I saw this collection of photos over at Southern Living (and the bedroom from Southern Accents) was curiously drawn to the simplicity of the design and the color scheme. I say “curiously” because I have noticed my design taste has evolved over the past few years.
In the past I was really drawn to the “evolved over time look” — more patterns, colors, accessories and mixtures of styles. Things that “go” but don’t necessarily “match.” In fact, I still am drawn to that look. But lately I have also been intrigued with the peace and calm a design like this offers.
I think choosing a simple color scheme, less accessories and a lot of solid fabrics and walls like in these photos does simplify the design choices and the process. If you are starting from scratch it is fairly easy to duplicate a look like this.
Successfully pulling off the “evolved over time look” with a wide variety of patterns and colors can be a real challenge.
However, reality is that most of us have all sorts of random pieces and upholstery we have to pull together or want to use, and it is not always financially feasible to recover or redo everything just to get this “less is more” look. Especially on a budget! It can be done but it would require some effort, patience and careful editing. And probably some sewing skills and a big can of spray paint.
So, let’s have a little fun weighing in on the “evolved over time look” versus this streamlined “less is more” look. They can both be lovely, but which do you lean towards right now and why? Which one is easier for you to pull off?
photo inspiration: Southern Living Laurey W. Glenn
bedroom from Southern Accents: Antoine Bootz
I love the simple look of the rooms. They don’t look too cluttered.
Honestly, I can do the best makeover in any given space, and take glorious pictures. But the moment my camera shuts off, reality sets in and my carefully arranged whatever has morphed into a catch all.
Knowing that, I attempt to decorate sparingly, however careful to include well used and functional pieces to avoid a museum feel. While the mag photos are stunning, they aren’t reality for long in a real functioning world.
An evolved over time PLUS less is more theory is typically my type of decorating. You get the warmth AND uncluttered feel.
Donna
I agree – my interior tastes change as I get older, but I find this intriguing and exciting to see how I will view an object as time goes on.
I LOVE the green and white. So gorgeous!
I love the look of the rooms you posted and have been trying to declutter, but I also struggled with letting go of books and collected things. One way I cope with this is to change things out with the seasons. In the summer I like a simpler look and keep things pared down and use bright colors. I have neutral walls, floors and window treatments and that make it easier to change out pillows and accessories for the seasons.
While I love the “less is more” look of these photos, I am a decidedly “more is more” person. I don’t want to commit to streamlined when it would restrict me from bringing in some new, fun color or pattern that caught my eye today. I like the mix of old and new, crisp and crusty, neutral basics with colorful, patterned pillows, rugs and accessories. And I’m old enough now to know that I couldn’t stop myself if I tried, so “more is more” it will be!
I love the “less is more” look but I find I have a hard time living it. I’ve currently been decluttering and right now I’ve really been into the crispness of green, when I’ve never been a green person. Thanks for the pics.
My look is definitely the evolved over time look. I have so many things from years past that do not match yet I can’t part with. I do love the uncluttered look on this post, maybe one day.
Love, love, love that idea of using the fabric of the bed! May just have to do that in my own bedroom…
I love the “less is more” look in these photos … but I am just not a less is more kinda girl. I can’t decide. I love too many different things. I love more colors and to be able to move and change. Plus I have 3 kids, a husband, a full time job, a side business, and family and friends. That “less is more” look doesn’t have any piled up laundry or dirty tennis shoes! laundry piles definitely fit better in the “more is more” look …
Decluttering gives me such a sense of satisfaction!
I started noticing that I was drifting to decorating in more of a minimalist fashion after years of layering.
Pictures of Mid-century Modern rooms appeal to me because of their simplicity, yet when I would try to emulate them too much in my home, one thing-a toy, an alarm clock, etc. out of place-ruins the entire look.
My home is much more cozy then minimalist, but is always striving for simplicity.
I found as I’ve gotten older, and added more children to my family, I have a definite goal of “less is more” and calm, simple color schemes. There is so much action around my house, I can’t imagine adding to it with many colors, or alot of stuff. The simple style brings more order to my life and brain.
Seems as if the majority of the women here are with the Less is More category…..I like to think I’m that, except while up here in Portland and doing a little Vintage shopping/looking, I’m squeezing into my suitcase a little set of shutters…Thanks Melissa…this is totally your fault, you know….:-) I also found a few copper pieces to add to my French Country type kitchen…so, so much for less is more….:-)
Great post…as always….you’re a love.
