Tuesday, October 27, 2009

A well designed home never goes out of style!

Let’s face it – styles change. What is new and fresh today will become dated and passé tomorrow. Things That Inspire wrote a great post, this week, about Trendy elements that scream 2000s. The post was thought provoking and so were the comments that followed. It made me think, “what is timeless?” and “how can I ensure that my designs stand the test of time?”

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All photos - Country Home Sept 2000 – Designed by Ginger Barber

For many people it is scary to embark on the world of interior design – whether they are building, remodeling or simply purchasing a new sofa – the fear of making a mistake can be paralyzing. But what fun is that? A well designed home is not afraid of taking risks. That is rule #1. So take a deep breath – “it is just paint it is just fabric so relax and have fun” quote by Andrea Lambert in Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion.

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I dug deep into my files to find a home that I think is timeless. It was published nine years ago (that is forever in the design world!!) in Country Home Magazine September 2000. It was the home of designer, Ginger Barber. I also came up with some ideas about what a well designed home should incorporate. See what you think!

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#2- A well designed home is authenticnot false or copied; genuine; real.

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#3 A well designed home is craftmanship – Quality pieces will add depth and character to a room. Antiques create an authentic feel and have usually stood the test of time in quality and design.

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#4- A well designed home is flexible and functional- If you haven’t already read the Cote de Texas post about Ginger Barber’s two more recent homes. Click here. You will see many of the same pieces of furniture travel from home to home. Point made!

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#5- A well designed home is simple – Leonardo de Vinci said, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication". I agree.

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#6- It is all in the details- It is the texture of a basket, the motion in a painting, or just the right shade of yellow. But the details make all the difference, don’t you think?

I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject. What is #7?

5 comments:

Danielle @ Transforming Home said...

For me, it's gotta be comfortable and inviting. Otherwise no one will want to come over and visit!!
I completely agree with all your suggestions, especially the "authentic" one. I have fallen into the trap of making my home nice for visitors, now I am trying to make it more "us".

Anonymous said...

How about, "A well designed home is personal. It reflects the lives of those who live there!"

I see that in your home, and I hope for that from my home...

Emi

Things That Inspire said...

Great post! I am so thrilled that my post inspired so many people, and really caused them to think about their own homes, the direction they are going, and what is truly timeless.

To me - if the backdrop, the architecture, is simple and classic, and is not designed around the trends, then anything is possible. It is so much easier to change out the decor than change out the architecture!

I love that Leonardo quote. I interviewed an architect for my blog who has designed thousands of homes (he has a mail order business of house plans), and he said that the longer he works, the more houses he works on, the more he believes that the key to longevity is simplicity. I think about the beautiful homes in France and England that have stood the test of time - there are some exquisite architectural details in those homes, but there is also a feeling of outstanding but simple designs in scale and proportion that remain timeless to this day.

Maria Killam said...

Hey, I love your new header! Did you post about it? I'll have to look and see! Great post bty, I loved the conversation about what's old and new!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Hi - Thanks for stopping by my blog. I just browsed through yours and it is beautiful. You have amazing taste...it must be because you're a Utah girl (I'm originally from there :) ).

Take care,
AnNicole
http://oursuburbancottage.blogspot.com

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