What is this style called?

[Anonymous]

Sorry, before someone corrects, I realize I wrote it’s but should be its. Autocorrect.

[Anonymous]

I really have a newfound appreciation for the warmth and richness of more traditional decorating. I see minimalist stuff everywhere now and it seems so bland and uninviting in comparison:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm picturing the Home Alone house based on your description:

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/home-alone-the-house-and-the-movie-decorating-in-red-and-green/

Colonial, classic, traditional. Large yet cozy.

Yes! Me too. I thought of it as John Hughes movies. Also the Bueller’s house in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and the house in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. I love colonials.

https://hookedonhouses.net/2012/05/21/planes-trains-automobiles-house/

https://hookedonhouses.net/2008/12/10/the-family-stone-home-for-the-holidays/

These seem to be what OP is talking about.

OP here. Yes exactly to the Family Stone house. It’s nice but looks comfy and cozy and lived in. I love all the family photos and books and wood accents. The kitchen is a little cluttered for my taste but this is pretty much exactly what I’m talking about.

[Anonymous]

OP - I hope you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I am 47 - Gen X here! - and that style was just, like, normal wealthy/UMC style when I was growing up. I don't know what it's called. I don't even remember when it fell out of favor!

I assume you are younger, and it makes me happy to hear that people want a return to what seems like a cozier and more personal decorating style.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I hope you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I am 47 - Gen X here! - and that style was just, like, normal wealthy/UMC style when I was growing up. I don't know what it's called. I don't even remember when it fell out of favor!

I assume you are younger, and it makes me happy to hear that people want a return to what seems like a cozier and more personal decorating style.

so funny, I'm 48 and immediately thought of the Family Stone movie but couldn't remember the name of it. I grew up in New England in an upper middle class town so that is the style of my childhood; at least that my friends had in their old colonial homes, we didn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm picturing the Home Alone house based on your description:

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/home-alone-the-house-and-the-movie-decorating-in-red-and-green/

Colonial, classic, traditional. Large yet cozy.

Great thread OP. I think the home alone house is awesome but a little TOO themed. But I can see if you like red or green, using it across the board with neutrals and accents. Not whole hog red and green.

I agree, but even though the color palette screams Christmas, it does depict traditional decorating elements I remember from my childhood. I do love the red dining room. Ironically, the McCallisters routinely abandon their Christmas themed house for the holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s my style — eclectic, bookish, worldly, comfortable but a little more traditional. My own home is a reflection of my love for ikea/things I could afford to buy, and stuff from my parents house after my mom died. I don’t like trendy decor. As soon as I admire it, it’s everywhere— think the Warby Parker aesthetic.

I prefer art and decor to have real meaning and sentimental qualities. So, for instance, a vase and silver plate my immigrant parents bought on their honeymoon in Niagara Falls. A Persian rug my dad purchased from his friend, whose brother was stuck in Iran and had all their wealth in rugs. Handicrafts from India (I’m Indian American)—but not too much, this can quickly become clutter. I like mid century furniture but I’m not strict about it’s provenance. Add white walls downstairs with modern lamps and bright art or family photos in a gallery display. Upstairs we have walls painted rich espresso, lilac, pale blue and lemon yellow, and more family collectibles and art we’ve created. I do see something in most of the visual clutter. I keep it tidy but not all at right angles, exactly on the mark. It’s a home, not a a hotel or museum.

It sounds layered and deep personal, which are always the best homes in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm picturing the Home Alone house based on your description:

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/home-alone-the-house-and-the-movie-decorating-in-red-and-green/

Colonial, classic, traditional. Large yet cozy.

Great thread OP. I think the home alone house is awesome but a little TOO themed. But I can see if you like red or green, using it across the board with neutrals and accents. Not whole hog red and green.

I agree, but even though the color palette screams Christmas, it does depict traditional decorating elements I remember from my childhood. I do love the red dining room. Ironically, the McCallisters routinely abandon their Christmas themed house for the holidays.

Oh you have triggered my memories of the red dining room, circa 2000! I remember being a student in Baltimore and peeking in at the beautiful red dining rooms in the big houses surrounding Charles Street. We had one for several years and even though they were everywhere, I loved that red dining room at night with the chandelier on a dimmer and candles. Traditional all the way...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I hope you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I am 47 - Gen X here! - and that style was just, like, normal wealthy/UMC style when I was growing up. I don't know what it's called. I don't even remember when it fell out of favor!

