for this discussion board.
If another family feels comfortable living in a perfectly decorated home with everything perfectly in it's place, which in my opinion would be pretty darn awesome but unrealistic for me and my family, then they should be able to live that way without fear of ridicule.

Though I can see where you might have thought that when I said that demifloyd hit the nail on the head. I didn't mean every word she said, just the gist of it. Lynn's comments also may be what you are thinking of, but she did say "staged" which in my opinion white slip covered books tons of pillows and a coffee table filled with pretties with no place left to put a coaster for a drink does seem more staged than realistic. If someone likes their home that way then so be it. In hindsight I would have been better to state that in my original post. Sorry.
As for the mentality of this discussion, by what I've read, I'm not the only one finding it quite interesting to learn how others feel.

I don't think that comfort and style are mutually exclusive. We have blackout drapes and roller shades because... they work. I can't sleep in a light room, and we live in Texas, where summers can be brutally hot. I think if you don't have blackout...something...on your South and West windows in this part of Texas then you're foolish. But, I'm no decorator.

I just bought a pair of recliners, and I think they're the bee's knees. Don't care much what others think of them, because they won't be sitting in them. The room they're in is just for me. I only bought a pair in case DH wants to sit in there and recline with me. And I like pairs of things.

I'm not sure where others were ridiculed for having signs of life or comfort, but they shouldn't have been. Everyone has different tastes, styles, budgets, lifestyles, etc. That's what makes all of this decorating interesting, I think.

And I have a story. I've been thinking about this, but had nowhere to post it, so this seems as good a place as any. I have a cupboard over the coffee maker filled with cups and mugs. Mostly white or cream china and stoneware. I collect white dinnerware, so there's a mix of Mikasa, Spode, Buffalo, Homer Laughlin, Johnson Brothers, etc. Beautiful cups! Old, expensive cups!

We hosted Thanksgiving, and when it came time for the after-dinner coffee, people were helping themselves, when my sister pulled out, from the back of the cabinet, the old jadeite green Melmac cups. She asked kind of sheepishly "Can we use THESE?" Turns out, everyone thought the Melmac was just so cool and retro, they all wanted one, so we pulled them all out, and everyone drank out of those. The poor people who ended up with the vintage Spode (!!) were jealous.

Who knew? We use the green Melmac because it matches the kitchen walls, we have a lot of 1950's decor in the kitchen, and DH prefers the plastic plates. I have a growing collection of Boonton and Texas Ware, but we rarely use the cups. I always thought people would find them tacky or cheap or whatever, and I prefer my coffee in stoneware mugs, but turns out, everyone thought they were very, very cool.

I've given up trying to impress people with what's in my home. We have what we want and like and use and what suits us, and it just is what it is. I'll always have some sort of angst about my decor, simply because it's just not like "theirs" but I'm becoming more and more OK with that. And I can never predict what things people will find tacky or wonderful, so why worry over it?

And here's another thought. "Perfectly decorated" acording to whom?

We all have different tastes and tolerances and needs, so who's to say what particular things make something good or bad? Stylish or dated? What some see as a wonderful "layered" look, others call it clutter. Some like the soft pale pastels, others call them "cold." Some people like lots of dark woods and richly colored walls, others think it looks dark and claustrophibic.

I do think, and the more I see and read and research and learn, I KNOW this to be true, there is a "right" way to pull off any look. There are rules of decorating, and by following at least some of the rules, you can make any style of decor or collection of things look fabulous.

I see this all of time on here or in decorating mags. I can look at the photos and think "Good grief! I'd never have THAT in my house! But, boy, did they ever do a great job of it!"

It's late, and I have no idea if any of this makes sense. Just my 2 cents.

I have lately been reading gw with some trepidation because I expect to find another white paper towel, don't sleep on the beds etc type thread. Sloppy people don't mind a messed up bed you know, because they're pigs anyhow right? It's like people have forgotten it's paint and fabric. It's nothing in the grand scheme of things. Fun to talk about but not to the point of excluding your family from living in their homes. When decor gies ti the level if neurotic it's actually hard to read :(.

