Category: Decorate

Leader, Follower, or Free Spirit?

Published on by byjoellaLeave a comment

I’ve lived thru a few home decor trends. Finishes have now transitioned to matte gold and brass fixtures in new and remodeled homes; a color pallet I practically eliminated from my decor years ago. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I could revisit that look, but surprisingly, I managed to splash a little bit into my home. Being eclectic has it’s benefits.

I’ve also noticed a mix of finishes in homes, instead of everything matching. Now this trend I can live with. Another trend coming back is wallpaper. I’ve steamed wallpaper off, hung wallpaper up, steamed it off, and now it’s back again. Pass! I’d rather use paint (color), borders, stencils, collages, or decorative vignettes (a grouping of things).

Not that long ago, I read some decorating articles reporting decor saturation for several of today’s popular decor looks. Who decided this? Marketing and sales?

Can I be frank?

In order for retail decor sales to perpetuate, decorators and designers need change to happen to keep revenue flowing. That said, retailers, decorators and designers will (out of necessity) push out the “old” to make way for a “new” look hoping to maintain positive cash flow. This reasoning can apply to any type of new “trend” or “fad” that hits the marketplace. Kind of like sale racks you see in your favorite clothing store.

What about you?

Do you love to be part of leading the latest decor trends? Do you find yourself compelled to follow the latest decor trends spending money to keep up with the latest looks? Or are you committed to your individual creativity? Do you allow new trends to inspire you to refresh your current decor or completely overhaul it?

I believe some decor trends go through cycles, repeating variations of previous trends. A run down area getting revived might bring a fresh look to an old style. From restoring old homes and business store fronts, to renovating industrial areas and reviving communities. There’s always somewhere, someplace getting a new look.

I’ve noticed our economy proceeding times of war, natural disasters, pandemics, etc. can impact decor. The size of a home or lot size might increase or decrease, materials used may vary due to availability, population growth might influence home size, etc.

Eclectic Free Spirit…

I tend to follow the way of an eclectic free spirit when it comes to decorating. I like to observe the latest decor trends; however, I tend to decorate based more on my likes, my values, and my lifestyle. I prefer to create theme decorated rooms vs. the entire house looking one particular decor style.

I love to create interior and exterior living-spaces. I find color inspiration when I’m looking at my coffee, trees, flowers, birds, the sky, water, sand, rocks, wood, brick, rusty metal; the list goes on.

I love repurposing materials.

So, what inspires you?

Are you a leader, follower, or free spirit?

Until next time…

Inspiring Home Life,

THE RELENTLESS REDECORATOR

Coffee Vignette…

Published on by byjoellaLeave a comment

We love espresso!

I have several coffee vignettes in our house. We even roast our own beans (when we have time). Vignettes are not limited to just coffee. Many interests can be the foundation of a vignette. Shells, fly fishing, camping, wine, cooking, flowers, landscapes, trains, hiking, nature, sky, sunsets….

Let your imagination run free. Similar to a collage, vignettes aren’t limited to a wall.

Inspiring Home Life,

THE RELENTLESS REDECORATOR

Personalizing Our RV…

Published on by byjoellaLeave a comment

Our goal is personalization without compromising our warranty. Once the warranty is expired, we’re free to make all the changes we want. But for now, we are sticking with simple personalization.

For example:

We didn’t like the pseudo curtains. They seemed to create a closed in feeling, so we removed a few screws at the bottom, and released the tops that were held up by Velcro, and BAM! We now have a wide open view. We left the blinds that pull down, that are hidden behind the box valances. I considered removing the box valances, until I noticed they are connected to the blinds. (That might be a post warranty personalization!)

Makes a big difference, doesn’t it?

Inspiring Home Life,

THE RELENTLESS REDECORATOR

RV Life – RV Decor…

Published on by byjoellaLeave a comment

In 2018 we traded our 2014 Forest River Rockwood Signature Ultra Light 5th wheel for a 2018 Jayco Eagle HT 27.5. It was a big decision; getting a new RV would cost more than keeping our old RV, but there were features we wanted in our RV that we couldn’t get without upgrading our RV.

The floor plan we agreed upon.

Click picture for larger view.

Comparing manufacturer brands can be challenging when you go shopping for an RV. If you’re out looking, one of the first thing you might notice is that most brands seem to use the same floor plans. That’s because after one manufacturer comes up with a layout that sells, most manufacturers follow the lead. The real differences are in the manufacturering process, the features, the packages, the standards, the options, and the factory decor options.

How Did We Decide?

We knew how much we wanted to spend, and that we wanted to keep the cost of towing the RV down. We set our weight and length limit. We knew we wanted an RV with a big back window view, 8 CF refrigerator, 50 AMPs with 2 AC units, all weather insulation package, and the ability to tow behind the RV. Ample storage was important. We were interested in solar (or solar ready), and the potential to add a generator so we could dry camp. Rear camera ready would be a plus.

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Stay Curious, Be Blessed

As we shopped, we would find an RV we liked, but we couldn’t tow anything behind it. We’d find another, but it wasn’t well insulated. One was too heavy. Another would meet my interior expectations, but the exterior storage didn’t meet my husband’s expectations. If we got everything we wanted, the price and weight went up! We finally agreed on a 2018 Jayco Eagle 27.5, after we narrowed down our dream RV list. It is spacious; however, it doesn’t provide maximum interior storage. Fortunately, I can be creative in that area! Just need to think tiny living and be organized. I can use every nook and cranny to make things work for us.

Factory RV Decor…

2018 Jayco Eagle HT 27.5 factory decor:

  • The fireplace doubles as an electric heater.
  • Storage under the table & chairs; 2 folding chairs stored under the bed.
  • Swivel Rocker/Recliners
  • Couch makes into a bed.
  • 8 CF Refrigerator
  • Comes with a countertop extension.
  • Storage under the bed.

Click a picture for a carousel view.

RV Decor After (so far)…

I love personalizing the factory decor in our RV. As soon as we moved our stuff in the RV, I started adding my personal touches. It is an ongoing process:

  • Added some cabin decor. I bought a moose rug to put in front of the fireplace.
  • I’m thinking of taking the factory “curtains” down in the back to open it up more. LOVE the view!
  • Factory Pillows
  • I added pillow covers. This area is a work in process color wise. Our Yeti cooler doubles as a coffee table.
  • Organizational skills are a necessity in an RV! Added a small kitchen cart with baskets.
  • I upgraded the shower head.
  • Beach Theme
  • Note the factory pillow to the left.
  • I covered up the factory pillows with beach themed covers.

Click a picture for a carousel view.

Additional items I bought to put in our RV:

  • I bought this rug to put in our RV kitchen.
  • I bought this rug to put in front of our RV fireplace.
  • I bought this rug for our RV bathroom.

I’ll post more pictures of this ongoing RV decor process in the future. Until then…

Inspiring Home Life,

THE RELENTLESS REDECORATOR