Farmhouse industrial modern style

November 09, 2011

Last year I told you about my Suburban decorating style. “Real” decorators – especially those on TV –- seem to think “Suburban” is a bad word. I happen to think it’s lovely and warm and so ME.

Over the past year or so, I’m drawn to different styles and feel like mine is changing a bit. I just have no clue what to call it now. I don’t know if it’s all the lovely blogs out there or just the natural ebb and flow of my decor taste, but things, they are a changin’. 

The other day I was looking around at some of my purchases over the past few months and they just showcase my decorating confusion. I thought I’d share a few of them with you. :)

I visited one of my favorite spots in Indy a couple of months ago – a salvage and architectural shop. We were in a bit of a hurry, (it’s the kind of place you need at least an hour to look through) but I did find this old crock:
antique crock
I’ve always been drawn to all things old and full of character. I absolutely LOVE it and the light blue “6” on the front. The price was crazy good too – only $20!

It sits next to the sofa and I fill it with blankets:
crock with blankets
Score one for the antiques! Or farmhouse style? Cottage? I have no idea.

For months and months I’ve been trying to figure out what to put on the wall to the left of our stairs. I can’t find a good picture of the scrolly iron thing that I had up there, but you can see a smidge of it here:
image
I’ve used those iron jobbies forever and a day to fill wall space, but I’m trying to move on and change it up a bit.

The iron piece was way too small for this wall anyway – but figuring out what to use instead was stumping me big time. I didn’t want a gallery wall, cause it would be too busy with the one on the stairs. I didn’t want to do a mirror, cause I have one over the foyer table. So what the heck else do you do?

Well…a find at a small town antique shop nearby solved that problem…at least for now:
antique windows on wall
(Yes. The Halloween mice are still out. I’m throwing in some spooky style into the mix.)
I found a few old antique windows, cleaned them up and hung them on the wall. I love the colors – they came in the white, blue and brown – perfect for our house! And I love how they fill up that large wall. I may do some adjusting but I’ve already got eleventy billion holes in that wall as it is.
Sooo…old stuff, two points.

Over the summer I found this little beauty at HomeGoods:
industrial stool
It’s the cutest little stool I ever did see! The grey color and metal legs lean more toward an industrial look, but the cute little number on the top is more farmhouse style:
number 1 stool
Half point industrial, half farmhouse. I’m so confused. ;)

Finally, I totally blame blogland for this one. My friend Chris made my multiple decor personalities issue even worse. She found a lovely table at World Market and I was smitten.

I was sitting in a waiting room when I read her post, and it just so happened I was about 50 yards from a World Market. Curses!!!

So I went. And I got it:
round modern table world market
(Yes. Those are seashells still on display. In November. I told you I’m all over the place.)
Dang her and her awesome taste!! I got it for a great price because I found a coupon online (they took it off my phone – hurrah!).

I’m IN LOVE with it’s modern look – the shape, the design, the glass top. I swoon every time I walk by it. I’m still thinking about taking some Rub n Buff to it to change up the color a bit, but we’ll see about that.

Sooo…score one for modern style.
That leaves us with…uh. Major design confusion. ;)

I wouldn’t even call my home eclectic cause I when I hear eclectic I think funky – maybe I’m wrong? Who knows what’s going on in my head and house. All I know is I LIKE IT!

I love the different pieces throughout our home and that they change up the look up around here. I’m just more confused than ever on what to call my style. Modern farmhouse industrial old stuff suburban? It’s got a certain ring to it.

Has blogland influenced your style? What would you call yours? I hope it’s easier than  mine. For your sake. ;)
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Comments

  1. I'm so glad I'm not that only one that feels like this! I just moved so on my mantel I have some really old practically falling apart shutters that I LOVE. Then I spray painted an old birdcage a turquoise type color and it looks more on a modern side... but I'm kinda liking the old and new mixed. It's so hard to pick a style sometimes. There are so many things I like in different "styles".

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  2. Sarah, I know what cha mean. I think my tastes have changed a little over the years, too. I love your crock...great place to stash those blankets for winter. :)

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  3. Whatever your style is, I love it! Blogland has DEFINITELY influenced my style. Before I started blogging, I had a hard time defining what I love, but also appreciating other styles. I have grown a real love for beautiful design, even if it isn't my own personal style. Great post!!