I think you can have both style and comfort. For me, I feel more relaxed in my rooms if I like they way they look, so that is part of comfort for me but I'm learning that even though my style is a little more formal, I don't want it to be so stiff that it's not inviting or comfortable (not that my rooms are picture perfect--yet!)

And you thought that linen wrapped books were bizarre? I had to show you these torn cover/spine paperback books tied with twine. Restoration Hardware is 'selling' them for $29 per stack. In our local store they were on sale for 70% off. I wonder why...no, I really wonder who they thought would be gullible enough to buy them for the "perfect decor"! Sheesh...

Here is a link that might be useful: Stacked books

My house is neither picture perfect, nor super comfy! But as Tryingtodecorate said,"I feel more relaxed in my rooms if I like they way they look."

My mother raised her children around nice things that she never put away. Her philosphy was if "they never learn to be around nice things at home, what will they be like in public, or in other homes?"

She loved crystal & china and nice fabric and fine woods. I never saw her freak out about us sitting or playing or being around any of it. (She freaked out about plenty of other things, however!) She trusted that I'd learn to be respectful of things and would not do something ridiculous, I guess. So, in my current decor, which is similar to what I was raised with, and a bit formal, I feel at home, I feel at ease, but it's not because I have what is normally considered "comfort furniture." A more casual style would probably make me feel uneasy!

For me the conflict comes in because I tend to favor many antique pieces that are somewhat small in scale and finely detailed, but that would never hold up to the big men in my family. So, I associate "comfort" with the scale with which they are comfortable and "beautifully decorated" with the scale which pleases me. And as for those recliners, I have seen recliners that I consider beautiful, but they wouldn't fit the family football players.
Now, what is the issue with blackout window coverings? I live in Texas. I was heretofore unaware of this earth-shattering conflict altogether, apparently. All my curtains are either silk, linen, or burlap, but they all have one layer of interlining and one layer of blackout lining (which is ivory, by the way). Some have bamboo Romans under them to boot. So I've committed an egregious faux pas?

compumom....I saw those books at Restoration Hardware and laughed...I thought I could give my nephew (18 months) a few paperbacks to play with....they would look like that, and then I could tie them with some twine....

I've changed my look over the years, our formal living room is much more casual, I sold the formal camel back couch and bought a wide wale corduroy couch...very comfy...purchased a chair and ottoman...and a large computer desk....got rid of the armoire for the computer...I purchased most of it on craigs list...I call it my craigs list room....and it gets used a lot more.

My STBX husband's home is over the top in high end fixtures, design, detail, space, furniture, accessories, etc. Originally, a very high end builder built the home for himself.

My STBX is an absolute neat-freak. You would never find even a piece of paper sitting on a counter, or a piece of furniture not in the exact spot it should be in. He has all brand new furniture and accessories.

I was a little envious of his home the first time I went there. It had so many details that I would have liked in my new home (but, I could not afford) after I went a couple more times, I realized I really didn't like it.

It was too perfect that it seemed very, very cold. It tends to have a masculine feel to it. It didn't seem like a home to me. He did have a couple of pictures of his children around, but that didn't help at all.

What is the big deal about having recliners, huge TVs, room darkening shades, etcetera... in your home if it makes your family happy?

Not a thing. DH has a recliner in the great room, it looks more like a chair and is very comfortable while being attractive. We have a large TV in the great room, but I designed sliding doors to hide it when not in use. That makes me happy. I don't turn it on during the day and rarely at night if DH is out of town.

There are many one liners I would pull from posts instead of writing it all out again. These are biggies for me:

I think you can have both at the same time, and I think you can live happily without disorder. But my idea of perfect is...I dunno compared to what the OP might mean. Pal

It's not impossible to have a perfectly decorated house that gets messed up on weekends or in daily living; Mitchdesj

What works for us, might not for another family. I pretty much second everything Demi said (well said Demi!). Tinam61

Dawnp said Decorating is not important to her. Having sentimental things displayed is.

But, again, you can have both.

I think it's all based on a personal opinion, wants, needs and desires. I raised three children in an attractive, comfortable home. One of my favorite compliments over the years (last home) was when when a next door neighbor of 10+ years came in and said "your house is a 'home,' it's so comfortable."

