"I'm all about exuberance. We only have one short life to live, and we shouldn't waste it being tasteful." - Fashion Designer Isaac Mizrahi
Yes, there are much, much worse things in life, but I'm currently passing through my periodic style crisis. I am SO sick of the vibrant colors in my apartment. And my eclectic style is getting on my last nerve. This happens every few months or so...
Then it passes. Mizrahi's quote grounds me, reminding me to embrace my spirited apartment once again. In fact I think instead of eclectic I'm going to start calling my style exuberant.
The photo above is from my exuberant living room, which you may have seen in my Apartment Therapy house tours. I used it for this post because there were many of who objected to the extreme number of pillows. Though you gentle AT readers held your tongues to a degree, some of you may have even quietly called the number of pillows tasteless. Here's where I bring you back to Isaac. Most of the time (when I'm not in the midst of the aforementioned style crisis) the vibrant pillows and their sheer quantity make me smile. They bring exuberance to my life, tasteful in quantity or not.
When I work with my clients, I encourage them to find their personal interior exuberance. It sure doesn't need to look like mine. (In fact, I caution people against using the amount of color I do, because of the potential overdose that strikes every few months.) But I do believe passionately in the idea of decorating and organizing for you and only you, not what's considered in fashion or tasteful. Sometimes a client and I come up with an odd solution to a design or organizing quandary but it's so functional or pleasing to the client that it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of it. So listen to your inner interior exuberance and be patient with it when you're not in the mood for it. Just like any good relationship.
-Kyle Freeman, Interior ReDesigner and Professional Organizer
(Image: Kyle Freeman)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Though I don't have nearly as many pillows as you do, I know I have more than most people would say I should have on my couch as well. So I applaud you (and give myself a little pat on the back) for sticking to your guns and trusting in what you love!
view AriannaKarlisse's profile
I love all the pillows - there's nothing "tasteless" about it. It's fun!
view isntitjustdarling.blogspot's profile
Mr. Mizrahi and I are on the same wavelength here.
view aj's profile
I have found that exuberance is fun, but tasteful keeps me happy for longer. There is NOTHING wrong with your pillows, but if there is something about your room/apt that is driving you mad - I say redecorate! Do you need another excuse?
view J Dandy's profile
Everything in moderation. Including moderation.
view mirandabee's profile
I love your pillows, and I go through the same thing. I get tired of color pretty fast, but I come back to it like a moth to a flame. So... how about having a set of white and oatmeal pillows and drapes put away, and change them out when you go off color for awhile, then bring them back when you start to miss it. I would like to have different colors for summer and winter, too!
This plan could get pricey unless you make some things yourself, but if you think about it, it's crazy to expect yourself to like the exact same thing day in and day out. It's like listening to the same music everyday of the year.
Now I'll go back to my 40 half-finished homemade pillows.
view colormusic's profile
I have too many pillows on my couch, too. Some say I have too many patterns in my living room. But I don't think so. I never tire of the patterns - always something new for my eye... but I do sometimes tire of all the color, so when I do, I just buy or make some new art and mix it in / rearrange what I have, thereby distracting me from whatever I temporarily thought was wrong.
view frannyglass's profile
I love your pillows! This photo is all about taste; exuberant without being over the top. There really are only a handfull of colors going on, but the patterns are amazing, and I love the groupings of white lanterns and the empty birdcage. As Isaac would say, "its working!"
view autobot77's profile
a dear friend and i were driving home from the fabric store this evening after buying the most amazingly beautiful combination of colours of things for her bedroom. we were talking about colour and how certain fabrics and things in the store *talked* to us. and one of the things i said to her was how much i love to come home to my house - which is all painted in shades of red and orange on the main floor (the basement is greens and blues).
my living room - painted in African Tulip from Dulux - makes me smile; especially in the morning when the sunrise practically explodes in the room.
view rouquinne's profile
Good quote.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
this is verrrry true
view youenjoymyself's profile
Good golly, I love Mr. Mizrahi. He's so talented that he couldn't possibly make any "tasteless" - it would always end up being nothing short of adorable!
view CJBird's profile
*anything, not any
Whoopsie!
view CJBird's profile
Love Isaac and I think you should live with what you love, make no apologies, never second guess, commit to it!
view Rucy's profile
Good quote.... as is @mirandabee's
view quiltmaster's profile