Defining Your Style

"Why do we love the things we love?  The question might seem simple at first, but try answering it -- not so simple!"

So begins this month's issue of Cottage Style Magazine.  It's a good question.  Why are we drawn so strongly toward some items and turn away quickly from others?  If you're anything like me, your sense of style is always evolving.  It changes with time just like I do.  Certainly I'm not the same person I was 10 years ago (thank God).

I recently read an advertisement for an interior designer with a tagline that basically said she'd help you to choose a style that you wouldn't need to change five years from now.   Not only is this ridiculous, but it's boring!   Changing our design and style keeps things fun and fresh.  Just like I might not want the same haircut I had 10 years ago, I also might not want the same paint colors.   Call me crazy, but updates (whether in fashion or home design) keep you looking attractive.

Maybe this is all just one big fat excuse for me to change my house again

and again

and again

and again. 

We've only lived here for a few years, and our home has already undergone a number of changes - mainly paint colors but recently furnishings as well.   This past weekend I woke up and decided I no longer like chair rail with two different colors like we have in our dining room and in Imani's room (no offense for anyone who is hot for chair rail dividing two colors . . . it's just not my thing anymore).   

I don't want my furniture all matchy-matchy anymore either.  My sister warned me about this years ago, but as any sassy little sister would, I told her in no uncertain terms that she didn't know what she was talking about.  Jason and I have spent more money at Raymour and Flabby (as Jason calls it) -- I mean Raymour and Flannigan -- than I care to admit.  The pieces we bought just a few years ago are already falling apart.

And so I am on a mission to re-define my house again but I'm not exactly sure how I would label my style.  Shabby chic? Cottage?  I'm not sure; it's ever-evolving.

Kerry over at A Tranquil Townhouse blogged about an awesome online tool to check out your own personal design style.  It's really cool and it only takes a few seconds (literally).  Here's what it said my style is:

I'm not sure I agree with it here. I like the bottom right image, but I want to take a piece of sandpaper to that coffee table and make it look older!   I'm definitely not into the bottom left's modern style.

Here's what it said a magazine cover designed by me would look like:

Head on over to the International School of Color and Design Website and try the interior design style tool.  See what it comes up with for you!

Happy Thursday!  Yeah! It's almost the weekend.