Many probably think my home is "formal," but to us it is not. #1, it is comfortable and #2 it is filled with things that are pleasing to my eye, family reminders that mean a lot to me and found items purchased when traveling that bring back memories each time I see them.

I honestly do not care if anyone likes my home or anything in my home. Yes, it is nice to hear someone say they do, but that is not what we built or designed our home to do - impress. It was designed for us, enjoyed by us and is comfortable to us. If it is to family and friends that come over, that's all the better.

One should never "dress to impress" because what impresses one may not impress another. One will never be satisfied... and how sad would that be.

This is an interesting discussion.

I understand the questions of the OP. We've all had an inspiration experience of a beautifully decorated space, followed by wonderings of how practical it would be for our lives. I LOVE white slip-covered furniture, BUT . . . I have two boys (one is sticky and one is greasy), a spouse who likes to eat in the living room, and a cat. That's my real life. I don't necessarily find a perfectly decorated space to be "cold", though.

I strive to find things that meet both the beautiful and practical criteria for our family. It can be a matter of compromise, where at times, I sacrifice a bit of beauty for function or a bit of function for beauty. But, my general goal is to find the best of both worlds, and I don't want to feel as though I've sacrificed one for the other.

One of my absolute favorite things I've found is a gorgeous Hooker antiqued, distressed hutch and cabinet for our television. It has bun feet and wonderful doors that can be shut when the TV is not in use. Hubby is happy with the large, flat-screen TV, and I'm happy it doesn't always have to be the center of attention and can be housed in a beautiful piece of furniture, safe from the ever-present flying Nerf darts!

But, I can also share a story of a not-so-fabulous looking piece of furniture that was just as loved. My in-laws gave us their used sofa when we were first married. It was large, beige, and nothing to write home about in terms of its appearance. BUT . . . it was THE most comfortable thing to sit on - ever! It was so comfortable that when my sister would come to visit, she'd ask to sleep on that couch, rather than our guest bed. People remarked all the time about the comfort of that couch. We kept it for a good long while for that reason.

As for the cleanliness factor, I think that a clean house always looks great and makes everything in it look better. When I am surrounded by clutter, my mind feels cluttered, and it is hard for me to relax. I realize that others may find a clean home to look somewhat cold or sterile. People's perceptions are as diverse as their backgrounds and experiences. And that's okay. My mother-in-law loves knick knacks (for lack of a better word) and loves to surround herself with them - lots of them. I perceive that as clutter, and it stresses me. We just have different preferences. And again, that's okay.

I'm okay - you're okay - we're all okay. :o)

My house is full of wall art and antiques (quite of bit of the art is from my husband, a talented painter, which makes it very personal for me). We also have large landscape paintings in beautiful, rather ornate frames. These things are going to be there no matter how messy or "lived in" a room becomes. Our large TV and huge couch are in the TV room so that the living room is really more for company and to walk through and enjoy on the way to other rooms. The computer room has a pretty rug, nice couch and lots of paintings too, which averts the eye from the somewhat messy, but very handsome, desk. If the furniture, art, window coverings, carpeting, etc. are well done, then real life can take place in those rooms, while the beautiful (in my eyes) background is there to please the eye. Almost everyone who visits comments on how warm and comfortable our house is, even when everything is tidy and put away. Rich, warm colors can do a lot to create that feeling, as does having things around you that you love. Oriental and other rugs that are beautiful wear just as well as beige wall-to-wall carpeting. I believe you really can have it all, the comfort and the beauty.

Ingrid, you said what I was thinking perfectly.

Sometimes I think I must be nuts that I think our family room is perfectly decorated. Well, almost, I need to find a couple of things for one wall since we moved things around and got a wall mount TV. But anyway, I love the curtains, the rug, the wall paint, the paintings on the wall, etc. If you could only see it now though. You can barely walk across the room after the play session my son had this morning! But it can all go back in the toy box and someday I know I will miss stepping on legos. I think that must be why Toy Story 3 makes me cry every time I see it! :)

Very interesting topic.

I agree that you can have both. What is perfectly decorated is different to everyone. And let's not forget that the pictures of rooms in magazines and on TV are staged for the photo shoot. It is probably not how the homeowner actually lives.

