Monday, August 4, 2008

Finding my decorating style.

I have a problem when it comes to decorating: I love EVERYTHING. I love the faded, shabby chic look, the slightly preppy nautical New England look, mid-century modern, industrial, bohemian and so much more.

I could just as easily see myself living in a house decorated like this:


as I could a place like this:


Images from The Style Files.

So how do I narrow down my interests? What do you do when you feel as comfortable in a country cottage as you do in a sleek L.A. house with views?

Luckily, my limited budget restricts me to throwing together the things I find at Goodwill into a slightly shabby but decently comfortable home. Everything fits at present because it's all preworn and slightly faded.

For those of you who are currently decorating or have homes, how have you narrowed your interests? I know a lot of it comes from the style of your home. You can get away with whitewashed floors and jars of seashells when you live in a Cape Cod house; you can stick with strong, simple lines in an Arts & Crafts bungalow. Are there any other ways you hone your interests? Share with someone who's trying to learn, but often feels overwhelmed.