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  4. I'm glad I'm not the only one lacking a clear label- I've decided labels are bad in decorating, my house should just look like "me", my own version of all over the place, lol. I've always been into darker colors, but brightness is rubbing off on me because of Lucy over at attic24 and many of the blogs on her blog list! So my style is changing to I don't know what! I suppose VintageCountryFarmhouse would sum it up nicely, but I confess when I hear country I still have images of those nasty geese from the eighties, or really bad stencil jobs- both of which my house was filled with when we bought it eight years ago (and which were promptly destroyed, heehee). I will say one more thing- Yay for husbands who don't mind and even appreciate our changing styles!! My poor mom is barely allowed to change anything in her house, so I can't say enough good things about my husband!!!! Not sure where that came from, but WHOO HOO for good husbands!!

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  5. My style has definitely changed and I'm not sure my husband can keep up! I am changing things right and left..always have something working in the garage...find myself drawn to things more industrial, graphic..but I still like cottage colors, the warmth of painted wood...if I ever figure out a name for it I'll let you know! thanks for your post!
    Julie

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  6. Yeah, mine is a little all over the place too. Quirky Library Traditional?

    The one thing that's gotten to me because of blogs is white kitchen cabinets. I've always liked them, but now it's grown into a full-on obsession.

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  7. I don't know what to call it either, but it is all beautiful! And that crock! Be still my heart!

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  8. Oops, I guess I should mention my dad isn't really a jerk- he's just one of those guys that gets REALLY stressed out by change!! He does not get why we women like it!

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  9. Blogland has been SO helpful in figuring out my style. Before I just liked everything, but now I can look at something and admire it, but not need it in my house. It has been great!

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  10. I have been experiencing the SAME thing!!! I am so into the farm house style right now I can't hold back anymore! I'm just going with it:)

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  11. My tastes have definitely changed over the years. Thankfully I have been able to work new inexpensive vintage things into my big ticket items to give my house an eclectic (doesn't mean funky!!) feel. I have lots of vintage collections from 60s Italian decanters to milk glass to demijohns... The list goes on and on. These are the things people notice when they come to my house. Enjoy the evolution!

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  12. I'm not sure what my style is, and yes it is constantly evolving. I've always loved old stuff, and my look is pretty "traditional", but I want to throw a little more contemporary into the mix. Don't want things to look like my mom's or grandmothers house! I have two old windows on the wall going up my stairs, along with a large clock. Love it! Fills up a large wall nicely.

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  13. So glad I'm not alone! I'm right there with you girl, more confused and in love with EVERYTHING than ever. And it is ALL the internet's fault.

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  14. I wouldn't say that blogs changed my style so much as they have helped me define my style. They have made me more confident in my choices most of the time. Although my latest post is about dish colors 'cause I can't make up my mind. :)

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  15. Been feeling the same way lately thanks to your blog! I've been trying to lighten up and get rid of the red that's all around my house...never had realized red had taken over in EVERY room.

    Go with what you love...it doesn't have to have a style name as long as you love it and works for you and your family.

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  16. I know my taste has been influenced by blogland. I was never too much into white decorating with distressed edges to furniture, but now I like it. I decorate my own house so slowly, however, that it hasn't really influenced anything yet.

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  17. I hope you don't mind me saying...but from the looks of it, I think you're more "Farmhouse(or)Cottage Chic". I'm no professional in any way, but from what I've seen, that's what I gather. But it's wonderful to incorporate different pieces together, I think it helps shake things up and keep it from looking boring. Over time, my taste has definitely changed. But I always stay with what I love, then you never go wrong. Yeah? :)

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  18. I just buy what I like which I think is really important to do and obviously what you are doing. What I like is always old and then there are so many flavors of old. I have been calling my style "industrial farmhouse" or lately, "coop style". I made it up - think wirey farm. I think you have some cottage going on sooo "Farmhouse Cottage"??? I'm all about melding the 2. I do love taht each home design/DIY blogger has a different astetic from the next

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  19. Yes blogland has changed my style. I used to be set in my ways and now I'm all over the place. So many wonderful styles, you've done a great job making it your own and it's beautifully done!

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  20. I don't think I have a "style" either. My stuff is very all over the place. Right now, the majority of our house is very uh... hand me down. But I'm working on purchasing new things & sprucing up the old things to make it more us.

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  21. I adore that World Market table. Ha, now I wish I hadn't seen it! But it looks beautiful in your home. I definitely have a mishmash of styles as well (maybe mid-century traditional vintage modern?). Well whatever your style is technically called, I love it!

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  22. Put Santa hats on the lil' rodents and call them Christmas mice...being that it's almost mid-November, that'd make you right.on.schedule.

