For those of you new to this game we’ve been playing periodically on The Inspired Room, WELCOME! From time to time I publish “OBSERVATION” posts. By observing a room, we are able to stretch our creativity, our ability to understand design, refine our tastes, and to help all of us start to see things from a new perspective. After we make our observations, we share them in the comments. Then we can all learn from each other.
Come on, trust me. It’s fun! I love this game.
Mostly this is a positive feedback kind of exercise, we are looking for things we notice about the room. There is no right or wrong or expected comment. We aren’t really here to say what we don’t like (someone loves this room!), this is more about discovering interesting things we notice and sharing them with everyone else.
Here are some ideas to jump start the conversation, but feel free to share on anything about the room:
- How would you describe this style?
- What is the mood of the room?
- Describe the personality of people who might live in a room like this?
- 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. Many of you have commented how much you are learning by both sharing AND reading what others share. I agree this is a great way to learn about design!
Need more help with what to look for? Read the explanation post here.
Want to see the previous observation posts? Click here.
Have fun observing!
Photo: Southern Accents
The first thing I notice about this room is the window treatments, that combination of the bamboo blinds and beautiful print panels. Love that combination! It has sort of a British Colonial feel to it. There are so many other textures in the room too… velvet, leather, woven grass rug, rough wood, twisty lamp, fringy pillows, smooth upholstery. I love it! Although the room has a fairly simple color scheme (which I personally find very soothing), it’s made interesting through the use of all the different textures. It’s a beautiful room! The only thing I will say I don’t like are the matchy-matchy skirted tables on either side of the sofa.
Mrs. Bs last blog post..Deja Vu
This room is set up perfectly for lots of visiting…i loved the child’s chair being included as well! I thot it a bit formal until I saw they used bamboo shades under the draperies. It’s a lovely room, a bit dark for me, but lovely. The pillows helped warm the look up a bit along with the curtains.
I love textured spaces especially when using monochromatic color scheme.
The little leather chair is too cute, and the perfect size for the smaller family member making this room a ideal cozy family comfy space.
Thanks for sharing the concept..
Jill xoo
I find it interesting that so many people thought this room looked masculine. I didn’t see it that way at all. It seemed romantic to me… not in the frilly sense, but more country cottage romance. The floral fabrics and table cloths gave this room the feminine look for sure. I like the leather/suede couch, wooden trunk and blinds to offset that frilliness. I would love living in this room!! It’s got a little of everything for my taste. I would guess a family with small children who love to entertain lives in this house. The low maintenance rug and kid’s chair is a big give away to that. Plus there aren’t many breakable items within arms reach. I like the hint of purple and green throughout the room. I also like all the lighting in the room. I would never think to put that many lamps in a room with so many windows. It’s an interesting space.
This is a fun post!
-Amy from Texas
Amy from Texass last blog post..Sunday At My House
The first thing I noticed was how many horizontal “surfaces” there are.
The brown/cream combo is beautiful – I’d love shot of wedgewood blue in there to ramp it up.
I don’t find this masculine at all. I see it as very cozy, old east coast, martha’s vinyard, preppy. Love it!
Three things.
1. LOVE this room.
Okay, four…
2. The window treatments are placed right below the crown molding which makes this room seem HUGE. Nicely done.
3. Nothing is matchy matchy. There are some patterns that are consistent, but I like the fact that things coordinate instead of match.
4. Several folks have commented on the beige palette. I think having a neutral base is smart and budget-friendly. Those accessories can be changed drastically for a completely different feel. The lines of the furniture are simple and versatile enough to give the room a facelift for a minimal cost.
Kendras last blog post..Slightly Adjusted Banana Nut Muffins
I think this room is masculine in colour…Browns and Beiges…I cannot stand Beige…the house I live in now …is like living in a tin of Mushroom soup!!! The two previous owners didn’t do anything to it…and I don;t think they liked colour!!!!! But I am working on it.
What I do like are the windows…huge, lovely shape and lots of light. Just looked backed to photo, and noticed all the single chairs..!! Not sure what that is all about, its like the settee is the focal point!
annes last blog post..Back from Trip ..
Hello Melissa..I like this room..it is very similiar to the direction on want to take in my family room..which my husband has “taken” over. It is where his big screen TV lives..Sully (from MONSTERS INC)..yes’ it’s that big. I have added some of the natural linen that you have in the next post to the room. But I have a question for you instead of the bamboo shades I would like to add a bamboo curtain rod..do you know where I can find one? I already have the blinds in a honey brown color and don’t want to replace them since we rent. I do try to make it “our” home even though we don’t have free rein to do what we want. I like how the decorating added surprising pops of color through the room, the greens, the purples. I like all the natural elements the basket coffee table….and I like the old crusty leather chair and sofa but my favorite part is the bamboo shades with the contrasting color of curtain in brown and white. It seems very much a room that Heather Chadduck would decorate..this is very much her style. I’m sure you know who she is….
gabrielles last blog post..Chhhhhhanges….(insert Bowie’s voice here)
Ooooo!! I love this room! Full of textures – love the natural shades in combination with the drapes. I love the darker colors and the warmth the room exudes. I could just curl up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate and then drift off into a good sleep on that wonderful couch! Like Vee, I would like a little splash of red here or there…however this room is perfect just like it is.
xo
Becky
I love this room. What I like most is that it seems to be a place both my husband and I would enjoy spending lots of time in – not too girly or masculine. Great photo choice.
Alana @ Gray Matterss last blog post..Going Green in Preschool
I have a love hate relationship with this room. It reminds me a bit of Ralph Lauren but I don’t like the country elements of it, like the floral drapes. They are bit too busy for me. I love the use of mostly neutral colors but the room is still colorful because of all the textures , different fabrics on the chairs and various shades of the same colors used throughout the room.
I don’t care for the chandelier it too is too country for me and the lamps too traditional. I like a bit more modern and unique looking.
What the room says to me about the people who live there is that they are stylish and elegant in their taste and lifestyle but they want to be comfortable and they want their guest to feel welcomed. I also like the fact that they did not use too many knick knacks(spelling)??
The room looks light and airy and un-cluttered but still warm and inviting.
The only thing I would have added to the decor if it were my living room, is little tiny bit of glam by using some glass, pewter or silver in a couple of places. Oh and a few urns with succulents and ferns flowing out of them.
sandra
sandras last blog post..
Oh that room is way too busy for me!
It’s pretty, but I think there’s way too much going on. I’d take away a lot of the accessories and pare it down quite a bit. But I’m a minimalist.
I’d also like to see more of a pop of color, but I’m a color kind of girl.
PamperingBekis last blog post..Going Downtown…
I think if I were to walk into this room, I would feel like I were in a big hug! All that texture is very warm and inviting. The deep browns in the trunk, blinds, and sofa pop in contrast to the lighter colors in the drapes, chair, and floor. Mmmmm…..