What is this style called?

[Anonymous]

I posted earlier. Came back to say I think I’m getting over white walls too. I went to the apple store downtown at the beautiful Carnegie library. Felt like I was in a Wes Anderson movie. An over designed space can feel oppressive, especially where there are lots of right angles, uniformity and repetition— a hall of mirrors effect. I love the cozy feeling of being in a library filled with books. Maybe it’s a little dusty, maybe not arranged perfectly, warm light, a cozy nook to read or take a nap in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I have friends in LA who do this quite well with kids. But they have a nanny and a housekeeper and very few closets to store things. Some people are just better at throwing stuff out. I’m not one of those people personally, I live in a big rambling colonial and collect books, tchotchkes from trips, my kids artwork and print out all my photos. Perhaps that’s what drew me to a house with tons of closets!

[Anonymous]

English Country in the US. Favored style of Boomers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Like the house in Step Mom would Julia Roberts. Or the house in Unfaithful with Diane Lane and Richard Gere.

Diane Lane was so good in Unfaithful. Love this movie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I have friends in LA who do this quite well with kids. But they have a nanny and a housekeeper and very few closets to store things. Some people are just better at throwing stuff out. I’m not one of those people personally, I live in a big rambling colonial and collect books, tchotchkes from trips, my kids artwork and print out all my photos. Perhaps that’s what drew me to a house with tons of closets!

I'm the PP from above. I purge often but I don't have a nanny or housekeeper. That must help a lot!

[Anonymous]

This thread is interesting to me because after we did a dramatic decluttering of our last house to sell, I decided I liked the minimalist approach and kept it in our new house for a few years. However, we just finished an addition, and in the process of decorating, I’ve found myself purposefully heading toward a more “English Country (or whatever we’ve decided to call this)” aesthetic. The Family Stone house is too cluttered for me, but our house is an old cottage style house and warmer, more eclectic decor fits it well. I also decided to go for more color after admiring my friends’ houses that are minimalist gray or cream, but also realizing that they all look like they were from the same magazine layout. Beautiful, but no personality at all. I’ve decided to decorate to please myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is interesting to me because after we did a dramatic decluttering of our last house to sell, I decided I liked the minimalist approach and kept it in our new house for a few years. However, we just finished an addition, and in the process of decorating, I’ve found myself purposefully heading toward a more “English Country (or whatever we’ve decided to call this)” aesthetic. The Family Stone house is too cluttered for me, but our house is an old cottage style house and warmer, more eclectic decor fits it well. I also decided to go for more color after admiring my friends’ houses that are minimalist gray or cream, but also realizing that they all look like they were from the same magazine layout. Beautiful, but no personality at all. I’ve decided to decorate to please myself.

Good for you. People will feel the care you out into your home intuitively.

[Anonymous]

90's Colonial Revival Revival?

I agree with PP though, what's really appealing about most of the example houses is the extravagance of the houses. Big, elegant staircases, hallways, huge windows, big kitchens. If you put all that stuff into a little 40's brick colonial outside DC, it doesn't look as good.

I still love the look though. I think "colonial" will get you a long way as a search term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is interesting to me because after we did a dramatic decluttering of our last house to sell, I decided I liked the minimalist approach and kept it in our new house for a few years. However, we just finished an addition, and in the process of decorating, I’ve found myself purposefully heading toward a more “English Country (or whatever we’ve decided to call this)” aesthetic. The Family Stone house is too cluttered for me, but our house is an old cottage style house and warmer, more eclectic decor fits it well. I also decided to go for more color after admiring my friends’ houses that are minimalist gray or cream, but also realizing that they all look like they were from the same magazine layout. Beautiful, but no personality at all. I’ve decided to decorate to please myself.

This is everyone though. We're all doing this and so are all the magazines and stores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is interesting to me because after we did a dramatic decluttering of our last house to sell, I decided I liked the minimalist approach and kept it in our new house for a few years. However, we just finished an addition, and in the process of decorating, I’ve found myself purposefully heading toward a more “English Country (or whatever we’ve decided to call this)” aesthetic. The Family Stone house is too cluttered for me, but our house is an old cottage style house and warmer, more eclectic decor fits it well. I also decided to go for more color after admiring my friends’ houses that are minimalist gray or cream, but also realizing that they all look like they were from the same magazine layout. Beautiful, but no personality at all. I’ve decided to decorate to please myself.

Good for you. People will feel the care you out into your home intuitively.

Are you combining your new style with a sort of Marie Kondo approach - the things have to spark joy - or are you letting yourself be a little less rigid about it? I find in my house I am sort of mixing the two. I LIKE having stuff around but I am also trying to make sure I actually LIKE the stuff I have. So far so good, I guess?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is interesting to me because after we did a dramatic decluttering of our last house to sell, I decided I liked the minimalist approach and kept it in our new house for a few years. However, we just finished an addition, and in the process of decorating, I’ve found myself purposefully heading toward a more “English Country (or whatever we’ve decided to call this)” aesthetic. The Family Stone house is too cluttered for me, but our house is an old cottage style house and warmer, more eclectic decor fits it well. I also decided to go for more color after admiring my friends’ houses that are minimalist gray or cream, but also realizing that they all look like they were from the same magazine layout. Beautiful, but no personality at all. I’ve decided to decorate to please myself.

Good for you. People will feel the care you out into your home intuitively.

Are you combining your new style with a sort of Marie Kondo approach - the things have to spark joy - or are you letting yourself be a little less rigid about it? I find in my house I am sort of mixing the two. I LIKE having stuff around but I am also trying to make sure I actually LIKE the stuff I have. So far so good, I guess?

