CURATING A ROOM
Curate is a hot buzz word lately! It’s made its way from the art and design world to home decor enthusiast. It’s that almost intangible element that gives a room a one of a kind look and the personality to go with it! I’m very fond of this word because it really describes the essence of what fabulous decorators do! So today on Practically Speaking we are going to learn about curating a room!
Today is HOME STYLE SATURDAY. We are dipping into our archives and pulling out our most popular posts!
Now, let’s curate a room….
If you ask me my style I will probably say classic, modern traditional with some farmhouse elements. If left to my own devices and whims I would usually lean to the formal and upscale side of decor. But I am also a creature of comfort and enjoy the charm of many farmhouse things so this bent tempers the formality in the rooms in my home! I also like a little bit of drama or something unexpected. And that is why I love black and white and a tad of whimsy!
This mix of classic, modern traditional, farmhouse, drama and whimsy are the elements I look for as I curate the rooms here at StoneGable!
As I keep adding and editing and changing StoneGable it becomes more like home to me! It feels more and more authentic. And that does not happen overnight. This living room has evolved for almost 5 years!
And that is what curating is all about. It is a room and style that looks like it evolves over time. It’s when all the pieces in a room are carefully selected to play together nicely and exude your own personal story and style! It’s adding and editing and doing it over and over. It’s collecting things you love and letting go of things that have lived out their lifecycle in your room. It’s harmony with maybe a tad of tension!
A curated look does not have to take lots of money! Oh, no! But it does take persistence, a good design eye and a dose of creativity does not hurt!
I love love love the mix of what I like to call high/low in a room! My living room is no exception. In it, you will find a couple splurge pieces. And lots of more moderately priced items I’ve collected and lots and lots of great looking things that are inexpensive!
The new “mod flower chair” chair was very inexpensive! Even though I got this chair very reasonably it is sturdy and has an updated designer fabric! Just because something does not cost much doesn’t mean we lower our standard of good looks and craftsmanship!
And because it’s not a splurge item but an accent piece I felt I could add a little bit of fun and fancy to the room!
A curated look is not for the weak of decorating heart! It takes grit and purpose and patience to put together a room that is something special. A room that looks and feels like you.
You cannot be afraid to make mistakes. And you cannot fear what others might say about your curated look. Remember it’s personal to you! And it should please YOU!
I’ve made so many mistakes in this room. But mistakes are part of the process of honing your look! You have to be brave enough to make mistakes and try again! Blunders might be painful but don’t be afraid to make them. They are useful! They help you define your look!
Quite a few chairs have come and gone in the space that is occupied by the mod flower chair! But they never really worked. This Goldilocks chair seems just right! It may not be YOUR “just right” but it is MINE!
A curated look is not apologetic because it is unique. Unique to you!
If you love decorating your home curating a look is a lifetime journey. Our homes are really never done. They just get better and better and are a sweet haven for friends, family and of course us!
How about you? Are you creating a home of curated beauty? A home that feels and looks like your authentic self?
I’ve had several inquiries about this chair. It does come in a pretty blue too. If you are interested you can see it HERE.
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You might like to follow me on Pinterest and see what I’m finding to pin every day HERE.
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Curating a room…I love the concept because that truly what we do. I agree that I want our home to be authentic in that it is a true expression of who we are. Sometimes it is necessary to add something that might be a little outside the box for us to add interest. That’s where I feel like I lack sight! But I am willing to accept the challenge you have inspired! Thank you!
I love your Goldilocks chair!! It’s interesting how my style interests have changed through the years, I would so love to buy all new furniture, window treatments, etc., but that won’t be happening. I recently bought new comforters for the master br and guest room, so that will help some. I’m wanting to paint walls too, I was all about color when we moved to this house 12 years ago, not loud colors, but muted ones, but now I would love to paint several of my rooms a cream-ish color, to open things up more. I love the wall paint you chose for your living room! Would you please tell me what it is? I love following your blog. Your living room is a peaceful room, I Iove it. ?
Thanks Angela! The walls in the living room are Benjamin Moore Sonnet. A lovely soft neutral.
Thank you so much! Sometimes it’s difficult to chose a paint color from a little paint chip, and it ends up being the wrong color. ☹️ Now I know your color will be a good choice! Kind of like trying a tried and true recipe! ?. Know I appreciate your sharing so much!
I have loved that chair since day 1! I have a similar chair in a super fun fabric that just gives my room of neutrals a splash of color and whimsy! I WANT YOUR LAMPS! Please tell us where you got them? I adore your room…I use your pictures to inspire my changes in my room. You have impeccable taste, Yvonne! Thanks for sharing your love of home with us!
Blessings,
❤Beth
Thanks, Beth! The lamps came from my local Pottery Barn Outlet a few years ago.
OMG! Your decorating style description describes me to a T. And, yes, every room should have something that makes you smile! Your blog really speaks to me. Thank you.
Your room is beautiful and bright and I wish I had your eye! We are in th midst of almost finishing our retirement home and we have come to my biggest dilemma of the entire build. Paint! I want white, but had no idea there were so many different variations of it…ugh! I keep reading that all the rage right now is BM White Dove or Simply White. I like a warm white, but think there is a lot of tan in white dove and too much yellow in Simply White. I am totally stumped. (And this has been going on for over a month) and now the painter is breathing down my neck. I told my builder that I like the colour of primer..haha..Which I dont mind, really..haha! Of course he looked at me like I had two heads. May I ask you what colour your room is painted? We have open concept and people say, well, it’s just paint. If you don’t like it, it can be repainted. That is a lot of “real estate” to repaint if I don’t like it. Hmm..I have never been so stressed in my life. I may just paint the walls the same colour as my baseboards.
