Give me a stranger and after a chat and a look at the space I can start formulating a game plan. I find them inspiration shots, draw up furniture layouts and scour my sources for the perfect fabric, chair, artwork, etc.
Give me a family member and it's even easier. They normally give me complete design control so I can just do what I'm obsessing about at the moment.
Then you have yourself.
-You like everything so it's hard to pick out one particular thing.
-You become obsessed that you didn't check out every single one of your vendors and what if they have the perfect thing and you just don't know it yet.
-You can not pull the trigger on anything, because you're likes/dislikes change daily.
-You have no where near as high of a budget as your clients, but you have champagnes tastes.
Not a fun combo. Add to that the fact that the new blog look and professional site are almost like 99% finish and about to be wrapped up and you finally need to shoot your house.
To shoot your house said house needs to actually be finished.
I've finally bite the bullet and started to make decisions and finish up spaces or start fresh after I was almost finished :) to get the perfect space. So just like my website/new blog are 99% finished this house of mine is 99% finished.
One of the projects that I'm about to tackle is my staircase.
Over a year ago I decided to add a little wow factor to the stairs that led upstairs:
.
How to instructions here.
I even used them for a little photo shoot the other day:
I love them.
I'm now deciding what I'm going to do on the wall going up the staircase.
Should we just have one or two pieces of art and/or mirrors on it:
Or should we fill it up with a variety of colorful and black/white pieces and frames:
Or in the middle where we do the same style color/frames with either all black/white or color pictures :
I'm sort of leaning towards a combo of options 2/3. So a mix of colorful artwork, some black/white pictures, some colors, but in the same color frames to keep some consistency.
Now I just need some hand holding to tell me it's the right or wrong decision. That's where you come in.... :)
I like the mirrors and larger pieces of art particularly since you have that fantastic design on your stairs. I also love photos mixed with art and other unexpected pieces. Love your stairs!
ReplyDeleteMirrors! Your stairs are fab! Think about te way lots of mirrors of different sizes instead of photos will reflect all that animal print!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the wow factor!! Great staircase ideas...
ReplyDeletexo Laura
I love the zebra paint job...it is fabulous! I did a post yesterday about staircases and how they are often overlooked when it comes to design. Art and photo galleries always rank high on my list for halls/stairs. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHa! It's like I wrote this post myself!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of mixing all different frames. definitely.
I'm leaning towards 2/3 as well.. Am working on our living room gallery wall, and it's fun fun fun!!
ReplyDeletexx
What a relief! When I started reading your post I thought you were up to repainting the stairway!
ReplyDeleteI really like all the 3 combination.
If the stairway well doesn't get enough natural light, definitely use the option w/ mirrors.
Using many different types of frames is nice, has more movement than just all black.
But if you are looking for a more serious air, the all black frames w/ black and white pictures is the answer.
Good luck!
I like larger pieces of art. Beautiful staircases.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Love the staircase! I am the same way when it comes to my own home. I like the multiple pics with art mixed in as well. I would end up falling down the stairs if I had a mirror there because I would catch a glimpse and throw me off. I'm just goofy that way. I doubt you are.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using mirrors to give it some light and open the space up. Your stairs are already your art piece so putting more would look too busy!
ReplyDeletethose stairs... i am in love. i like the idea of different frames.
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest a combo of mirrors and black/white pictures...nothing that will detract too much from your awesome stairs. They should remain the focal point!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I meant to say too that I can relate 100% that we are our own worst clients!
ReplyDeleteI love those stairs!! So cute!! I also love the look of #2. You would have to already have the photos and art you would want to put in the frames. Otherwise it would be a work in progress to collect everything. Still my fav option though!
ReplyDeleteadore your stairs!!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of B & W...those stairs are awesome :)
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with your staircase. Isn't it funny how we can pick things for others, but have trouble at home? I totally know what you mean.
ReplyDeleteWe are gearing up for our staircase too - just posted about it today and would love your input. Can't wait to see what you do.
-Rene
Ok, we are definitely living parallel lives. I have that EXACT same little orange china bowl that is sitting on top of your books...I just picked it up this summer. Too funny. I'm sure your stairs will turn out great!
ReplyDeleteomg i just discovered your blog and i love it! that staircase idea? in the words of rachel zoe...i die. literally.
ReplyDeletelove it!
a tale of two sisters
www.nixonsleeves.blogspot.com
I think mirrors or the like would be best...doing black and white frames might make for a little black and white overload! The stairs look awesome!
ReplyDeletelove the photo you styled with the stairs, books and that skirt. So Cute!
ReplyDeleteAll white mats with a variety of frames or colorful mats with all black and white frames. Either way, it is a fun bold statement and I love that you are your own hardest client with the most challenging budget too.
ReplyDeleteThat makes you better in my book!
pve
I have the same issue with my house AND my wedding, I cant bite the bullet on anything and I just keep pushing everything off to the future. I need to stop doing that or I'll have nothing when it comes to my big day- I so feel your pain :)
ReplyDeleteTrust yourself, your taste is amazing. And if you don't like, just change it later!
ReplyDeletethat shot of the orange stripe skirt in front of the stairs is the cutest thing I've seen this week.
xoxo, cassie
Try them all!!!
ReplyDeleteI have had a zillon things going up the stairs, and then next to nothing.
But in your case, with those fab zebra stairs, I would not do too much.
xo xo
lovely shot of the styled steps. and I do SO KNOW what you mean about doing your own home. And I'm not even a designer...!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about the difficulty of decorating your own home. This is why mine isn't even remotely done! I love, love, love those zebra stairs! Now I really wish my home had stairs....
ReplyDeleteWho needs anything else with a staircase like that?? It looks fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean with the designing for yourself thing....it's so hard to make decisions!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for one or two pieces or doing something with all the same frame type. The zebra makes such a huge statement that you don't want to compete too much. Good luck making a choice...can't wait to see what you pick!
So true! I am by far my own worst client! It takes me forever to decide on a fabric and paint colors. I am just NOW after living in the house for over 2 years starting to paint and decorate.
ReplyDeleteI like the combo idea for the prints. But only use prints/frames that you love.
Good Luck!
www.lpcinteriors.com
I couldn't have said it better about trying to design your own house! I am so afraid I will see something I like more and I get paralyzed about pulling the trigger.....The stairs are brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI like the mirrors! I think that having heaps of frames and pictures would take away from the stairs a bit. Having something more simple (but not too simple) would compliment the zebra print, which I love btw. :)
ReplyDeletefill it up girl! just do it! will be a phenomenal space. and the photo shoot pict on your stairwell is amazing - love it!
ReplyDeletexo deb
L-O-V-E your stairs. Absolutely gorgeous. And that photo is so perfectly styled. Way to go. I'm including it in my Weekend Yumm section on my blog. www.styleingwithchildren.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletei love your stairs! they are fierce. i love all three options - i'm obsessed with gallery walls. i like the idea of varying the sizes and textures - if you have great pieces to hang on the walls, do it! it'll come together :)
ReplyDeleteI love your little photo shoot! Très Kate Spade — bravo!
ReplyDeleteThe picture you styled is so freaking adorable. Love it lots.
ReplyDeleteNate Berkus used this same wall paper on the stairs idea on his show today! He should have used your pic though. I think your stairs really pop! :)
ReplyDelete