We’re not gonna take it
No, we ain’t gonna take it
We’re not gonna take it, anymore.
In the words of the immortal 80’s hair band Twisted Sister …
We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore!
It’s time to throw caution to the wind and start
Breaking All the Decorating Rules!
1) Bigger is Better
A few well chosen, larger pieces of furniture make a small space feel bigger.
Like my huge console that separates my kitchen from my family room in this long narrow room.
2) Do the Unexpected
Think outside the box
or the crib in this case.
An old crib spring makes a cool memo board
and an old coal bin does duty as an unusual side table.
3) Corral Your Collections
Similar knick knacks placed willy nilly throughout your house look lost and random.
But those same chatchkies displayed together make a huge statement …
Like my grouping of vintage green glass (one of my Many Collections) in My Foyer.
and colorful Italian glass decanters hang out on My Mantel.
4) Art is in the Eye of the Beholder
Old and new plates in My Dining Room create a colorful, artsy wall.
Guess what? These are pages from a coloring book
grouped together for maximum impact.
5) Matching is for Garanimals
Update that tired old matching set by moving some pieces into different rooms or giving them a fresh coat of paint.
Pair a farm table with lucite chairs or a modern table with French chairs.
Go ahead and use two different side tables and mis-matched lamps on either side of the sofa like I did in My Family Room.
6) Dark Paint for Small Spaces
Small spaces like powder rooms are perfect for going bold since you won’t be spending much time there
(if you do, that’s a whole separate issue).
My Tiny Entrance Vestibule is a deep, rich brown – ceiling and all!
So let’s all break out our inner rebels and fight against those boring decorating rules together.
We’re not gonna take it …
(don’t curse me for leaving that song playing endlessly in your head either).
Stuff & Nonsense, Common Ground, 2805
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style
Rules? There are decorating rules? Good thing I didn’t know this!
Oh, yes, I will curse you because now it is stuck in my head. I hope I don’t burst out in song when I go on my walk.! Your home is so pretty and I love how you mix it all. I didn’t realize those were coloring book pages. So cool.
I just became a new follower and I have to leave you some comment love. Everything looks beautiful. I love all the pops of color through out your home. Thanks for reminding me that we can break the rules. Oh yeah, that song is going to be in my head all day.
I always loved breaking rules, started as a kid!!. As yes, you ^%$& for leaving that song in my head! 🙂
Why does it not surprise me that you’re a rule breaker? 😉
You’ve got to fight
for your right
tooooooo decorate!
~Bliss~
I love everyone of your decorating rule breaking designs. I certainly do not follow code either. In fact a lot of code reds around here!
Yeah, no kidding – rules are only guidelines. Do whatever makes you happy and who cares what anyone else thinks!!!
Love that painting over your mantel 🙂
I say make up your own rules…do what you feel is best for your lifestyle…Trends are started by someone breaking the rules…thinking out of the box….I love your “rule breaking, citation ridden” home…it’s gorgeous and your personality beams in every corner of your home….
Agree with #1 When in doubt – GO BIG!
I love geranimals. Completely matching sets of clothes for a generation of americans. What’s not to love?
You are a rebel….that’s my favorite thing about you.
blessings,
karianne
So in my quest to make my home as beautiful as yours I’ll need to break all the rules … oh, and dumpster dive …
And, yes, that stinkin song is stuck in my head …
🙂
Linda
🙂 I looked at your pictures forever. So beautiful! I could just get lost.
That song will be in my head the rest of the day now!
Well said, with awesome examples! And now…. What song can I think of to get that one out of my head? Hmmm… How about Queen’s ‘We will, we will… Rock you!’ … 🙂
Why would people want matchy matchy?
You have an artists eye for pulling it all together and artists NEVER follow rules!
I love all of your rule breakin’ ways! You go mama!! 🙂
xo-Lisa
Your house is beautiful! I love the collections and am especially fond of the coloring pages (!)
(Plus I just enjoy a good rule-breaker.)
🙂 Elena
Rules were made for breaking I say!!!!
Love the crib springs turned memo board….very clever!
~Des
Love the console! And your “thinking outside the box” and breaking the rules works very well! 🙂
Kelly, your home is wonderful. I love thinking outside the box too!
Mary Alice
Kelly I dont know anyone else that could pull off breaking the rules like you do! You are so creative and your house looks amazing!
I love that you are a rule breaker!
XO
Kristin
Ha ha!! Love me some 80s rock! Great post, let’s be rebels WITH a cause!! 🙂
Kelly,
Forevering loving your style, taste, and ideas!!
Meegan
That console separating your rooms is fantastic.
LOVE this post! I especially love your console-I’m drooling!! You have an amazing sense of style 🙂
Susan
Amazing. Your style is wonderful and if that comes from not following the rules well… well, I hardly ever follow the rules but it doesn’t end up looking this good! Loved my visit to your blog.
I like your style. With the rule braking and with the decorating.
WOO HOO…way to go, sister friend. I LOVE breaking decorating rules. I hate stiff, matchy matchy rooms so much. No personality…nothing to tell anyone even a sliver about your personality. I love YOUR way of thinking. :))
Personality and charm Is what a home is about, to me.
And, I am still loving my ladder birdbath…
Nice choice to put the red console behind the couch in your family room. LOVE both of your red oriental pieces (the console and the entry way cab) pictured in this post. I also adore your dining room, especially the mix of colors, the frenchy dining set with differing finishes, the cage-like lanterns above the table and that beautiful rug… guess there is not much I don’t like. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Lori
Love the rule breakers! I love your colorful spaces :). Have a great weekend!
Debbie
Love your tips and I totally agree, break all the rules you can!! I’ve always been a bit of a rule breaker. Makes life more fun!
Breaking all the decorating rules is a rule in my house.
Wonderful post! You have such a terrific eye for arranging and collecting! There are no rules around my house, but it certainly doesn’t have the flair that yours does. Can you come over?
Thank you for sharing your creativity at Potpourri Friday!
I’ll be right over Honey!!
Wow! I love your style! Such beautiful and interesting rooms. Great post, Kelly!
The song is in my head, must drink more frozen drinks to get it out:)
I wish they had garanimals for grown ups, the closest I’ve come is just buying a whole season’s worth from JCrew and assuming they all “go”. That is the good thing about 3 kids in 4 years, I need new clothes all the time for the variety of sizes and nursing/not nursing/pregnancy times:)
very inspirational your rule breaking lol and yes the song is stuck now
Right on. Love your Mid Century Modern Vibe and breaking rules in decorating and sometimes in life is fun.
What beautiful vintage retro colors! They are so vivid and alive!!
Followed a link from Savy Southern Style….loved your ideas and like you, I like to do what I please. After all it is my home, I should enjoy it without being glued to HGTV rules.lol…
The “experts” would appreciate my rule breaking if I was on that Design Star show! LOL. I say we should go with what works for us. HGTV show hosts are not the last word……
🙂 Sue
All great rules … and I agree! Love the art above your fireplace, btw.
Ha! I just burst out laughing at your “that’s a whole seperate issue” statement. You have a lovely home! I’m already a follower of your blog but visiting from Hometalk this morning.
Gwyneth and I just love every way you broke the rules! Your home looks like it’s out of a magazine!
xoxo,
mk & Gwynnie
Rules? We don’t need no stinking rules!!! Hey, I want that painting in the photo for item 3!!!!!!!!!!
🙂
Happy decorating!