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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Trust your instincts.


I noticed the colors in this living room corner this morning as I sipped on my first cup of espresso. The chair had been moved to make room for the Christmas tree. (in the last picture). Wow, I said, who knew that i could put these colors together, and at my age! (I'm celebrating 70 next month!)

Humbly, I bought this chair with no reservations a month ago. A chair that fits my 5' frame, a burned orange to go with the chocolate brown couch in the next picture.


Yes, the dark couch would have been in character for me, always practical and safe. The green lamp? Another shot in the dark, as the pillows and the red chair in the following picture.

You are looking at another chair for me, a rocker, soft Italian leather and an Irish throw with a splash of green in the pillow.

Is this a new me?
Could be!
I wanted these things all along, for years, but always compromising for the sake of this or that, some random need or aesthetics.  Now,  I sit on this rich leather and surround myself with soft throws here and there and I'm totally comfortable with my instincts, my taste, my needs.

Did I consult experts? Did I use magazines for inspiration? Did I follow some sale signage?
Not this time.

I walked into stores to find what looked and felt good to me. When I found what I liked, I pulled the trigger.  The living room came together, a few pieces at a time, in a matter of weeks.


Now, that Christmas tree decorated with birds? That's  my husband's this is it moment! Enjoy.


(If you want to know the details, makers and shops, email me.)
Happy Holidays, wherever you are.

34 comments:

  1. Did it take you 70 years to buy stuff you liked and not worry about other's "rules"? Better late than never.

    It all looks good to me.

    Merry Christmas

    Cranky Old Man

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  2. It looks lovely. Am loving the two chairs, gorgeous colours. The room looks very inviting and festive. Merry Christmas, Chris

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  3. nice..i like the colors and glad you have the freedom to choose them and what is comfortable to you...that is very cool actually...i like the tree as well and hope you havea marvelous holiday...

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  4. Lovely spread of colors to bring out your amazing home! :)
    Tell Ken he did an awesome job on the tree.

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  5. A comfy cozy place you have!
    And I always say our own tastes are the best!
    Lovely.

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  6. love all your choices, rosaria - that's the best way to decorate, in my opinion - follow your own gut. doesn't feel right if you're living in someone else's showroom.

    sending blessings and wishes for a very happy holidays♡

    with love,

    amanda

    xoxo

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  7. I just love the way that all fits together. Wonderful. Like it all. Love the bird theme on the tree.

    You & I are the same age almost. I will be 70 next May!
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May!

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  8. That looks awesome. I'm definitely emailing you cuz I've been looking for the past years for the comfortableness in seating....5'3". Merry Christmas.

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  9. My problem is my instincts stink!

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  10. Wonderful colors--your instincts are terrific. Beautiful tree also. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!

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  11. I still remember your first home in Woodland Hills and how comfy and cozy I (and it) felt, making it hard to get up and leave. You definitely have a knack for making a house a home. Your second home was pure beauty, of course.

    The burnt orange chair you bought -I want it, I want it. And the little fat bird next to it. Peach and orange are so heart-warming. Enjoy your comfortable haven, and lovely holidays to you and Ken!

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  12. orange and blue...such vibrancy
    bouncing off of each other...and mellow brown to take them both by the hand....simply wonderful..and oh the green lamp....always a vixen in the group...yes

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  13. Orange and leather make a wonderful combination. The chair looks so comfortable. I find it healing to sit on soft leather. I'm glad you are surrounding yourself with things that make you happy.

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  14. I so hope that I can grow up and be you! Love the chairs and your couch too...so cozy and comfy and the tree is perfect...so have a great Christmas!

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  15. I love those colors. Good for you to follow yourself. I like it.

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  16. I like all of your color combinations, but particularly that first picture with the burnt orange and cobalt blue -- beautiful!

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  17. Answering Joeh:
    Yes, it did take me this long to assert my wants and needs in such a bold manner!
    I preached for years, to my children, to my students, to my colleagues:
    "Live your life as if this is the last decision you make!"

