Hey friends! Great job last week on the observation posts! You all are so insightful.
If you aren’t getting too bored with this game (I don’t seem to ever tire of it!), let’s try another room and share our thoughts on things that we notice about this space! No right or wrong, just any random thoughts that strike you as you look at this photo.
Here are some ideas to jump start the conversation, but feel free to share on anything about the room:
- What kind of mood does this room put you in? Why?
- How would you describe this style?
- Describe the personality of people who might live in a room like this and what must their life be like there (based on what you see)?
- What are the main things you notice when you first look at this photo?
- What are some subtle features that you notice when you look more closely?
- Notice things like the shapes, the textures, the colors, the proportions, patterns, etc.
- What is something you can learn from this style or how the room is put together?
- What role does the architecture play in this room?
- If someone wanted to create a room like this, what are some of the significant things they should incorporate?
Enjoy observing, and don’t forget to share with us what you noticed.
“Observation” is a new series of posts where we will all share our observations on the day’s photo. There is no expected, right or wrong comment. Just share what you see, what you notice, what is unique, what you love, what strikes you, or what is something you might have learned about design from this photo.
You don’t have to love the room to observe things about it. We’ll study all kinds of rooms (don’t worry, we’ll do other posts too, not only these!)
This exercise is both to stretch our own creativity and to help ourselves and others see from a new perspective.
Need more help with what to look for? Read the explanation post here. Have fun observing!
Coastal Living photo by Alec Hemer
I love the white walls and all the beautiful woodwork. This to me feels a little busy and the colors are a little to bright for my everyday taste. However, this space has several things that are working for it; the bead board ceiling, paneled doors, the chair and ottoman (besteal my heart) and the natural lighting.
I feel like I’m taking on online course in Decorating 101, LOL, and I get excited when you have posted something new for us to observe, thanks for the fun.
Take Care,
Michelle
I really like this space. I love the way they have created separate spaces out of the open space and yet have a continuity of color through out all of the rooms shown. Using white as the primary color makes the bold colors restful.
I would say this is cottage and yet it could just be eclectic.
I was going to say that there were no children in the home, but that may not be true. There are the colorful barstools at the counter….
I could be really comfortable in this space, even with all my kids!
This room is very colorful and very bright. I would say that the joyful family that lives here tried to make some casual beach cottage style made for everyday living. I like it because of this cozy everyday living affect, you can feel the presence of people here.
The blue – green color are dominant and seams they repeat even in the kitchen.
Thanks for another task. I had fun. Suzy
Refreshing, cool, breezy, ocean, children, fun, relaxed! I liked the cushions on the sofa – they were different than the material and color of the base of the sofa itself. Very fun. I have such a hard time with accessories, this picture showed me some great examples of how to use them and where to place them. Thanks.
I love the open, easy living feel of this room. The great punch of color against the white background is great and the comfy looking furniture that looks as if it’s been pulled from somewhere else adds to the charm.
Hugs,
Cathie
a BIG thanks for all your kind comments….
on another note….what are your thoughts on very high ceilings and WHITE walls….
all your rooms are ME…i look forward to stumptowns with you!
WOW! I love this space! It gives me an “easy” beachy feel. The people who live here like a casual and clean look. The wainscotting on the walls and the planked ceiling add a cottagey feel.
I first notice the colors – the couch, chair and the blue sideboard. The subtle features I notice next are the ratan furniture, grass rug, blue stools and the vase on the coffee table.
To change: Remove the hydrangeas in the vase..wrong blue.
The size of the blue rug is out of scale.
Remove the chair in the corner below what looks
a message center, which I don’t care for.
Remove the glasses on the coffee table and tidy it
up a bit.
Add something on the blue sideboard for height..like maybe some flowers or even put a small mirror over it for reflection.
Thanks for the fun room and for the challenge. I had to open your blog twice so I could bounce back and fourth to play the game.
xo
Becky
Melissa, my darling — my emails keep bouncing back — I’m so sorry I have been out of touch — call me call me! xox, a
Fun, lively, comfy and BRIGHT!
