You Said It: ‘It’s Different ... But Then, Aren’t You?’ and More Wisdom

In a week where independence was in the headlines, I found myself looking for streaks of independence around Houzz. During this time when entire TV networks force obsession with resale value upon us, I am always happy to find unique design moves, quirky details and willfully individual spirits permeating projects all over the world. Here are some featured ideabooks that cheered on staunch individualism in the design process. Let your design freak flag fly.

“Today architects such as Robert Oshatz, Bart Prince and Eddie Jones create buildings in the organic tradition that forge a harmony with their environments. Their work is idiosyncratic and highly individualized, but so too are their sites and their clients.” — Andrew Boyne

Yay! We finally have this wonderful explanation of organic architecture on Houzz. In an increasingly cookie-cutter world, having organic architecture is a wonderful thing.

Full story: What Is Organic Architecture, Anyway?


“It’s different … but then, aren’t you?” — Joanna Tovia

Tovia’s talking about the carpeted platform underneath this bed, but the sentiment has much wider applications. It lifts my spirit to see a celebration of individuality exemplified through design. Stop imagining other people visiting or living in your space and think about how you want to live in it.

Full story: Rise and Shine: Beds That Favor Your Creative Side


“The idea was that they would be reinstalled and repainted, but when I saw the boards go up at random, I thought, ‘Oh, my God! I love these!’ — I decided I wasn’t going to do it.” — a homeowner, as told to Mary Jo Bowling

Let’s hear it for happy accidents! These unplanned design occurrences often turn a ho-hum room into a favorite. We couldn’t have come up with this idea (or repeat it) if we tried! A positive side effect is that the boards are great conversation starters.

Full story: Houzz Tour: Southern Charm in the California Wine Country


“Adding to the pressure, in this age of instant everything, it’s easy to think that you ought to have a perfectly appointed home within seconds of moving in.” — Alison Hodgson

In other words, give yourself a break. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your whole house won’t be decorated in one either. Hodgson, in her usual comforting way, helps us all take a deep breath, assess what needs to be done and figure out how that will happen — whether or not we have the energy, skills or desire to do it ourselves. She helps us decide what our budgets will allow and craft a master plan. Finally, I love her final tip — while tackling public spaces first is tempting, nothing really tops having a bedroom that’s a haven. Think about yourself first (if you have kids, apply the airplane-oxygen-mask rule).

Full story: First Things First: How to Prioritize Home Projects


“To maintain the Victorian feel of another bathroom but give it a modern update, Nicola opted for this bee wallpaper from Timorous Beasties.” — Catherine Macaulay

With Scotland capturing the world’s attention this week, it was the perfect time to tour a fabulous unit in a Scottish castle. I cannot get enough of this wallpaper. It is the coolest, and the fact that it’s a bold part of a fresh take on Victorian style is simply brilliant.

Full story: My Houzz: Winging It in a Scottish Castle


“You should be able to see individual pieces … everything should have a place.” — homeowner David Benton, as told to Annie Thornton

Benton has collected many special items throughout his far-flung travels and his life, but he is not afraid to let something that just doesn’t have a place at home anymore go. If your house is feeling overstuffed, try to look at your belongings with new eyes. Answer the question of how something you have chosen to stash in a closet or the attic fits into your life now and edit accordingly. Don’t be afraid to let things go.

Full story: Houzz Tour: An Eclectic Ranch Revival in Washington, D.C.


“The tales Drobnick’s designs tell are like fables or myths — all are deeply personal and crafted for clients and others seeking what she has laid out on the once-wild Ohio landscape: gardens of secret, metaphysical delights.” — Karen Peterson

On landscape designer Nancy Drobnick and husband Cliff’s thoughtfully designed 3-acre grounds, garden rooms, a teahouse, skylights, stones, statues and more all symbolize deeper meanings and tell stories. Whether you understand the numerology, philosophy or symbolism behind her designs, you can feel the good energy. I love the idea of a designer’s getting to know a client’s innermost thoughts and translating them into a design. Does it get any more personal than that?

Full story: Mysticism and Meaning Meet in an Ohio Artist’s Garden


“Don’t assume anything, as every company does things a little differently.” — Anne Higuera

Whether you’re searching for professional help or you’re a pro yourself, your time is valuable. The hours Higuera will save you with these simple questions that can be knocked out on the phone can be used for so many more productive or enjoyable things. The bottom line: You need to find a professional whose skill set and style will suit your individual needs.

Full story: 9 Questions to Ask a Home Remodeler Before You Meet


“Julia Child championed the use of pegboard in her own Cambridge, Massachusetts, kitchen decades ago. Her collection of pots and pans hung on a humble pegboard wall, and she even drew outlines of each piece so she knew where everything went.” — Karen Egly-Thompson

I love the thought of Julia Child, a pioneering true individual, drawing outlines on her pegboard because she knew it would help her function in the kitchen. No glitzy kitchen makeovers for her — the woman was practical.

It reminded me of my first house. I had an old, yucky kitchen and about $100 for remodeling. I was deep into Cynthia Rowley’s Swell attitude at the time. I proudly laid down black and white checkerboard peel-and-stick tiles on the floor and painted the old cruddy cabinets. I used an industrial-style stencil to write “Glasses,” “Snacks,” “Hootch,” “Good China …” on the appropriate cabinets.

Friends who watched way too many resale-themed shows would come in and ask why in the world I would ever think that it was OK to deface my cabinets like that. Then, within about 10 minutes, they’d usually ask, with all sincerity, something like, “Hey, Becky, where do you keep your drinking glasses/plates/snacks?” I would respond with silence and say it all with a stare that said, “Seriously?” My beloved, derided cabinets and I always got the last laugh.

Full story: Boost Your Kitchen Storage With a Pegboard on a Wall


So, Houzzers, I shared one of mine, now share one of yours! How do you express your individuality through design? Make my weekend and post a photo in the Comments section of a very personal design move you’ve made.

URL: You Said It: ‘It’s Different ... But Then, Aren’t You?’ and More Wisdom http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-24702.html