How a Style Icon Helped Me With a Decorating Decision
Decorating a home from choosing the furnishings down to the smallest detail can be challenging at times when there are so many options, colors and styles to choose from. I have shared many of the home decorating tips and tricks I have learned over the years after decorating 5 homes. All using budget-friendly and creative ideas. I have another one for you today.
In a world that keeps pushing us to buy the latest and greatest decor all the time, sometimes when trying to make a choice we can get confused and pick something that isn’t quite right. This recently happened to me, until I remembered it’s OK to decorate in my own style and be confident in my choices.
I once read that style icon, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis redid her bedroom in her 5th Avenue apartment in New York a few times. This seems normal over the course of a lifetime, but when she did it, she did it using the exact same red toile fabric, wallpaper and furnishings to replace the same that had just gotten worn and faded.
The room was decorated in her signature style that she liked. To change it to look any different wouldn’t bring her the same aesthetic pleasure.
The reason I am sharing what I read with you is that recently I was reminded about Jackie O’s confident decorating style when it came time to redo the dining chair slipcovers in my kitchen.
Over the holidays I noticed that the white slipcovers I have covering the backs of the chairs were starting to yellow, even after washing them.
What was worse though, was that they had gotten stretched out gradually over the years that I didn’t even take notice just how out of shape they had got.
The chair back slipcovers used to fit snug on the chair backs as shown in the photo above.
I originally made the slipcovers for the set of ladderback dining table chairs that were in the dining room of my previous home. When we moved to the lake house, I gave the dining table and chairs to my younger daughter for her home. She didn’t want the slipcovers so I stored them thinking I may have a use for them someday.
About 5 years ago when organizing my decor stash I came across the bag they were in and that someday arrived. I got the idea to try them on the woven kubu rattan chairs I had in my current kitchen.
The slipcovers fit, although differently than on the ladderback chairs. I liked the look and the covers have been on the chairs ever since…
…until the holidays when I saw it was time to dust off my sewing machine to make new chair back slipcovers.
I went to the fabric store to buy yards of new fabric so the chairs would get a brand new look with a trending pattern or color of fabric.
While at the fabric store, none of the rolls and bolts of colorful fabrics in the aisles popped out at me.
As I searched and searched, the more I thought about the chairs, I asked myself, “Why am I in this store looking to buy a different fabric when what I still truly like seeing on the chairs is white chair back covers”.
Plus, I knew I still had a big roll of the same white fabric, enough to make 5 new chair back slipcovers with no additional cost. I had bought a huge roll of white fabric about 18 years ago for $1 a yard. When buying it, I was confident I would use it all, it just took me 18 years.
When I got home, I went in search to get the roll of white fabric out of my fabric stash. I was extra happy when I found that I had saved the original pattern I made out of a cardboard display sign for the slipcovers which would make making new covers a few steps easier. I even saved the pattern I made for the chair seat cushion covers.
I am no pro when it comes to sewing on a sewing machine by any means. I am also not a perfectionist or I would have given up trying to sew home decor for my home years ago. I can sew a simple straight seam and that is all I needed to do to get 5 new white slipcovers made.
I made the new chair back covers in a slightly different way than the original covers. I didn’t make the knotted back accent and made the covers longer so the bottom hem was in line with the bottom of the woven back.
I have Jackie O to thank for reminding me to stay true to what I really like. The newly made white slipcovers may not have changed the look of the room, but they sure do look bright, cheery and they fit not only the chairs again, but my personal decorating style.
Over the course of many years I have fine-tuned my signature decorating style. I learned that decorating is all about editing – lots of it until you are left only with what you truly, truly love.
It doesn’t matter if no one else gets it – you only need to listen to your instincts and have confidence in your choices. It is like finding your happily ever after.
Once you have defined your decorating style, the best compliment anyone can ever give you is when they say…“That is so YOU!”
How I Made the Chair Back Slipcovers
To find out how I made the chair back slipcovers, head over to this post: How to Make Simple Slipcovers for Dining Room Chairs
What Is Your Signature Decorating Style?
If you aren’t sure you have a signature decorating style, I encourage you to make a list of the furnishings, accessories, colors, patterns and details you enjoy seeing in your home like I did below.
It will help you hone in to see what your decorating style is all about.
The Furnishings That Tell What My Signature Decorating Style Is About
Baskets – I have been collecting all sizes of square and round baskets since I was in high school. I use them to organize little things in drawers and big things on the floor like throws and pillows. I use them as side tables and I make pretty labels for them. I once even made an ice cooler out of one for outdoor entertaining.
Lots of White – I have experimented with many paint colors on the walls in my home, but know that I like my spaces light and bright so that whatever I bring into the room I never have to worry if it matches.
Most of the walls in my home are white with the exception of my bedroom and accent walls in a few rooms.
I use white slipcovers in my family room, white dishes, serving ware, and sheets. If I am at a loss as to what color to paint an item – I know I will not go wrong with white.
Vintage/Thrift Store Finds – I like old pieces or items that bring back a fond memory. I am not into collecting it, but if something makes me smile and I get that happy nostalgic feel – then I want to add it to the mix.
Flowers – Purple/pink hydrangeas and pink peonies are my signature flowers. I wish I could have them in my home all year long, but I don’t have the budget for that. I search high and low for high quality faux florals that I can place in vases and urns to enjoy the fresh happy color all year long.
Comfort First – If it is in my house and needs to be sat or laid upon – I make sure it is comfy before adding it to my decor.
Fresh Color – Even though I like lots of white, the only way white in my mind looks good is when it is paired with colorful decorative accessories.
Painted & Stripped Furniture – I started painting furniture when I was first married as a necessity to transform all the hand-me-downs I had been given. Over the years I began to enjoy the process and liked the look of the brightly painted pieces amongst my other furnishings.
I also found that I liked the look of stripped pieces to accent a room.
Unadorned Windows – I like to see outside so I do not cover the sliding glass doors and window in my house with complicated window treatments. For the sliders I made the drapes and hung them so the stack back of the drapes doesn’t cover any part of the glass when they are open. When we need privacy or to shield the sun, I can close the drapes, but I rarely do.
Seagrass Rugs – I love the neutral texture they add to a room and the feel of it on my bare feet. They also are easy to care for which I love since I don’t want anything in my home that requires too much upkeep.
My signature style doesn’t quite fit into any one style of decorating and I like that. It is the best thing about decorating with personal style…when you put things you love together…they just do – go together… like it was meant to be.
If you would like to read more about how to gain confidence when decorating in your home using items you love, you may like these posts: Discover Your Unique to You Decorating Style and also Let’s Talk Personal Style In Decorating
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