I bet you thought I’d forgotten about decorating. But no, that will never happen. I love decorating and always have.
In fact I can’t sit in my chair, look around my apartment, and not want to move something or other.
So today I have the same seating space in my living room styled three different ways. The furniture stays in place, but the decor changes.
The Boho Look:
There is a small Buddha, a candle, boho books and a house plant. All things that bring back the seventies for me. And baskets for texture.
This is a space that is supposed to lend a sense of peace and tranquility.
I don’t care for the boho spaces that are filled to the max with things. That look is too cluttered for me.
Boho decorating means you can do most anything. You can blend patterns or mix up the style of furniture. Whatever your preference or taste.
The Farmhouse Look:
After what I’ve been through in the past months with my back, I was not going to take down the boho quilt on the wall or the boho wall hangings. So just pretend they aren’t there if you want.
The farmhouse look is more rustic, although the “modern farmhouse style” that has become popular is more refined.
With the farmhouse look I like to think of wide open spaces with trees and vast fields of wildflowers.
I switched out the books and the chair pillow and also the decor.
The Cottage/Vintage Look:
I often don’t see a lot of difference between the cottage style and vintage style.
Here, with the candles and white pitchers and vintage box, the style could be considered cottage or vintage. Cottage decorating often has vintage vibes.
I intended to switch out the chair pillow here, but Ivy simply wouldn’t allow it.
I’d move her off the chair, go to get a pillow, only to come back and find her sprawled out again. She thinks of this chair as her chair.
And Now, It’s Back To Being Ivy’s Chair:
Ivy likes a soft blanket to sleep on. I’m not going for style now, just what is comfortable for the three of us.
The 8 X 10 of my daughters and their families is right back where I can see it again from my recliner.
Do you have a preference for any of the styles? What is the decor style in your home?
On another note, Kendra has finished her flip house and her photographer has already been there to take photos. She sent some to me and once I size them properly I’ll show them to you.
Brenda I enjoy your posts and love your decorating ideas I love seeing your fur babies I’m a little behind I have 4 grandchildren here it’s a little busy but I’m catching up on your posts I look forward to them my favorite is farmhouse decor I bought a farmhouse table and chairs before Christmas I love it I’m looking for a sideboard to match maybe I’ll come across one that I love you have a great evening
I zoomed in on the last pic (on my phone) to see what kind of white pillow you used only to see Ivy’s big white tummy! Oh I laughed out loud!
I love them all! You are very talented and sure know how to make your some cosy and efficient.
I am sorry you lost readers, these are challenging times. As I mentioned it my comments over the last few days, although we do not all always agree it is nice to come here and have a civil discussion. Thank you for that.
I’m a new follower (to make up for those who left I guess). So this is my first comment and also the first decorating post. I like vintage-cottage best! But the bright wall hanging and macrame just screams boho to me no matter what you put in front of it. Love Ivy. Had a sweet boy named Cowboy Spiff (aka Lardbutt) who looked just like her. I like the mix of topics here, kind of like life.
Brenda, I want to thank you for being a blogger with sensitivity and intelligence. I come here to see what you have to say today whether it is a remembrance from your past, a bid to decorating or commentary on our country. Your intelligence always shines through. I love that you’re kind to people but refuse to be bullied. I know it’s taken you a long time to get to this sense of strength and I applaud you for it. I love that you’re not intimidated by anyone. As far as decorating goes I think I’m stuck on farmhouse forever. I tried leaving it once but here I am back and I’ve decided to just accept the fact that it brings me comfort and peace whether it’s the latest or not. I just live my old family things. I’m more comfortable with rustic & primitive than anything else. Oh I wanted to thank you for the book recommendation,” Call Your Daughter Home”. I thought it started slow but whoa hold on what a great story. Really enjoyed it. It totally held my interest and I read it in two nights. I’ve had a hard time settling down to read during all the turmoil but this book captured and held my attention. Thanks so much and for anyone reading this… it’s a good book from a first time author.
