Anthropologie Dishes and hutch
I love going into Anthropologie. Why? I just like the feel of it. Every item in the store isn’t exactly my style, but that is OK. Somehow when I walk in, I am content and happy! I am inspired to walk slowly, ponder and stay awhile (OK, they have to throw me out at closing time) — I want to take in all the details.
Isn’t that what we all want for our homes? Don’t we want to walk in, feel embraced and at peace and not want to leave? Don’t we want to savor every detail of life at home?
I promised last week that I was going to share some more ideas from my visit to Anthropologie. Since we recently reviewed some tips for finding our own decorating style, today we can find some inspiration for that from Anthropologie.
I decided to take some time to analyze why I love Anthropologie so — to see what inspiration I can take away from Anthropologie stores (because that is just the kind of thing I quietly ponder on a lazy Sunday afternoon, while the rest of the world is napping or planting a garden or whatever. Don’t judge.).
So go ahead and grab your cup of coffee, let’s see what I came up with...
4 Decorating Lessons from Anthropologie
1. Create ambience.
If you’ve been a reader at The Inspired Room for awhile, you know I love LOVE a home with ambience. I feature them, I talk about them, I dream about them. I am not bound by one particular decorating style, but I do love a room that oozes ambience. Most people are affected by the ambience of a room, even if they don’t know why a room makes them happy, draws them in or actually might make them feel uncomfortable.
Anthropologie does a great job at grabbing your senses to create ambience on many levels. From their eye catching displays in old weathered cabinets, textiles that make you want to reach out and touch them, pebbled and distressed wood floors, to delicious smelling (and lit!) candles filling the air, Anthropologie has the ambience thing down well. It feels like a personal and creative home you could really enjoy spending time in.
The more senses we can engage in our home, especially in ways that are personal to us (our own favorite scents, textures, colors, patterns, emotional & spiritual connections, etc.), the more we are going to love the feel of our home.
2. Be fearless.
Break out of the expected decorating box! Instead of being worried about what is right, proper, popular and acceptable in the world of decorating, Anthropologie pushes the envelope on creativity. They ignore all the rules. Animal heads on the wall? Check. Rubber hoses draped on a display? Ok.
Cardboard murals? Why not? Recycled plastic bottle garland strung across the ceilling? Check. Fabric bunched up haphazardly to make a table covering? Check. Giant dinosaur topiary? Fun! Wood crates or pallets for wall hangings or towels? Love that.
Now, bear with the illustration here. I know Anthropologie is a store and what might work in a store might look kind of silly in a home. Or maybe the things they do just aren’t your style. But so what if “you wouldn’t do those things at your home”? What COULD you do? That is the question.
Stretch your mind to look at objects in new ways. Maybe take a tour around a hardware store or your own garage and see what might be able to be re-purposed for decorating. Who says you have to hang a towel on a towel rod? Or that paintings need to be hung from nails? Or that art has to be purchased in an art gallery?
3. Express your personality
{and what does that really mean anyway}
Most people seem to know that our homes should express our personality. That idea has been around for a long time now. In fact, I sometimes I feel like it is an overused concept so I hesitate to use the phrase too much. Yet it something we still can struggle with, even when we know it is something important!
So let’s think about what ‘express your personality’ means, really, and how do we do it?
If we aspire to make our home look exactly like a store catalog we love, does that mean we have ‘expressed our personality’ because we happen to love Ballard Designs catalogs? I mean, I do love to look at Ballard Designs (don’t get me wrong) but do I really want people to come in and say, “wow your home looks just like a {insert store name} catalog!”? Hmmmm. That would disturb me a bit. Just sayin’. But maybe that is just me.
To make our home a true reflection of who we really are, we should be striving to have a unique collection of things that other people couldn’t possibly have because we found them in a thousand different places and moments in time.
I love a home that is filled with things that are basically snapshots of a person’s life. By looking at their accessories you see a part of who they are, their things tell a story! I get that feeling at Anthropologie, like someone has traveled the world and collected a variety of things they found interesting, humorous, or meaningful. The modern, the quirky, the reinvented, the antique and the memorable — all happily coexisting in one personality-filled room.
