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Re: My sentimental items give comfort and that is what home is all about
There ya go, Katray! You learn something new everyday. It nice to have a name for such a design motif, isn't it? And you're right. Our home is always reasonably clean as well, and anyone is welcome to visit us. But if anyone feels compelled to question or challenge our designs, layouts, furniture choices or color schemes, well, that's their problem! We're very comfortable with the way everything looks, thank you very much! 
posted by
JimmyA
on December 10, 2012 at 7:31 AM
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My sentimental items give comfort and that is what home is all about
I don't have perfectly coordinated rooms either but as long as they are reasonably clean, I'm happy and proud to welcome anyone in. I like the word eclectic and shall remember it..:) 
posted by
Katray2
on December 9, 2012 at 12:43 PM
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Re:
Well, FSI, like I wrote, my wife did make a few minor changes just before I moved in, but for the most part, everything is as she remembered it growing up, and I have no problem with that. Besides, a lot of the "newer" things out today are pure crap ( in my opinion )! I really like the "old" stuff too!
posted by
JimmyA
on December 9, 2012 at 11:06 AM
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Re:
That's so very true, lustor. There's a trend in the manufacturing business I heard about some years ago called "planned obsolescence." They don't want to make anything last will last 40 or 50 years anymore! They want your various appliances and other household products to fall apart within a few years, so you'll keep buying more. And usually it costs more to have such things repaired than to just go out and buy a new one! And to be honest, I have no idea what a "Californian house" is supposed to look like either!
posted by
JimmyA
on December 9, 2012 at 11:03 AM
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Re: here here
I'll take that, Shams, as an exclamation of agreement! Thanks!
posted by
JimmyA
on December 9, 2012 at 10:57 AM
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Re:
That's good, adnohr. Our home is our home, and it is laid out and decorated the way we want, not the way we think others would like it. As for clothing, I'm a stickler to my own personal rule of thumb "I tend to give up fashion for comfort." I don't care what the latest fashion trend is or who's wearing what. If it looks even semi-ridiculous, or feels even semi-uncomfortable, I ain't wearing it!
posted by
JimmyA
on December 9, 2012 at 10:55 AM
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Re:
As it should be, C C T. I highly doubt that anyone would go into someone else's home, take a good look around, and then exclaim "Gee, I wish my home look exactly like this!" Variety is the spice of life, and things would probably be very boring if everyone's home look identical to everyone else's. You have to let your individual personality be highlighted and expressed by your possessions and decorating abilities. Otherwise, what's the point?
posted by
JimmyA
on December 9, 2012 at 10:51 AM
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Re: Jimmy
Hey, that's your choice, Naut! If you're inclined to make some changes just to break up the monotony a bit, that's all your decision should be based on, not the opinions of others. Yes, my wife and I are very comfortable in our home, and like I wrote, we see no valid reason to change anything just because someone else doesn't particularly care for it. It would be nice sometimes though if certain people were to show a little more discretion with some of their comments. They don't necessarily mean to insult my wife or hurt her feelings, but sometimes . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on December 9, 2012 at 10:46 AM
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Re: JimmyA
Very well said, Wiley. I've had to more or less instruct my wife to "thicken her skin" a bit because there are those insensitive people out there who think nothing of ridiculing someone ( even jokingly ) about their tastes in decorating. The bottom line is, as you said, it's our home, we're comfortable and happy here, and if no one else cares for our particular motif, that's their problem!
posted by
JimmyA
on December 9, 2012 at 10:41 AM
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Re:
Then you can relate, Utah, to what my wife experienced. And I'm going to assume that you still have various keepsakes and mementos of your parents that keep them unforgettable. To some, that may consist of pictures and photos . . . for my wife, they include furniture, appliances and various decorations. The thought is the same . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on December 9, 2012 at 10:38 AM
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Re: I never bought anything in my life to please other people. Your home
Thanks, Kabu. You're hired! Sometimes I believe such comments should probably fall under the category of "If you don't have anything nice to say . . . " I've been in many, many homes which were laid out and decorated rather strangely ( in my opinion ) but I don't say a word. One person's paneled walls and black velvet paintings is another person's gaudy chandelier and stucco ceiling! To each his own . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on December 9, 2012 at 10:33 AM
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Re: Like clothing, the house is an outward expression of the inward reality
Yes it does, Ciel. It sometimes appears that many people are slaves to current trends and fashions, instead of just "doing their own thing." It may be a "social faux pas" to wear white after Labor Day or match a polka dot shirt with striped pants, but if that's who you are and what you really want to wear, then I say more power to ya!
posted by
JimmyA
on December 9, 2012 at 10:27 AM
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I do feel the same way...I like how she has been able to keep the house looking the same way.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on December 9, 2012 at 9:30 AM
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I was told my house looked californian and of course that is where I am from, but I dont know what that meant. I had my daughter at age 42 and that is one reason we are so close, but she wont inherit my cute little mobile home, she has a brother and sister still Applainces just arent built like those oldie but goodie ones
posted by
Lanetay
on December 8, 2012 at 8:37 AM
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here here
posted by
Shams-i-Heartsong
on December 8, 2012 at 6:26 AM
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I totally agree with you - it's what makes us happy in our own home. I extend that to how I dress too - designers would not make a big haul from me!
posted by
adnohr
on December 8, 2012 at 2:32 AM
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Well I sometimes go into other houses and I really am surprised to see how new everything looks.
Possibly I feel a little sheepish when someone casts an eye over my arrangment, but it is only fleeting.
posted by
C_C_T
on December 7, 2012 at 10:42 PM
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Jimmy
To me, the most important thing is that one should feel comfortable in one's house, whatever the reasons...And if the old familiar things make her and you feel comfortable, that's it...For some reason my own sense of comfort, and that of my LSW, seems to change a bit every now and then, which is why we occasionally make alterations. Actually, she's more that way inclined than I am...People have suggested my study needs an overhaul, but I'm kind of mulish about that...
posted by
Nautikos
on December 7, 2012 at 6:17 PM
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JimmyA
If you are both happy I wouldn't want to give any opinion of what choices you made or make in life. Hey pard, enjoy your home and why bother with what some guests have to say, if they don't like it leave it.
posted by
WileyJohn
on December 7, 2012 at 5:49 PM
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My father was 56 my mother 48 when I was born, and yes most thought they were my grandparents.
posted by
UtahJay
on December 7, 2012 at 5:16 PM
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I never bought anything in my life to please other people. Your home
reads like a comfy place steeped in love. I feel offended for you that some one would come into your home and criticize...I shall throw them out for you.
posted by
Kabu
on December 7, 2012 at 4:53 PM
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Like clothing, the house is an outward expression of the inward reality
of a person, a family. If it isn't 'allowed' to be that, in favor of motif and matching, well, that reveals something, too.
posted by
Ciel
on December 7, 2012 at 11:59 AM
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