Home Decor Is Not Age Related

katlupe

katlupe

SF VIP
Location
Norwich, NY
I get sick of hearing phrases like "this color, fashion, hair style, whatever, etc. is too young for you". When I moved into my own apartment I did not have a lot of money. But I wanted to make it express who I am. I love colors and vintage items. For years, I had packed away in my attic various items my mother had given me. Now that I had the freedom to decorate and do what I wanted, I put all those items to use. My mother had made ceramic lamps, decorative dishes, etc. back in the fifties. I decided to use them. I do not like clutter so if it is not useful, I get rid of it. She had crocheted many afghans and potholders over the years. I use every single one, every day. I now have colorful curtains and other decorative touches. I am always working on it and am so proud of my apartment. The funny thing is that now I am living on a low income, but finally have the home I thought was just a dream.

Have you made changes in your home as far as decorating goes? What about color? Just because we are older does not mean we have to live in a neutral world. I have a friend who has a porch swing in her living room and she loves it and uses it all the time. Have you done something in your home that is out of the ordinary?
 

I agree, the look of one's home is to their own taste and definitely not "age"-related.

But on the other hand, a room can get to looking dated and then boring. I have updated my living room several years ago.

Bottom line tho' really is what makes you happy! I'm glad you're getting to use your mother's lovely things.
 
Except for my office, I leave all decoration decisions to me wife who simply has better taste than I do. All of the furniture I had before we got married left the premises fairly quickly. (It was a rather oddly assembled bunch.)

One area where I do contribute is on the question of whether or not an item will physically fit. She is rather artistic, but as an engineer, I pay greater attention to dimensions.

As long as I have a comfortable chair, I am happy.

What a team, ā€¦. but don't expect my office/home gym/cat area to dazzle anyone.
 

In your own house, do as you please. In public, if you're old and dress or use make-up like a teenager, you can expect lots of disapproving stares. If they don't bother you, still go for it.

I am middle of the road in everything, not too old fashioned but somewhat conservative and practical. Colors I prefer are not loud (blues, dark browns, grays, a little reds and oranges, that's about it, no neons). I see nothing wrong with antiques or homemade afghans are good, I have a few my mother crocheted for me and I treasure them. I think most things look good as long as they're not cluttered or overdone.
 
I don't think home decor can be age inappropriate unless it includes items such as cribs and highchairs where there is no infant to use them and even then, anything can fall into the vintage collector category and most of us decorate with our collectibles.

I personally think that age inappropriate clothing and hair style that's worn to try to convey a youth that is long gone sends a definite message about the user. It looks silly and rarely deceives. For instance: college girl hair (long, straight, center part) pairs poorly with old woman neck. Same for 'daisy duke'/crotch length shorts and varicose veins.

My own personal home decor centers around comfort, safety and ease of care and a few favorite items I enjoy looking at. Very little thought goes to style
 
katlupe said:
I get sick of hearing phrases like "this color, fashion, hair style, whatever, etc. is too young for you". When I moved into my own apartment I did not have a lot of money. But I wanted to make it express who I am. I love colors and vintage items. For years, I had packed away in my attic various items my mother had given me. Now that I had the freedom to decorate and do what I wanted, I put all those items to use. My mother had made ceramic lamps, decorative dishes, etc. back in the fifties. I decided to use them. I do not like clutter so if it is not useful, I get rid of it. She had crocheted many afghans and potholders over the years. I use every single one, every day. I now have colorful curtains and other decorative touches. I am always working on it and am so proud of my apartment. The funny thing is that now I am living on a low income, but finally have the home I thought was just a dream.

Have you made changes in your home as far as decorating goes? What about color? Just because we are older does not mean we have to live in a neutral world. I have a friend who has a porch swing in her living room and she loves it and uses it all the time. Have you done something in your home that is out of the ordinary?
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Home Decor issues ... I'm not in my own house anymore, and I miss the aspect of choosing my own colors for the walls, and what goes on the floor, etc.
At my Senior apartments, everything is neutral, beige walls and much brown trim everywhere. Carpeting is brown.
Kitchen is all black appliances and basic tan cabinets. Countertop is black speckled. I think most people here like all that.

But I love a contemporary look ... WHITE walls and a more modern look with bright colors, so I decorate with RED, ORANGE, etc., and incorporate WHITE into everything that I can.
And I'm not fond of any carpeting period. ... I've given this place a look that is more ME ...lol
 
When my mom passed 5 years ago I brought some of her furniture, paintings and household items into our home. We moved the previous furnishings along to friends and charities. I love living with some of Mom's things. šŸ’•

Our home is the way we like it. It's comfortable for us and also works well for overnight guests and large parties.

Redecorate? Pfffttt- the thought never crosses my mind. Last time we redecorated was in 1994 after an earthquake broke half of our furniture so we needed to buy more.
 