I agree with Pal. There have been comments in other threads about how there's something wrong with someone that lives in a really clean house. I live in a really clean house. It's just the way I like to live. Clutter and dirt in my house make me really, really cranky. However, in other people's houses I couldn't care less (well, to a point - when it's hard to find a clean glass to get a drink of water, a line has been crossed!). That doesn't mean we don't live in the house. It just means at the end of the day, everything gets put away/back where it belongs. Only takes a few minutes and there's no accumulation from day to day.

However, I have a large screen TV that is very prominent in my family room. We are a sports watching family. The TV cannot be big enough for me! I have no desire for it to be hidden since it is a big part of our leisure/family time. Maybe to others it is ugly, but not to me. To me, it is perfect, except a little too small:-)

I could have very well written this myself and have actually said basically the same before many time. "I honestly do not care if anyone likes my home or anything in my home. Yes, it is nice to hear someone say they do, but that is not what we built or designed our home to do - impress. It was designed for us, enjoyed by us and is comfortable to us. If it is to family and friends that come over, that's all the better." Allison0704

"I understand the questions of the OP." Thank you Jan in Wisconsin who also wrote this: "I strive to find things that meet both the beautiful and practical criteria for our family. It can be a matter of compromise, where at times, I sacrifice a bit of beauty for function or a bit of function for beauty. But, my general goal is to find the best of both worlds, and I don't want to feel as though I've sacrificed one for the other." and I totally agree. Form and function is very important to me, but you can't always have an even balance of the two, so you decide which is more important for that particular need and chose from there which way to lean.

Here's to Jill in NJ that loves her big screen TV! Cheers! And go Green Bay beat the Bears this Sunday! "However, I have a large screen TV that is very prominent in my family room. We are a sports watching family. The TV cannot be big enough for me! I have no desire for it to be hidden since it is a big part of our leisure/family time. Maybe to others it is ugly, but not to me. To me, it is perfect, except a little too small:-)" Though I sit at my computer in another room in view of the big screen instead of beside my hubby, I can't handle sudden noises and he quite often yells without notice, I do enjoy the game. A small screen just wouldn't cut it.

justgotabme....I was enjoying everyone's perspective until you got it so wrong. You did mean to say "go Bears beat the Packers" right?????
LOL!

deedee99 in Illinois (who will be in a recliner on Sunday)

Go BEARS!! (DS/25yo has lived in Chicago for 7 years now.)

Bears... Packers....

doesn't matter who the Steelers will beat in the Super Bowl!
LOL!

Wow this thread really took a change for the worse.
Actually we own a very small piece of the Packers. Something, as far as I know of, no other fan of any other NFL or AFL team can say. So I'll stick with my Go Green Bay!

Oh, go STEELERS!!!! Please, oh, please, oh, please beat the Jets. I cannot stand another week of listening to the Jets talk around these parts. In case you were wondering, I am NOT a Jets fan :-) Go Giants? No, I guess not. Just wait 'til next year (again) :-)

"Bears... Packers....
doesn't matter who the Steelers will beat in the Super Bowl! "

-- Love it! It's always great to 'run into' other Steeler fans but I guess that's why it's called Steeler Nation ;)

Back to the original topic, Allision's post rang true for me. I want my house to feel like a home. I want people to be comfortable when they come here as we entertain a lot. I struggle with decorating and that's why I visit these boards but it's topics like this that I enjoy the most. Thanks for posting.

The 2011 Super Bowl is being held a mere 20 minutes from my front door, and may I just say "UGH!" at the very thought. Thousands upon thousands of people coming in for this event - many of whom don't even have tickets to go to the actual game - but they will descend upon us in droves, driving the wrong way down our one-way streets, stumbling drunk downtown from bar to bar, turning what was a short commute into an endless traffic jam.

Oh, sorry. What were we discussing again? ;-D

"'Perfectly' decorated Home verses a Perfect Home for your Family?" These are NOT mutually exclusive!