I especially like the pillow in the third look!
I’m not sure if you’re asking what look we like best in your house, or what style we like in general. As for your place, I like your boho and farmhouse decor the best. As for myself, I like all kinds of decor – country (but not primitive), traditional, cottage, modern, mid-century modern, boho, eclectic. I’m over the farmhouse look and shiplap.
I like your chair – it has the lines of mid-century modern. Is it comfortable? Or, does only Ivy use it? 🙂
Only Ivy uses it. She gets upset if anyone else sits there.
These days I’m all about Boho. I live in the country in a farmhouse which I’ve decided will be my last home if I can manage the size of it and the land. I love having room to pace and I like my survey trips around the house, judging. I was at a loss when we moved here because the house has all the charm of a cardboard box without the furnishings. I waited for about two years for it to speak to me but it didn’t know what it needed either so I decided this would not be my normal perfectly decorated home, I’d just have fun with it. My new rule is if I like it, it “goes” and I’ve really enjoyed just doing what feels good to me, not anyone else, just me. I don’t have any intense colors on my walls, but they’re colors that I often wonder if anyone else has ever used lol. I’m pretty much a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal, don’t do much planning and a real decorator would probably be appalled but I like it and that’s all that matters. Your apartment look wonderful any way you do it, you have a gift for decorating.
Nice!!
I love the cat ‘pillow’. She is adorable. I liked all the versions so I am no help.
I loved them all. Your place is just so cozy.
I really like your Boho look. It is comfortable and cozy. Ivy as the “pillow” in option 3 – laughed out loud at that one. My decorating tends toward the more traditional/transitional. I’m not a fan of clutter, but I am probably infected with “more is more” syndrome.
I enjoy seeing the Boho look because it’s so different than anything I’ve ever done. However, I do love the cottage/vintage look. As hard as I try I can’t seem to get a look I enjoy. This is not a new problem for me – can’t seem to get the hang of decorating. I find myself second guessing everything I attempt to do. Big Sigh!
Why don’t you try taking much of the decor out and adding back just a few things at a time and live with it for a few days. You might get a better idea of the style you really want.
I moved into my home a little over a year ago and I’ve done bare bones decorating. I’m happy with my bedroom however I need a few tabletop decorative type things. I want to hang curtains but I need curtain rods and currently I won’t allow anyone into my house so that has to wait. It’s my living room that is in desperate need of help. LOL
I guess I am in the minority—I liked the “Boho” look the best—but all are good. You inspire me. Wish I had some back-up decor—-seems I have given it all away during decluttering! haha.
I’ve given away a LOT of mine too. No room.
I love the way you decorate your home, it always looks cozy, bright and warm. We always seem to go for the same look which is modern, I think we would like a change but we just don’t know how to do it. When we have tried to make a change the rooms always look cluttered so then we go back to modern and sparse. I was looking for another word for not much furniture or decorative things in the room but couldn’t think of it. Anyway its not to our liking but will have to do for now.
Looking forward to seeing your daughters flip house.
The term I’ve seen is minimalist.
Minimalist? I’m working on the flip post right now.
I prefer the cottage/vintage look! I am looking forward to seeing the pictures of Kendra’s flip house!
Really enjoyed your photos and commentary today. So refreshing to come on your blog this morning and find that politics and political views were not the topic of the day. While I understand it is your blog and content decisions are yours, I personally do not come here for that type of content and no I do not keep my head in the sand on current events so to speak. Just like to have a place to come where it is not topic of the day as it is everywhere these days. JMHO.
I understand completely. But when something that momentous happens, I feel I should address it. Otherwise I want to have this be a peaceful place to visit.
All of the styles are “you” and have the cozy look. The one I tend to lean to, is the Cottage/Vintage style, and my favorite accessory is Ivy of course. A room with a cat in it, just seems cozier, and means “home”. Add Charlie to the room with Ivy, and it’s called perfection. Can’t wait to see your photos of Kendra’s. Hugs from WI.
