Authenticity

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 14:00:55 GMT

Authenticity

One of the most challenging feats of design is authenticity. Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or real. Authenticity in design is about making the choices that please you and that fit the personality you want to portray.

The choices we make in designing our living spaces represent who we are and how we want people who visit our homes to see us. The furniture we choose, the color palettes we gravitate toward, and even the dominant shape themes we use say something about how we approach the world. For example, I tend to prefer masculine shapes over feminine shapes. I like clean lines and dark tones, but to soften up the hard edges, I like to add greenery or flowers.

Authenticity can’t be achieved by a quick run through a big box store grabbing every piece of decor that might work in your space. It happens over time. It happens through collections and for me, that’s a lot of vintage pieces with an aged patina. My collections lean toward faith based pieces such as crucifixes and Christ statuaries.

An authentic design doesn’t necessarily try to match any single recognized movement, such as farmhouse modern, traditional or minimalism. You may find that the elements that match your personality also fit neatly within a specific design scheme, but at its most extreme, authentic design may be a mash-up of design elements.

Don’t feel like you have to embrace any one trend. Or that you should choose styles that seem chic and current, but end up making you feel like a visitor in your own home. Your decorating choices should always say “this is me/ this is us.”

Click on any image to enlarge.

Endings are Also Beginnings

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 13:48:09 GMT

Endings are Also Beginnings

For 11 years I owned a retail store in Brentwood, TN which I sold in 2022.

Even though my store was a lifestyle store which had a wide range of inventory - clothing, jewelry, gifts, home decor, etc. - home Decor and design has always been my passion. I love old, patina’d, organic and unique things. I hope that my new website (with a heavy focus on design) inspires those who also love home decor to slow down and stop obsessing over decorating your house. The goal should be to have a home that reflects the interests and values of the people who live there. Refrain from resorting to a thrown-together / I paid a decorator (designer) to do this / I got everything from Target and TJ Maxx mentality of decorating. No disrespect to Target and TJ Maxx, I love shopping there myself. But when that's your go to for decor, it can come across as a desperate attempt to put some stuff on an empty shelf or table to avoid looking like it’s an empty shelf or table.

Take your time. Find things that inspire you. Wait for the perfect piece. And most of all, stop trying so hard. Who are you trying to impress any way? Our homes should be for the people who live in them, not for the people who visit on occasion. And the people who matter? They don’t care what your house looks like. Those are your people.

Photos are from my store prior to selling. Click on any image to enlarge.

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Authenticity

Authenticity

Endings are Also Beginnings

Endings are Also Beginnings