I wish I could wholeheartedly agree with the above statement, but there are many things about my home's decor that I wish were not so. My DH - I love him dearly - but he's a semi-hoarder who has to have all his stuff OUT. In plain sight. That means that there are stacks of muscle magazines and DVDs and sporting equipment and books and just all kinds of guy stuff on surfaces where I'd so much rather be displaying a lovely piece of art pottery or framed photos ... anything but what (to me) is just junk that should either be tossed out or stored out of sight. But because I love him and have grown to, if not understand, then at least more or less accept his need to have his junk (er, stuff) visible, I have compromised my decor. It would be nice if every space in my house were pretty, but that will never be the case.

Then again, maybe the compromise in itself is its own form of perfection.

I think though that there is a misconception that houses you see published in magazines look like that when the photographer is not there. It takes hours to style those photos and often a truckload of accessories the magazine brings with them. Even for photos published in here, I am sure the "afters" are taken of rooms at their best.

I think slip covered books are an inexpensive way to add a little color and decor to a room. I don't have any, but I don't think it is silly especially if the covers are in toile or another lovely fabric. I'd rather see a slip covered book rather than a nasty, dirty cover.

That one statement is in the same vein as "why do some people have a problem with TV, recliner's, etc."

As long as a home is clean and neat, I personally don't even care about the decor. My own house is decorated for my lifestyle, not a magazine.

The following quotes might be of interest:

"Decorating is not about making stage sets, it's not about making pretty pictures for the magazines; it's really about creating a quality of life, a beauty that nourishes the soul." -Albert Hadley, The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer

"Design is coming to grips with one's real lifestyle, one's real place in the world. Rooms should not be put together for show but to nourish one's well- being." -Albert Hadley, The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer

"Make your home as comfortable and attractive as possible and then get on with living. There's more to life than decorating." -Albert Hadley, The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer

"We're all collectors by nature. But if you're talking about an orderly life, there has to be a stop sign somewhere. Building a collection requires a strong constitution and the ability to resist." -Albert Hadley, The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer

Molly, for those of us who read a lot, and sometimes read a book two and three times and also loan them out to friends, it would be impossible to identify a book by it's slipcover.

I enjoy sitting on my sofa and peeking into the booknook of all the books we've accumulated over the years, and especially my dad's college textbooks that are worn and ragged. For me that's part of the charm of a book collection.

I've seen perfectly decorated rooms, even in my style and the rooms look absolutely cold to me because there's no organized clutter from every day life.

Where are the coasters? Where are the strewn books and magazines one is reading during picture time? Where's the throw/blanket on the sofa or recliner that's used nightly?

The only things I've really cleaned before I take a picture are the kitchen countertops and dirty dishes. But even in
"perfectly decorated" kitchens I never see whimsical things we all have sitting on a windowsill or countertop that we have there just for fun.

For months I've thought about doing a "Come as You Are" topic where everyone takes a picture of their living room or the room they hung out in the previous night (no bedrooms, please, lol) before they've tidyied (sp) up for the day. Now THAT would be interesting!

Off Topic for a sec...again:
Allison, I forgot to mention that I was a Bears fan back in the Gayle Sayers, Brian Piccolo days way back in the sixties. I only became a Packer fan after meeting my hubby in late 79, but I love the Packers.

Back on topic:
I'm hoping that some of the younger members here see this thread and realize they don't have to be afraid to decorate their home without outsiders approval to make it "perfect". In my un-slipcovered book...if it pleases the ones that live there it is "perfect".

Molly, you can count me in with Oakleyok as one who reads her books more than once and would hate to have to remove each and every slip cover to find the book I wanted to read. I'll add that those of us that love books and reading would never let our books get nasty and dirty. Ewwwww! If that did happen I'd carefully clean them before thinking of covering up the dirt with a slip cover.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gayle Sayers and Brian Piccolo

(I wasn't old enough in the 60s to realize football even existed, but I do remember watching Brian's Song in 1971 - I was 11yo. Sad movie.)

I can maybe semi-see the appeal of the covered book thing in a small quantity, as decoration. But not an entire bookcase.

I read the book Brian's Song in tenth grade (making me enough older than you to remember it more) and then we watched the movie. It was very heart breaking.

OT Born in Marinette (1952-wow)-GO PACKERS! Justgotabme, I am SO jealous! I always wished my dad had bought me a share of the team. SO sad he never did. Still, win or lose, they are my team!