Life is not lived in a day. You could buy everything in the Ballard Designs catalog in one day, if you wanted to. Instant Decor. And none of it would say much about who YOU are. Enough said. Disclaimer: Nothing personal against Ballard Designs lovers or Ballard Designs catalogs. I love many things in the BD catalog and find it quite inspiring as a resource. It is just an illustration.
If you really struggle with expressing your own personality in your decor, it might mean you are not fully embracing your own uniqueness. What makes you YOU? I can’t truly have a unique style if I don’t really know who I am and what I have loved about life. Our personality at home will flow out of our life experiences. You can’t really copy that.
What ways could you break out of the cookie cutter, predictable and expected decor? Find unique ways to express your life through your accessories. It is OK to have some good basic or classic pieces, but what unique things can you add to make a personal statement?
4. Details Matter.
Anthopologie celebrates details. Their clothes have ruffles and their towels have pom poms. Their lampshades have patterns and their dishes have fun designs and pretty colors. Items have unique buttons and unexpected trim.
If your home is lacking some special little details, it is likely your home will be a little bit boring. Not to say you have to have ruffles or wood buttons on everything, but put some thought into some unique things that will set your style apart from your neighbors and show that you really care about your home. Details take time and a little creativity, but they are worth the effort.
What is your style? Whether you like things that are feminine or rustic or modern or antique, you can find your own trademark details to show off your unique style.
So there you have it. My four take-away decorating lessons from Anthropologie!
all photos taken by me at Anthropologie in Seattle
Great post! Because most days, I would like to buy everything in the BD catalog and re-do everything in my house with it. I will remember this next time I am feeling like my home is not as great as the ones I am loving in the next BD catalog.
Seriously – the BD catalog is the thing that I love that also makes me feel bad about what I have. It inspires me, but it also makes me wish I had that.
but, I LOVE our home at the same time. Everything in it! Because it IS us.
Great post! Loved the photos and your analysis!
.-= Amy at The Red Chair Blog´s last blog ..Toddler Toy Storage Solution =-.
i have a gift card for Anthro that i’ve been hanging onto for MONTHS! i just go in there every 4-5 weeks & enjoy the ambiance… exactly what i want to create in my own home. without the garden hoses, though- i always get tangled up, dirty & wet when i use the hose! : )
speaking for all your readers: we appreciate that you sit around thinking up posts like this while everyone else is napping or gardening! you’re a great thinker/writer!
.-= rachel´s last blog ..progressive decorating =-.
What a great post Melissa! Aren’t we all just a little obsessed with Anthropologie? And it’s so true what you said here about the details. It’s those small little touches that get noticed or that make you feel at home.
Rachel
Awesome post, Melissa! Love your style, your voice, and your advice!
.-= Kimm at Reinvented´s last blog ..Trash to Treasure Tuesday—Nifty Thrifty Lamps =-.
Love this! I’ve never thought about maybe 3 of those 4 things before
.-= Molly @ thecreativemaven´s last blog ..Another Inexpensive Idea for Kid Decor =-.
Hi Melissa: Great tips for all of us. I think our restyling efforts began a long time ago during depression times…. when one needed a new piece of furniture a crate was disassembled and fashioned into the new piece. Comfort came from within and still does, so thanks again for the reminder.
.-= Pam´s last blog ..vintage door decorating – JUNKMARKET Style =-.
Very very useful for my upcoming house…Thanks so much for these suggestions!
You’re making me wish I had an Anthropologie store nearby! No, seriously, these four points make sense. After all, why should I make my home look just like everyone else’s? I am unique as a person and therefore my home should reflect that uniqueness. I especially like lesson #2 “Be Fearless.” So what if my friends wouldn’t do things that way. Who cares? I resolve here and now to give myself permission to experiment without fear!
