Home Care is Self-care – Storied

Color: From Fear to Clear

November 15, 2020December 1, 2020 Natalie Ralph

“I just love that color green you’re wearing!” “It is my favorite color, but I don’t wear it often.” This was how the conversation started. I was at the car dealership having some recall work done. The least likely of places to ponder “color”.

The conversation with the sharp dressed man ( I love that song!) continued for a couple minutes. The inner dialogue with myself continued quite a bit longer. Nobody would know that green is my favorite color, but every time I am asked the question, without hesitation, I respond an enthusiastic “green”! It’s as if I am convincing myself. A look into my closet would reveal something different and until not that long ago, a visit to my home would do the same.

A short time before my encounter at the car dealership, I began making a semi-conscious effort to bring more color into my life. I mean, I love vibrant color! It wasn’t that long ago, I would have the best of intentions with my selections, but more often than I’d like to admit, I came home with “boring beige”. I have spent time figuring out why that is in an effort to break the habit.

There is no doubt color makes us happy. Think about it! All the fun things and places are color-FULL – toys, amusement parks, candy. Have you ever felt the smile come to your face while in a colorfully decorated building or while travelling? So, why do you suppose color goes by the wayside when we dress ourselves and our homes?

Commitment – There is a greater fear of commitment with ‘color’. What if I don’t like it? But, what if you do? You will always wonder what a more saturated hue would look like. I would encourage you to consider what it would ‘feel’ like.

TIP: To ease the fear of commitment start with movable items, small rooms, and cost-conscious purchases. Reinvent something you already have.

Attention – Whether consciously or not, some people avoid color because of what others may think. Color will bring attention to you and your home. Yep, you will get compliments. And you will like it!

TIP: Start with small doses, perhaps one vibrant color. Make a small investment in accessories to introduce color into a room or your wardrobe.

Coordination: You wonder what ‘goes’ with what. Pairing or grouping color in a room or outfit may seem overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be.

TIP: Use the color wheel to identify color pairings. Use a colorful item as a bouncing-off point and coordinate from there. More simply, trust your very own eyes!

Natalie picked out colors for my rugs that I would have never picked out myself.
Client

It became time to walk the walk. I now embrace color in my own home and when working with clients. The fear is no longer there. Instead of wondering what choosing color will say, I consider what the lack of color does. I like to share the benefits of incorporating it into your life. You may find yourself inspired, energized, relaxed, or cheerful. And if you don’t like it, it is as easy to change as ‘boring beige’.

it’s storied time

7 ways to address your decor “weak spot”

November 4, 2020December 1, 2020 Natalie Ralph

Well, first we must talk about what I mean when I say decor “weak spot”. What are those items you are always drawn to? Somehow these items make their way into your cart whether you were shopping specifically for them or not. Let’s be honest, you’re always shopping for this particular item. You can easily pass up all the linens, but those darn candles are calling your name!

I have a few decor weak spots. There is a strong attraction between me and items representing the sea. To be specific, I can walk right by the nautical and beach-kitschy, but white and blue coastal decor is just “wrapped around my little finger”. It brings me to a time and a place that I really like. I also see so much opportunity in vintage frames. I’m not sure I should tell you this, but there are very few instances where one should get rid of a frame. I have other decor items that almost always catch my attention, but these two will be in my hands before I even know it if I am not careful.

I have defined 7 plans for attacking your (and my) decor weak spots. One is bound to help, right?

Buy/Give as a Gift – You find something you just cannot exit the store without. Buy it for someone else! Whose birthday is coming up?

Group Items – If you have gone back and forth or made a snap decision that you cannot live without an item, group it with the others you already have at home. This will give a bigger design impact and be a constant reminder of exactly how many of that item you have.

One Thing In, One Thing Out – You’ve heard this many times before. It really is that simple. If you bring in a new kitchen towel, you know the ones with the fun sayings on them (I love them!), one has to go.

Rotate with the Seasons – I am not a huge fan of season decor, but I do participate to some extent. I strive for items that work for more than one season or holiday. If it makes you feel better, designate items for a certain season and only display them at that time. Don’t forget what you have packed away!

Reinvent – See that green frame at the store? Remember when I told you about my relationship with frames? Take inventory of what you have at home that with a little creativity and some craft store supplies could resemble that which you want to snatch up at the store.

Have a Plan – Do not purchase the item unless you know exactly where it will go. You could even take a lap around the store and see if you happen to forget about it.

One More Time – Ok, ok! Buy that “weak spot” item one more time. You need to be the parent in this situation. Make it a good one and then don’t look back. This approach reminds me of wedding dress shopping. Don’t go to that store or down that aisle again. No ifs, ands, or buts!

I have used each one of these 7 methods; Buy/Give as a Gift, Group Items, One Thing In/One Thing Out, Rotate with the Seasons, Reinvent, Have a Plan, and One More Time on many occasions. Put them to work for you and let me know how it turns out!