Different poster but yes, I think a lot of us combine both, the house is always evolving, as they say. Our first house was an older Victorian, I had a lot of fun with it and let things in and out all the time (though my style is consistent). This new old house is larger, more archicturally "sophisticated", so I thought I would have to learn to be sort of more serious about my house, meaning getting things just right, more expensive things, more formality etc. But after two years I really realize that's not me and not really necessary and makes me afraid to act. I like a warm, casual home in the style of the family stone or stepmom. But we are not uber wealthy so I create it through consignment, craigslist, etc. Because things are often secondhand I can let them go more easily as I hone in on my style and refine it. I always stay true to my style and buy what I love. But it is always evolving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is interesting to me because after we did a dramatic decluttering of our last house to sell, I decided I liked the minimalist approach and kept it in our new house for a few years. However, we just finished an addition, and in the process of decorating, I’ve found myself purposefully heading toward a more “English Country (or whatever we’ve decided to call this)” aesthetic. The Family Stone house is too cluttered for me, but our house is an old cottage style house and warmer, more eclectic decor fits it well. I also decided to go for more color after admiring my friends’ houses that are minimalist gray or cream, but also realizing that they all look like they were from the same magazine layout. Beautiful, but no personality at all. I’ve decided to decorate to please myself.

Good for you. People will feel the care you out into your home intuitively.

Are you combining your new style with a sort of Marie Kondo approach - the things have to spark joy - or are you letting yourself be a little less rigid about it? I find in my house I am sort of mixing the two. I LIKE having stuff around but I am also trying to make sure I actually LIKE the stuff I have. So far so good, I guess?

Different poster but yes, I think a lot of us combine both, the house is always evolving, as they say. Our first house was an older Victorian, I had a lot of fun with it and let things in and out all the time (though my style is consistent). This new old house is larger, more archicturally "sophisticated", so I thought I would have to learn to be sort of more serious about my house, meaning getting things just right, more expensive things, more formality etc. But after two years I really realize that's not me and not really necessary and makes me afraid to act. I like a warm, casual home in the style of the family stone or stepmom. But we are not uber wealthy so I create it through consignment, craigslist, etc. Because things are often secondhand I can let them go more easily as I hone in on my style and refine it. I always stay true to my style and buy what I love. But it is always evolving.

I am the PP - and it's interesting that on the one hand all of us are trying to be more conscientious about not being wasteful, while at the same time I think we are also more comfortable with buying furniture that we don't expect to hold onto forever. Allowing ourselves that DOES mean we get to be more experimental and flexible with how we do up our homes. I really appreciate it, while also recognizing the tradeoffs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:90's Colonial Revival Revival?

I agree with PP though, what's really appealing about most of the example houses is the extravagance of the houses. Big, elegant staircases, hallways, huge windows, big kitchens. If you put all that stuff into a little 40's brick colonial outside DC, it doesn't look as good.

I still love the look though. I think "colonial" will get you a long way as a search term.

Of course yes, grand homes are striking and speak for themselves but I actually think this style works well in average sized homes too. Maybe you edit more, or there is less furniture but I have seen it done well many times. I actually think smaller rooms are easier to make warm and inviting, it is easier to hit the right notes, furniture placement is often easier, etc. I actually find it really lovely when people invest in and truly care for even the most modest homes. It dignifies and elevates them and makes them special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is interesting to me because after we did a dramatic decluttering of our last house to sell, I decided I liked the minimalist approach and kept it in our new house for a few years. However, we just finished an addition, and in the process of decorating, I’ve found myself purposefully heading toward a more “English Country (or whatever we’ve decided to call this)” aesthetic. The Family Stone house is too cluttered for me, but our house is an old cottage style house and warmer, more eclectic decor fits it well. I also decided to go for more color after admiring my friends’ houses that are minimalist gray or cream, but also realizing that they all look like they were from the same magazine layout. Beautiful, but no personality at all. I’ve decided to decorate to please myself.

Good for you. People will feel the care you out into your home intuitively.

Are you combining your new style with a sort of Marie Kondo approach - the things have to spark joy - or are you letting yourself be a little less rigid about it? I find in my house I am sort of mixing the two. I LIKE having stuff around but I am also trying to make sure I actually LIKE the stuff I have. So far so good, I guess?

Different poster but yes, I think a lot of us combine both, the house is always evolving, as they say. Our first house was an older Victorian, I had a lot of fun with it and let things in and out all the time (though my style is consistent). This new old house is larger, more archicturally "sophisticated", so I thought I would have to learn to be sort of more serious about my house, meaning getting things just right, more expensive things, more formality etc. But after two years I really realize that's not me and not really necessary and makes me afraid to act. I like a warm, casual home in the style of the family stone or stepmom. But we are not uber wealthy so I create it through consignment, craigslist, etc. Because things are often secondhand I can let them go more easily as I hone in on my style and refine it. I always stay true to my style and buy what I love. But it is always evolving.

I am the PP - and it's interesting that on the one hand all of us are trying to be more conscientious about not being wasteful, while at the same time I think we are also more comfortable with buying furniture that we don't expect to hold onto forever. Allowing ourselves that DOES mean we get to be more experimental and flexible with how we do up our homes. I really appreciate it, while also recognizing the tradeoffs.

Great point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:English Country in the US. Favored style of Boomers

I would so take this style over the "country kitch" style our Boomer parents are into. I guess the good news is that we can easily avoid inheriting a bunch more crap for our house as I have no space for milk jugs, butter churns, rag dolls, or rooster-themed anything.