My Style?!?! It has a name?!? It's called WHAT?!?

Design Time!


Okay, so a friend of mine recently did this Quiz from Home Goods about what your style is... yeah seriously how awesome is that? I had to try it.  I have always wondered what official name my "Style" had.  This same friend and I have been helping each other do a few projects here and there to help "Style" our homes.  Super fun!  So here are the results and the much awaited official name of my style.  I about CHOKED!  


"You Are A BOHEMIAN CASUAL: You are interested in creating a place where people feel relaxed. You have a variety of interests and influences and so appreciate different styles, cultures, and objects. Your home is cozy, with comfy chairs, throw pillows and places to set a drink or a book. But it also feels creative and visually intriguing, because you have an artist's eye that allows you to find objects that appeal to you in a unique and personal way—whether from your travels or from a local shop. This gives your home a feeling of being laid-back, and maybe even a bit quirky with its mix of pieces—some of which are classic, some handmade, some ethnic, and some just rich in meaning to you.

You value order. You feel happiest if your home is well organized. You understand that when your house is in order, your mind feels clearer. Rather than a lot of meaningless objects or overly-designed items, you are happier with a few well-placed things. Your home is your respite from a busy life. Try to avoid letting things into your home that you don't really love."

Okay first off I was like... WHAT?? BOHEMIAN (no this does not mean I am Hippie! No it doesn't, Nope, nope not at all).  I don't even understand what it means, but some of what they said was SPOT on!  I like to think of my home as "Cozy, with comfy chairs, throw pillows and places to set a drink or book".  I hope that's how people feel in my home, I know I do!  The artist's eye thing...don't know if I feel that so much, but maybe :).  I like that my style could give my home a "laid-back" feeling, as you all know (or do now) I AM NOT LAID-BACK!  In fact Jo laughs at people who say "your mom is so relaxed!"  HA HA!  The part that hit home for me was that I "value order", Oh geesh ya think?!  I always say, a clean home is a happy home! Although for some reason mine never stays that way! YES, I feel HAPPIEST when my home is IN ORDER, my children will attest. In fact some days I must remind myself that I need to live a little and not clean so much!  I love the whole last section about order, about not letting things in I don't really love!  My home is my Heaven on Earth!  I love it, I love being home and I like it to be clean, organized and HAPPY!  

They also give you a palette of colors that are your "Happy Home Colors"... HA ha ha, much to my fun, out there, aqua, sunshine (make me have an anxiety attack and break out in hives) color loving friend's dismay, mine were all RED's or closely related.  Yep, that about sums up my love for RED!  Red wall, red pillows, red grape vine wallpaper.  Yep I think that's a good fit! (no she really won't be dismayed, she's probably in agreement!)

Okay so how do I incorporate all this? 

Here is what they gave me as sort of a plan,

1. Your Design Challenge: ORGANIZEThe front hall sets the mood for your entire home. Consider how to accommodate all the room's functions as beautifully as possible. At the very least you need a console, and if you're short on storage, consider a dresser. Outfit the surface with nice trays and bowls for mail, keys and sunglasses. Keep a trash can for immediately tossing the junk mail. Closet-door or wall hooks encourage coat and bag hanging rather than dumping. If you have children, try to give each a basket in the closet for hats and gloves. It's nice to have a chair or bench for changing shoes, a mirror for last-minute lipstick checks, and a lamp or sconces for warm light.I love this tip, I am forever wondering what to do with all the CRAP that the kids and hubby bring in the door.  We don't have a mudroom so our kitchen turns into the storage for all the junk, muddy shoes, cow pie smelling socks and whatever else My man and rug-rats bring in the back door.  And the front seems to be just as messy, we get shoes piled up (like we are Payless or something).  Organizing all these spaces would help my brain function!

2. Your Happy PlaceMake this room as comfortable and inviting as possible by bringing in some real furniture like an armchair or a sofa if you have the space. A little lamp on the counter or decorative hanging light can set the mood. Stools are great perches and can easily be moved around. Don't forget to bring your personality and style into this room: hang some art or display a collection of family photos in mixed frames. Consider bold, happy colors in the kitchen as well, like brightly colored pots and pans, big bowls for corralling fruits and vegetables, and trays for spices, oils, teas and pepper mills.

3. Be Party-Ready All the Time!Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.
Isn't that funny!  I usually do notice how people's homes smell. In fact ... totally off subject, but when I was little my mom's friend came over and I asked her if she was pregnant..... She was and hadn't told anyone that.  I knew because she smelled like a hospital... CRAZY I know, but my sniffer works pretty well. HA HA!  I love the different smells of people's homes, and it must be genetic because my kids can tell who sends them packages by the smell, or if someone is at our home they know because of how it smells....okay so maybe we are a bit ODD! But I think I already knew that!

Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, stock up on some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.Good advice, we love lamps...although we don't have very many of them!  But we are always turning on lamps and turning off the lights.  I am not a bright light fan, ask my kids... I like to brush my teeth in the dark, I like to shower in the dark.  When the kids start turning on lights in the morning I follow and flick them back off.  Can't we enjoy some darkness people!!! Yes this may have something to do with why I wanna live in ALASKA!
Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!I love this idea to have it on hand. We aren't the hosting type, but I like to be prepared and pretty platters and dishes are my favorite things!

Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.Good idea, although it would require a bit more room than we have available :)
That about sums it up, although I need to look up BOHEMIAN... (fearing that search).... I like what they said.  And like my friend's post, mine wasn't exactly right, but a lot of things were SPOT on.  I will have to take that into consideration as I slowly....ever so slowly create the spaces in our home that I want.  
So what's your Official Style name?