Stan Horst
Publisher: BetterBenches.com
I’ve never been there and now I wanna go {whine}
.-= 50centlove´s last blog ..Small Town Sight Seeing =-.
There’s so much truth to this post! I love your how you analyze their store.
Kelly
.-= Kelly@TearingUpHouses´s last blog ..You’ve Got Questions =-.
I love that store! Great post. Did they look at you like you were crazy for taking pictures of their store?
.-= Julie @ Organizement´s last blog ..LOLs =-.
Twitter: berrymorin
says:
I don’t know what to call our style…maybe junk casual.
LOVE this Melissa! Said so well. We had an Anthro open up here a few years ago and I’m a slacker — I’ve only gone a couple times. This has inspired me to check it out again!!
So very true!
And browsing through anthropologie is one of my favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon
Thanks for the tips!
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..Star of the Week: RUBYELLEN =-.
Love this! Thanks for putting into words why not matter how hard I try, I can never stay away from Anthropologie.
.-= Elizabeth@LongToLove´s last blog ..He knows, even when we don’t =-.
Thanks for your adoring words of Anthro… from another admirer, it was fun to read your thoughts on why we love that store and how to attain that personalized look in our home. I could spend hours in Anthro also and always come away with some creative inspiration.
I adore details and believe they make a home. I also believe the best homes are those collected with love over time. When I work with clients, it is often hard for them to see the benefits of not ordering everything at once and having an “instant room” in a few days.
When we step out of our impatient “want-right-now” attitudes and really desire to fill our home with things we have found and love, it really is much more than just a “decorated” room, it truly becomes our home!
Thanks for your inspiring words!
Erica
.-= Erica Cooper´s last blog ..Shades of green…. =-.
Great post! Your blog is as creative and inspirational as Anthro. And now, I’m gonna pull on my boots and head out to browse that yummy store!
Smiles ~ Ramona
.-= Ramona Owen´s last blog ..There Is A Bunny Trail ~ And There Is A Bunny Hippity Hoppin’ Down It =-.
What I love about Anthropologie style is that it’s a hodge podge, like real people decorate and collect, but they pull the items together in collections, many expected, that work.
I think we’d all be better off design wise if we have Giant dinosaur topiaries in our homes. Or just me. I want two flanking my doorway. I also want them to have the ability to eat naughty neighborhood kids and door to door solicitors please.
.-= Condo Blues´s last blog ..His and His Embroidered Towels =-.
AMEN!
I worked in retail mechandising for 16 years. I even traveled the country teaching it. It’s hard to teach people to be creativly brave.
Thanks for posting some words to live by….
AMEN!
I worked in retail mechandising for 16 years. I even traveled the country teaching it. It’s hard to teach people to be creativly brave.
Thanks for posting some words to live by….
Don’t know how I missed this post, Melissa, but I sure am glad Julia linked to it today. All I really have to say is “amen”. To being fearless. To being true to what you really love and not what the magazines or catalogs tell us to love. To REALLY making your home your own. I’m also glad I’m not the only one who goes to anthro just to “feel” it and take notes about the displays! I think the clerks there know by now that it’s a waste of their time to ask me if they can help me! I am seriously “just looking” and looking and looking. They should charge admission and sell coffee. I’d still show up just as often.
.-= Tracy @ Comfort&Luxury´s last blog ..What’s Up, Up There? =-.
I was just in there today. It’s just my happy place. They use all my favorite springy colors and put them together in the most eye catching displays. It’s just candy. Thank you for such a well written post:)
.-= Becky @ Farmgirl Paints´s last blog ..The bigger picture =-.
This is wonderful! I too love anthropology and the points you mentioned are so true! My husband always tells me I like to touch everything in stores. I am just drawn to different textures. I want to feel them. So true. And the part about details and decorating to reflect your personality…I love tiny unexpected things and quite obsessed with decorating for every holiday. For many this is over the top, but for others coming into my home, this is Ashley. I get a lot of compliments from friends on our home, and when I compare myself to other bloggers or magazines who are doing way more amazing things than I am, I think, then why my house? What draws people? And I really think it is these points you mentioned. What a wonderful concept…I am encouraged to pride myself in how I decorate and reflecting my (and my husband’s) personality, and when I do that succesfully I have a beautiful home. Wonderful post Melissa! Thank you!
