[ChattanoogaTn]

Just bought a 2 BR Villa and as I have no taste in colors, furniture and decorating I was just curious as if there is anyone who does this. I know the "Lifestyle Program" cottages that we rented looked nice and now I'd like to get some ideas on what goes with what.

I know as everyone tells me it's "personal taste" but some of the houses & Villas are so tastefully decorted I'd like to get some ideas as I found "Bargains 'n Treasures" but don't want to be "tacky" in what goes with what. I'd like to have a nice home and I realize some people can turn a house into a home.

Just curious as are there people that do this as to helping show what furnishings go with what and what colors to paint without being "plain"? Thanks again as this WebSite is theee best for finding answers.

[katezbox]

If only Gracie was not in Ohio...


She loves to decorate! I do as well, but am trying to find time to do all the things in our new home and work (ugh),

A few questions to get you started:

Are you bringing any pieces with you from Tenn? How formal do you want your new home to be? If you walk through Southern Lifestyles, what colors are you drawn to? Are there types of furnitures you have to have - such as a big TV, a king bed or a recliner - as these can limit how much other stuff you can fit in.

Tell me about what you found at Bargains & Treasures - chances are, if these are pieces you liked, you can build a whole room (or villa) around them.

Because the homes here are so open, my own taste is that the colors/styles of the main living areas need to mesh. In other words, I would not do a Tennessee orange kitchen and red in the dining and living rooms.

Mostly what is important is that your home be a place that you are comfortable. We could not afford to start with all new stuff (we are FROGS) and really didn't want to. Many of the things we brought from home had been with us for years and bring memories of good times along with them.

PM me if you think I can help.

[chachacha]

welcome to your new home....now the fun begins....i love decorating and since i am not a snowbird i, too, have brought all my meaningful stuff with me. it makes a difference when you are a snowbird and only here for a few months as opposed to this being your primary home. i had my patio villa painted in deep colors to go with my traditional style so if you want to see what a house looks like in deep colors, just get in touch with me. it is not for everyone, but i like it and it expresses my personality. don't worry about pleasing anyone else, just yourselves. go slowly as it is always fun to have a future project to which to look forward...now i am thinking about crown molding! just pm me if you want to take a look. i live in hemingway.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by ChattanoogaTn

Just bought a 2 BR Villa and as I have no taste in colors, furniture and decorating I was just curious as if there is anyone who does this. I know the "Lifestyle Program" cottages that we rented looked nice and now I'd like to get some ideas on what goes with what.

I know as everyone tells me it's "personal taste" but some of the houses & Villas are so tastefully decorted I'd like to get some ideas as I found "Bargains 'n Treasures" but don't want to be "tacky" in what goes with what. I'd like to have a nice home and I realize some people can turn a house into a home.

Just curious as are there people that do this as to helping show what furnishings go with what and what colors to paint without being "plain"? Thanks again as this WebSite is theee best for finding answers.

There is an ad in the Daily Sun for a gal who will help with colors, etc. I do not have the number.

[graciegirl]

This is one of my favorite subjects. I think when you get it right, it is such a pleasant thing...almost like living in an art work or enjoying a great outdoor view.

My friend Sharon took a course at the Lifelong Learning College and her home looks great and she has combined new and old things beautifully. I think a course like that would be such fun and would cause you NOT to try to do the whole thing at once.

Good luck. Kate's offer sounds great!! Plus you would get to know a super person!!

[sschuler1]

