Because I Love It All

That’s why I love blogging so much.  All of the different styles.  All of the different color schemes.  I love it all.  In my alternate existence, the one where I have lots and lots of money,  I would have houses furnished in different styles.  One very French with the neutral tones thrown in with grays and off-whites.  Another with lots of color.  And on and on.  It’s very difficult for me to decorate because I have such a hard time making a decision.  Because I Love It All! 

But…..the thing that I love the most is being a bit different and a LOT unmatched in my decorating. 

I remember in 1998, this crazy fabulous book came out.  I had never seen anything like it!

It was Tracy Porter’s Dreams From Home.  Oops!  My scanner cut off the D!

At that time, everything was all matchy matchy.  Waverly was the hot hot thing.  EVERYTHING matching!  From wallpaper to bedding.  Even then I hated it!   And I didn’t even know why.

But Tracy Porter……that girl was way way ahead of her time.

I had never ever seen anyone dress a bed this way.  I was amazed at all of the completely different fabrics that she had thrown together.  And her wall decor…..WOW!  I loved it all!  It was just so……well, weird.  And I found out that I really really liked weird.  Right down to the way she combined furniture.  Some painted, some antique, some not.  But again….nothing matched.

It was the first time that I had ever seen a Santos.  I didn’t even know what it was called.  I just knew I HAD to have one!

All through the book, there were pictures of these quirky little journals that she had made.  I had never seen anything like that either. I was hooked!

I must have studied every page of that book a hundred times, just trying to figure it all out.  Now I know, there’s nothing TO figure out.  You just DO it.  Go with what you love, and somehow it all works together.

In 1998, very few women understood this “look.”  At the time, I worked for a wallpaper store.  Wallpaper was the rage then.  Tracy Porter came out with a wallpaper book and we could hardly sell any of it.  Women were just scared to death.  Customers  couldn’t think “outside of the box.”   I think Waverly had brain washed the whole lot of them!  HA HA

Today, I still have women come into my home and say “wow….I never would have thought to put those things together in the same display.”  Or…..”you sure have a lot of stuff.”  It’s their way of saying “I don’t get it.”  

And THAT’S what I love about all of you.  All of my blogging friends.  You ALL “get it.”  We all appreciate and admire each other’s style and enjoy sharing it. 

And isn’t it wonderful that we’ve found this community.

If you haven’t checked in on Tracy Porter lately you need to visit her web site HERE.  Of course, her taste has evolved and changed over the years, but that same style that I love is still there.  You can link to her blog where she has a bunch of short little tutorial videos.  Just getting a good look at her great room and kitchen are a delicious treat that I’m sure you will all enjoy!

Have a happy Friday and weekend!

Denise

P.S.  I just loved the comments to my last post.  You girls are too funny!