I like classic pieces in muted tones of grey n cream, but I love color too so I change my throw pillows, throws, dish towels n place mats every month or so n always decorate for the seasons n holidays, because my house is one large room, kitchen, dining room n family room everything needs to be changed, which I enjoy!! I have colorful dishes that seem to pull everything together.
 
Bonnie said:
Home Decor issues ... I'm not in my own house anymore, and I miss the aspect of choosing my own colors for the walls, and what goes on the floor, etc.
At my Senior apartments, everything is neutral, beige walls and much brown trim everywhere. Carpeting is brown.
Kitchen is all black appliances and basic tan cabinets. Countertop is black speckled. I think most people here like all that.

But I love a contemporary look ... WHITE walls and a more modern look with bright colors, so I decorate with RED, ORANGE, etc., and incorporate WHITE into everything that I can.
And I'm not fond of any carpeting period. ... I've given this place a look that is more ME ...lol
Click to expand...
My carpeting is beige and my ceramic tiles a rust color and the walls are white. My couches are dark brown (don't show dirt as much) and my recliner beige. I add color with the smaller items like lamps and pillows and wall decor etc. I used to paint walls in wild colors, but now prefer white. It's easier to change accessories than to change the color of walls and carpeting and big items like couches.
 
I donā€™t think age comes into it, personally I prefer modern furnishings to traditional, have ivory coloured walls throughout as it makes the rooms seem larger and more spacious but I love colour so have bold pattern curtains and paintings
 
Bonnie said:
Home Decor issues ... I'm not in my own house anymore, and I miss the aspect of choosing my own colors for the walls, and what goes on the floor, etc.
At my Senior apartments, everything is neutral, beige walls and much brown trim everywhere. Carpeting is brown.
Kitchen is all black appliances and basic tan cabinets. Countertop is black speckled. I think most people here like all that.

But I love a contemporary look ... WHITE walls and a more modern look with bright colors, so I decorate with RED, ORANGE, etc., and incorporate WHITE into everything that I can.
And I'm not fond of any carpeting period. ... I've given this place a look that is more ME ...lol
Click to expand...

I also live in senior housing and technically it is not my own, but when I moved in I feel like I made it my own (in a sense). My apartment is a studio apartment and very small at 338 sq. ft. It was an old high school so the ceilings are very high and the windows very large. I use colors to brighten it and make it cheery.

I am not crazy about carpeting either, but I am stuck with it except for the kitchen and bathroom.
 
katlupe said:
I also live in senior housing and technically it is not my own, but when I moved in I feel like I made it my own (in a sense). My apartment is a studio apartment and very small at 338 sq. ft. It was an old high school so the ceilings are very high and the windows very large. I use colors to brighten it and make it cheery.

I am not crazy about carpeting either, but I am stuck with it except for the kitchen and bathroom.
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Wow! How interesting to live in a repurposed HS. Was your space formerly part of a classroom?
 
StarSong said:
Wow! How interesting to live in a repurposed HS. Was your space formerly part of a classroom?
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I believe it was. There are 32 apartments on three floors. The other half has a theater and various offices and a gym where there is kids club of some sort where they play basketball, volley ball & hockey.
 
Wren said:
I donā€™t think age comes into it, personally I prefer modern furnishings to traditional, have ivory coloured walls throughout as it makes the rooms seem larger and more spacious but I love colour so have bold pattern curtains and paintings
Click to expand...

I have white walls here with huge windows along one wall. The curtains on the windows are a mixture of bright colors.
 
katlupe said:
I also live in senior housing and technically it is not my own, but when I moved in I feel like I made it my own (in a sense). My apartment is a studio apartment and very small at 338 sq. ft. It was an old high school so the ceilings are very high and the windows very large. I use colors to brighten it and make it cheery.

I am not crazy about carpeting either, but I am stuck with it except for the kitchen and bathroom.
Click to expand...

It must have so much character! ... can just picture it.
Making your space your own is important, and sounds like you've done a great job too.
 
katlupe said:
I have white walls here with huge windows along one wall. The curtains on the windows are a mixture of bright colors.
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When you have a studio, is the bed always set-up or do you use a fold-out couch? If I had to have a studio, I would want a Murphy bed, the kind that flattens up against the wall. On the other hand, I'm kind of lazy, I might just get a nice comfortable couch and sleep on it. If you don't mind, I'd like to see a pic of the window wall. Doesn't such a big glass area cost more for heating and cooling? Do you have heavy drapes to avoid heat loss?
 
