I was intrigued ... so I bought the book, and this weekend from my couch, I vicariously "visited" the homes of 20 different families who's homes are decidedly "undecorated." The book is kind of like a documentary, as none of the homes were "styled" as they normally would be for a magazine photo shoot.
The homes are not perfect, but they are full of surprises and warmth. To be honest, ninety-percent of them are not really things I would do or purchase for my own home, but that's okay ... because they are not mine anyway. They are so full of spectacular details and pieces that have been collected by and are so personal to each family. Each is it's own nest and no one else's.
But what I love about this book is they way it can inspire us all to take risks and not always be so concerned about if these things "go together" or if this is the "right" way to lay out a room. It shows how filling a house with things you love, things with memories attached, things you bargained for, traveled for, or stumbled upon can make a home that is not only wonderful but memorable and uniquely yours.
So don't be afraid to hang large bird diagrams in your kitchen ...
Or push your bed in front of a window ...
... to leave decorations up permanently,
(Those pink flowers are left over from a baby shower.)
... to use mismatched chairs
... to have a ticket booth in your family room.
to hang a giant fish on your wall ...
... to paint your dining room a bright color and turn it into an office,
... or to combine antlers, an ostrich and a crystal chandelier in your dining room.
IF it makes you happy.
(All photos from Undecorate, taken by Melanie Acevedo).
