There is one important fact that I love about interior blogs, Pinterest and Instagram: The abundance of real, lived in interiors shared with the world. Those interiors with character and imperfections remind us that living beautifully does not mean living in a staged surrounding.
For me, the most beautiful home is one that reflects its owner or dweller. Be it eclectic collections of vintage ceramics, plants, embroidery, art books, portraits, music instruments or anything else - these homes tell stories and can be read like a good book.
I love homes of well-traveled folks. People bring back details from their journeys and decorate their homes - and I do not refer to tacky souvenir pieces bought in a cheap (or worse over-priced) tourist shop. I refer to those unexpected pieces found along the way: in a local boutique, on a flea market, gifts from hosts and friends abroad, pieces found in the nature. Bring those pieces back home and tell your visitors about them!
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| Photography Igor Josifovic |
I love homes that exude an easy-going, imperfect atmosphere. I love places where there's a random blanket left unmade, cushions squeezed into a corner, a forgotten bunch of wilted flowers, a few crooked frames - sometimes this oh so real imperfection seems to be hard to achieve for people referred to as perfectionist. I myself tend to be that way. But then I remind myself that life is not perfect either. So why bother with the home? Don't you agree?
Totally agree, I don't like 'staged' interiors and am tired of being presented with the unachievable in magazines and blogs (I have been guilty too!) I was inspired by an earlier blog you wrote this year about taking more of your own photos, which I am trying to do, talking more about my own environment and real homes, home has it for me every time!
ReplyDeleteExactly my thoughts Alison. It is so unrealistic to aim to achieve such a staged style because it will never feel homey and cosy! Here's to more real homes!
DeleteI completely agree - homes which are lived in are so much more inspiring than staged 'show homes'. You can have the most beautifully styled house or apartment in the world, but if it has no personality and isn't conducive to everyday life then it's not a home. A lovely post!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Abi!
DeleteHear hear Igor. As much as l love flicking through the glossy interiors mags & browsing the blogs online, I do occasionally wonder if real people actually live in the houses that are featured. Where are their kids' abandoned shoes? Discarded toys? kitchen appliances they actually use? Where is the room that they haven't quite got round to decorating?
ReplyDeleteSelling contemporary art and design as I do, we have a number of gorgeous things in our home and I do like to see the house at its best from time to time but I couldn't promise that everything remains dusted and carefully positioned 24/7, our life is just not like that and I don't think many people's is. That's why this article is refreshing and why I read blogs like yours, madaboutthehouse and myfriendshouse for example. They are aesthetically inspiring but also intelligent and grounded. Good on you x
Wow Debra, this is such a wonderful comment and the compliment is such an honour! Thank you so much! And it is so true regarding real homes: I also try to keep my home as neat and beautifully decorated as possible - especially since it's a tiny apartment - but at the end I do have that real life stuff being around and it is part of my home and my life. I wouldn't want to move into a super styled home where I'd be intimidated to touch anything or to sit on the perfectly fluffed sofa:-) Let's keep it real, beautiful and fun! Thank you my friend!
DeleteA cosy, tastefully designed space with a great mix of stuff. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jemma!
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