▼

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Too Much of a Good Thing?

You may remember last fall I recovered some dining room chairs I purchased from the Salvation Army. After an extensive search, I choose this pretty blue and white Ikat from Calico Corners called Kalah blue.


The fabric was a great scale and coordinated beautifully with many of the existing elements in the room. I was thrilled with how the space was coming together.


I now seem to be seeing this fabric in lots of different places.

Lauren at Pure Style Home used it in a client’s dining room as art.


Kristen from 6th Street Design has family room curtains made from this fabric.


A Delightful Design recently posted a picture of a living room by interior designer Bryn Dunn.


The most recent issue of Better Homes and Gardens shows designer Amy Meier’s home which features – you guessed it – more of the same fabric.



In fairness to these fabulous ladies, I am guessing they all used this fabric before I did. Even still, I began wondering if perhaps now it has lost its “wow” factor in that it is no longer unique.

What do you think? When you see a particular design element over and over, does it lose its appeal? Does it become dated or are you more apt to choose something because of its popularity? I would love to hear your opinion!
at

27 comments:

  1. StephanieJanuary 22, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    Yes, this ikat style fabric has become more and more popular. Top designers have used it for years. It is a classic if you ask me. But I think the bottom line is, if you love it, then that is all that matters. Don't be influenced by the masses.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AngelaJanuary 22, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Unfortunately, it begins to lose its appeal for me. Fortunately, it's generally too time-consuming or too expensive to replace so I relax and enjoy. Nice choice. Lots of places it would look good in my home too. I love Calico Corners, especially on sale. Really enjoy your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pine Tree HomeJanuary 22, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    That just means you are very stylish and know a beautiful thing when you see it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tanya from Dans le LakehouseJanuary 22, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    I think "wow factor" comes more from how it looks in a room, as opposed to how many others have used it. I think the fabric looks great with the rest of the design elements in your home & that's what counts. I actually considered a pale blue version for a recent project, but it just didn't suit my room.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Heidi JoncasJanuary 22, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    If you love it, then it doesn't matter what anyone else things.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dixie RedmondJanuary 22, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    Is Wow Factor defined as totally unique - something no one else has? If you look at it that way then you will only have a WOW factor room for about 5 minutes, if that.

    For me, WOW factor is when something works and invites me to sit down and is also beautiful. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. ErinJanuary 22, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    I do love the fabric, and it appears extremely versatile!

    ReplyDelete
  8. SamanthaJanuary 22, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    I wouldn't worry about everyone else and would stick with what I love. Like Tanya said above, the wow factor comes from how it looks in a room.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Low Tide High StyleJanuary 22, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    My feeling has always been, if you love it, then that's all that matters! Unless you have fabric specially milled for you from one of your own designs, you will always see it featured some place else over time. The fact that it's made it's way into so many wonderful rooms just means that it's a great piece of fabric!

    So if you love it, then don't worry about who has it or if it's been over done. I think your chairs look beautiful, and if you hadn't pointed it out to me, I probably would have visited all of those other rooms and thought, wow that is a pretty pattern, not even focusing on the fact that I had seen it somewhere else.

    Fabric is always a key factor in creating a room, but it's certainly not the only one, so everything you've including in your room is what makes it special, not just that particular style of fabric.

    Kat :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sissie's Shabby CottageJanuary 22, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    I think it's lovely and perfect for each decorating theme. If you love it, then that's all that matters.

    hugs

    Sissie

    ReplyDelete
  11. At Rivercrest CottageJanuary 22, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    If you love it, it's right for your home. Other people loving it too would just make me happy to have made such a good pick!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Carol@6WilsonBlog.comJanuary 22, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Ohhh... I feel your pain. Nothing's worse than true love getting old in a hurry :) Truth be told, I like things to look like me, not everyone else and it bums me out when I see something I think is unique turning up everywhere. The fabric you chose is gorgeous, fun and unexpected in your dining room. But, if you need to change it, well, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. At least you know you have great taste!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Steph. :)January 22, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    I love the fabric. In all honesty, I think it looks especially amazing as a drapery fabric. However, I do know what you mean...I am one of those people that really does not want what others have *exactly* but I certainly would not change it for that reason if you love it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sonya@Beyond the Screen DoorJanuary 22, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    I tend to shy away from choosing a distinctive fabric if I've seen it too often. But, If I've already used it in my home and love it...it generally doesn't make me want to change it just because I've seen it elsewhere. And look at the company you're keeping! You've got excellent taste, my dear! BTW, LOVE, LOVE the look of the last photo! That's a great space.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    Dear Mrs. Red Door, (wish I knew your first name but cannot find it)

