Atlanta Homes
HHello, friends! Sorry I’ve been a bit quiet — I’ve been focused on a few projects and time slipped away over the last few days.
At this time of year you’ll see many design pieces about what’s “in” and what’s “out” for the coming months. Those lists are fun to read, and I enjoy keeping an eye on trends. But I don’t follow them blindly. I’m more interested in which trends matter and which don’t, and in learning how to create a home you truly love, regardless of what the design mavens say.
The photos in this post come from the 2016 Home for the Holidays Showhouse in Atlanta. Each room was designed by a different designer and the images were used as an inventive take on classic style. Even if every room isn’t exactly your taste, the idea of putting an inventive spin on classic design is a great approach if you want a home that remains appealing for years — whatever “inventive” means to you.
When people decorate or remodel, a common worry is how to avoid choices that feel dated quickly while still keeping the home fresh and personal. Every year there are lists of colors, patterns, and materials declared “out,” and sometimes you’ll even find the same items appearing on both “in” and “out” lists. It’s funny, and it shows how subjective trends can be.
Some colors and materials seem to be on the “out” list for years, yet never truly disappear. Often that’s a matter of personal preference — or clever marketing. When you hear someone declare a look “so overdone,” it doesn’t automatically mean you shouldn’t use it. No one but you and your family live in your home, so it’s okay to choose what makes you happy.
If a choice is going to cost a fortune or cause you stress if you tire of it quickly, then reconsider. But if you know you’ll be happy with it for as long as you need to keep it, and it suits your home and lifestyle, mix that “overdone” trend with your personal style and it will work. Just don’t invite the person who’s “so over it” to critique your space — everything will be fine.
There isn’t a single right way to decorate every home. You can draw from classic influences and add current trends to keep things feeling fresh. The successful mix depends on how you use each element. If everything in your home is trendy but doesn’t fit your house’s style, it will feel dated sooner rather than later. Conversely, if your base is mostly classic and you incorporate a few trendy pieces thoughtfully, your home will likely remain fresh for years.
What reads as trendy in one house might feel like a fresh interpretation of classic style in another. Traditional materials, patterns, and colors cycle in and out of favor but can remain timeless and beautiful when used appropriately in the right setting.
If you love a look that’s currently trendy, and it fits your budget, your style, and your home’s character, go for it. You’ll enjoy it, and that’s what truly matters. Aim to design a home you’ll enjoy for years: invest in quality, timeless pieces and use trends in moderation so a space doesn’t feel like a time capsule or age all at once. Choose trends you love without losing sleep over them.
For budget or practical reasons you might skip some expensive trends, and that’s fine. But don’t avoid every trend you like just to play it safe. Let your personality show — it’s your home after all.
Colors may be labeled on-trend or off-trend in any given year, but how you use color is what makes a room feel fresh or dated. Color is personal: use shades that inspire you and harmonize with your surroundings.
In small doses, few trends are a major style crisis worth losing sleep over.
Choose what YOU love and make your home feel like YOUR dream house, no matter what the 2017 trends may be.
Let’s chat in the comments! Tell me how you envision your own dream house!
PS. Thank you so much for your kind responses to my health story. I’ve read every message (I still have some emails to reply to) and I appreciate everyone who has shared their own experiences.
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” – C. S. Lewis
Related Post:
7 Easy Ways to Personalize Your Home (my article on eBay)