    P.S I've heard the term "new traditional" thrown around a lot lately, which is also super broad (like my hips), but *seems* like it means "suburban" mixed with influences from other styles, instead of being so rigid. But what do I know?

    {If anyone ever tried to put a label on my style, I'd kick them in the shins: I refuse to be put in a box. Too restricting.}

    {Unless the label was "awesome." Because who wouldn't want to be in an awesome box??}

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  23. Honey, let me just tell you, that disease is CONTAGIOUS! My taste was 'vintage traditional Tommy Bahama' until I discovered blogland. Now I'm doing some rustic. I NEVAH thought that would happen b/c I grew up w/ hand-me down furniture that was country-ish. Lord help us! Love that crock. And what a decor opportunity for those windows. Vinyl leaves in fall, fake snow or snowflakes in winter.

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  24. I know exactly what you mean!! I didn't know what my style was before I was introduced to blogland (yours was one of my 1st blogs I read). But now I'm more confused than ever. I know what I like, I just don't know what it's called. I LOVE the crock and little stool though!!

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  25. OK, I just bought that same World Market table 2 days ago, and last night went after it with my trusty Grecian Gold Rub-N-Buff. Sounds like you an I are truly on the same page! Great minds, right? :)

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  26. I think it's all lovely! I don't think you have a problem at all...it just shows how versatile you are that you managed to meld it all into one style! Thrifty Decor Chick Style! :)

    (it would also mean that I'm not eclectic either..haha)

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  27. Eccentric would mean all over the place crazy. Eclectic means variety. ;-) I would say you are very eclectic and it makes you so interesting!

    Love reading your blogs!

    Terri
    www.beyond-relevance.com

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  28. I, for one, still love the word eclectic....short and sweet, and can mean almost anything....a mixture of a little bit from here and a little bit from there without using all those sequential descriptive words that really don't capture the essence of your style.

    Better yet are pictures, which are worth a thousand words, for conveying a style. From your photos, I see an eclectic mix, a melange, of items that are put together artfully! So glad you share with us!

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  29. My style is and always has been eclectic - which is my excuse for decorating however the heck I want. I have to keep my furniture and walls pretty neutral because I can change my style on a whim.

    Oh and to add to the fun, I am usually drawn to formal and casual styles. so I guess I'm not only confused but also dichotomous - hahaha.

    Whatever your style is, it works!

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  30. I have no idea what my style is either and it is constantly changing! I know what I love, but I don't know how to define it.

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  31. oh yeah...blame it on blogland!! Whatever you decide to call it I think it look fantastic. I like the farmhouse-cottage stles but I'm sure that will change soon too.

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  32. Oh, gosh - well, our business is Urban Industrial Farmhouse, but lately our style seems to be Early Bohemian Map Pencil Graffiti, or something like that. Yes, blog world influences. I really like the before pictures lately, you know, the rooms with nothing in them? I'd like to be able to lay in the middle of the floor and make carpet angels.

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  33. I gave up giving mine a name so I just deem it funky junk. Imagine... LOL

    Donna

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  34. Silly me... it's late, what can I say. I'm LOVING your changes! Be careful... it's very contageous...

    Donna

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  35. i feel the same way. that is why i categorize myself as having an eclectic style. i love the modern colors and straight lines but also love the older simple styles with a cottage/country feel. sometimes making it work all together gets a little tricky for me, but always ends up looking great in the end. usually all it takes is another accessory to pull it all together. im liking the wall of windows.

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  36. girl join the ever loving club! do you only have clothing in your closet from Express? When you shop for groceries do you get the same things every time? do you ever look at your 1 million shoes and think...I need a pair of _______ that is _____.
    Not to sound like a Judy Blume book but welcome to womanhood! we love to mix it up! And honestly I would call your old style "all grow'd up" but your new taste I would call that "farm house chic" its old and antique-y with a little bit o' bling.

    work it! and shake what yo' mama gave ya...or something like that...and for pity's sake take down those mice! lol ....

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  37. I don't know what you'd call your style either, but it's all lovely. And warm. And comfortable. I've gotten so many ideas from this blog and I think all those ideas have made my place more stylish. All I know is I love it and I love your blog!

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  38. According to SPROOST, this is me:
    MODERN ELEGANCE:
    You either love contemporary but wish it wasn't quite so cold and austere; or perhaps you've always been drawn to more traditional rooms but are now at a point in your life where you'd like to pair down a bit or want to create a less cluttered and busy space. Transitional Style is here to marry those apparent contradicting designs. And guess what — it's the contradictions that make the mix of contemporary and traditional so successful. The result is an elegant room that appeals to young and old alike.

    and this one, too
    RUSTIC REVIVAL:
    Either way you play it, you are one of the unique individuals who loves a mix of modern and country. The clean lines of the modern softened by rustic /vintage elements is the perfect mix in your mind. And can we blame you? You've taken the best aspects of two popular designs and mixed them in a manner that appeals young and old alike.


