Knowing What You Don't Like Is Important

ashley-spencer.com, RSOL Designer Show House, Mary Douglas Drysdale's room

casartcoverings.com, Slipcovers for Your Walls

This room is so close to the decorating that I have been admiring for the last two years, and also the decorating that I am moving away from now.  I don't like this room.  Part of the reason is the photography.  But here are some decorating reasons why:

the mantel decoration isn't colorful

the couches are sterile, and the pillows don't make up for that

the rug and curtains could have been part of a dynamic color scheme but instead they repeat each other

Mary Douglas Drysdale went to a lot of work, like any other designer, getting this room pulled together for the showhouse.  She does amazing work.  This isn't personal to her.  Here is an example of her other work:

swedishantiques.blogspot.com, New Year's Resolutions

In the philosophy of interior design, you have to be willing to say, "I don't like that.  Why?"

This is important for me to explore, and important for me to know what my clients don't like.  When I only know what rooms a client DOES like, then I only have one side of the coin, so to speak.  Grant K Gibson talked about this in his interview with "The Skirted Round Table".

Not only is this important, but the WHY is the most important of all.  If you can't express why, then the complaint would be like telling a doctor you're in pain but not expressing where the pain is.  I can't help a client if they can't express what they do and don't like with a least some amount of detail.  All of my clients can.  Most people can.  I must say that the husbands are funny to read though.  They can feel so so strong about something that they don't like, but they have a hard time putting words to why.  Usually the wife helps me out at that point in adding words to his feelings.  I love seeing how couples work together that way and truly enjoy it.

So here is what is close, and something that I do still love:

christinamariedesign.blogspot.com, Lovin' Me Some Neutral Rooms

Why?  I always like light colored walls, large upholstered furniture in neutral colors, a bit of gold (coffee table), and a splash of color in the window treatments/pillows/art.

I'll be posting soon about how to communicate with your clients visually to show them the design you have in mind for their rooms.