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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

One Picture: My Personal Design Style

Recently Brooke from Velvet & Linen challenged me to pick one picture, and one picture only, that represents my design style.  Given that I have over 4,000 images of interiors and exteriors in my flickr account, I thought this might be a challenge!  I eventually narrowed it down to seven pictures.  All of the pictures were of light, airy, neutral interiors with beautiful architectural details.  Most of the rooms had big windows or French doors that allowed plentiful light.  The pictures represented virtually every room in a house: two bathrooms, one bedroom,  a home office, a kitchen, a living room, and a family room (this could be the start of my virtual home for 2010!).

As much as I loved all of the finalists, it was not difficult to pick just one picture, a bedroom from an Atlanta real estate listing.  This room represents so many things I love in the design.

  • Elements of both the traditional and the contemporary. There are details in the room that are definitely on the traditional end of the spectrum, such as the chandelier, sconces, mantle, and mirror over the mantle.  The monogrammed pillows are a charming traditional touch.  And yet, there are contemporary touches that make this room more transitional, such as the contemporary art, the starburst mirror above the bed that is traditional yet contemporary at the same time, the straight lines and tailored style of the bed and bedding, the tailored skirt on the table under the art, the geometric pattern in the wool rug.  
  • Neutral palette accented with soft color.  Part of what I love about this room is the soft ethereal blue color; no matter what the style of a room, I seem to have developed a personal palette of soft blues and greens.  My own bedroom is blue and white, and has been this color scheme for 15 years.
  • Distinctive architectural details.  Generally bedrooms, as private rooms of the house, do not have as many showstopping architectural details as the public rooms of a house. However, this room has a beautiful and intricate fireplace and nice molding.  If you take a look at the pictures of the other rooms in the house, you will see that the public rooms have an incredible amount of architectural detail.
  • Great lighting.  This room has all of the elements of lighting that I find to be essential in a well designed home: beautiful sconces and chandelier, supplemented by distinctive lamps.
  • Contemporary art.  I truly love the look of soft contemporary art combined with traditional elements in a room.   One of the first things I noticed in this room was the striking contemporary piece on the wall.
  • Mirrors.  There are two mirrors in the room - one over the fireplace and one over the bed.  I really like the use of both mirrors and art in a room.
So what do you think? Based on what you have seen on my blog, does this room look like 'me'?  If you have done the 'One Picture' challenge, please put the link to your post in the comments.  I encourage everyone to do the challenge yourself; it really helps clarify where your style is at this point in time!

This post is part of the Hooked on Houses Friday blog links! Please click the link to visit.

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38 comments:

  1. What a challenge, and what a stunning room! So relaxing, the perfect palette for a bedroom. I wonder if I could do the same, i.e., choose only one photo.... Thank you for sharing this photograph. It really is beautiful. ~Arleen

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  2. This is an absolutely gorgeous, timeless room. I could see living in it for many years without tiring of it!

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  3. Ah-ha! Very peaceful and serene. I think I could completely relax in that room. Such classic pieces are in here, so it could stand the test of time (but not chocolate covered fingers from little ones!).

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  4. Oh yes it is completely you.

    Reading your bullet points as to why you like this room I was struck by how each point you made is exactly what draws me to my favorits as well....like minds.

    Tricia - Avolli

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  5. A beautiful image and a wonderful style. Superb post, xv.

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  6. Good shot, now if I could get my bedroom to look like that...

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  7. I love your 'personal design style'!!
    Patricia

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  8. Hello, I look forward to your blog updates, especially love your analysis of your fav picture representing your design style and the prevous entry on the Howard's apartment in Atlanta. I recall the article about the apartment when it appeared in House Beautiful and it was great to have additional pictures to add to my design files. I think I also read your comment on another blog Colour Me Happy (was that you in blogworld?) about custom bed skirts. If so, I can't wait to see pictures of your bedroom reveal including your new purchases. Maybe you can provide your readers with a preview - a show and tell, while you are waiting for other pieces to arrive. Thanks again for writing a interesting design blog with all the great pictures!

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  9. Interesting that the ceiling is also blue. That does something to my perception but I'm not sure what. I like having a single big painting.

    To me the neutral palate makes people and their clothes the focal points of the room. Our Gordon, on thinking a room needs some punch, will raid the closet for the right dress to drape over bed or chair.

    Imagine how fresh flowers would look in there. Wow. I'm thinking of your Tulip Post.

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  10. So serene. Very pretty. I'm like you in that I like a balance of traditional and contemporary. Makes each style more special by showing off contrasts, which heighten visual interest....cheers! -susan

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  11. Yes, it looks remarkably like "you". Almost the exact same shade on walls and blog. Beautiful.