Catlady said:
When you have a studio, is the bed always set-up or do you use a fold-out couch? If I had to have a studio, I would want a Murphy bed, the kind that flattens up against the wall. On the other hand, I'm kind of lazy, I might just get a nice comfortable couch and sleep on it. If you don't mind, I'd like to see a pic of the window wall. Doesn't such a big glass area cost more for heating and cooling? Do you have heavy drapes to avoid heat loss?
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The bed is always set up but is away in a corner so almost feels like a separate room. I don't have a couch because I need the space and don't really have guests. The dressers make a wall in front of my bed so it can't be seen from the rest of the apartment. Behind the dressers is the corner with my bed and vanity in it. My flat screen tv is on the top of the dresser facing the bed.

dressers.JPG

I don't have heavy drapes, just sheers and blinds. Since I am in an old school (brick) building and on the second floor sandwiched between 2 other apartments, my apartment is well insulated. My electric runs $40.86 a month on the budget plan. All electric apartment. The cardboard on the bottom of that one window is covering my air conditioner. This picture is taken from my table where I have my computer.
 
StarSong said:
@katlupe
Do you have a kitchen or is there a common kitchen and dining room for everyone?

Love your curtains, by the way!
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Thank you!

I have a kitchen that is a good size but disabled friendly. And a big bathroom. Each apartment is private. This picture is taken of my kitchen from my table. Behind the door sticking out is the refrigerator and more cupboards and counter space. Sorry it is so dark.

kittchen_400.JPG
 
katlupe said:
Thank you!

I have a kitchen that is a good size but disabled friendly. And a big bathroom. Each apartment is private. This picture is taken of my kitchen from my table. Behind the door sticking out is the refrigerator and more cupboards and counter space. Sorry it is so dark.

View attachment 88420
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Thanks for taking the photos. You seem to have a pretty sweet little place there, @katlupe! I've lived in very small quarters and managed nicely. One of my earliest apartments was a single; your place puts it in mind.

Also, DH and I have a 5th wheel camper that we sometimes travel in for weeks at a time, so I understand the challenges of having adequate possessions on hand to make life easy, but not so many that they crowd you out.

The smaller the living space, the more organized and tidier one must be.
 
Well Katlupe, thank you for the photos, :giggle: I agree about how you've dressed the windows , it's bright and cheerful, and having those windows all on the one wall will bring lots of light in. It's a larger than normal studio flat and the way you've positioned your bed out of sight, makes it look like a one bed apartment with kitchen and bathroom...

I was just thinking about MY school.. if they made that into apartments it would be ideal..similar to yours but with floor to ceiling windows and just 3 floors high... but great big classrooms... , and with about 60 classrooms in all and gym hall , dining hall, huge library and sports grounds all around , it would make for a lovely little gated community of large studio apartments or even one bed apartments. great idea, if the school isn't needed... However my old school is still very much in use these days..altho' it was new in the late 60's when I first went there.
 
Thanks for the pics. For only 338 sq ft, you have almost 3 rooms, not bad. I imagined just one room. I imagined the window as one humongous one, I like the three windows better. And very colorful!
 
katlupe said:
Have you made changes in your home as far as decorating goes? What about color? Just because we are older does not mean we have to live in a neutral world. I have a friend who has a porch swing in her living room and she loves it and uses it all the time. Have you done something in your home that is out of the ordinary?
Click to expand...

Have added things through the years but haven't taken much away. Was maximalist boho waaaaay before it became trendy. Sofa pillows are cream cotton jacquard with bullion fringe that I bought in the early 90s. Worn quilt made by a childhood baby-sitter covers the back of the sofa. Art is eclectic ...Walter Inglis Anderson blockprints, friends' works both purchased and gifted, lots of traditional botanicals. Lots of local pottery, mostly raku. Furniture is a mix of cushioned comfort and well-worn antiques ...junk to real collectors, but I'm never going to slap a coat of chalk paint on them!
 
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hollydolly said:
Well Katlupe, thank you for the photos, :giggle: I agree about how you've dressed the windows , it's bright and cheerful, and having those windows all on the one wall will bring lots of light in. It's a larger than normal studio flat and the way you've positioned your bed out of sight, makes it look like a one bed apartment with kitchen and bathroom...

I was just thinking about MY school.. if they made that into apartments it would be ideal..similar to yours but with floor to ceiling windows and just 3 floors high... but great big classrooms... , and with about 60 classrooms in all and gym hall , dining hall, huge library and sports grounds all around , it would make for a lovely little gated community of large studio apartments or even one bed apartments. great idea, if the school isn't needed... However my old school is still very much in use these days..altho' it was new in the late 60's when I first went there.
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Thank you, hollydolly! This school was built in 1870 and I am not sure when they replaced it with a new one. I believe they broke up the classrooms into the apartments. Every floor has one two-bedroom apartment. The rest are either one-bedroom or studios. Then the other half of the building has offices and arts council for my county. I think my studio is perfect for one person and a pet but I think a little too small for 2 people.
 

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