Back on topic:
Perfectly decorated=opinion. If you love it, it's perfect!

Yeah Cyn! Another Packer Fan. Don't be too jealous, it's just an itty bitty piece. If you ask me the fact that no other team is actually owned by it's fans says that the Packers are really The true American Team!

I agree that if you love it, though I'd ad if it works for your family since they live there too, it's perfect.

Re:books.....what's with vintage books, their covers torn off deliberately, and used as decorating items? Or a stack of books tied together with a ribbon? How contrived is that, and what a complete waste of a beautiful cover. I love sitting and looking at my vintage books, covers intact, knowing they have served their purpose, and i'm now enjoying them. Without my vintage books, my bookcase/secretary wouldn't be the thing of beauty that it is. They're also the nicest 'riser' for any accessory. ;o)

There was a post here yesterday with a picture of the living room and two darling toddler girls. I thought, "That's what's missing from almost all decorating photos -- a look at the people who are going to use the room. The lived in look. The family look.

A dear woman once passed through my entry hall and paused to cut me off in the middle of apologizing for my very messy house. She patted me on the arm and said, "Nothing creative ever comes of a clean house, dear." How I loved and remembered her for that!

The most perfect house is one that suits you and your family situation, whatever that is. If you are truly pleased with it, your friends will love it and when you spruce it up for a party it will sparkle.

I would never cover a book that I want to reference, I would never put a book case full of covered books and by all means I love antique books used in decor. My point was it's not "nice" to tell others that they shouldn't "cover books." It's the same as saying you shouldn't have a big TV, a recliner or blackout shades. What's good for one may not be good for another, but it's not nice to insult someone for their taste in decor or what they want to do with their books, i.e. calling it silly.

Such an interesting topic - I spend a lot of time on GW because my desire has always been to find ways to make our much loved and much used home warm and inviting. Our 50s ranch has gone through several low budget changes in the 30+ years we have lived here (still saving for the big remodeling!)
My DH is on his third recliner - but the first one that I really like the looks of. While I would have preferred a chair and ottoman, there isn't room, and this hard working man deserves to sit in comfort in his "castle." I actually offered to upgrade our old T.V. for a larger flat screen recently; he declined saying our old one was perfectly fine.
Perhaps the best compliment we received came from a man from our Sunday School class dinner club. After spending a wonderful evening together in our home with several couples, his comment was: "Don't take this the wrong way, but your house is one of the first we've been in that feels comfortable and lived in." My house will never be featured in any decorating magazine, but it is decorated in a way that fits our lifestyle and brings us joy.

Fantastic Discussion. Thank you for this post.

I passed by this post for fear I would find I was the only
one with a comfortable lived in home that will never be
on the cover of Architectural Digest. Or even good enough
to post on GW. Sometimes I get brave but mostly fear of
judgement.

I am part of a family that on weekends lives in their
pajamas, cuddles with unmatched throw covers watching
a big screen TV next to a built in fire-place while
sitting on our soft worn supple leather sofa eating
pizza or big bowls of popcorn.

Sure I have a few special things about me but it is a
home first. It is nice to see I am not alone. I can have
unwashed hair while padding around in worn slippers through
a maze of toys, unmatched throw rugs, dishes in the sink
and still find I love my home.
~boxer

Sad Pats fan here :* (

A few years ago, second-guessing my ability to get a "troubled" room right, we hired a professional decorator to work her magic on our living room. It is beautiful, but we never use it. It is soooo uncomfortable and way too formal for our lifestyle. I sit on the edge of every seat.

If I thought I could get even half of what we paid for the furniture, I would sell it in a heartbeat and replace it with comfy seating that we could enjoy on a daily basis. (Any suggestions as to where one can sell high-end furniture without giving it away?)

I learned a valuable lesson: I am the best judge of what my family needs. If a room works for us, then it is properly decorated.

OT, but just gotta say. Way to go Green Bay!

Oceana, I charted and crosstitched a pillow front that says "Creative Minds are Seldom Tidy" but never did make it into a pillow since I was afraid it would be taken as an excuse. You can always tell when my creative juices are flowing because our home gets...well..untidy.

