Have you ever felt like you were two different decorating people?
Oh good.
Me, too.
I love farmhouse. I love rustic and logs that look they just showed up from a hoe down and tiny wood slices and pumpkins that a farmer would show at the county fair.
But then there’s this other me.
The one that chases all the shiny things.
Like gold and sequins and sparkles and chargers that look like they just got home from Vegas.
This fall I couldn’t choose.
So my rustic self got together with my sparkly self and decorated a dining room.
I don’t know about you, but when I’m looking at how someone decorated a room…
….I want to see the whole room.
I want to orient myself so I can see the relationship between the dining room table and the other things in the space.
Maybe it’s random.
Maybe I’m the only one, but I can’t help it.
It’s like I’m all unsettled until I see a few walls.
Here’s the view of the dining room from the front entry.
If you keep going to the left, you’ll see this side of the room.
That piece in the background?
It’s actually an antique fabric bolt holder.
Here’s a close-up of the piece.
It came from an old store and it was used to hold rolls of fabric.
Now it just holds milk glass and pumpkins.
I got these gold leaf plates at Hobby Lobby and the larger plates underneath from Michael’s.
The plates with the gold dots are actually plastic.
Can you believe it?
I got them for 30% off, too.
Are you a sparkly decorator?
Or are you a farmhouse decorator?
Or are you like me and you can’t make up your mind and you don’t really want to have to choose?
I get it.
I understand.
Come sit by me. 🙂
PS I’m showing off the rest of the house tomorrow for a fall tour with a fun group of bloggers.
Hope you’ll stop back by.
so adorable
I LOVE the sparkly with the rustic. It's all unexpected and adds extra to the ordinary. That's what I'm about...the surprises... putting extra in ordinary...using things in a way that no one else would think about and you NAILED it KariAnne! Yes you did! It's simply stunning!!!
Beautiful! I just did a rustic/glam mix in my bedroom. Navy velvet bed with Ghostwood ceiling-loving it!
I'm so glad your rustic self, ran into your sparkly self and had a wonderful explosion of sparkly country!! I'm still lost -- I haven't found my style. 😟I get all flustered and then I don't do anything. *sigh* There is hope -- we'll be moving next year and hopefully the house will inspire me. Have a great day -- sending big hugs!!
It's so beautiful love the mix of bling and rustic
I like both of you.♥ And, I do like seeing the whole room so I can get the feel. Hmm, which do I prefer? I think I probably lean a bit more sparkly.
Wherever did you get that bolt holder? Very clever!
I love your dining room. Those shelves....so creative and beautiful. I love your combined décor - my favorite to combine - it surprises people. I cannot wait to see the rest of your home. You rock!
I love the mix of rustic and sparkly. The little trees are fabulous!
Story of my life! I love so many decorating styles that I have that dilemma in every decorating decision........I love farmhouse, I love sparkly, I almost love MCM, I love traditional like a cousin. I have a crush on contemporary, But I don't want 100% of any one of those, so I'm always mixing and swirling!
Lib and KariAnne, Showing my age here... What kind of decorating style does MCM stand for? In Roman numerals I know it is 1900, but is 1900 a decorating style? Judith
Mid Century Modern
You have blended your two decorating styles into one seamlessly beautiful unique style! Every farmhouse needs a little sparkle too. Those are some terrific finds that add interest and appeal to your tablescape. Thank-you!
I hear ya girl. I can't make up my mind either. Bling or no bling. Neutrals or colors of the season. I have such a hard time choosing. I better make up my mind as this weekend is full out fallifying at my house.
Rustic elegance! My absolute favorite decorating style!! The old mixed with the new. The shiny mixed with the chippy. Just makes my heart sing! Your dining room is beautiful!! Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I am just like that, in that I like the juxtaposition of rustic and refined. And it works! I agree with you, also, that I want to see the whole room!! Too many decorating blogs only show the closeup of the tablescape, out of context from the room. Well done!