    I realize how bummed you must feel to see your fabric "everywhere" or so it seems. Do remember that the people who are actually visiting your home most likely will not have seen this fabric before and will think that you are the talented decorator that you are. I think a fair question is do you love the fabric because you love it or because it will impress? Good luck with your decision.

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownJanuary 23, 2011 at 4:20 AM

    About 24 years ago, I got some Ball jars from my husband's grandmother. She had a farm house in Kansas that was full of neat stuff. She gave me those jars and I've had them in use ever since.

    Now they are everywhere and it makes me mad. What was once special and unique seems commonplace. Mine have history and sentimental value to me, but still, I'm not gonna lie...it bugs me.

    I truly dislike feeling like I jumped on the latest decorating bandwagon. However, I remind myself that I loved those jars long before their popularity boost and I will continue to love and use them long after we've moved on to another "it" item.

    So, yeah. I feel your pain.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Paula@SweetPeaJanuary 23, 2011 at 5:15 AM

    I love this fabric and say to keep using it. Like Nancy above said, your friends probably don't notice it being used "all over" like you do.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Abby M. InteriorsJanuary 23, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    I have loved this fabric for a while and I think it looks great in your space.

    There are so many good points made in your comments! If it's going to drive you nuts every time you look at your chairs--then change it. But don't forget that as bloggers, we are immersed in these images and our perspective of "everywhere" is warped. I doubt any of your friends have the fabric.

    My bottom line? You should smile when you see those chairs!
    abby

    ReplyDelete
  19. InMyOwnStyleJanuary 23, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Hi
    I am a huge fabric lover and sometimes just like to have a snippet for a bit of inspiration to place on a pillow or something small on my desk. I think as long as you love it - it doesn't matter how much you see it elsewhere- it only reinforces that you have good taste. :)
    My best- Diane

    ReplyDelete
  20. GinaJanuary 23, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    I think the fabric is fabulous because they are all used in such different unique ways! If they had all been used on dining room chairs, I would absolutely feel your pain! But theyre art, curtains, pillows etc etc it just shows the versatility of the fabric and how you have FABULOUS taste!! <3

    ReplyDelete
  21. Patricia @ 9th and DenverJanuary 23, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Too much of a certain design factor-- and I don't like it anymore.

    I like the element of surprise.
    Something different.

    Funny- I remember your chairs and then, like you, I started seeing it everywhere.
    YOU STARTED A TREND! LOL...

    ReplyDelete
  22. Amber B (Simple Dwellings)January 23, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    I think you should love the fabric and own it as your own! When you discovered it, it was perfect for the chairs and you loved it! That's all that matters. I understand how you may feel that it has been done before and is now popular, but your version of the fabric tells your own story and is yours alone!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Allison ShopsJanuary 23, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    I love ikat fabrics, but I can see how you are somewhat disappointed seeing it everywhere nowadays. DH always teases me that what I want doesn't exist yet. He's usually right, and it seems that many times something I finally find in my area eventually ends up being seen more often than I'd like in a magazine. Most of the time, mine is just enough different where it doesn't bother me. I tend to not seek out things I often seen items in magazines or online.

    Allison
    Atticmag

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastalJanuary 23, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    It just shows how versatile the fabric really is. I think it's great and as long as you love it then it doesn't matter how much it's seen.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jessica TurnbowJanuary 24, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    I'm blown away, I LOVE it!!
    Come visit my blog, I am doing a painting giveaway and would love to have you enter!
    http://bonjourfrenchie.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  26. {darlene}January 24, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    I say, if you love it, then it is love.
    unless, of course, you are a fickle lover.
    ;)
    - {darlene}
    www.fieldstonehilldesign.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. LittleBirdJanuary 25, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    I still think it is a gorgeous fabric and would be using it my home if I were you!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I enjoy hearing from you! Unfortunately I will not longer be publishing comments with links. Thanks for understanding.