    Mixing old, new, metallics with soft linens, industrial with shabby chic farmhouse, etc. Part insane, part genious ALWAYS 100% me.

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  39. Love your taste. The antique windows do look a little bland however. Why not frost them with your initials or family name and add some rope light to the inside to illuminate it?

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  40. I'm going thru the same thing. My style was always traditional, I guess. But now it seems to be a mish mash of different things. I blame it on all the blogs I read. I still lean towards traditional, but I've been mixing it up with some fun colors and patterns, some older antique and retro pieces, a little bit of French Country, a little bit of coastal cottage and some retro.

    I'm calling it my Heinz 57 style. LOL

    Actually... I guess it's collected style. Whatever... I like it.

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  41. I choose to believe that having a true design style can be a bit boring. I prefer to mix it up a little, I think it adds depth to your home. Love the new finds!

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  42. I am very eclectic! Eclectic is "not following any one system but selecting and using what are considered the best from each system". Until someone called my style eclectic (and I was a little thrown off) she explained the true definition to me and I went "ah yes!" I like the best of all things!

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  43. OMGAH love your copper side table. I've been drooling over that one for a while!

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  44. I am in the exact same boat as you! Glad I am not the only one! I love your house!

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  45. Great post Sarah, I can totally relate! I'm just starting out and for the life of me I can't define my style, so you can bet my husband loves furniture shopping with me :) I get so indecisive because I love so many different things...

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  46. I'm going for a blend of modern vintage for my house. I'm slowly remodeling to get away from the blah-builder-itis it was suffering from. I'm also very influenced by the ideas I find in blogland, so my style is peppered with just things I love!
    Love your site! Thanks for sharing your ideas!

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  47. YES! Yes it has. I hated yellow and gray all by themselves, let alone together! Well, it has definitely grown on me. (I blame YHL.) Linking your post to mine!

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  48. YES!! I have multiple decor personalities too. So boring to stick to just one style. It's all about what you like and what makes you happy when you walk in. There are design rules, but once you know those rules, you can bend them and work outside the box.

    I suggest we give your style a name in the fashion they name neighbourhoods in Manhattan: Mofioss, first letter of every word. Soon, you'll see it in all the fancy schmancy decor magazines: "This room is a beautiful example of the Mofioss style, made famous by Sara at TDC..."

    P.S. There's nothing wrong with suburbia. I know, the chichi city people say it like it's wrong, but it's the bee's knees. A perfect mix of city and country.

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  49. Definitely been influenced by blogland! I'm rustic modern chic? I say go with what you love and it will all come together!

    michelleleeinteriors.blogspot.com

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  50. Love the pick up from Doc's Salvage...I haven't been yet but might have to stop by this weekend! I'm always looking for new places in Indy to shop!

    strawbridgestuff.com

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  51. I love this crock! and you did get a smokin' deal on it. these can be very expensive. . . I find your style similar to mine - and no, electic in not such a bad word, but I agree, I probably would not overuse it. allt he different styles just comes toegther somehow and work! very nice!!

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  52. Sarah, I AM SO THERE WITH YOU. I have been thinking and doing the exact same thing with my home. You're the first I've seen to put it into words. I'm so glad I'm not alone as I have been hard on myself thinking I was off my "crock" for liking so many different styles. I'm relieved. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Vicki

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  53. I have the perfect name for your style! It's the "stuff I love" style, and everyone needs to remember that it's perfectly acceptable style!

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  54. I'm still trying to figure mine out! I'm afraid that we'll move into a house before I can even finish decorating our condo! :(

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  55. I love that table from World Market. I lean towards french country, but then I see something like that and I get confused, too!:) By the way, just add some santa hats to the mice and they're good for another coupla months! ;D

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  56. Adding some black and white photos on the backside of the glass on those windows would be a fabulous addition to making them more a part of you home. Or add some of the word decals with some pictures. I love those windows!

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  57. I'm so glad you posted about this. I've been going through something very similar the last several months. I love so many styles that I finally accepted that I'm eclectic. I use to not like that word, either. When I saw eclectic homes in the past they made me think of a bunch of funky business.

