Here’s the thing- I don’t buy decorating books.
…Is something I would have said six months ago. A statement rendered totally untrue now that I’ve picked up The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes by Justina Blakeney.
Blakeney’s new collection of photographs (beautiful, beautiful photographs by Dabito) of homes across the U.S. embody the style that she has dubbed “New Bohemian”. Separated into six little subcategories (Modern, folksy, romantic, earthy, nomadic, and maximal), the book is essentially a go-ahead to break all the decorating rules that your mom taught you. Want to layer up some area rugs? Do it, and do it proudly my friend. Want to hang a random scarf on your wall instead of a framed photograph? More power to you, kid.
Below are a few snapshots of my own home. What I loved so much about Blakeney’s book was the attention to detail, something that I’ve always loved about settling into a house. Hopefully some of the DIYs below can help you add something extra to your nest.
I am lucky enough to have very talented friends, and I make it a point to go to as many of their art showings as possible. My walls are constantly evolving, and by choosing to not stick to any particular decorating theme, I’ve had the freedom to mix and match pieces all over the house to make interesting gallery spaces.
When the main focus of a room is on a shelf full of books, there is no need to decorate based on any specific color scheme- books are the color equalizer. More is better! (cats are optional in any decor, but highly recommended)
You can never have too many pretty rocks in your house. I make it a point to attend the Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society’s annual show in the trade mart by the fairgrounds to stock up on geodes, jewelry, and hand-crafted goodies. It’s an incredibly inexpensive way to add a little something extra to the style of your home. This old video camera was purchased in a thrift store for $10.
My mother painted this crazy bird when she was a little girl. I love how the primary colors go with this prayer candle and handkerchief. This particular setup causes me a lot of grief, however, as I have to dust it regularly. I try not to keep too many trinkets in my home, because I HATE dusting.
Here’s another fun DIY project for any loose jewelry or ties that may be getting tangled up: Wrap a sturdy stick from your backyard in embroidery thread and tap in some penny nails to make a piece of art that also de-clutters your bedroom!
Want to save one million dollars on framing? Pick up a pack of teeny tiny binder clips from Target for about $2 and hang them with penny nails. Finally I have a way to display my ever-growing print collection! P.S., having some shelves adds a little depth to this wall. Also, I will always need more storage space for rocks.
Pssst. You don’t have to pay nine hundred billion dollars for Kantha quilts. I got two of these from Southeastern Salvage for $15 each. Also, if you have a friend who paints, sculpts, does woodcuts, or anything artistically awesome, BUY THEIR STUFF. It’s an incredible way to support your local arts scene, and it makes your house feel so badass.
This garland was made by looping embroidery thread around three of my fingers, then wrapping a piece of thread around the top of the loop to tie it off. Cut the bottom half of the loop to make your tassel look like a little octopus, and voila! You have the beginnings of a DIY garland that costs less than $7 to make.
Comments are closed.