After reading through the blogs,
I realized I may be the only person who missed Million Dollar Decorators...
but truthfully, wasn't really interested.
I heard it was full of pretentious, obnoxious behavior...
since the whole show is based on "bragging-rights" budgets,
it seems natural that it is packed-to-the-rafters with people who are focused on that sort of thing,
doesn't it?
There may be some valuable design lessons, but how much sifting will have to be done to get to them?
All the discussions, however, got me thinking about budgets...
The clients I am usually working with do not have unlimited design budgets.
They are usually looking for a design that combines old and new
into one, cohesive, shiny ball of fabulousness :)
What I do find, when the budget is more realistic,
is that my clients regularly want to go neutral with the bulk of their choices,
is that my clients regularly want to go neutral with the bulk of their choices,
because they know they will be living with them for some time.
When this happens, I tend to guide them toward color through paint and accessories.
Then they can have their cake, and eat it, too - isn't that what we all want!!!
I'd like to know how you all do it..
When this happens, I tend to guide them toward color through paint and accessories.
Then they can have their cake, and eat it, too - isn't that what we all want!!!
I'd like to know how you all do it..
Do you refrain from buying that to-die-for red velvet sofa
because you don't want to commit to scarlet fever for the next 5 - 10 years?
Even though it makes you tingle all the way down to your toes...
but bring home the lush red pillows?
but bring home the lush red pillows?
Do you stick with white, black, grey or - gasp - beige
(which I like, by the way - in small doses!!)
(which I like, by the way - in small doses!!)
because it will be less expensive to pack up blue and white pottery
than change out that exquisite navy toile wallpaper
once you're over your mad blue and white crush?
than change out that exquisite navy toile wallpaper
once you're over your mad blue and white crush?
or do you revel in your chosen hue?
splashing it around with abandon....
Does your budget affect your color choices?
24 comments:
You are so lovely. :-) I was nodding my head through this whole post. I just dealt with this issue with a client and her headboard. She went linen...i.e. neutral. Smart? Yes. But I tend to splash my colors around with abandon. xo
Mmm was very neutral last house...this one I'm splashing colour around big time. I say get the red velvet (I have a bright blue velvet sofa) I love vintage pieces and thanks to ebay you can pick them up at great prices!
xxx
Yes. I would LOVE to splurge on a velvet navy tufted sofa but know that in a few years I won't be fond. Unfortunately I have gone too neutral and black so that it where you come in! Also living in a rental you don't want to go too crazy!
Excellent article Anne-Marie.
I stick to neutrals with punches of colour in accessories. I once bought a red sofa and regretted it after the first month. My budget allows for a metre of fabric, not a new sofa :)
Interesting. I tend to go with what I love... even if it means I'm going to get sick of it. xo
I would have to say yes....although I like the bold colours in my head...my pocketbook (or hubby) sticks to the neutrals. Thank goodness accessories let you bring in those pops of colours.
Don't worry you arent' the ONLY one, I didnt' see it either though i did want to, just had something to do...next time! Though agree that some of the clips make them look spoiled and indulged, not pretty.
I think budget does dictate how safe you have to keep things, when you have a big budget you can afford to "try" things or new looks and know that if it doesnt' suit you, that you can switch it out...if you know this is a one shot deal...chances are you are going to stay safe and go more neutral or with something you know you love.
I've never thought of it that way because I'm not huge on saturated colours. I'm pretty happy with just having small accessories in fusia and turquoise, etc, because I could never live with those colours on a larger scale. However, I've been collection wallpaper (again pretty neutral colours), many ppl I know would never put wallpaper in their house because of fear of "taking it down". So far that's the extent of my rebellion against the pocket book :) yay, how exciting...
great post, didn't like that show before it even came out. Unlimited budget?? in this economy?? no thanks. One more reason why I'm glad we don't have cable.
I would like to say that I am all about the colour but I tend to keep my bold purchases to smaller more affordable items. As much as I want that aubergine velvet sofa, I worry about whether or not I will look at it in a few years and go 'what was I thinking?'
I like to try and stick to neutral for larger pieces like furniture, and inject colour using paint, cushions etc. I'm trying to work on adding more colour to our home now... I still have a ways to go haha! :)
I go for what I like. I have a yellow cabinet that I'm sure won't last until I'm 60, I also have a bold flowered chair in the living room, teal blue walls in the powder room and a red bench in the mudroom...pops of colour in fabric and on a wallpapered wall...I guess I find I can change all of that without breaking the bank as I believe neutral or patterned I'll still be wanting something new in a couple of years.
Anne-Marie,
This is a wonderful post.
I definitely shy away from purchasing investment pieces in saturated colours or patterns.
Pillows, accessories and paint are much less expensive to change, especially when my decor and design tastes are constantly evolving!
I love your blog, and will be following it closely from now on.
Wendi :)
I love color, so I try to go with the richer neutrals--brown, navy--on major pieces, but I think that you can go bold with a color you love so long as the lines are classic. I think it's also about balance. I have a client right now who wants EVERY piece to be special and interesting, so we're going taupe on the walls to be a soothing backdrop for all her collections and things.
Oh, and I'm not particularly interested in the show, either, mostly because, as you allude to, I'm not so sure how much I would learn.
I lived white for so many years and as a result many of my furniture pieces are white. Now I'm all about colour and slowly pieces are appearing in bright colour. I guess I tend to go with my heart. I have problem selling something that doesn't work for me any more so that helps.
I tend to just go with what I like. Hence the fern green velvet couches in my living room. But I also have to keep budget in mind. If I don't absolutely love something, I won't spend $$ on it. Great post! Thanks for sharing.
This post has provoked some thought...hmmm. I guess I would have to say that I am also attracted to neutrals with splashes of color - but I think it has more to do with mood than my (teeny) budget. Neutrals encourage a more, well...neutral environment, which we commonly seek for our homes. A sanctuary, a place to rest and relax, a place to calmly enjoy. It's easier to achieve this when using a neutral backdrop I guess.
Thanks for another great post.
I gravitate more towards neutral upholstery with pops of color through accessories and art. Love the pics!
I definitely tend to stick with neutrals on pieces that I plan on keeping for a long time. I don't know if it so much budget, is it is just the fact that I change my taste so often. I would probably love the red velvet sofa for about 10 days and then be dying to switch it out.
At the moment, I like neutrals for the big pieces and color with tables, pillows, art. I love color though, so if I see something that I really love - I think I'll go for it.
xo
Ashlyn
Looking around my house, it's pretty apparent that I tend to stick to neutrals! Ha! I like the idea of color, but I love black and white too much.
Oh yeah... I watched Million Dollar Decorators... I thought it was entertaining. But in the same way as the other reality shows... not for design ideas. I like trashy tv.
Hi, where are the pink curtains in the first picture from??
Nah, makes no difference to me. Colour all the way has always been my theme, but lately I did let my design-y mom persuade me to put a decorators white on my narrow hall stairs and landing...and I gotta admit it looked amazing with all my bolivian blankets, suzanis and kanthas..now im thinking of trying in a major room cos hall and landing aren't the best rooms to show off my textile treasures..
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