I find I fall into both categories. My style somewhat evolves over time, but I stay pretty traditional at heart. Less is more when you seek serenity in your spaces, but I also find that major furniture pieces should be purchased with careful thought and not for instant gratification. Both decorating styles have merit !
Melissa,
These photos were so calming that I made a quick visit to the SouthernLiving website. I read each of the pages related to Jill Boothby’s home, but I never found the bedroom. Was it from the same home, or was it from another site? Thanks again for your post.
K
Hi Kathy, wow, you are so right! Doesn’t it look like it goes in that house? I ran back to check and sure enough, it wasn’t from that house. I updated the post to show that bedroom is actually from Southern Accents!
Ha, I just gave them a new room, their bedroom was different. Oops! I love the bedroom I posted though so I’ll leave it up. The original bedroom can be found via the first link I shared. It is pretty too.
Thanks for pointing that out! I try to be accurate but sometimes I lose my mind.
I am definitely an “evolved over time” kind of gal. But the part that I find most difficult is not ending up with a hodgepodge of styles, cluttered and nonappealing. I often would like to ditch all but my most loved pieces and get rid of it all and begun again. Fortunately, I’d have to win the lottery so I continue to love “evolved over time”.
The Southern Living spread definitely looks like “less is more” as everything is so coordinated – and lovely!
less is always more to me – clean, crisp. adore the black accents with the green.
Funny you should pose this question. My husband and I both adore antiques, so we like the “evolved over time” look. In anticipation of a move to a smaller, quainter home, we are going through the “less is more” process, culling anything that is not “useful or beautiful” as William Morris suggested.
I have always been an “evolved over time” kind of gal, and with 6 kids and lots of their things I find we still live that way. However I am always working toward paring down, simple things.
I have never been big on clutter – I know people who live with houses that look like they are country stores, and I always wonder how they “live” there!
I feel like with me, the two go hand in hand. Some handed down or ‘saved from a flea market’ pieces with modern less is more are exactly who I am! I think you can marry the two by only keeping things you love over time and keeping it simple. I loved those pictures.
Can you believe, that I just added these pages to my ‘keep for ideas’ notebook? Yes, I ripped them out of my S.L. (heresy, no doubt) just yesterday.
I love the clean look, and the colors are delish!
New Every Morning..I have one of those idea notebooks too. Helps keep down the magazine clutter…although there are not as many magazines to buy nowdays.
I find that I am decorating in a cleaner, less cluttered style. It’s fun to switch out accessories with the seasons/holidays. You don’t need to show everything you have at one time.
I am always drawn to the streamlined look, but my house never seems to end up that way! I’m more of a mess:-)
I absolutely love these photos! I could easily live in that space.
But I’d need someone to keep it clean for me. Haha!
I’m definitely a less is more kind of girl. Neutral walls, neutral furniture… Then if I get bored I can add fun throw pillows in bold fabrics, hang funky artwork, etc. And I am fickle so I do swing back and forth quite often.
But I never just “add to”. When I put something new up, something old has to get put away. That keeps things streamlined.
Evolved over time (and time again) is the look in my home.
However, I try to keep my bedroom with a bit of the less is more theme, so that it is peaceful and calming and much easier to settle down and rest at night.
I love the photos featured here! I am striving for the “less is more” approach, but something that is warm, inviting, and traditional. We inherited some wonderful antiques and sentimental pieces from my in-laws. I am trying to incorporate them into our home without having too much stuff.
My son has asthma/allergies autism, and sensory issues, so a “less is more” approach is essential for us at this time. Visual and physical clutter are too overwhelming for all of us. I am going for soothing colors, neutral palettes on the walls, and punches of color from a few accessories and photos.
Now, I just have to get started on more decluttering!
Great post and thanks for sharing!
I am in a less is more mode. I bought a model home that was already decorated but at the time I loved it. Lots of browns, kind of a traditional look between tuscan and french country. It is very pretty but I find that I just want to streamline everything and go for a crisp clean light look. I saw these same pictures in Sountern Living and fell in love with the design. I think the change in the economy has everyone feeling stress and confusion outside of the home so when they get home they want smooth easy lines, no clutter and happy calming colors like blues and greens. Its amazing how it all ties together.