Building my first house at age 74.
OK, I know what you're thinking: at that age you should be getting rid of stuff and Here she just starting out.
But my husband and I have spent years trekking in the jungles of Indonesia collecting primitive art and we have five storage bins full of stuff, some of whicjhwe've never even seen! Not just stuff, really, all special things at least to us.
The big fly in this ointment is that we both love rococo: You know what I mean: elaborately carved furniture with gilt, enamel on the walls, velvet fabrics etc.
Doesn't really go with primitive totems and spirit boats, right?
but I'm determined to blend these two styles: I already have some intricately carved massive chairs and a couch we had made in Bali that seems to go with some Louis XV furniture that we have.
oh. I forgot to mention the plum colored 6 foot tall fireplace from the 17th century that we are putting in the living room and a tapestry made in 1673 that I see going in the dining room
my plan is to unite it all partly by using that pale green paint from Benjamin Moore we are all talking about (can't remember the name of it).
but I am not a decorator. Does anybody know of any good books I can buy that will help me understand decorating basics?
The house is 8000 ft.² so I have a Lot of room to play around in.
please don't tell me I am too old. That is Soooo yesterday :).
Thanks for all your help Houzzers. You are all wonderful.
Anne Louise Leonore
(21) kommentarer
Anne Leonore
Forfatter8 år sidenI forgot to say that I am most interested in any ideas any of you might have on how to accomplish this project. Thank you
Anne Louise Leonore
Carol Johnson
8 år sidenWow, you should really hired an experienced interior designer that has the skills to marry these different styles.Anne Leonore thanked Carol Johnson
hayleydaniels
8 år sidenI applaud you and can relate to wanting to incorporate your treasures into your decor.
Try youtube for videos on basic interior design principles. From there I think it really comes down to what you and your husband find appealing as far as what to put with what where. My philosophy with my house is when it looks right, it's done. And when I get tired of it, I change it.
Anne Leonore thanked hayleydanielspalimpsest
8 år sidenLots of English Manor houses built or expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries and in formal styles like Rococo were subsequently filled with primitive artifacts and collections with the expansion of the English Empire and all the colonization and exploration. And there were earlier "cabinets de curiosite" in other parts of Europe, that were basically home museums of arts and natural history.
I don't see anything inappropriate with building and decorating a full on historical-traditional house and then filling it with multi-cultural artifacts: there is a pretty strong historical precedent for doing so.
Anne Leonore thanked palimpsestUser
8 år sidenIt is hard enough to get agreed advice for a throw pillow with so many opinions. With 8000 sq. feet, it would be mayhem!
Anne Leonore thanked User
Cher
8 år siden8000 sq ft...wow, that a lot of house to maintain!! Kudos to you...I only have 2500 sq ft to clean & maintain & that's a challenge at times-lol!! I hope you achieve the look you are after...would love to see pics!:)Anne Leonore thanked Cher
acm
8 år sidenlook into examples of the British Empire period, maybe in India or Indonesia -- they very much combined elaborate formal furniture with "native/prmitive" art. you might or might not love the politics, but it was a well developed type of taste that still looks classic.
Anne Leonore
Forfatter8 år sidenTo Lanier DeLeon
no, not started yet. I am staring at "story poles" right now where the house is going to be. It's right in front of our current house where we are goi g to live while the New one is being built. Anne
Anne Leonore
Forfatter8 år sidenThanks for responding, Carol
yes, I'm sure I'll be hiring somebody. But whoever it is has to know I am part of the process. I guess I'm. Little nervous about bringing g someone in. But we are a ways from that decision since the house has been built yet
anne
Anne Leonore
Forfatter8 år sidenDear Palimpsest
what great ideas! I really appreciate the input. What you are saying makes it even more fun!
Thanks again
Anne
Gato Playa
8 år sidenI am not a decorator but I find your story fascinating and will be following your post!
Please keep adding photos so we can see such an interesting turn out. What an exciting time in your life!
I hope you get to enjoy every second of it.Anne Leonore
Forfatter8 år sidenDear ACM
thank you, thank you.
Etween you and Palimpsest (above) I'm starting to see a plan forming. I have a lot of research to do----- I didn't know anything about all of this.
Thanks againAnne
Anne Leonore
Forfatter8 år sidenTo Katherine Beach
OK, since someone else suggested the same thing, I think I might do that.
There's not much to see you right now, of course. We have the story polls up and are staring at them right now in front of our current house which we are going to be living in while the new one is being built.
Thank you for your interest. Anne
PROAmerican Building Concepts
8 år sidenI lived in India for 4 years and saw this kind of blend many times in the houses of the old guard royalty. They loved their gilded and flower patterned armchairs sitting next to ancient idols etc. It can be elegant if done correctly although I have been in some very upscale houses that didn't seem to work and were just confusing. Two suggestions:
1. Focus on the design of the house and furniture and then work out the correct locations for the artifacts. If you try to to design the interior around the artifacts, not only will it be much more challenging but you will also have less room to adjust once the house is built.
2. Once the house is built and furniture is settled, pull out your goodies slowly, i.e. don't try to find a place for everything at once. By doing this you will find a suitable spot for each treasure and then add to it a little at a time rather than trying to settle many items at once.
Anne Leonore thanked American Building ConceptsAnne Leonore
Forfatter8 år sidenThank you so very much. As I said above, I have a lot of work to do. But I'm starting to see how this can be done. I really, really appreciate your taking the time to write and share such wonderful ideas. I didn't know anything about all of this.
it's especially helpful to have you explain those steps to me. Again, thank you
Anne
Architectural Notice
8 år sidenAre you having an architect design the home? He or she may have ideas for incorporating the two styles.
Anne Leonore thanked Architectural Notice
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