I assume you are younger, and it makes me happy to hear that people want a return to what seems like a cozier and more personal decorating style.

so funny, I'm 48 and immediately thought of the Family Stone movie but couldn't remember the name of it. I grew up in New England in an upper middle class town so that is the style of my childhood; at least that my friends had in their old colonial homes, we didn't.

Not op, but also a Gen X'r and it is absolutely the style of my adolescence growing up outside of nyc
Also aspirational, as my parents were Italian and their style was much more formal and meant for show, not rooted in attractive, comfortable living really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I hope you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I am 47 - Gen X here! - and that style was just, like, normal wealthy/UMC style when I was growing up. I don't know what it's called. I don't even remember when it fell out of favor!

I assume you are younger, and it makes me happy to hear that people want a return to what seems like a cozier and more personal decorating style.

so funny, I'm 48 and immediately thought of the Family Stone movie but couldn't remember the name of it. I grew up in New England in an upper middle class town so that is the style of my childhood; at least that my friends had in their old colonial homes, we didn't.

Not op, but also a Gen X'r and it is absolutely the style of my adolescence growing up outside of nyc
Also aspirational, as my parents were Italian and their style was much more formal and meant for show, not rooted in attractive, comfortable living really.

This is very aspirational for millennials as well, as evidenced by the rise of grandmillennial style.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see it used often in movies from the 80s and 90s but don’t know what it’s actually called so I can search it on my own.

So I’m thinking - big old, colonial in New England, hardwood floors, lots of natural light, patterned rugs, built in bookcases, big fireplace, cozy throw blankets, natural woodwork, jewel tones, antiques, interesting or quirky decor items picked up on travels around the world, oil paintings on the walls, white kitchen but not sterile white, copper cookware hanging up in the kitchen.

It’s sort of country-ish but not modern farmhouse. Sort of English cottage but without all the chintz and ginger jars.

Do you know how to describe this in a search?

A Nancy Myers movie house?

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-psychology-behind-why-everyone-wants-a-nancy-meyers-house

Yes exactly but what else is it called? There’s probably a term that decorators use right?

It’s called Expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see it used often in movies from the 80s and 90s but don’t know what it’s actually called so I can search it on my own.

So I’m thinking - big old, colonial in New England, hardwood floors, lots of natural light, patterned rugs, built in bookcases, big fireplace, cozy throw blankets, natural woodwork, jewel tones, antiques, interesting or quirky decor items picked up on travels around the world, oil paintings on the walls, white kitchen but not sterile white, copper cookware hanging up in the kitchen.

It’s sort of country-ish but not modern farmhouse. Sort of English cottage but without all the chintz and ginger jars.

Do you know how to describe this in a search?

A Nancy Myers movie house?

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/the-psychology-behind-why-everyone-wants-a-nancy-meyers-house

Yes exactly but what else is it called? There’s probably a term that decorators use right?

It’s called Expensive.

Agreed. It helps to start with a grand colonial style house.

[Anonymous]

The modern minimalist stuff always looks like a hotel to me or like the apartment of an UMC single professional with no kids who is rarely home. I could set up a house like that but it would look awful once all my stuff landed in it! I need a style that works with pillows and throws on the couch, family pictures on the end table, books on the coffee table, a big basket filled with kid toys and a small basket filled with dog toys. That traditionalist/country type look just goes better with that sort of easy look. Like a British garden versus a Japanese garden—the British garden can handle some weeds without it throwing the look off.
But at a hotel I love the clean minimalism!

[Anonymous]

That actually sounds a lot like my house. I’m not sure what it’s called. Most of our furniture was inherited. Other pieces are antiques I picked up through the years. I don’t like new furniture. I love old wood, antique rugs, quilts made 100 years ago, .... I’ve never liked the minimalist look. If just feels cold to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The modern minimalist stuff always looks like a hotel to me or like the apartment of an UMC single professional with no kids who is rarely home. I could set up a house like that but it would look awful once all my stuff landed in it! I need a style that works with pillows and throws on the couch, family pictures on the end table, books on the coffee table, a big basket filled with kid toys and a small basket filled with dog toys. That traditionalist/country type look just goes better with that sort of easy look. Like a British garden versus a Japanese garden—the British garden can handle some weeds without it throwing the look off.
But at a hotel I love the clean minimalism!

+1

I've never seen a family with kids that can really pull off a minimalist aesthetic.