I'm here.
I'm just trying to find Debbie. If anyone sees her, please alert the authorities. She was last spotted sitting beneath a pile of old magazines looking for style inspiration.
photo credit
I'm just trying to find Debbie. If anyone sees her, please alert the authorities. She was last spotted sitting beneath a pile of old magazines looking for style inspiration.
Seriously, I really am trying to find Debbie. I'm trying to discover, or rediscover, my own decorating style. I used to think I knew it, but somewhere along the line I lost my groove. I flumped from trend to trend or didn't update at all. As a result, some rooms in this house, mainly the downstairs common areas, just don't say, "Debbie" at all.
What they say, I do not know.
I can't remember the catch phrase of the '90s.
I do remember the color of the 90s, though. It was hunter green.
Now, hunter green is a perfectly lovely color. It's just that it is not now, nor was it ever, my color. It just happened to be the favorite trendy color of a very pushy former friend. Perhaps you can relate.
Somehow, during my season with this woman, she managed to convince me
that I couldn't make a tasteful decision on my own...
that I needed her help and guidance to decorate my own home, and
that my house needed to look just like her house.
that my house needed to look just like her house.
But I've been thinking...
I'm always thinking...
In case you haven't heard yet, I'm turning 50 this year. Don't you think it's about time I grew up and got over it?
Yeah, I think so too.
And so... with no further meandering, I would like to invite you to join me as I make those rooms in my house say, "Debbie" again and rediscover my own personal style.
I'm starting with my dining room.
Want to guess what was the first thing to go?
(really lousy picture... the best I had)
No...
Not the brass light fixture...
nor the valance and sheers...
nor the '80s casual oak furniture...
Oh, they are all going, but the first thing to go was the hunter green wall.
(really lousy picture... the best I had)
No...
Not the brass light fixture...
nor the valance and sheers...
nor the '80s casual oak furniture...
Oh, they are all going, but the first thing to go was the hunter green wall.
We just matched the lower wall to the upper one. It's a color called worn path, and it actually is to my liking, Lucky for me, the store still had the formula for the color. Since the spaces are divided by molding, any difference in hue is not noticeable at all.
Yeah, I know I could paint the top too. Shhh.
So here we are at step #1.
Room painted.
...a little tease at the window...
Room painted.
...a little tease at the window...
The oak furniture has been moved out.
I like the look of my recent project against that wall,
but it doesn't belong to me.
It's just squatting there while I'm working on step #2. If you want a hint, take a look at The List.
Anyway, that's all I've got. In case you're wondering, I'm still working on walls, and I'm still working on dressing Mabel the desk. They don't call me A-D-Debbie for nothing, you know...
Joining Laura at Decor to Adore for her Fall in Love With Your House party.
57 comments:
ahhhh I'm sure you will find yourself. Just do what makes you happy and if you can walk into your room (which ever one it is) and feel happy
well then ! My "style" is a mess. But it makes me happy ...
(())
Looks like you are doing a great job of finding Debbie -- turning 50 will do that to a gal :)
Good job on the wall and looking forward to the projects to come :)
Blessings!
Gail
The color is great, Debbie, and I had a chandy exactly like yours that I bought in 1993, left it in my old house.:) I also took color advice from someone I 'thought' was a friend, and I am still regretting it. I also paid him (he pretends to be an 'interior designer', we had a huge falling out, and I wound up on my own, but unfortunately the walls were already painted :( xo Never again
I like the change of color already. We are in the process of changing our family room, son says it has that 90's HGTV look....also green :)
Keep us updated
Oh, Debbie, I feel for you! I get so frustrated with interior designers (or friends) who think that their way of decorating is THE way. When I'm helping someone with their home and they ask, "does this work?" I almost always answer, "Do you love it?"
I'm glad you've decided to find yourself -- or at least figure out who you are now. (It's a "turning 50" thing, Friend.) I hope you can take your time and enjoy the process. Step One was a HUGE success. I never did like hunter green either!
What a lovely color, Debbie. Anxious to see what all else you do.
Have a great week ~
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon
I bet getting rid of the dark green makes the room look bigger to you! You've made a nice change, I'm sure you'll be pleased with the other decisions you make too:@)
It looks as though you are on the ROAD to finding Debbie....I can't wait to see the Final Product...
