• Home
  • Meet Kelly
  • My House
  • Contact

Kelly Elko

Love where you live - inspired decorating ideas

  • Eclectic Homes
  • Projects
    • My Projects
    • FREE Printables
    • Garden
    • Recipes
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Organization
  • Decorate
    • My House
    • Decorating
    • Outdoors
    • Christmas
    • Fall
    • Summer
    • Spring
    • Tablescapes
  • Life
    • Travel
    • Musings
  • Shop

We’re Not Gonna Take It – Breaking Decorating Rules

June 27, 2012  Decorating | Uncategorized

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).

Linking Here:
No Minimalist Here, The 36th Avenue, 52 Mantels 
The Shabby Creek Cottage, House of Hepworths 
At the Picket Fence, French Country Cottage,
Stuff & Nonsense, Common Ground, 2805 
Funky Junk Interiors, Addicted 2 Decorating
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style
 

Sign up to get Kelly Elko's latest posts delivered right to your inbox
Your information will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party.

Share this Post!

48 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
« Previous: My Foyer’s Rocking, Please Come Knocking! – The Reveal
Next: Fab Friday Finds – Ode to an Antique Wallpaper Pasting Table »

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Jean

    June 27, 2012 at 6:36 am

    Rules? There are decorating rules? Good thing I didn’t know this!

    Reply
  2. Kim

    June 27, 2012 at 6:51 am

    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.

    Reply
  3. [email protected]

    June 27, 2012 at 7:54 am

    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.

    Reply
  4. Laura at Top This Top That

    June 27, 2012 at 8:15 am

    I always loved breaking rules, started as a kid!!. As yes, you ^%$& for leaving that song in my head! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog

    June 27, 2012 at 8:25 am

    Why does it not surprise me that you’re a rule breaker? 😉

    Reply
  6. Bliss

    June 27, 2012 at 8:44 am

    You’ve got to fight
    for your right
    tooooooo decorate!

    ~Bliss~

    Reply
  7. debbie

    June 27, 2012 at 8:57 am

    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!

    Reply
  8. Anne

    June 27, 2012 at 9:03 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
  9. [email protected]

    June 27, 2012 at 9:13 am

    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….

    Reply
  10. Jae

    June 27, 2012 at 9:26 am

    Agree with #1 When in doubt – GO BIG!

    Reply
  11. thistle

    June 27, 2012 at 9:30 am

    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

    Reply
  12. Linda @ it all started with paint

    June 27, 2012 at 9:42 am

    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

    Reply
  13. [email protected] Roam

    June 27, 2012 at 10:54 am

    🙂 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!

    Reply
  14. Sheila Zeller

    June 27, 2012 at 11:08 am

    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!’ … 🙂

    Reply
  15. [email protected] Clutter

    June 27, 2012 at 12:11 pm

    Why would people want matchy matchy?

    Reply
  16. Maureen

    June 27, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    You have an artists eye for pulling it all together and artists NEVER follow rules!

    Reply
  17. [email protected]

    June 27, 2012 at 2:15 pm

    I love all of your rule breakin’ ways! You go mama!! 🙂

    xo-Lisa

    Reply
  18. Elena @ `a casarella

    June 27, 2012 at 5:26 pm

    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

    Reply
  19. Des

    June 27, 2012 at 7:35 pm

    Rules were made for breaking I say!!!!
    Love the crib springs turned memo board….very clever!
    ~Des

    Reply
  20. Rhonda ~ Ramblings of a Southern Girl

    June 27, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    Love the console! And your “thinking outside the box” and breaking the rules works very well! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Mary Alice Patterson

    June 27, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    Kelly, your home is wonderful. I love thinking outside the box too!
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  22. [email protected]

    June 27, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    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!

    Reply
  23. kristin

    June 28, 2012 at 11:12 am

    I love that you are a rule breaker!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  24. Heidi @ Decor & More

    June 28, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    Ha ha!! Love me some 80s rock! Great post, let’s be rebels WITH a cause!! 🙂

    Reply
  25. Meegan

    June 28, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    Kelly,
    Forevering loving your style, taste, and ideas!!
    Meegan

    Reply
  26. Carol

    June 28, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    That console separating your rooms is fantastic.

    Reply
  27. must love junk

    June 28, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    LOVE this post! I especially love your console-I’m drooling!! You have an amazing sense of style 🙂
    Susan

    Reply
  28. Dear Helen Hartman

    June 28, 2012 at 10:56 pm

    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.

    Reply
  29. Niki {Hello Paper Moon}

    June 29, 2012 at 8:09 am

    I like your style. With the rule braking and with the decorating.

    Reply
  30. bj

    June 29, 2012 at 9:12 am

    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…

    Reply
  31. Lori

    June 29, 2012 at 2:53 pm

    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

    Reply
  32. Fresh

    June 29, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Love the rule breakers! I love your colorful spaces :). Have a great weekend!
    Debbie

    Reply
  33. Andrea

    June 29, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    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!

    Reply
  34. Donna Wilkes

    June 29, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    Breaking all the decorating rules is a rule in my house.

    Reply
  35. Honey

    June 30, 2012 at 11:31 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      June 30, 2012 at 1:08 pm

      I’ll be right over Honey!!

      Reply
  36. Miss Charming

    July 1, 2012 at 1:19 am

    Wow! I love your style! Such beautiful and interesting rooms. Great post, Kelly!

    Reply
  37. Jessica @ StayatHomeista

    July 1, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    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:)

    Reply
  38. ARod

    July 2, 2012 at 12:11 am

    very inspirational your rule breaking lol and yes the song is stuck now

    Reply
  39. olive

    July 3, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    Right on. Love your Mid Century Modern Vibe and breaking rules in decorating and sometimes in life is fun.

    Reply
  40. andrea

    July 3, 2012 at 9:27 pm

    What beautiful vintage retro colors! They are so vivid and alive!!

    Reply
  41. [email protected]

    July 4, 2012 at 11:16 am

    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…

    Reply
  42. Sue

    July 4, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    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

    Reply
  43. Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating

    July 8, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    All great rules … and I agree! Love the art above your fireplace, btw.

    Reply
  44. Tricia @ simplicityinthesouth

    October 2, 2012 at 7:56 am

    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.

    Reply
  45. Meredith & Gwyneth

    October 2, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Gwyneth and I just love every way you broke the rules! Your home looks like it’s out of a magazine!

    xoxo,
    mk & Gwynnie

    Reply
  46. Anne

    October 3, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    Rules? We don’t need no stinking rules!!! Hey, I want that painting in the photo for item 3!!!!!!!!!!

    🙂

    Happy decorating!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Day 18 of organizing: Other People’s Organization | S & G says:
    October 24, 2012 at 9:14 am

    […] used an old crib spring to create a memo board (use vertical […]

    Reply
  2. Home Improvement: Panache Plating | says:
    April 6, 2015 at 3:21 am

    […] I’ve been collecting for inspiration! Credit where credit is due Credit where credit is due Credit where credit is due Credit where credit is due Credit where credit is […]

    Reply

KELLY

About / Contact / Press
facebook twitter instagram google pinterest snapchat

Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



More About Kelly

Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
Subscribe for Email Updates:

Get in Touch

facebook twitter instagram google pinterest snapchat

I'd love to hear from you:
[email protected]

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · KellyElko All rights reserved. Site by WordPress Barista

Copyright © 2023 · KellyElko - 2016 on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Sign up to get Kelly Elko's latest posts delivered right to your inbox
Your information will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
48 shares