You Said It: ‘Know Thyself’ and Other Houzz Quotables

There was an overriding theme that caught my attention on Houzz this week, and it came up in several interviews I had with designers as well as in many of the featured ideabooks. It was about making a home your own — to suit your own needs and your own lifestyle, and filling it with your own personal touches.

Also, because of the time change, it was a little rough getting those circadian rhythms back on track this week. But the flip side is that across the country, some of us have been lucky enough to enjoy spring bulbs and fruit trees in bloom.

“Know thyself. Who are you? What do you like? What do you hate? What is your ideal living arrangement? What is your favorite season? What do you enjoy doing?” — Bud Dietrich

If you think you’ll ever build a new home or remodel an old one in your lifetime, bookmark this ideabook now. Dietrich starts the story off by directing us to look inward, the most important place to begin.

Full story: Get a Perfectly Built Home the First Time Around


“I hate to break it to you, but designers don’t follow a secret rule book. There are no hard and fast laws governing what we do.” — Judith Taylor

I feel like so many people are afraid to even begin to decorate their homes the way they truly want to because they are terrified of breaking some design rule. Please stop worrying about these rules, and if you are having trouble getting started, check out the tips Taylor provides. It will likely free you up from your design paralysis.

Full story: 12 Key Decorating Tips to Make Any Room Better


“Home is the place where you can be exactly who you are … it’s a place to surround yourself with the people you love and the things that bring you comfort, happiness and inspiration.” — Megan Charters

I loved the way Charters celebrates and enjoys her collections; they add so much personal style to her home.

Full story: My Houzz: A ‘Whimsical Museum Gallery’ in Texas


“The house didn’t look very promising when the Gerardis found it.” — Mina Brinkey

You will not believe the before and afters for this beautiful beach home. It just goes to show how a vision can be achieved and how much potential there might be in a dilapidated pink house.

Full story: My Houzz: A Breezy Beachfront Getaway for 8


“To my children, it is ‘home’ as soon as the family pictures are hung on the wall. Everything falls into place after that.” — Houzzer Sonia Isle, in the Comments

This story inspired a lot of happy memories and warm fuzzy thoughts, which were shared in the Comments section.

Full story: When Does a House Become a Home?


“The island’s large size meant there wasn’t much space left between it and the custom built-in pantry wall. So Troyer designed custom swing-arm stools that wouldn’t cramp the walking path.” — Mitchell Parker

These stools are genius, and I must have them in my kitchen!

Full story: Houzz Tour: Better Flow for a Los Angeles Bungalow


“The wall cupboard displays found objects from around the property, including butterflies and fallen birds’ nests.” — Luci Dibley

I love collections of personal objects, especially when they are found objects from a special place. It’s a unique way to add your own stamp to your home, and root it in its place.

Full story: My Houzz: Cozy Country Meets Bohemian Artistic in Australia


“McCue also wanted to put a spotlight on sustainable, repurposed and recycled building options. For the exhibit he repurposed a red 1920s steam shovel into a pop-up pizza restaurant.” — Nora Burba Trulsson

This pizza joint is the coolest, but the story is really about living very, very small. If you’re in the Phoenix area, check out the MicroDwell exhibition (which ends March 23, 2014) for just $5 and get great ideas about living smaller.

Full story: Design Lessons From Tiny Homes


“Tulips are at their most dramatic when planted en masse.” — Karen Chapman

I’m not sure another photo backed up a statement as strongly as the one here did this week. Tulips are one of my favorite signs that spring has arrived (they come right before I’m totally over the pollen situation), and I loved seeing them in bloom at the Filoli garden.

Full story: Easygoing Tulip Ideas From a Grand California Garden


“In search of healing for the body or the mind? A so-called Medicine Buddha, like this one, could help.” — Lisa Higgins

Who couldn’t use a little tranquility? You don’t have to be a Zen master to benefit from having one of these serene statues around.

Full story: Soothe Your Spirit With a Buddha in the Garden

URL: You Said It: ‘Know Thyself’ and Other Houzz Quotables http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-23022.html