Oh, gosh. So, I’ve always thought of myself as home-decorating challenged, mostly because I get overwhelmed by all the choices. Too many options, and I completely shut down, but this weekend I finally figured out something major (I think), and it’s related to makeup, which kind of blew my mind…
I learned that if I take certain… I don’t want to call them rules; I’ll call them themes instead. If I take certain themes that I know work for me when I’m putting together a makeup look, and apply those themes to decorating, it makes things so much easier!
Contrasting elements
Like when I’m putting on makeup, if I incorporate contrasting elements into whatever I’m doing, that looks right to me. Whether it’s contrasting colors or finishes or something else. Like, for example, satiny skin with glossy lids and a matte lip. There’s something visually appealing about combining different finishes together, because when the finishes are too similar, it reads as flat or monotone.
When I went to Marshalls to look for good deals on pots and things to decorate “the lady sanctuary,” I had that idea of contrast in mind as I picked out plant stands, of all things. I thought that if all of the potted plants ended up being low to the ground, it would look too monotone, and too much like just one note, so I got some plant stands of varying height.
Then I took it a step further with some other contrasting elements, like, some of the stands have straight legs, and some have curvy legs. Some are newer-looking with a black wrought iron finish, and some have more of an aged bronzed finish.
When you consider the stands individually, they look like a random mishmash, but when you see them all together with the different heights, the curves, the lines and the colors, it works!
Repetition
Another thing that helped me a lot: the idea repetition. When I’m doing makeup, I like to repeat certain elements. Say, when I do a sharp cat liner, I’ll add a hot pink matte lip with razor sharp edges, and then I’ll repeat the pink theme with a pink blush to go with the lip. I like how those little echoes tie things together, so I had that in mind as I picked this mosaic side table…
It has cool blue tiles on top, and the color is similar to the color of one of my pots.
Oh, and side note, I planted phlox in that pot! I dunno, but I guess that’s a big deal because the lady who rang me up at the gardening store made a big to-do about it, and how she hadn’t seen phlox in 15 years, but somebody special ordered it for a big design project, and the store ended up with some extras.
It’s pretty! And cat safe.
So repetition can be a good thing in makeup AND home decorating. But things don’t have to match perfectly (and probably shouldn’t).
Go with your gut
Don’t overthink it. If you like something, there has to be a reason. Like with makeup, if I’m unsure what lip color to wear with a particular look, I’ll grab a few shades and try each one, because sometimes the technical rules of what’s supposed to go with what just don’t feel right. You gotta trust your gut.
I did that with everything for the lady sanctuary — the flowers, the plant stands, even the yellow watering can. If I reacted positively to something (and if it was in my budget, of course), I went with it.
You gotta trust your gut.
The fun extras
And because I was at Marshalls, I had to leave with a few fun extras. 🙂 Like this cute cat cup by Portobello By Design. It’s made of sturdy bone china, so hopefully El Hub won’t accidentally break it!
You know how there are the shelves with knickknacks and whatnot by the checkout stand in most stores? I found this gem hidden behind some fugly mugs while I was waiting forever and a day in the line at Marshalls.
I also snagged a couple of these $4.99 foaming hand soaps by Michel (I’ve seen them at two other stores in my town for $10.99 a bottle!). I love these because they get out all the gunk but don’t dry out my hands.
I also got these fun clocks by Cynthia Rowly…
I’m totally a print person. The kookier and more whimsical the better!
So I’ve decided to just embrace that.
Not gonna overthink things, remember?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
LindaLibraLoca says
The main advantage of having things on stands in different heights is that it is way easier to clean that way. In Germany there are always fallen leaves and stuff on the floor and it is no fun to have to lift all the planters once a week.
Eleni says
I love the parade of kitties!!! Love how creative you got with your space here, looks beautiful xx
Lex says
Such a cute post, loved reading it! Hope you have a lovely week, Karen. 🙂
Ruchita says
Your little sanctuary sounds lovely! That cat mug and those clocks are so cute. I love finding little gems like that at Marshalls.
Deanna says
Your deck looks lovely, Karen, and I love your cat mug and those clocks! Great finds! xo
Daphne Barfield says
Your lady sanctuary looks beautiful! Cynthia Rowley’s designs are so great.
Hope you have a wonderful time at Children’s Fairyland. I have lived in the Atlanta, Georgia area for 42 years now, but was born in Oakland (but lived in Lafayette), and my Mom and I used to go to Children’s Fairyland all the time. I loved that place, and I still have my magic key! Do you think it would still work? Happy 4th!
Tatiana says
Such a pretty and relaxing space you’ve created for yourself. Now I want to drive to the Marshall’s near me to see if I can find one of those cat mugs. And some of the hand soap, too.
Diana says
What a beautiful spot you created! Enjoy curling up there with a good book&tea in the cat mug.
Kim says
You’ve done a beautiful job!! I love your kitteh loot from Marshall’s (we actually do a couple of PL fragrances for Michel Design Works, so that was a fun coincidence). 🙂 I didn’t realize phlox was rare – I have some pink in my perennial patch. I also have a bit of purple creeping flox but the roots are very shallow and a bunch of it was accidentally ripped up while weeding. The stuff spreads like CRAZY. I agree wholeheartedly with your philosophy of choosing what you like. You should surround yourself with things that make you happy, not just things that are matchy-matchy. Btw, after I read your Q-bert comment, I could only see cubes on your table top. HAHA!
Michele DiCola says
Phlox .
Now I know what to get my niece who has everything for her birthday ?
Enjoy ? your Thursday !
Karen says
It’s a good plant, Michele! Is your niece a gardener?