.-= Ashley @ Domestic Fashionista´s last blog ..Saint Patrick’s Day Gift Tags =-.
This is such an inspiring post! I always find things I love but then psych myself out and think “oh I can’t put that in the house”. Here’s to getting up the guts to do whatever I want!!! If the results are anything like Anthropologie I would be so happy, I could truly live inside one of their stores for the rest of my life!
.-= Hip Hip Gin Gin ´s last blog ..Happy Friday! =-.
I don’t know if I could identify what it is I always love about the store, but it seems to consistently pull me in. Every once in a while, they miss with some decorations (nobody is perfect), but more often than not, they pull me into the store and I usually am “inspired” to buy something…
i love this article! this is the first time i’ve been to your blog. i stumbled across it when i googled on how to get anthropologie style cheaper.
You’ve definitely helped some, and given me a new site to explore. I’ve never heard of Ballard Designs before.
And, now you have me thinking of little wood buttons, that I could paint with a lacqured floral print that I think would look lovely on a cardigan.
Good stuff! Really.
Years ago I remember reading in one of my zines about how the English have things forever…no instant decor….but layers of living. You’ve got me thinking….I’ve traveled abroad several times….would anyone see any evidence in my home? Hmmm. Maybe I’ll spend my next Sunday afternoon thinking…abut *my* decor!
Thank you. That was inspiring. My husband and I bought a home just yesterday and in my eagerness to “set up” house, I could easily forget that it takes time to have our personalities and experiences show through. I’m going to decorate with (only) the things I love.
I’ve never been to an Anthropologie store before; I’ve often looked at their website and love their designs. Thanks for the store tour!
I LOVE YOUR BLOG! I am obsessed with Anthropologie in general and even more obsessed if I can find the look for less. I did a facelift on my office this weekend and used their fun knobs!
http://alamodemaven.blogspot.com/2011/03/pretty-in-pink-office-redo.html
….and then last week I posted on a fun ‘anthro look’ I found at TJMAXX…gotta love that….and then it popped up in their new catalogue, how crazy is that???
http://alamodemaven.blogspot.com/2011/03/anthropologie-adoration.html
Hope you enjoy all you anthro lovers! xoxo Shelli
A la Mode Maven recently posted..Pretty in Pink- Office Redo
It’s me again! Here’s another anthropologie find for less from TJMaxx/Homegoods/marshalls if you are interested =)xoxo Shelli
http://alamodemaven.blogspot.com/2011/03/chic-boho-bargains.html
A la Mode Maven recently posted..Boho Chic Bargains!
Another Anthropologie budget find for anyone who’s interested……xoxo, Shelli
http://www.alamodemaven.com/2011/03/from-earth-came-high-style.html
A la Mode Maven recently posted..From the earth came high styleA FIND!
I’m looking for ideas on decorating my booth at the local antique mall. You’ve given me inspiration on how to decorate the cupboards with the anthro pics. Thanks bunches! I’m off to check out their site to see if I can figure out the layering on the shelves.
Love your blog!
I feel the same way about Anthro as you do – I am totally inspired each time I walk through those doors. I get SO many decorating ideas from them.
Mariah recently posted..Theme Thursday: Book Worm Wedding
I am looking around your site and was interested in the subject. I think it boils down to use what you honestly like. If someone else likes mismatched kitchen chairs and a bare table and I like the table/chair set with gramma’s doilie in center make the choice that is right for you. We should each have our own idea of who we are and what is our passion or feel good decor. Maybe it is not so much decorating but arranging our life and living space to reflect what we value. I am better off with a egg basket I love than a tiffany vase I hate. Surround yourself with people who want to know you and accept you for who you really are. Thanks for getting me thinking.. rick