Does your house look like your closet?

I think mine does, in many ways.

I like simple forms and minimalistic style, uncluttered interiors that are inviting and comfortable. I don't like anything too fussy, both in my home and my closet. I use my dining table all the time and I need to have a coffee table that would support the weight of my legs. On the other hand,  I also like crystal chandeliers and white lace bedding.  Would you say this falls into 'boy meets girl' , 'tomboy turned fashionista' sensibility?

I love color and if I decorate with neutrals, I like to add a bright accent.  I do the same when I dress. I do not have too many knick knacks and I use pattern sparingly.  Similarly, I don't like to wear more than one piece of jewelry and I dress mostly in solids.  I like older houses, hardwood floors, plaster walls, wood windows, architectural details etc.  I would compare it to my love of good tailoring, natural fabrics and classic styles.

We completely renovated the kitchen last year, it was a nightmare

My house is not decorating-magazine-worthy and my furniture and wall decor are neither designer nor antique, although I do have a few pieces of original art.  Similarly, I don't usually wear designer fashions, but I like to be inspired by the runways and may occasionally splurge on a designer purse or a pair of shoes.

If I have to pick a furniture/decorating store closest in style to mine I would probably be Pottery Barn, even if,  in reality, I do not own many pieces from there (some window treatments, many picture frames and my dining room table and chairs), but the general sensibility is there. Is Pottery Barn is the J.Crew of home decorating? Like J.Crew with its aspiration style, Pottery Barn has built his image on a strong following among those who have a generally good taste and like beautiful interiors but cannot afford to hire a professional decorator. Both have ambition to be more that 'just a mall store' and trade heavily in the business of selling us the vision of lifestyle. It is the middle-of-the-road style, while on the other ends of the spectrum antiques and designer furniture are equivalent of designer clothing and accessories, just like thrift shops compare to shopping at flea markets and estate sales.

When I look at the pictures I realized that even the colors I use in both my closet and my house are similar. Just keep in mind that brown (as in wood) is the black of home decorating. Neutrals with pop of red? And did I say I like blue as a backdrop? This is the navy of my closet. Even if it it is called 'silver sage' in Benjamin Moore lingo.

Lee Industries sofa and chair, Crate and Barrel coffee table and rug

My house is from 1920's (which was my favorite fashion decade, by the way), but my husband made sure all the underpinnings like electrical, heating, plumbing, air conditioning, etc. are super modern and up to date. We have 5 heating zones in this rather small house! Most of my furniture is modern interpretation of traditional forms.  Is this home decorating interpretation of 'classic with a twist'?

Pottery Barn table and chairs, armoire from Craig List

So what do you think? Do you think a lot of people decorate the way they dress? Is that good or bad? Is it boring and predictable or personal and cohesive?


What is your decorating philosophy?