Some of the Spring Curers have mentioned that finding their style is a difficult process. It's different for everyone, but a good starting point is to take a photo you love and break it down. We saved this photo to our style tray a while ago, and we think it illustrates some of the decorating concepts that we're covering in the Spring Cure. When we break it down, we can find a few details that we think make this room an exceptional space...
1) COLOR: The balance of color in this room follows the Cure's 80/20 color rule. It's mostly neutral, but colorful throw pillows and a vase of bright flowers bring the space together.
2) GOOD BONES: The floors are a warm shade of wood, and the off-white walls have some beautiful molding that becomes a focal point in the room.
3) NO CLUTTER: The lack of clutter in this space makes it easy to focus on the fabrics and furnishings. Even if you added some magazines, books, or a throw across the chair, it would still feel calm and organized.
4) FRESH FLOWERS: Without the flowers, this room would be a little dead. They add the extra pop of color that this space needs.
5) PROTEIN FURNITURE: The chairs and table are made from solid wood bases, and the upholstery fabrics are simple classics. We also like the way the legs of the furniture create breathing room throughout the space.
Although its just a photo (that one person may love and another may hate), breaking down a space into its elements can be a helpful process. Taking the time to think about why a space looks and feels the way it does can help you to find your style and set goals for your own home. It's an important part of the Spring Cure, and a process that we see happening daily on Apartment Therapy. And most importantly, it's fun!
Photo: Romo
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Wow this is an OCD-er's paradise. Except for the floorboards and the vase not being in the dead centre of the table (and the flowers of course), everything in the picture is almost entirely symmetrical! Absolutely loving it!
view siongchinchan's profile
this is beautiful inspiration. i've been looking for chairs such as these...
view selena's profile
the picture, or the wall behind those chairs, also looks at a slant which is interesting. thanks for the photo breakdown!
view sarahjam's profile
where are these chairs from??? i love them! Im OCD and yes...it is a paradise!
view jadepwinters's profile
Well done! I'd love to see more posts like this. What would call this style? Can you name it?
view Alana in Canada's profile
I'd love to know where those chairs are from too!
view ten_eighteen's profile
Not sure where the chairs are from, but the London Chair from Room and Board is similar. The upholstery is Osmond Fabric from Romo.
Alana, for some reason I always have an issue naming styles. I'm really bad at it :) I don't know...with the walls and the chairs...Victorian Modern?
view sarah c's profile
Well, the wall divisions created by the panelling is not quite Victorian: reminds me more of the way Robert Adams did panelling, but the name of the style escapes me. I love how the chair upholstery mimics it. (The table, too).
Definitely modern, and not just the lines, but how low everything is. And the play with scale. That's definitely modern. Neo-modern.
Anyway, I want more!
view Alana in Canada's profile
it's hard to define a style - i'm attracted to clutter-free decor in any country/photograph i see! i'd be happy with anything as long as there is a place for everything so it's hard to decide what style i am. but the picture is lovely.
view Joan in SB's profile
Maybe I'm just feeling contrary today, but I have a hard time with the 80/20 color rule. I think its a good starting point for someone with not a lot of color experience, but by stating it as a 'rule' it ... er..rules out... anything that dares to go above and beyond. Everyone knows neutrals are a good starting place, but if every house had 80% neutral and 6 bright throw pillows it would look like snoresville. Some rooms are meant to be invigorating (livingroom, dining room) some are meant to be calming (study, bedroom) and some are meant to be cozy (family room, bathroom). One rule definitely does not apply!
view Modfan's profile
Great photo. I beleive the chairs are part of the Dexter Collection from Retro at Home. See link below - It's pictured in leather but this appears to be the same chair.
http://www.retroathome.com/gallery/album13/dexter_sidechair_in_leather
view London's profile
minimilast urban?
view citygirlincountry's profile