So, KariAnne, can you explain the difference between Farmhouse and Country? I'm also reading your new book! Love how you make the reader feel like we're sitting having coffee and we're sharing stories as to how we got here! Look forward to your email everyday. Keep up the great work
Love this dining room's glit and bling. Love your book. Probably reading it two more times before sharing it with my sister. I'm slowly moving from beige to gray, and I will continue to add all types of metals. Can't relate what my style is; it's just what makes me smile. Please again, tell the name of the gray paint in your dining room. Thank you.
Omg it is to die for, love the mix of sparkly and rustic. Where did you get those Charges? Absolutely Stunning!
I like everything you do! Now tell me WHERE I can buy the white houses you had in the hutch yesterday. PLEASE!
LOL - I guess I'm a schizophrenic decorator. I love so many different styles it's kind of a hot mess up in here. Love your table and all the other pumpkins I see around the room!
Oh I am with you. I love to see the whole room so I know what in the world I am looking at. Your home is always decorated beautifully and you always share the whole space. I love that.
I love traditional style with farmhouse or country mixed in, but boy oh boy I like color so I throw it in!!! I do what I like because I am the one who lives with it (along with my hubby who agrees!)
Oh, I so agree about being able to see the whole room and how items relate to each other! Glad someone else feels that way too. Here's my take on shiny vs. matte and how it all relates to each other: How about the sparkle of the sun showing between autumn leaves? Shiny and matte. Or the twinkling reflection on water on which a feathered friend is floating? Glitter and feathers. Or the rough bark of a tree surrounding by a carpet of autumn leaves? Rugged and soft. I could go on and on...it's all in nature, my friend. So of course it looks stunning when you've combined these on your table! I don't believe at all that you've deviated from your fabulous Farmhouse style. Not one little bit :-)
Thanks Michelle for explaining that so well - I've struggled with these two looks FOREVER - now -no more!!!
I hope we all have two or more decorating styles. Keeps it interesting. I'm loving reading your book!!!
I love all styles from modern to rustic but my home is mostly traditional. Your table is beautiful and I just may run out to Michals to get some wooden leaves. Love it!
The dining room is spectacular. I can so relate to having a decorating split personality. I love calm neutrals and I love cool bright colors. Trying to balance the two is a challenge. I looked at the living room the other day and said "Sheesh, everything is beige!" Then I went out and bought some bright throw rugs for the kitchen. It didn't balance either room (but I like the rugs!). The only saving grace is that I keep the color palette narrow for the whole house so I can move things around at a whim.
HI Karianne - Just finished your book - and it's wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing so much of your life with us!! It's really a refreshing book to read in times that seem so turbulent. I'm recommending it to everyone👏💕👏!!!!!
of course I love it~ what's not to love??? Here's a tip for those that love plates with gold or silver( and Michael's or Hobby Lobby are out of stock) ~ check out the "anniversary" section of any party store~ they always have in stock gold and silver for Big Anniversaries!! p.s.- I miss the Friday Facebook live sessions...your laughter is so contagious!
So creative and beautiful. Simply perfection.
Breath taking, Karianne. I love it!!! I am all about some sparkle and glitter and bling and gold. It makes my heart do a back flip. :-)
"Like gold and sequins and sparkles and chargers that look like they just got home from Vegas." Sure hope I can find some of this "blinged out" fall stuff on my first trip to Vegas tomorrow. Let me know if you need me to look for you too :)
You have such a great individual style...everything about your home seems to successfully tell your story. Additionally, you are an amazing story teller...currently reading your book...I've even been reading little bits of it aloud to my hubby and we laugh together. I'm thinking that living with you there must never be a dull moment! Keep using your "gifts"!
I have a stack of wood leaves my dad made many years ago. Different kinds of wood. And some funky turkeys. He has been gone 25 years. My children and grands say it isn't Thanksgiving without granddaddy's leaves.
Farmhouse all the way for me. But I can surely appreciate the bling in others' homes. Your mix is just right! And I finished the book last night. Perfection. So, so proud of you.
I just discovered your blog and I LOVE it. I would definitely come and sit by you!! Beautiful table.
Think anyone would love rustic elegance! Beautiful as always!
