Rules are to be Broken

I don't think there is anything more outrageous than the so called "rules" of fashion or decorating. Who gets to say what is the correct thing for us to wear or the correct way to decorate the places where we live?

One of the best things about shrinking your life style is that small spaces don't necessarily lend themselves to trends and what's "IN".  It's a great thing about tiny houses and other downsized living spaces---they are perfect for breaking all the rules and decorating just the way you want.

When we were building our summer cabin, before we even decided to downsize our whole life, I knew from the beginning that I would furnish the little house with things that I enjoyed. I wanted things I loved and that I thought would be useful in the environment we would be living in. I didn't want a lodge, or a hacienda or any particular style. I wanted comfy and inviting. It took us three summers, (we lived in a travel trailer while we worked) to finish the cabin. During these three years, I often frequented estate and garage sales, thrift shops, etc. I didn't want all brand new.

A favorite project was collecting dinner plates.  I had decided loosely on a color scheme of blues and natural woods, touches of red and yellow. So, if I spotted a nice plate that had blue, I bought it. I have this great assortment of plates and store them on my open shelf on the plate racks. When company comes, I just say "Pick your own plate".  People seem to enjoy that, and I love it. No matched set of dinnerware. 

You certainly don't have to follow any set rules when you outfit your space.  Since I really do hate clutter, I have a rule or two that I think keeps my very eclectic spaces pleasant to live in or visit.

       

***COLOR.  Color is very important in pulling together a space. Not just one or two colors, but certainly not several colors that don't even compliment or match.  Color is more important than patterns or style. Different styles of furnishings and varied patterns will still work, if color is consistent.

***NO CLUTTER. Especially in smaller spaces, keep your junk in control and out of sight. Don't have your counter tops over populated with stuff (even though you use it), leave space to work and not be constantly moving something out of the way. If you have a nice long counter top, but you're usually working in a small area, after you've moved a half dozen things---you are wasting your time and your space. Don't throw the mail, keys and stuff from your pocket on a table,etc. Put like things in baskets, in cabinets, in drawers, on hooks or shelves, in anything that organizes and stores it---flat surfaces, counters and tables need to be visible, clear and usable.