Debbie, as always, I ended up laughing out loud before the second paragraph even. :) And I laughed out loud further down for several reason. One being that you may just have inspired me to update my own hunter green foyer bottom-half-wall. OhMyWord! It has been needing updating since, well, the 90's as you so aptly put it, and not only it, but the wallpaper ABOVE IT has to go at some point. So, thanks for the inspiration, my friend. I hope to get that done before Christmas. Seriously, I do. You're such a helpful blogger.
I can't wait to see what true Debbie decor looks like. In the meanwhile be comforted by the fact that we've all fallen the the way of trends or pushy friends a time or two or three. Reminds me of the time a pushy friend convinced me to buy a horrid Goodwill couch because it had such a good shape...but that tale is much too long for a comment box.
You know what Debbie - maybe you lost yourself a little bit - if you worry what you should do and what people think you should do - verses listening to what you like and not caring what anyone else thinks. Then maybe I have no idea what I am talking about! sandie
Love the color, Debbie, and anyone who can set tablescapes the way you do, will have no problem bringing this dinning room together, I am so looking forward to seeing the final result.
OH! BTW since I am only a hop, skip and jump down the road, I could use some help with my home, I will be waiting!!
Hugs,
Sue
Your posts always make me smile and nod my head in agreement! I had to chuckle at "unfortunate upholstery choices and sorry case of decorating insecurity". This 50 year old loves your wall color :)
Debbie,
What a great start! So many options. You could do anything. You could even paint the furniture! And you can keep tweaking until it's Debbie!
Debbie, I LOVE the color!! I remember hunter green...I had a wing chair that color. I also had "burgundy" thrown in with that. I can't wait to see the rest of it...I know it will look great. BTW, come any time!! I'm sure my house is the smallest in blogland, but I'll make up for it with hospitality, lol!!
Goodbye hunter green
Hello 'worn path'
So long 'well meant' critique
Hello almost 'fiftique!
From the paint to the plan
It's a whole new look
And this time Debbie
writes each page of her book!
Go for it!
xo
I love the color of the walls and cannot wait to see what else you do.
It's so funny to think about what I started off with when I first got married in 1990. Our house had peach and green, mauve and blue, hunter green and burgundy. Yep...I just decided to throw every popular color at that time into the mix. Good grief, I cannot even imagine what I was thinking.
Debbie,
I have lived in my house almost 14 years now and I still don't have any idea of how I want this place to look. Please inspire me!
~Jean
So, let me get this straight - you got rid of all the furniture - are you getting all new stuff, then? Or re-purposing the room altogether? I like the green color with burgundy. Overdone, I know - but it's home. So - this is before photos - when will we see after photos?
Joy!
Kathy
hi
I love your blog
Betty @ My Cozy Corner
So let's jest say, "Debbie, your dining room is in a shambles and I'm in stitches!" Hoping you find yourself soon and you know I will be following along, cheering you on in your quest. Like the new color too...
Oh, Debbie. I have been trying to figure out what my CURRENT style is, too! See, I have finally come to realize that at nigh on 55, I am not the same woman I was before. I was always very sure of what I wanted to surround myself with and have in my home... I always went with the 'if you love it' it will work theory. But, I was always sure of who and what I was all about... things change. I change. I swear this passage is way more difficult that adolescence (the other spot where we are trying to figure out who we are). Anyway, I feel your pain. I hope you make it through this passage faster and smoother than I have/am! blessings ~ tanna
ps can't wait to see what you are doing!!
Hi Debbie....I love what you've done so far....and mable is just awesome. I love your creativity...it's in your decorating and it's in your writing.....You make me want to find a project and get creative. ☺
Hugs for you.
I love reading your posts, Debbie. You have a way with words and have a very good sense of humor that they always entertain me. Your dining room looks really good with the new paint. I like that china cabinet cause it looks like it holds a lot. Are you moving it out? I can't wait to see what you do but I am sure it will be really pretty...Christine
Ohhhh this is so fun to watch. I love seeing you share "who" Debbie is and what is your style. This will be a fun thing to watch develop.
Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary
PS: Thank you for your kind words of understanding. I think today ( they are leaving any minute) is harder than yesterday. I will miss them tons.
Good to see you taking control of your decorating. I, too, was where you were with the green 90s - also talked into certain upholstery by a former friend. I was so unsure about all my decorating at that time. Now, puh! who cares what anyone thinks. It's all about what Steve and I like.
U go girl!!!
Well A-D Debbie, I am impressed. So inspiring to know that at 50 I too could grow up. Yikes, I only have 3 years!