Look again at Simply White. I have used it in a couple bedrooms and tomorrow our master bedroom and sitting room are being painted Simply White. Really, it’s my favorite!
My style is the same as yours,I’m always looking for unique and different things to add to my home,a continuous work in progress.
You definitely know how to curate a room! I love that you do the high/low decorating. I once had a decorator tell me that if you have a formal living room that you don’t really use all that often, buy an inexpensive (but nice looking) white sofa. Add color and texture with pillows and accessories.
Oh, my goodness. I have the same chair, a pair actually, that sit on either side of our fireplace in our bedroom. Love this chair! Love your living room!
Yvonne, you have mastered the art of “curating” a room! I am trying to accept your challenge to curate, but my sentimental nature gets in the way. Many of my treasures are associated with people I love, and I feel like I am treating the individuals as disposal goods, if I “let go” of something. Surely, other readers have this issue, also!!! I know when OTHER people need to curate…just find it hard for myself.
How is your foot??? I hope it is healing and that your “30 year cold” is OVER!
I’ve got to get into the “curated” mindset
Paint can be very deceiving in pictures. It looks like all of the trim is painted the color of the walls except the french doors. The light from the windows make them look white in the picture, are they painted white ?
I really like the straight line for your windows and drapery treatment. The hanging light takes the cake. It not only lightens the corner but gives good lighting for reading, very clever. As you said , we should decorate for our personal likes. We and our family are the ones we want to please and make comfortable.. Thanks for an informative post.
Always admire your rug. Can you tell me where you purchased it.
I love this word curate and thank you for sharing your inspirations
Your home always looks fabulous, and this post is nothing short of fabulous to. Lovin it!
I love how you have pulled your rooms together! I feel when you decorate a room it really must speak to you and your tastes. I don’t always feel that you must have a designers eye. I think for every person they have to love their own space. However, the inspiration we get from blogs does help readers like me get a fresh perspective! Thank you for sharing!
When I see the word curate I think of a curator in a museum and think of their job as placement of items in the perfect place to show their best qualities. In our home decorating this is a very important part of making our surroundings blend together and have one room flow into the other. Thank you for your latest ideas on how important curating can be.
Love your black floral pillows. Can you tell me where you purchased them or the material?
Hi Lorie, the pillows were custom made. I found this beautiful material while I was shopping for a new sofa about 6 years ago. Sorry, I can’t tell you more!
I love love the dresser in the backgrounded of this post “The Curated Room”, it has a scroll design, but I can’t tell if that is painted on or added via some type of embellishment. Love the look so much I want to create one for myself. How was it done? From a favorite follower…thanks!
The dresser is from Hooker Manufacturer. It seems the dresser is overlaid with a raw linen or a fine burlap which is painted and distressed. The design on the front is also painted with a thick paint as the little dots have some dimension to them. Hope this helps.
Stunning, great taste, thanks!
A room is curated and that is what gives it a unique style. We add new things and take away old things and it is never done. I love how you put things together. Your style is so elegant yet comfortable and warm. It is so inviting.
My favorite quote from this post, “You cannot be afraid to make mistakes. And you cannot fear what others might say about your curated look. Remember it’s personal to you! And it should please YOU! ” So freeing to hear this… thanks, Yvonne!
It IS really all about YOU when it comes to decorating!~
Can you share where you purchased the lamps?
Hi T, I found the lamps at my local Pottery Barn outlet a few years ago. Sorry I have no more info!
I absolutely love your design style. I too love design and enjoy mixing new and older pieces together, especially if they have meaning behind them. After reading your blog, I feel that I finally have direction for finishing my new home. Can you tell me where you found the print above the sofa as well as the large clock? Already decided to order the chair! Look forward to many more ideas from you, thank you!
The clock came from Ballard Design. And the painting is from an artist Daniel Kessler:https://kesslerart.com/
It’s so nice to know that I’m not the only one that has made mistakes on my journey to a “Curated Home.” You’ve described the process so well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I love your nailhead end table and lamp , where did you find them ?
I’m looking to replace a traditional burled English end table with something lighter , fresh and playful … yours looks perfect !
Hi Marianne, I found the table at Ethan Allen years ago and the big lamp came from the Pottery Barn. Hope this helps.
Curating… can one mix stain colors of wood furniture pieces and types of wood in any one room? If this is acceptable, how many different colors is acceptable?
Oh, yes! Different wood colors look amazingly interesting in a room. Shoot for a mix of three different wood colors. Hope this helps.
I finally found a style that it’s me; and only me. Thank you for your ideas.
Yolanda! Yay!!!! It is so important to make our homes “look” like us! Congrats, my friend!
I absolutely love EVERYTHING you do!
Well, bless your dear sweet heart, Cynthia! I love every minute of what I do because it is with YOU in mind!
Where did you get your animal rug in the living room? Is it real or faux? Love it!!
Hi Sonya, the zebra rug is a cowhide. You can see it here:https://rstyle.me/+GoT1nOrmBiPhbgOutYbo4w