Colorful

I suspect that some of you will not have had the experience that I had growing up and, then, some of you will groan with recognition. Some of you will have been magically self possessed. I was never sure of what my style was or how I came across to others or, even, who "I was" in general. I've always felt awkward and not in step with the rest of the world. For example, there's always been some secret code of what to wear if one wanted to be popular and I just can never seem to crack it. While everyone else wears Levi Jeans, I've always preferred a skirt.

Then, one grows up and starts to hear that it's a wonderful thing to be unique. Well, alright, then! Even though it seems peaceful from afar to just fit in.... I'm, apparently unique and that's a good thing. ;) However, I'm, still, not quite aware of myself. So, I've been learning to just express and to simply let it be what it is - to just let myself be who I am and to not worry about how it all comes across.

I've stopped trying to be clever!

This has played out in a curious way in my surroundings. I love to feather my nest but, until I moved to this new home, only a couple of years ago, I had never had an environment that was fully mine to shape (you know, with the okay of my husband. ;)) At first, I tried to decorate according to 'the book' but, like my struggle with clothes' fashions, I had such a hard time figuring it all out.

So, finally, realizing that the less I try the better it looks and that, if I like it, it will probably fit in - even if, technically, it shouldn't - I've been relaxing about the whole thing and waiting to see what comes out of my lack of effort. I was wanting my rooms to be soothing and neutral but, what I've been surprised to realize is that I am colorful!

When we first bought the house, I had read a wonderful piece of advice. It told me that as I looked through interior magazines and books, I should take note of the spaces that make me stop and gasp and try to figure out what it was about those rooms that I liked so well. That's how I wound up with the brown walls in my dining room. What has followed after is purely by accident.....

The "before"

(There was an old phonograph in pristine shape waiting to be collected by the woman who inherited the house. It was filled with records from the twenties, thirties and forties. Spectacularly charming! Not so the wallpaper and rotting rug)

After

I've always wanted bleached, Scandinavian type floors and, even though I know that the floors in the whole house should flow - it's not possible so I went with what I wanted, et, voila! =] We love them!

We painted the ceiling a definite and obvious blue that's, also, subtle at the same time.

So!

The walls are what I would call a Scandinavian brown - not the usual and obvious choice. In the summer, it fits harmoniously with the views out the windows - especially the blue pond - and it has a warm and organic feeling in the winter.  It's an odd neutral - not beige or white. It's beautiful like rich, chocolate cake dirt is beautiful in the garden. Happiest of all, every color that I love seems to sing its heart out next to it.

Just look.....

So the moral of the story is to go with what you love and don't bother trying to be anyone but yourself. Even better yet, don't try to be yourself - just be and....

colorful is definitely good! ;-)