So far so great. Now, no new friends until this project is finished... 'kay?
Blessings, Debbie
Love the new full wall color. A "worn path" is a good thing. I think I see a peak of some pretty curtains also. Can't wait to see the rest, great start.
Hugs, Ginger
Hi Debbie,
I imagine most of us have had a "friend" like that at some time or other over the years. You've totally got the right attitude about moving on. It really is liberating to find your own style. I just LOVE your new DR wall color. You see, I was just telling my hubster that I want to repaint our DR and LR, so I was pumped when I saw yours. We have the chair rail molding in our DR like you do, and I want to paint our wall white from the chair rail down and all the trimwork white. What you have now is so much prettier than the hunter green, and I can't wait to see the rest of those draperies. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hugs,
Denise
Ah Debbie! Good to see we haven't lost you under that pile of indecision. I so totally relate.
My home too is in dire need of updating, but I fear I go further back in my present design than you. It looks very much like early marriage to me and we're going on 36 years next month!
We only have two rooms that are "done" and done in a style that I like. That's our bedroom and our dining room, although both rooms need some fresh paint.
And don't fear 50. I think I was at my best at 50, and as time progresses, you develop an "I don't care if you like what I like or not" attitude. It's very freeing!
Cheers!
Ann
You are just the best...and it is looking great. Oh I have to laugh over the pushy decorating friend...one thing I have tried so hard not to be, and probably was...ugh!
Oh 50 is fine...I have been there since January, but I have to say, I am still trying to find myself, where I lost me I am not sure...my poor family and little Benjamin, well he is getting a different mom from the first five.
What a great time to re-discover yourself and enjoy decorating!!! I am doing the same...and being more daring this time...well that is in my kitchen.
Hugs...enjoy, enjoy...always, always a wonderful post and always puts a smile on my face
Dear Bermuda Security System,
Would you make an announcement on the intercom for us please?
DEBBIE H. GREEN: MEET YOUR PARTY ON THE WORN PATH.
Oooooh! There you are, Debbie. Love the golden you, girl. When you're done finding yourself in the Bermuda Triangle somewhere, you'll likely have achieved these three things, as advised by Alexandra Stoddard:
The Triangle
A. Is it appropriate?
S. Is it simple?
B. Is it beautiful?
Of course, I could've put B before the S, which would've spelled ABS, but I'm fifty now and I forgot how to spell abs.
Hunter green I hope you didn't let the door hit you on your way out! Good riddance and hello beautiful new wall!
Oh I just really love this! You are so creative.
Thank you so very much for linking up to Fall In Love Wednesdays.
Have a blessed weekend.
Love your "go get 'em" attitude Debbie. It is inspiring! (And I got a kick out of that Schultz quote at the top of your blog. So funny!)
Have a great day!
You are taking steps to find yourself I can see. My dining room has a table and chairs in it much like the one you removed. I have thought about this also but have not made the decision to change. Oh, I turned 50 a while back, it is not a bad place to be.
I do believe that your on the fast track to findin' Debbie! The wall change made an amazin' transformation already! I have a feelin' it's gonna be fantastic sweetie!
God bless and have a terrific Thursday!!! :o)
Hi Debbie I cannot wait to see what else you are up to!!
The walls look great!
I have linked up with Laura's Fall in Love with Your House Party!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I'm so happy to see you're beginning to find "Debbie". You know how paralyzed I was in my dining room...how many times did I show you that turquoise board? So glad I didn't go with ANY of those colors. Sigh.
I don't recall any friend swaying me in any particular direction, but we've all fallen victim to trends. I really like your attitude of doing what's you. I hope that works for me as well. I'll let you know when I get that slipcover made for the living room sofa. Then I'll know if I made the right choice.
Meanwhile, keep up the good work. I'm coming by one day next week to see all the fruits of your labor in person. I can't wait. Great post!
I like it!!! It's such a pretty color. I guessed right too. I knew it had to be the hunter green you were getting rid of. I remember wanting to paint every wall in my house hunter green. Sad, but true.
I can't wait to see the curtains. Looks like a pretty toile. Love, love, love me some toile.
I may be the only one here, but I still like hunter green! I don't have it in my house, but I do like it! I also like oak furniture!! Of course I'm probably your oldest follower! I've been thru many, many color trends, starting with orange and avocado!! Yuk! LOL!
