Saturday, July 17, 2010

"You're sooo close to really displaying good taste -- don't give up!"

I stole the title from a recent comment that was left anonymously on my dining room post.  The person criticized my dining room, citing that the wood tones were fundamentally wrong (as if she sensed my dining room table was a compromise), my lamps would look better if they tied into the chandelier (is this a rule? We tried other lamps, but we needed something that sat below the window), and I am pretty sure "Though maybe garage sale chic is still hot in your area?" is a backhanded insult to everyone in Toronto, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt...

Still the comment has me wondering, what is good taste?  What does it mean when someone says "you have good taste"?  I found myself asking this question when I first started blogging...and here we are again.

I love reading blogs for two very different reasons, the first is to be inspired by others, to absorb images of homes that are beyond perfection, above reproach, and to enjoy.  To gather ideas from crafty/handy DIYers who are making small (sometimes big) changes in their homes every weekend.  The second reason I love to read blogs (maybe more fun than the first reason) is viewing rooms that are really really UGLY.  Every once and a while you stumble upon an image taken from the pages of a magazine and you can't help but be repulsed by it. A space that is so over decorated, so contrived, so uncomfortable, and so WRONG.  I am not a harsh critic, still I have my tastes (some might call them bland), preferences and opinions as much as the next person.

So where am I going with this?  I guess I have realized how important it is to decorate a room for YOU.  It is impossible to please everyone out there.  Sometimes, like in the case of my dining room, you make a compromise (you find furniture with the perfect scale, although not the perfect wood tone), so that you can stop shopping and start hosting wonderful family dinners (with a table cloth)...Its not about proving to an anonymous person (or persons) that you "have good taste" its more about creating a home...a home that makes you feel good, and a place you want to share with family, friends, and of course, your blog readers!


- The above image is of Claudia, the large charcoal drawing on the opposite wall of our dining room...she is an 1960's Italian movie star...we share all of our family dinners with this minx!
- We had a designer help us put together the dining room, the living room, foyer, master and guest room.  Her name is Maya Carvalho and she is, in my eyes, AMAZING! We were probably nightmare clients, because we have a fairly set style...still, we couldn't have done it all without her!  Maya also introduced us to the works of many local artists, including Olexander Wlasenko, the artist who created Claudia.
- I call that carpet 'the crumb catcher'...its all nubbly and everything gets into it...not to mention the chairs snag on it ...worst idea ever.... it happens

UPDATE: March 2013: I don't even want to re-read this post!!! I was tempted to delete it, but that's not really cool either!  I leave it up to remember how I was SUPER touchy when I started the blog. Lame

11 comments:

  1. Great post. I totally agree about decorating for you. It's nice to think that a zillion people in blogland like your decor, but if YOU don't like it, what's the point? Gee...everyone loves this rug but it doesn't work for me. I'll keep it?

    Secondly, I think the wood tones in your dining room are exquisite. As is Claudia. :-)

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  2. Ummm... I think your dining room is absolutely incredible and I love every last detail about it (especially Claudia). I 100% agree with you. Your house has to be for you! When I painted the bathroom green, at first I wondered what other would people would think... then realized I didn't care because I WANTED that green bathroom... and I love it now.

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  3. For some reason, the titular commenter thinks her opinion is more important than yours, even when it comes to your own home. My opinion is, she probably has no friends. Your dining room is gorgeous! <3, Elizabeth

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  4. I personally think your dining room is gorgeous. We had coincidentally painted our living room and dining room in the same tones, have the same colour wood dining table and when I came across your pic last week, I printed it out right away. It's now the inspiration for our dining room! So, to each their own. :)

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  5. Such a strange comment that it was because really, when I saw your dining room the first think I did was drool out of envy!

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  6. Your first snarky comment from Anon - now you can call yourself a true blogger! Good for you for not taking them too seriously - how can you, when they're not willing to stand up, and even put their name to their opinions.

    Your dining room is divine and seems a lovely place to host family dinners.

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  7. Thanks guys! I deactivated the anon function - so you have to sign in to leave feedback now :)

    I should have you all over for dinner sometime!

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  8. I love your blog and your rooms! I think you have amazing decorating tastes! I really don't know why these people who leave nasty comments can't adhere to the old adage, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." ! I would chaulk up a comment like that to jealousy!

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  9. Great post. And I still think your dining room looks fabulous!

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  10. I love the way you've presented my drawing of Claudia. An elegant woman for an elegant setting. She's right at home!

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  11. I love your blog and your rooms! I think you have amazing decorating tastes! I really don't know why these people who leave nasty comments can't adhere to the old adage, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." ! I would chaulk up a comment like that to jealousy!

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