The house I am about to show you this morning thinks outside of the box, at least the person who designed it does, and that is Kelly Wearstler. Now you may not like it, I for one am not the biggest fan of the space but what I love about it and about Kelly is she follows her own path. Her designs ignore whats in or whats out, they are not limited by current beliefs, instead they are as open minded and as wide and clear as the blue sky. Confidence is required to follow your path and ignore what others say and just go with what you believe in, but it totally pays off.
So the point (a little obviously) I realise is take the plunge. If you want to paint something dark paint it dark, its a can of paint if you hate it paint it back the next day. If you want to paper the ceiling paper the ceiling, if it doesn’t work hell it doesn’t work, don’t think about it too much or procrastinate just do it. I am sure interiors would be way more exciting if we just took the plunge more often. I for one am good at taking risks (sometimes they fail, quite often they fail) but you know what it doesn’t put me off, might piss me off for a day or two but that is about it. Its forgotten, over, moved on, so without further ado Ms Wearstler’s latest residence for a couple in Washington.
Painting the ceiling out in a stripe totally lowers it bringing it crashing down to the floor. Would I do it no, do I like it not particularly but that is not the point. The point is its ballsy its gutsy and I have the hugest amount of respect for people that take risks and follow their beliefs, no matter what others say.
Bookcases above door openings, the odd marble wall, patterned carpets, not everyone’s cup of tea or budget but the thing about interiors is not to follow the Joneses , not to even worry about the Joneses just push it. The more you push it the more tantalising your interiors will become, and the great thing about taking risks is that it makes you feel alive win or fail you’re pumped and I for one would rather feel alive than just plod on and live in a space that neither increases the pulse rate or tugs at the heart strings.
Lesson over – have a good Wednesday
Hi Abigail
I am a designer in Sydney, who obviously receives your blog.
Just wanted to say how much I really enjoy reading your thoughts – both about design and life in general.
I am working in my Study, with my 13 year old daughter on the other computer, doing her homework. Was so impressed by your ‘mantra’ today, that I made her come and read it. Amazingly poignant mindset – applicable to every facet of life. Hell, just go for it. You are a long time dead!
Thanks.
Ffrances Lawes On 15/08/2012, at 4:18 PM, Abiga
Thank you, great to here feed back much appreciated
Beautiful!!!
I can’t tell you how much your blog and this post in particular inspires me. I bought an architect designed property in stunning grounds some years ago but was discouraged from redecorating because everything was freshly painted (magnolia) with hardwood floors. I can’t begin to describe how depressing and soulless the space was to actually live in. So I decided to go back to work (I was on a career break) and slowly started buying things to cheer up the space. It started with some dog sketches that I bought second hand gilt frames for. Then I fell in love with some old trunks and 2 stone whippet dogs. Then a shop opened selling wonderful silk flowers and I filled my house with them. I painted a north facing room a sludgy fossil colour and hung massive copper Poul Henningson Artichoke lights from impossibly high ceilngs. Then I watched your TV program and discovered your website. Imagine my delight to see stone whippets outside your shop, your collection of dog lights and masses and masses of silk flowers. Your blog has truly inspired me. Not just to redecorate, but to take risks and live life on my terms. I love the breathtaking spaces I’ve created with my current house, and can’t wait to start on my next project. I design, paint and decorate fulltime now and have never ever been happier.
What a lovely comment thank you for posting, truely inspiring.
Don’t care for the ceiling either but the floor in that first pic is amazing!
Reblogged this on Emlak Sektörü Takipte.
I really appreciate your thoughts on this home as I was just pondering it myself. I completely agree with you about the ceiling in the entryway. In fact I’m practically beaming that I had that thought on my own and then it was confirmed by you, someone I admire so much! Despite the fact that I think I would crave a little more simplicity and not so much that is precious/pristine/costly, Kelly is fantastically talented and inspiring. I think you and her are somewhat comparable, with the major difference being your interiors always seem so livable and cherished. As you put it, there’s always something throwing everything off balance just enough to make it tantalizing. Well this is turning into a fan letter pretty quickly so I’d better stop there. Haha. Thank you for being so inspiring!
Very kind words thank you