Just lovely. Would have been fun to see it in person, but the Lord was not willing. :-) I'm glad HE knows what's best for me! Hugs!
It's sorta like trying to figure out my clothing style ... traditional/classic or bohemian or sporty ... I just have different looks on different days. My house is mostly the "collected over time" look, partly because I love it, partly due to funds .... ;).
I love it-it suits you!
And that is why you are amazing! xo Pat
What a gorgeous table ,i think you have a perfect balance of sparkle & farmhouse :) I'm definitely like you ,can't decide between styles & want it all lol! I also need to be able to see the whole room,i totally get that :) .The fabric bolt holder is fantastic!
Oh it seems like I'm always late to the party lately. I guess late is better than never right? Love your two decorating sides (and I won't even call you Sybil). Remember that after school movie...what was up with that? I call it rustic glam and it is a real thing if you Pinterest it. This would go to the top of the pin pile for me for sure. I used to have about 3 dozen sides....but lately I feel like I have really homed in on the one side of me that is working right now. I'm making less design mistakes. I made myself look in the mirror and take a design pledge. It went like this: I, Nancy from Slightly Coastal, will uphold my French Country Coastal style. I will faithfully defend neutrals and solemnly swear to refrain from paying good, hard earned money, for decor items that are trendy and not French Country. So far, it's worked. :)
i like ur Fall decorated dining room. . i bought ur book and read it. enjoyed very much!
Glitzy meets farmhouse in the most wonderfully refined way at Thistlewood!! Love, love!! xoxoxo
Now that I know there are velvet pumpkins my life will never be the same! Love them! And the feathers!
During this week of Irma's residual rain and questionable electrical service, listening to your book couldn't have come at a better time. Your lovely voice and warm stories, your faith and normalcy was just perfect!! I had begun my fall decorating labor day weekend, but now realize that a bit more glam in my living room is just the ticket. Thanks!!!
Everything looks lovely, Karianne.... 😊 I especially love that pumpkin with the pattern on it. Now that's Me!! Where did you find it? Your friend on the Eastern Shore of MD., Denise
I love the sparkle! But I have to say that the fabric display shelves are pure genius for display in your dining room. I love that thing!
Another beautiful tablescape, KariAnne! I love the way you have used the sparkly with the rustic! Blessings!
I'm a sparkly and farmhouse girl, too, with a little hot pink thrown in for good measure from time to time!! Not in my home......but I do love wearing it from time to time!! Love your pretty centerpiece.....
Exactly the inspiration I need after that Hurricane Irma last week. I am ready to get into fall and love the shiny/rustic vibe. I am on the hunt for the white and gold spray paints and stencils!!!
Oh I need those little trees. We are doing LEGACY as the theme of our upcoming January Ladies event and using trees to represent family tree/spiritual legacy, etc. Love your table!
Well Hi There! I was looking for tips on photographing a room and stumbled across this darling space on the internet. I have been blogging about a year and am for the first time about to add a bit of our decor to my space. I took a bazillion photos....and what in the world happened???? I am going to use your tips tomorrow while looking for the SUPER MODEL HOUR. I am a Georgia Gal living in the Pacific Northwest. The rain has begun. I may have to settle for a tide commercial model. :) I sure have had fun hanging out on your blog this evening! You have a lovely home! I will be back! :)
I am so like you it's not funny! Well, it is funny really because you're short and blonde and I'm 5'11" and a brunette, but aside from that and the fact that I'm 65 and you're young enough to be my daughter, (total aside, I have a blonde daughter, but she's 6'1"),😂 Our style of decorating is so much alike! Plus you crack me up! You are so cute and fun, and those are my two favorite words! Love ya!
wow. What a lovely room. Makes me sad thinking about what I used to think was my lovely room...and now I just see that it's boring. But you have inspired me! Thanks.
Hi, such a pretty site! I am new here so forgive me for asking what may be an old question....do you know who makes your wooden dining chairs? Love them mixed with the upholstered chairs too. Thanks! Planning to read older posts too.
Jillian, Thanks so much for asking! They came from Arhaus! Hope this helps! karianne