Theme vs Concept... How to Create Timeless Designs

First of all, HI! It has been ages since I have posted anything on my blog, and for that I am sorry. I am going to try my best to get a regular schedule going over here in the new year, so please hold me to it!

Have you ever wondered why some spaces look kind of cheap or tacky, and others seem to be straight out of a magazine? The answer is that some people try to follow a theme (farmhouse, coastal, glam) by decorating with very literal pieces to convey it, while others take elements from those decor styles and strategically put it together. For instance, if you want a coastal living room, rather than putting signs that say "beach" everywhere, you want to make your guests feel like they are on a vacation with slight nods to what you would see on a beach trip (think textures, colors, furniture materials).

In the photos below, you can see an example of very literal coastal "themed" living rooms. Disclaimer: These are not my photos.

Now below you can see what a coastal concept looks like:

The materials used, the color palette, textures, and overall "vibe" of the room make you feel like you are in a seaside location without having to literally scream at you. Some materials that give this effect are rattan, jute, cotton, sisal, linen, and wicker. There are typically very natural elements in the space such as driftwood, sea glass, and other accents to transport you to another place. The lighting is bright and natural and the ultimate goal is to create a relaxing and "easy breezy" feel, and to choose furnishings that accomplish that. Your color palette for a coastal space should include neutral beiges and whites, as well as blues and greens.

You can definitely add a beautiful shell collection or vintage ore to the wall, but make sure those types of pieces are displayed sparingly to avoid looking like you raided a tourist trap! Great places to purchase coastal style decor are Serena & Lily, Pottery Barn, and the Studio McGee collection at Target! I would love to hear your thoughts, and let me know if you have ever been guilty of being too themed! I know I went way overboard in the 2014 farmhouse era, haha! No judgement over here!

If you have a room that you want redesigned affordably, then contact me here for a virtual design!