Why decorating?

This is an antique German armoire we bought at Carl Moore Antiques in Houston many years ago.  We used to keep a television in it but now it is home to many of my old decorating magaizines and paint and fabric samples and files.

I figured people might wonder how and why I am so interested in decorating. So before I start posting my opinions, I thought I would give you some background. Growing up, my father was in the business (and still is).  So fabric samples and wallpaper books were a constant in our home. I did not really pay much attention to them at the time but they were always there. Words like pinch pleats, cornices and valances were tossed around in our house all the time. Except for the occasional filling in during college breaks, I did not work in the family business. At the time, I was not really interested.  My older sister worked for my Dad for a long time though and she was very good at it.

Instead, I went to graduate school and became a professor and later a speaker and marriage coach/counselor.  Then, when Dave and I married we owned an adorable little cottage in a great University neighborhood.  It is then that I started to yearn for a beautiful home.  I immediately subscribed to Traditional Home magazine (and still have every issue archived).  I went on home tours and bought an art journal to begin collecting ideas and figuring out my style.  Really, I would tear things out of magazines that touched me in some way.  If I felt an emotional response (positive) to a photo, I would save it and eventually it would make its way into my sketchbook.

We have moved  a few times since that cottage. In fact, this is our fifth house. Our third house was a 100 year old home that we partially gutted (kitchen) and restored.  That is when I really fell in love with houses and decorating.  We had so much fun choosing all of the options for our kitchen.  Our antiques and art fit that home.  I grew to really love that home.  I still do and I drive by her regularly.

Next, we built our home in Virginia.  I poured over hundreds if not thousands of house plans but none seemed like exactly what I wanted. So, I turned to my journal and we hired an architect.  We spent months and months going back and forth with my pictures (many in my head) and his skills.  Finally, we drew the perfect house plans for our family. I loved the fact that the house was completely unique and that no one in the world had a home plan the same as ours.  I had never in my life thought of myself as creative until then.

Next came the wonderfully exciting task of choosing every single detail from each toilet and handle and cabinet to paint colors, to baseboards and fireplaces and flooring and windows. It was a full time job and at times I despised it (because it was overwhelming) but mostly I really loved it. There were so many little things I learned and mistakes we made. However in the end, we created a fabulous home for our family.  You all already know how much I love(d) that home.  Now, someone else owns it. That was a very sad day for me (about two weeks ago).  I realized that my whole life I had never thought of myself as artistic or creative and that house was the most creative thing I had ever done.  And I succeeded at it too.  I have failed at many, many artistic endeavors in the past~trust me!

Now we have purchased a large new home in a city (on a very small lot).  It is Craftsman style (which was never really my favorite).  But this house has beautiful woodwork and moldings and beams.  It has so many details that are missing in today's new homes.  I need to put my touch on it and I know that will take a long time. Our much loved belongings of antique furniture and art don't look as good in this house as they did in our previous homes.  So, I need to find creative ways to make them work.  I will share much of this along the way.

I realized that this post is very personal but part of that is because this is a passion of mine. Decorating and art are very personal.

Please let me know if there are specific decorating topics you would like me to blog about.  I don't claim to be an expert but I'll share what I can.