Love this room, space, calm, shabby chic. Very bright but yet tranquil…could just image my self , lying there reading Country Living
First thing I noticed was the flowers on the table, then the colour of the sofa and the chair…following through to the blue box/chest , the little blue stools and into the other room with a blue table in it.
A very Happy room
I could live here and so could my young children.
Everything is so white and clean with wonderful pops of cheery color. Great detail in the molding–love the detail on the stair rails. I think the kitchen is a bit boxed away from the open area, but other than that, I love the space.
I’m aching to know whether there is another seating area across from the couch : ) or if it’s the TV. : (
Very comfortable. I could cozy up with a book on that couch.
My eye is immediately drawn to the coffee table with it’s perfectly peeling patina. With the pale blue color, it draws me into all of the blue tones carried way into the back room shown. So comfy and cozy, a home that would be suitable for some real living! Keep up these posts Melissa, they are wonderful! ~XO~ Janet
I observe me with my shoes kicked off and my hair in a ponytail. I’m reading one of my favorite books for the umpteenth time…one of Victoria’s books…At Home With White. And I have a cup of coffee to sip leisurely as my crockpot cooks dinner!
this is my kind of place! now ur going to have to excuse my terrible typing at the mo because i went and broke my wrist when i was on yard duty at school on monday- so silly! anyhoo…
this room puts me in a great mood. ‘i love it! the color, light, mix of old and new, cleanness… it’s so fresh and summery and liveable.
gun people live in this house. ppl who enjoy their surroundings but are not too precious about thm. they have ppl over and everyone can relax here.
i first notice the light- the white and the splashes of colour. love it!
i wish i had more room in my house to incorporate more space like this- but for now i need to make do with what i have. i really relate to this room.
I would say the people who live here are just down relax people, but yet they are hip and very much into style. I love the wooden floors, the painted wooded ceiling. How everything was white with added touches of color through out. Such a open warm feeling that brings you in but stylish enough to scream look at me.
I love the white everywhere with the punches of color that can be seen carried out even into the next room. The room is easy going with style and very comfortable and welcoming. Clean and crisp but not stuffy. So pretty.
Definately a relaxed vacation mood! This is the perfect beach cottage. Comfy furniture, worn surfaces – like the coffee table. You would not worry in the least about putting your feet up. Yet, it is sophisticated too. The Hydrangeas, the floor lamp and the crystal chandelier all show a nod to sophistication.
I love the way the colors are pulled through the entire space…the aquas and blues and even the pops of yellow help your eye travel around the room.
This room makes me want to continue to explore. What’s upstairs? What does that room in the back (kitchen?) look like. I would feel at home here – as long as it was in a warm climate.
xo
Penny
Best word to describe this room: FRESH
I think this room is for a young family, the kids can tear around without knocking into things. I think the green chair was placed in that position for the sake of the photo, normally it is probably opposite the couch. Right now it is separated from the rest of the room by the french doors. The coffee table is ugly to me, needs a proper paint job, maybe when the kids get older. I would put a rug under the dining table so it doesn’t look so lost in space……again, maybe when the kids get older.
It looks like the people living there are someone I’d like to visit, and any minute now I’m expecting a dog and a child to come runnin into the room
It looks very livable and cheerful! I love the big , open space, and the greens and blues playing off each other 
Oh Melissa, this room is sooooooooooooo me! Everything is painted… and all the green and turquoise. Oh my:)
Hope the wedding planning is going smoothly. I know how excited you all must be!!!!!!!!
LOOOOOVE this room and all the colors. So fun and relaxing at the same time. Hope the wedding planning is going great. Our daughter was married last summer at this time so I can relate.
Karin
This room is HAPPINESS! The colours are FABULOUS! It’s light and not overwheming and FUN!
Off to have a cup of coffee with you in YOUR kitchen! Wedding plans… I haven’t been able to catch up with everyone… who is getting married? Is Winston in the wedding?