I can tell you this -- in ten or 15 years you will be in the same predicament - the present trend in colors will be outdated! It never ends! Find what you enjoy and don't let trends or anybody make you feel outdated!
I do like the color of your wall, it's similar to what I have! ;-)
Looking forward to what you end up with! (Keep that pretty dining room set! Paint it, or cover the chairs, you may regret getting rid of it!!)
Katherine
I liked the little *tease* at the window! It looks like you're going to have a very tasteful finished product.
I'm even more glad to know that Debbie is finding renewed energy in the Grand Re-Design Project. I think it's something about that old 5-0 that gets us busy. Those of us who don't get a facelift can do wonders on our houses!
Can't wait to see more pictures...
Color is a good place to start! When I decided to redo my house a few years ago that's where I started. I decided I liked red, yellow, white and black and then it was pretty easy to make decisions based on that. Before it was blue and brown :)
Like what you've done so far and can't wait to see what else you do!
Hi, Debbie,
If I find your, I'll tell yourself you are looking for you. :)
D
I have to say, I was waiting anxiously for a post and I was not disappointed.
I guessed you were turning 50 before you wrote it, because I am as well, in March. I'm learning that something strange and wonderful happens at this time in our lives....we quit being what others want us to be and become our beautiful selves. Maybe not all at once-it might be a little hard on the family, but you can be sure it happens! Then, I guessed the green wall. AND I re-read your 101 list. I love it. Do all the lines through everything mean you have gotten to it? Wow.
Do I win a prize?
xoxo
lynn
Such an interesting name for a paint color - worn path. Sounds inviting.
Your dining room is looking great !!
The same exact thing happened to me at the same age...a former acquaintance talked me into ordering a new loveseat and 2 chairs in HER colors. Talk about being weak. I knew I didn't like it as much as something else but, for some reason, I listened to her. I was stuck with that group of furniture for 5 years before I could afford to get something else. NEVER AGAIN.
XOXO
I would lose Debbie in all that work too. I can see what Debbie does and am surprised at how pretty she is
Debbie, your wall looks lovely all the one colour now!
It's a nice warm tone to match your personality.
The new dining room is going to be fabulous!
blessings..Trish
R.I.P hunter green. In my 40's I kind of found "me." It began with buying a tomato red couch. I have had it 4 years now and still love it. It was a bold step for me and I placed it in the room I wanted (my sister who has lots of interior decorating experience said it should go in another). Debbie, somehow you write about things, in such a funny way, that we all can relate to. You are charming and funny and you new wall looks great. Joni
Good for you! I had hunter green wals too --- now they're butter yellow.
Oh how I can relate to this, but as usual, you have put my feelings into words much better than I could have, and you've even made it humorous. I am so insecure about decorating my house, which is probably why I have so much junk. Surely, out of all the junk in my house, anyone who visits will see SOMETHING they like. Your new wall color is so pretty. Can't wait to see what other surprises you have in store. laurie
Oh, I know about people that convince you to do things or try to do that. I had a dark green room, but I liked it. It was a historic house color, and it was really nice paired with linen drapes that had those jewel tone colors in them. I still miss that room, but we moved to another house.
I love what you did with yours, though, and I can't wait to see the rest. I'm trying to change some things upstairs on a budget because in a few years I want to change them again with something more "adult." But I decided since the kidlets/godchildren are still young, I was going to decorate for them. I'm one of those people who think that kids rooms should look like kids rooms and not be quite so grown up.
In the mean time, they are half way done. LOL!
XO,
Sheila
Debbie, so glad you are finding your inner self again. I think the pushy friend has been replaced by blogland (at least in my case)... everybody has gray, rattan, natural, yada yada yada.. where is the me? We are redecorating our entire home (well that is another story for a longer day somewhere) but I'm finding that although my designer friend has good ideas, they aren't me so I have learned to ignore his suggestions for things that don't please ME.. have fun with the discovery. I love your blog.. it's a favorite hangout of mine. xo marlis
OKAY GIRL! I'm "HERE" and I've gone through all your steps.(I happen to STILL LOVE HUNTER GREEN)but your wall color I (LOVE), it's on my walls too(Called SUEDE). I (((LOVE))) that big HUTCH, I would have moved that back in! LOOK at all your pretties in it!
WHERE do I go to find the finished room??? NEED TO SEE!!!!!!!!!! AND where is the Big Beautiful Hutch going???
Big Hugs,
Donna
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