Saturday, July 24, 2010

Design Lesson ~ Keep it Simple

so serene,
peaceful,


and quiet,

"Simple" truly is better.



Imagine with me . . . remove the swag , turn the mirror the other way, solid fabric on the curtains, one vase of flowers, no fabric on the chest, one pot with the three small bunches of dry flowers on the other side . . . any thoughts?




35 comments:

  1. Can't say it better than you ~~~ simple is best!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My comment is I LOVE THAT CHEST!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I totally agree! Remove the swag most definitely and only one bouquet of flowers but what a great chest!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Simple is always the best. I so agree with the changes for that gorgeous chest. With all of that removed you could appreciate the chest and not all the other elements. Great post. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh! I am drooling over that bench in the 1st photo!
    Your idea is right on the money...
    **Tami

    ReplyDelete
  6. any thoughts......all the time......when I go to a place, my mind is always decorating...not to be rude, but it's entertainment to me to think what could be done.

    God bless and may you have a sweet day,
    d

    ReplyDelete
  7. yikes I so agree waaaay to much going on in the last picture, it makes me feel nervous!! I would probably have nothning on the windows, Love lots of light. One big white urn filled with nothing but white and green and voila!! Perfection,Happy weekend, I am so glad you are back, I know I keep saying that but I truly am, Hugs Kathysue

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's always true, "Less is More" unless of course you're talking about chocolate!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I agree. But I definitely think I would knock over that little make shift table by the tub ;0)

    ReplyDelete
  10. point well taken about the beautiful impact of simplicity. I'm with Tami, totally in love with the pretty bench in the first photo.

    Oh, sorry, no wedding pics yet. Darn, our photographer is taking forever to turn them around. I promise to let you know.
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I totally agree...too fussy as my Granny would say!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Crazy busy and way to symmetrical for my liking.
    "Less is more" Right?
    I love it when you make us think!
    Hugs, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think you would really turn that photo into somethg lovely :0)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I SIMPLY must do this at my house ... but I have so much cool stuff ...
    any ideas ...??
    think I'll put some AWAY for a while


    yes yes yes on uncluttering the vignette

    ReplyDelete
  15. I TOTALLY agree with you Ms. Vicky. Some times 'too much, is a distraction of appreciation'.
    -Brenda-

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm not a fan of the shabby look at all, as the last pic reflects. I guess I'd edit even more of the pic, as in removing that bureau.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, what a bummer about your camera. I sure am not any kind of tech person. I just use a Kodak 1035 and then I download all my pics to the computer and I don't have any problems, I am still using the old template for blogger. I am use to it and so I havn't changed. Wish I knew how to help. Sorry. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lovely.
    (i'm with ya on the last one...)

    ReplyDelete
  19. You are so right, but to get it right and simple is an art. I have to work very hard to find that combination.
    Hugs, Cindy S

    ReplyDelete
  20. I agree. It's just a dated look, at this point. By simplifying, as you have suggested, I think the mirror needs to be lighten to white, gray or something more subtle. It is the only dark in this vignette, and once you edit, the black frame provides just too much contrast to the sensitive mix. My thought on "Less is More" is that by editing, you have to be more selective about what is left. Any old thing won't just work in the mix, anymore. It's more like a trio or a quartet than a whole choir, and every voice matters more.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Less is more, a peaceful passion to the arrangement is best. I would start with just the chippy chest and build a calmness around it.
    I would do what you did by removing all the drama.

    Come visit my peacefulness.
    xx
    Dore

    ReplyDelete
  22. That's a great lesson with the last picture!

    ReplyDelete
  23. You are so right...well said! Editing is always the first step in making things more beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. lovely photos!
    i try so hard to decorate simply. but then before you know it, i'm back to layering!
    these photos are inspiring. i'm off to grab a basket and start removing a few things! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  25. wedding photos are finally here. yay. I know this is totally self-promoting (gulp) but I only placed a few up on the blog. Had to completely hold myself back. The photographer used a wide angle lens and our house looks really nice in these pictures. So much better than any I have ever taken. Please do pop over when you have a minute. :)
    http://poyndexter.blogspot.com/2010/07/scenes-from-wedding.html

    There's a secondary link that will take you to the other blog where I published a few more.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I think you need to know the person that lives here (the last photo) If the person is a free spirit I think they should keep it the way that's right for them. The other photos are lovely, but over simplicity may remove the soul from this room.

    kathy

    ReplyDelete
  27. I suppose the question could be asked "who do we decorate for"? Do we surround ourselves with things we love because of the memories they evoke, or do we go with the trends. I can't disagree with the post on the issue of simplicity, but we must consider that real people occupy the space in question and perhaps those things however "busy" they may be have some important meaning not just junk bought at a consignment shop.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love the images, but I am one who continues to fill my home with things I love and editing is very hard for me. That being said, I do find that over time I am able to part with some things and others, I seem to hold closer to my heart. Always an interesting topic!

    ReplyDelete
  29. We think alike. I am all about simplicity too. I love your photos!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Less is more... noh, yes I like simple. I need to simplify in my home. The last photo is way to symmetrical for my taste. Vertical mirror, solid color draperies, off-set decoration on the chest top... but it is so monotone! I might be tempted to repaint the walls darker so the chest would stand out more.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I agree, when it comes to home design I keep it simple as possible. Those are lovely photos by the way.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Pretty Posts. I just found you and would read more, but I'm tearing myself away from the computer to go to the cinema! Come visit!
    Best,
    Liz

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ran across your blog googling. I couldn't agree more! The first picture is my front veranda, and that is one of my favorite photos I've taken of our home. Would you please credit Atticmag for the photo. Thank you.

    Allison
    Shopping Editor
    Atticmag

    ReplyDelete