I am a cottage type decorator cause it appeals to me with so many hand me downs I like surrounding myself with. I use my quilts on the couch to sit on so my pets are more comfy and I like the feel of them versus upholstery fabric. No sense stashing them away when I can see them all laid out this way.
I hate when people fold up all the old quilts and put them away. Use them!
Brenda, can you recommend a good set of white dishes? I’m thinking they would be much more versatile than what I bought?
For dishes that are white ones made by Homer Laughlin that are very durable. My nephew says that you can drop them and they do not break. You can also find them at Belk, Dillard’s, Kohl’s, and other stores. They have sales two for one. They are open stock and you can add to them all the time. There are all colors and new ones come out all the time. If you break one of a set of other dishes then sometimes replacements are not available. I always buy open stock. Often you can replacements is at ReplacementsLtd.
I love collecting dishes
Brenda, it would be fun to discuss a day about dishes.
Hi Brenda, thank you for making my morning by sharing a picture of your wonderful cat, Ivy! What a hoot she is! She makes the best pillow of all. I thoroughly enjoy her antics, she is a real character and definitely brightens up your life. Love your decorating posts, much, much nicer than current events! Have a wonderful day. Becky
I like the cottage/vintage in your place and with your things. I have stayed pretty true to a traditional style although sometimes I add in a little cottage to lighten the mood. I love estate sales and junk shops and so tend to add those things too,
I like the cottage/ vintage look .
Brenda, is the brass pharmacy style lamp between the chair and table a new purchase? To me, it has a modern look although I know these style lamps were popular in the 70s.
I’ve had it a few months. Pretty cheap on Amazon.
You know me and loving cottage so I love the cottage look. Little Ivy just makes it even cuter.
Happy Tuesday.
Thank goodness this is a decorating post. I thought you had forgotten (smiles).
Brenda, I have trouble choosing a favorite style. I blame that on my Gemini personality….I have a problem making decisions. One twin wants this and the other twin wants that!
For example, I have been wanting new dishes. The red Chris Madden dishes I’ve had for years have become chipped and I’ve broken several pieces. I love red but I also like the simplicity of white dishes. And, of course, they match any decor. But the other day while in Wal-Mart, I was drawn to a vivid set of Pioneer Woman dishes. They are shades of cobalt with touches of pinkish red flowers. I believe the pattern is called Heritage. I bought it, not thinking whether it matched my black, white and red kitchen, but simply because I loved the vibrant colors. Do you ever act on impulse without really thinking if something matches the rest of your decor. Of course, I could purchase a set of white dishes to use whenever I wanted a simple look. Remember…I have two personalities! One twin likes white and the other loves vivid colors. Oh, how difficult it is being me!!! Please tell me your decorating strategy when it comes to choosing new dishes….or, in fact, anything new coming into your home.
Looking forward to future decorating posts, which are my favorite.
Yes, I’ve made impulsive buys like that. Back when I lived in a much bigger space. But now I can’t do that because there’s no longer room to store stuff. Now I just buy white dishes. The only other dishes I’ve kept are some red, yellow, and I think turquoise polka dots on white. About four of dinner plates and four salad plates. They are under the bed in storage.
Brenda, I love the gentle evolution of how you create your physical environment. Somethings never change like our shared love of the color red but there are subtle differences. No matter how you design your space, it always speaks that “this is Brenda’s home.” Thanks for sharing, Fran
I like the cottage/vintage look (complete with cat) It really caught my eye.
I love the layering that you do. I don’t seem to have that skill set.
I love that black and white cat pillow. So realistic. Tee, hee.
My decorating is French country/vintage all the way. I removed a lot after Christmas, left all the candles, but the vintage vibe in soft pinks, angels, crowns, mirrors and cozy is always there.
The master bedroom is all blue and white. I don’t use red, but I love seeing on your posts. So vibrant.