I think the biggest mistake that people make when decorating a new home is painting before they choose the furniture and fabrics for the curtains. I know that it's tempting to paint when the rooms are empty, but it is much easier to pick a paint color to match the furniture and fabrics than it is to find items to match a paint color. Go to JoAnn fabrics and look through their home fabrics department. See what fabrics that you gravitate toward, and take some samples with you. Are most of the samples that you took in warm tones or cool? More in the neutrals? Go to a bookstore and flip through some of the decorating magazines. What styles are you more attracted to? Formal or casual? Ornate or clean lines? Do you like a themed style? Beach house style, French country, '50s retro etc....or do you prefer an ecclectic mix of comfortable items you've collected over the years? Once you've decided which direction you want to go, then just go for it! Pick out your main pieces of furniture first. Take the fabric swatches with you and see how they look with the pieces. Throw away the swatches of fabric as you eliminate them from your choices. Once you have it narrowed down to the furniture pieces you are purchasing and the fabric that works the best with those pieces, then go to the paint store and pick up some paint color cards. Don't be afraid to pick out an accent color from your fabric and match a paint card to it for an accent wall. Remeber that paint is the cheapest and easiest mistake to fix, so don't be afaid to have some fun!!! Lastly, buy some of the fabric that you chose and make some curtains and throw pillows to match. (ps...wait until it goes 50% off, because it always does!) Have a blast! Post some pics of before and after when you are done. Some of us have already posted pics of our masterpieces in a previous thread!

[angel222]

I can certainly identify with this question....I moved into my Iris model last Saturday bringing with me some furniture and hoping to buy some here. So far I am completely overwhelmed...colors, style,do I really need the dining room to be a dining room area, furniture I brought with me doesn't fit well, etc. When I saw this house and bought it, it was empty and I had not seen the model with furniture until after I closed. Unfortunately the model was not my taste so it was not very helpful. I think the colors thing is really where I'm going to start .. anyone who can add help to my situation would be greatly appreciated. By the way, I have seen montanachachacha's home and it is indeed lovely - she has a beautiful way of mixing color and meaningful things...I would encourage anyone to see it......

[interested]

One of the things I plan to do when I get there and even after I have bought my home is go to open houses. You can get great decorating ideas. Bring a notebook with you to take notes.

[ChattanoogaTn]

As usual.... You Villagers come thru with flying colors and I very much appreciate your replys. I do intend to learn from you as I know some of you (like my cousin in Tenn) who has 'exquisit" taste but unfortunately she's up there and I'm counting on some ideas from down here

I would like to see more of what other houses look like and my wife and I "try" to agree on things that looks nice yet comfortable and not too formal.

Our Villa will be rented to gentleman whom we bought from for a while until he transfers into retirement home but just trying to get some ideas (now) as to who to contact or help with picking something "both" my wife and myself like and get some ideas and people to correspond with.

Just hate the same off white color thru out the whole house and like egg shell light yellow vs white but then again.... I don't know as neither of us have "taste" like most of you and "ideas" are worth everything

Again... we appreciate all the comments, suggestions and ideas (learning about Bargains & Treasures) and look forward to having a nice home that we enjoy coming home to after a day of fun in The Villages. Also appreciate you inviting us to see your house as we will try and contact you. Thank you again

PS Wife is at a class learning Line Dancing on this rainy day and she also appreciates your help.

[graciegirl]

NOW I am dying to see Schulers and Chachacha's digs.

It is so much fun to see other people's houses. Each reflect the owner.

[sschuler1]

Here is a link to a previous thread on decorating: Decorating Trends I posted pics of my living room and my home office. There were a few other peeps that posted pics of their homes as well. Lots of fun to see how everyone decorates their houses!

[borjo]

There is a lady in The Villages who does this professionally. She advertises in the newspaper. I know she's very good, saw some of her clients homes. She's "Carolyn"
at 352-874-9872.

[Becky]

Boy does this thread hit home! I find lots of things I like but I am sure if I bought them it would be total mish-mash! I always said I don't have a "decorating gene". Missed the color gene too! OMG missed any genes having to do with art!

to those of you that it comes naturally to!

Becky

[Casual Carol]

go to the villages website and look at preowned homes. You can look at the furniture, window coverings and wall colors. They also have new homes with virtual tours. Have fun!!!

[ChattanoogaTn]

Some really good ideas in this thread as to looking at "Open Houses" and also "Virtual Tour" ads on houses for sale. Glad to see that I'm not the only one that has "problems" with coordinating colors, furniture etc.

Today we went by "Showcase Direct" in The Villages and was amazed at how they had "different" color areas with room 'sets' and some idea as to what type furniture went with what color room.

Hopefully we will have showpiece after all is done with your advice. Well ... maybe not a showpiece but something that we can be proud of.

Once again we appreciate your comments. Can't wait to "getter done"