Molly, I'm sorry if you took it the wrong way what I said about slip covered books. But being an avid reader that reads many books more than once it wouldn't work at all for me. I have to admit that I actually thought about doing it with the books I have in the Ladies Parlor during the early stages of redoing it, but without a labeler to mark the outside, for that's the only way I could ever think of slip covering books all alike, there's no way it would work for me.

sjharris, what a sweet thing for that gentleman to say.

I'm so happy that this thread is being enjoyed. I was afraid it might turn bad, but it seems when it gets down to it our homes are our castles and imperfect as they may be compared to rooms that inspire us they can still be perfect for us.

Well I just have to add that I finally got my middle DDs room completely decorated nearly ideally. Then, when I went into her bedroom this weekend, she had afixed a "Breakfast Club" poster to her accent wall with thumb tacks. Go figure.

The best laid plans...

An empty home versus a filled home? I choose the filled home even with the dings, dents, and random socks left scattered about that the dog chews up and spits out.

But the perfect pictures in the magazines look so nice...

LOL Doonie. I'm wondering if my Mom felt like that when I thumb tacked posters from my favorite teen magazine centerfolds of the Monkees on the wall in the order I liked them at the moment?

This thread has been a good read.

Well said Jill about the house being clean. I've been wanting to make my house feel cozier for some time now. It's slowly getting there (for me anyhow). At one point, I was trying to "not" keep everything so clean thinking that would help but decided to scratch that idea and look for other ways to achieve that. With everything there's balance.

I'd honestly like to get the best of the best pretty recliner and huge recliner side by side for a comfort comparison. I've never really sat in a recliner that looked like a chair but I remember quite a few years back I helped my one guy friend pick out a recliner. I swear I picked the biggest, fluffiest one ever. That thing was soooo comfortable I claimed it as "my chair" when I'd visit. Little OT story for ya.

I've enjoyed this thread so much. (Well, except for all those 'annoying' football comments. I mean really, let's get the over hyped Super Bowl out of the way so we can get on to the real sport...BASEBALL! Go Rangers! lol Auntjen, we are neighbors as I, too, live in the same county as Jerry World.)

ahem...back to decorating. I'm a new real estate agent and one of my fascinations is seeing the inside of people's homes. I held an open house this weekend at a charming home. Talk about beautifully decorated! I so wish I could have taken photos just to show you guys the decor. (The RE photos don't show the decor like I'd like to show y'all.) After two hours of 'living' in the home, I was ready to go back to my more rumpled and comfortable home. lol I know the owners have 'staged' the home to be very, very nice looking and they are getting the right kinds of comments. I just know that for me and mine...we go for that 'creative' look. lol

My goal, an ongoing, ever-ellusive goal, is to create a warm, inviting, and comfortable place to live that still delights my eye and artistic sense. That's possible, not perfect...and when it comes together, it is PERFECT. ;0)

Pinkpaula, if yor decorator's product makes you uncomfortable, you hired the wrong person or let her opinions supersede your own. I don"t think there is anything wrong with using a designer and there is nothing wrong with doing it oneself. Beautiful, family-pleasing, comfortable rooms are achieved in different ways.

There's a lot of "if it"s too nice, we can't use it except for special occasions" sentiment in the world. What could possibly be more special
than our own families? That is one reason I like GW-----people here are
far more likely to actually LIVE in every room of their homes. Perfectly
decorated, regardless of how it comes about, is what is perfect for YOU.

Pinkpaula, if yor decorator's product makes you uncomfortable, you hired the wrong person or let her opinions supersede your own. I don"t think there is anything wrong with using a designer and there is nothing wrong with doing it oneself. Beautiful, family-pleasing, comfortable rooms are achieved in different ways.

There's a lot of "if it"s too nice, we can't use it except for special occasions" sentiment in the world. What could possibly be more special
than our own families? That is one reason I like GW-----people here are
far more likely to actually LIVE in every room of their homes. Perfectly
decorated, regardless of how it comes about, is what is perfect for YOU.

We're so happy that we moved out of Arlington, you have NO idea. We used to live right by the mall. I still go back there to shop and eat, but even on a good day, curse the traffic. I can't even imagine the nightmare that it's going to be during the week of the Superbowl!