    I could pull the trigger because my priorities have changed since I lost my son, and our health is so very precarious.
    What we have is a short time to enjoy comfort and joy fully.

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  18. It's wonderful when everything comes together, but my random choices, even when I love them, don't look harmonious. I'm not afraid of bold colors, but I still have a hard time buying anything but the best bargain.

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  19. I love the corners. So cozy and comfy and I love the colors and designs of all your lamp posts. The tree is awesome. Your instincts can be trusted! :)

    This year's Christmas would not be the same for you and family but it will still be beautiful. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas Rosaria.

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  20. I love the orange and blue together. It seems like to me we all have this intuition about what to put together that makes us happy. It seems I always end up with browns and yellow without thinking about it, and people always tell me they get a sense of serenity from my LR.
    The tree with its birds is great also. I don't have a tree this year but when I did I used only birds and ribbon to decorate it.

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  21. It all looks just perfect - isn't it wonderful to be able to do that?

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  22. That's not the beachy look you were asking me about a few months ago! Good for you, Rosaria...making yourself comfortable with stuff that speaks to you. Like your cat. :)

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  23. I will admit your living space has a lot more color and coordination than my own.

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  24. Your living room looks beautiful, Rosaria. See you in January.Happy Winter Solstice. Love, Terry

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  25. You are never too old to start a new vocation/avocation, career, or just have fin.

    I am 5 years older and still find fascinating things to do, despite my afflictions. I will until my last breath.

    My physician says you ARE ALWAYS SO BUSY! I told her I rarely had time to sit and watch birds, unless I am photographing them.--no offense to those which consider bird-watching a hobby. Simply it is not my thing.

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  26. Love the photo's of your place. Happy holiday's!

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  27. Your living room is the best, Rosaria! So comfortable, colorful and vibrant! It's just perfect!

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  28. I never worry if one thing will go with another. if I like it, then it goes with everything else I like.

    I have had customers that worry about whether or not thier interior designer will like or approve of the design for the glass I am doing for them. I always ask them...who is going to live in your house, you or the designer? I tell them that if it is what they like, then it will blend in just fine with the rest of the house.

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  29. Your instincts have served you well Rosaria. Love your tree.

    p.s. I remember that you have family in Basilicata. I've been there a couple times and it's lovely. I really enjoy the hiking around there. Thank you so much...I'm sure one day we will be back and I will definitely ask about your family there. We're planning to go up north this Christmas...hopefully there might be snow. :-))

    Reese
    http://rambleswithreese.etsy.com
    http://rambleswithreese.blogspot.com

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  30. Almost forgot...I want to wish you a wonderful Christmas this year Rosaria! And thank you for your kind words. I do appreciate how blessed I have been.

    Thank you! xoxo

    p.s. have you tried roasting chestnuts at home or is it just not the same?

    Reese
    http://rambleswithreese.etsy.com
    http://rambleswithreese.blogspot.com

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  31. Love it when the unplanned unfolds and comes together...looks good. I fully understand buying a chair that fits self. When we were planning our move to MN and still lived in CA we had sparse furniture in this house. But at one estate sale I found a perfect recliner, small that I snagged for $50. It is a Drexel, fabric was shabby and faded but all else was good, heavy but small. After we moved and bought living room furniture it went into our bedroom and became my fave reading chair. I had it recovered last year...it's good for ages again now. It fits me and I love it reading at night.

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  32. Hey there, fellow 70-year old ... you have impeccable taste!

    Joyeux Noël

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  33. Merry Christmas Rosaria x

    Wishing you all the fun and love of the festive season and best wishes for the coming year.

    Your heart is young xx Hope you're going to have a fun celebration for your 70th.

    I've tried emailing you, but it bounced back. I'm assuming I have the wrong address.

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  34. G'day Rosaria. Love the colors. You have done really well. Trust your instincts, they will usually prove right. It all looks fabulous.Take care. Merry Christmas. Liz...

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