I know!!
but help me out here ladies...................with a dilemma so to speak..........
what do you do, if you totally admire the all white decor of (for example) Jeanne de Arc Living, and everywhere you look is red..........ticking..........and pattern in your home???
I just can't pull myself away from color, but the most gorgeous pictures are always with simple serene colors of whites and grays of all shades..............
I say this while the combine is exploding the children with glee from the fields! They absolutely love watching the soybeans being harvested (soybeans aren't white you know)..............
and neither is my garden -
or my kids - (well, technically they 'look' white, but today; I got this lady asking me"what nationality are you?".........."Hungarian" was my reply, and she said "hhhmmm....is that somewhere in Portugal?"...........)
seriously?
no bother.................whatever the reason might be for me reconsidering a total decor makeover............what do you guys do? are all of you all whities? or are you color enthusiasts like myself? that simply admire all white?)
I sound a bit "schizo" don't I? must be the dust in the air from the soybeans................
gotta go...........heading outside to clean up the garden more............
take care!!
and give me some feed back..............
p.s. this is the absolutely 2nd post I have done "on the fly"......the other one is HERE
Hello Ms. Ann Marie! I'm like you..I have the french country colors in my home ( the muted golds,greens,browns and touches of red and some white too! I love the white clean lined look! It's definately hard to start over. I think it can be done but you have to wean yourself! I'd love to do it too and I hear even with kids the white is not hard to clean or look dirty.Hmmm? Let me know what you decide to do and when!
ReplyDeleteTracy
I have color all over my home and also adore the white, grey look too. I've thought about redecorating but decided against it. I like a little bit of color in my life.
ReplyDeleteWell, if I'm going to be honest, I must confess, I am a "whitey". My home is filled with white but, I did paint the walls a pale robin's egg blue. I do love colors but, I found a few years ago, that different shades of whites throughout my home give a peaceful feel and look. I do have a theory on why so many women like the whites. Not only is it pretty but, it gives the perception that a home in white can give a feeling of peace and security in a troubled, noisy world.
ReplyDeleteI do really like the look of "whites" when I see it in a display or a magazine. However, I love color more, so it just wins out in my home.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I love the nature sounds on your blog.
I have always loved plain walls but did go through a 'Laura Ashley' phase back in the '80's. .....I think that all white can be rather sterile and boring, but I have just painted some rooms an off white and you can jazz it all up with accessories. I think that you should follow your heart, Anne Marie..... it is very 'fashionable' to paint everything white, but it will be out of fashion soon, that's why I don't think you should follow fashion in interior design. We can't be forever changing everything, can we ?
ReplyDeleteI love your style....it is creative and says a lot about you and your life on a farm.....keep doing what you are doing and it will look lovely. XXXX
I had lots of green but I'm loving that all neutral look. Lots of white , cream and gray. The stark white is beautiful but I don't think I could pull it off. Sue
ReplyDeleteAnne Marie,
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you! I LOVE an all white decor and wish that I could have one...BUT, I love and crave color.
You would think that all the color in my garden would satisfy that need, but I am drawn to all colors.
Four short years ago my home was done in reds, earthy greens and wheat colors. I then did white and cream slips on all the soft furniture and painted most of the wood white. I am really into pastels now as you can see by photos of my home.
I've decided that I just need two or maybe three houses to satisfy all my decorating needs. LOL
Hi Anne Marie!
ReplyDeleteI first saw the All White Look in a Victoria magazine feature article back in the late 80's? early 90's? It was done by Tricia Foley (google her website)...and I fell in absolute love with it.
I've since bought all her books, and others, that extol the virtues of white, natural, neutral decor. It took me 10 years of careful subtle editing...but I love it. In a world of noise and colour and flashing lights, I live with calm and serenity.
In fact, one of the best compliments I ever received was from a dear, grieving Lady who said, "I love your house; it is so gentle and calming to me".
I have small touches of seasonal colour: pumpkins, evergreen wreaths, hyacinths, fresh tomatoes and peppers, along with cherished quilts, bits of my Great-GrandMother's Limoges, artwork from my GrandSon's...and it all works against the backdrop of white.
Just last week, I washed all my white cotton and linen slipcovers to freshen them before the holiday season. What a blessing!!!
If this is something you are considering, go slowly, and edit carefully. Keep those things which speak to your heart. Paint a room a soft, creamy white. Slip an old white Marseilles bedspread over a sofa. Go to a flea market (or IKEA) and buy some plain, white china to eat from and serve from. See how your heart feels. If you rejoice in the cleanness and the serenity...the rest it gives your eyes and the "pop" it gives your other art and family objects...KEEP GOING!!! :)
You will know if this works for you. And, at the end of the day, it is only paint and a very small investment. Nothing is irreversible as long as you keep the things that matter...
Laura.
...create a room or a nook that accomplishes what you desire. It will become your haven when you need it; a place that will blend in when you don't.
ReplyDeleteMine is my master bath...a room of very light beige with white tub, sinks, potty and touches. The only "color" in there is the black, wrought iron lighting, photo frames, candle holders and just a few knobs on cabinets, but it is not enough to distract the eye. The light palette is pleasing, calming, serene and peaceful....
Where does one start?
ReplyDeleteWhat does one do with all the books? Turn them backwards? Rip off the covers?
Then do you switch out all the family photos to BW or Sepia?
And at Christams time, do you have to start collecting all white ornaments??
Daunting, I say. But oh...such dreamy possibilities!
I LOVE the look of white, but being an artist...can't imagine my home without color. I'm not talking about vivid color, but color...warm, inviting I can't live without it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way...your new banner is way cool! :-) You my friend, are an exceptional photographer!
Tami E.
Oh Anne Marie ;)
ReplyDeleteI am currently whitening up my place as well. My home is small and cozy, but was getting a little busy looking with too much pattern and color. But I'm on a tight budget so I've been slowly collecting things in white cream beige/tan and grey. I haven't been able to keep up with my blog or anyone elses for that matter lately. Life seems to be moving in fast forward lately. I think that might be why I am drawn to the simpleness of whites greys and other neutrals. I say Start off slow ;) I love your style anyways. It's so inviting.
Blessings,
Molly