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  12. *Good morning! It IS quite lovely & undoubtedly sooooothing~~~ While also stunningly elegant in its absence of the extraneous, I DO however wonder if this is a look to "dream about", but not necessarily to "LIVE" in/with... NO "criticism" intended here, for certain! It's just rather to ask if one can live withOUT, for example, a small table (STYLISH of course!) next to each chair, etc. And while I personally dislike clutter, ESPECIALLY in the bedroom, I honestly feel this space might be better served with SOME personal touch of the proposed "owners'" personal style/tastes/flair... or maybe this is just "it". Am not sure if this came out "correctly", & I HOPE you know what I was TRYING to say! As always, I so love visiting your blog~~~ it's a treat for sure! Warmest, Linda in AZ

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  13. BEAUTIFUL!HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

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  14. That is a beautiful bedroom. I too am drawn to that style in pictures, but none of my actual rooms look like that. What does that mean?? :)

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  15. Thank you for the comments, everyone! This was a fun exercise, and I feel as if I really helped clarify some design questions for myself. This photo is from an Atlanta real estate listing in the best part of town - not too far from the apartment that I profiled in my last post! If you look at the listing pictures, you will see that the house has been completely styled and is devoid of clutter or 'stuff'; it hardly looks like someone lives there.

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  16. This bedroom is beautiful and serene. I can see why you would select it to represent your style.
    As you know, I am also drawn to more neutral palettes with soft color accents. The architectural details in this room allow for a more subtle interior design scheme. The interiors don't have to make up for a room that lacks architectural detailing.
    The more modern pieces add interest. I think you are better at this than I am. I find it a challenge to incorporate modern into my interiors, but this room pulls it off perfectly.
    Thank you so much for playing along.

    xo
    Brooke

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  17. totally gorgeous! i love that room. i could relax in that room!

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  18. Well, I love the room and I LOVE your blog - so I guess that meets your criteria of "does it look like me?" I love the restfulness of the space. I am generally not a huge fan of blue, but really love the way that room feels.
    xx-Gina

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  19. I would say definately feels like your blog and you. I look forward to your images that are so yummy and timeless.

    Love the palette.

    Thanks!

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  20. Very lovely bedroom and retreat. Bright and calming.. no visual distractions, I am new to your blog, to the world of blogging really .. but i can say that I am not surprised by this choice. I am going to attempt to do the same..

    Thanks for sharing.

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  21. It's an incredibly serene room that I could definitely see myself live in. On the other hand I would also be happy in casual colorfulness... It would be hard to represent my style in one picture.

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  22. Since I don't know you at all, I'm guessing you like things organized, calm and serene. That or your daily life is so hectic, you need a cool, calm and serene retreat at the end of the day!

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  23. So pretty and relaxing your room! What a challenge- I think you're right, it really gives an insight into your style right at this moment in time.

    I think even an image I would have picked a year ago would be quite different from the one I might choose today. Funny.. it really is amazing how where we are in life has such an affect on what we desire from our surroundings.

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  24. I love the cool blue. I'm leaning toward a blue for my bedroom...

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  25. Very pretty and refreshing. I like the mix of styles too. Have a great weekend!

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  26. That bedroom is absolutely gorgeous - I'd love to sink into it at the end of each day. It most definitely looks like what I've seen of your taste and your blog.
    Enjoy your weekend!
    xo Isa

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  27. I thought this was an insightful comment:

    "I'm guessing you like things organized, calm and serene. That or your daily life is so hectic, you need a cool, calm and serene retreat at the end of the day!"

    I think perhaps a little of both...I do like my home to be calm and serene, although quite often it is not. In my bedroom, I definitely like to have a zone that is not cluttered with papers and toys and the stuff of life! Perhaps that is why I gravitated to this picture in particular.

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  28. ok, the room is gorgeous, but lets talk about the the "real" reveal in the post- you have HOW MANY photos in flicker? ;-)

    wow, just wow! that's some decorating obsession. my hat is off to you...

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  29. You've loved that room forever!!! I'm not surprised you would pick this one.



    btw - are you out of town?????

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  30. What an interesting challenge! I'm not sure if I could ever narrow it down to just one, but it might be fun to try. I love this bedroom you chose. If mine looked like that, I'm afraid I'd never leave it. :-)

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  31. Just one? How hard! I love your style.

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  32. That room is definitely you! It's just beautiful. This is mine:
    http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-interior-design-style.html

    Thanks so much for your comment on my easter post sweet friend!
    xo
    Maria

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  34. Lovely room! A lot of the elements you like in this space appeal to me, too... except I like warmer wall colours ;-) Speaking of what I like... I've been wanting to take on the challenge of finding and posting an inspiration room that speaks to my style... but I haven't found a picture yet!! One of these days haha!

    Thanks for sharing your design style!

    Victoria: EdinDesign Interiors @ DesignTies

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  35. It's so you. I'm definitely not surprised that it's so light & airy & gorgeous!!

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  36. I really like how open the room is. It is elegant, uncomplicated, comfortable and definitely the room has many things that inspire.

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  37. I'm so happy to see this post - I'm the one who started the one picture challenge so I love seeing that people are still playing along!

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Thank you for your comments! I strive to make my blog positive in tone, and appreciate the same courtesy when comments are made. Thank you!

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