    Apartment Therapy changed my views of eclectic, though:)

    I'm working on re-doing my living and dining rooms now, and I'm sure they will showcase my eclectic tastes. I started out with, "I know I'll do my dining room Baroque style". That morphed into something turquoise and bright pops of white like the last dining room I had, then into some sort of Farm House Industrial thing. Wow, it changes every night when I think about it. I'm getting dizzy!

    And, I'm not sure if you were joking about doing the spooky vibe, but I've wanted a somewhat spooky, cutesy, haunted mansion type thing in my living room as well! I'm not talking about for Halloween either. Complete with a phantom candelabra from Z Gal and the Yurik candle holder and a few other pretties. Hahaha I'm insane!

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  58. I am TOTALLY on, literally, the exact same page as you! I was struggling for awhile to find a way to describe my style since 'country' and 'traditional' didn't quite seem to do it. What did hit the nail on the head was when I stumbled upon the term "Modern Country". I even wrote a post about it on my blog. Check it out if you're interested and let me know if that's you to a 'T' like it is me! :)

    http://stormcloudnine.blogspot.com/2011/03/sense-of-self.html

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  59. Definition of ECLECTIC from Merriam Webster:
    1: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles
    2: composed of elements drawn from various sources

    SO, it doesn't have to be "funky"!

    The ocean is my love and I have shells out year round so your November shells look perfect to me! Throw a few pinecones in with them for the winter :)

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  60. good post, I actually have my blog named design disorder because I love so many styles. I think it is important and more of a skill to design using pieces from different styles and periods- it is more authentic and true to human nature. just think, we grow and develop as humans so it makes sense our style should too. I certainly don't have the same taste as when I was 16 or 21 or 31 for that matter.
    there is more skill needed when decorating a space with items from different periods- how easy is it to decorate all in one style - when you know everything will work together.

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  61. LOVE the crock with the blankets inside! Very cozy! Blessings, Lisa

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  62. Like another person said, whatever it is, I love it. Eclectic sounds good too. Have enjoyed following you. I have a few of those crocks myself! Lo-ove.

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  63. I enjoy your blog, and your home is so lovely! Don't worry if you don't follow one consistent style. I think that if you love it, you'll make it work. And if anyone can do that, it's you!
    I too have struggled with my "style identity!" I have an eclectic combination of country, cottage, global, and probably a few others thrown in for good measure. But I figure that the common factor is that I love it!
    My main goals are to have a warm, cozy house and to be surrounded by the things I love. I think you have achieved that in spades!

    Best wishes, Kerry

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  64. I think a big rug would look lovely on your wall; something that you love!

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  65. Last year around Christmas, I read something online about determining your style for decorating for Christmas. I took the little quiz and who knew, my style is country. Ever since, I've come to embrace my country/traditional style. Blogland has definately influenced my style, in a good way, I think.

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  66. www.sproost.com will explain your style in ways that I haven't seen before.

    It's awesome, just like that table you scored. I am envious, but unwilling to pay more than $20/table hah.

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  67. just loving that wee table - too cool for school ! le xox

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  68. At our house it's English Cottage and Lodge circa 1920-1940.

    Meaning:
    I have no problems putting a vintage flowery pitcher on a chunky nail-hole pitted rustic table. :)

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  69. You have to tell me RIGHT NOW: What color is your floor? Is it Armstrong? AaaaahhhhhhH! I love it!

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  70. Oh I am so with you too. We collect old frames with the antique glass still intact- my fav piece is from our old farmhouse- a lead glass window that hangs over our mantel. My parents collect antique crocks and gave me a giant one- I just put it in our livingroom last month- no lie, to hold blankets :)
    My last antique market trip I came home with a milk-paint whitewashed old farm ladder that I propped against a wall (and secured at the top of course) to hang blankets in the library- I also hang the occasional sweater from it. I fall into a modern farmhouse style if I had to categorize myself. I love me some potterybarn and ballard type catalog merch, but fall hard for eclectic or modern stuff at ikea and antique markets. The mix is where the fun is!

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  71. Whatever it might be called, I love your style! I'm kinda the same way - loving old mixed with new. I just buy what I love & somehow it just works together(I think so anyway)!

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  72. It's called eclectic and it is a collection of things you love...so what it the confusion? Shouldn't we surround ourselves with things that we love? That is the beauty of eclectic decorating. It is unique just like you. love it!

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  73. I really love filling my house with unique pieces such as these. I have a outdoor pot from HomeGoods that I also put blankets in. It is a nice alternative to a blanket on the couch. Keep sharing your unique finds.
    www.ashleysnest.blogspot.com

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You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!