HEADER MENU

Logo Background Image

Logo Background Image

collecting

By 2/23/2015 ,

my living room, much like my kitchen, is a hodge podge of collected things that weren't picked together, or planned out, but rather curated, in fits and starts of must-have moments and make-it-work compromises.

there's a new sofa on the way - finally, and i think once that's in, the little red living room that could will finally can.   until then, it's the little things i'm happy to surround myself with (and there's no shortage of them).  the room is chock-full of things i love: mementos from trips, gifts from friends, photos, books, tiny treat-myself treasures, and family heirlooms.  it makes the microfiber sofa a bit more bearable, for the time being.

the moral of the story is we can't always get a room just right.  the budget may not be there, mistakes will be made, and things get ruined.  but it doesn't need to be perfect if it's authentic.  i think that's why i'm a 'maximalist' decorator at heart.  it allows for mistakes.  it embraces them.  it never calls for perfection, but rather it's forgiving and has a sense of humor.  a great room to me is like a good friend.  it can inspire, but never intimidate.  it invites but doesn't judge.  and it's approachable, never too precious.

jamie meares tortoise cabinet
jamie meares collecting jamie meares collecting 11 jamie meares collecting 10 jamie meares collectig 6 jamie meares schnauzer dog jamie meares collecting 13 jamie meares collecting 9 jamie meares collecting 7


jamie meares collecting 5 jamie meares collecting 2 jamie meares desk jamie meares mirror jamie meares collecting 12 jamie meares desk detail jamie meares collecting 3

photos by anna barzin

,

About the Author

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cotur acing elit. Ut euis eget dolor sit amet congue. Ut vira codo matis. Sed lacia luctus magna ut sodales lorem.

20 comments

  1. AndreaFebruary 23, 2015 at 8:45 AM

    I love this post! Your thoughts on making it authentic....holla!

    ReplyDelete
  2. andiFebruary 23, 2015 at 9:48 AM

    Yes, yes, and yes. Wonderfully articulated. I'm starting to let go of wanting everything to be perfect in my home. Besides saving what's left of my sanity, I'm just too tired to fight with it anymore. Even if/when I ever got it "just right", I'd be tired of it and craving change soon after!

    ReplyDelete
  3. JodiFebruary 23, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    Love the colorful living! Please tell me what the fabric is on your desk chair!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AbbyFebruary 23, 2015 at 11:09 AM

    awesomesauce, meares.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Natasha StevensFebruary 23, 2015 at 4:09 PM

    Beautiful. Love the tortoiseshell cabinet, the curtains, blue and white accents and red walls

    ReplyDelete
  6. JAFebruary 23, 2015 at 6:30 PM

    "I'm sorry I painted the word twat on your garage door". LMAO...that's awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  7. shellyFebruary 23, 2015 at 6:32 PM

    surely there is a story behind the "sorry I painted the word twat on your garage" note??

    ReplyDelete
  8. NatalieFebruary 23, 2015 at 7:00 PM

    Love your bamboo number and your red walls. I'm lucky to a beautiful breakfront. It is arranged with all my china and crystal, but why not make it like a fun bulletin board chock-full of memories? Totally motivated to overhaul today. Thanks for the constant reminder that colorful creativity matters!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Leigh WatsonFebruary 23, 2015 at 7:47 PM

    Great post, Jamie--applicable to rooms as well as so many other aspects of life! I love your curtains and red room.

    ReplyDelete
  10. angelaFebruary 23, 2015 at 9:18 PM

    Its easy to imagine that a designer's house would always look perfect and exactly the way you want it...thanks for your honesty. I am a single momma and I crave updating things...but the budget's not there. I make mistakes. Glad to know it's not just me!

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownFebruary 24, 2015 at 2:16 AM

    Your words are pure perfection Jamie. I couldn't agree more. Im a total maximalist and you my dear are the QUEEN of maximalism in all its beautiful glory. Your home is truly something special. I love all the little moments you've created within this room. Cant wait to see your new couch. Im struggling with making my own beige microfiber montronsity work. Gah what the hell was I thinking....

    ReplyDelete
  12. mrs. V | Chez V February 24, 2015 at 9:55 AM

    Yes. What resonates is that maximalism does allow for mistakes. Although I like to think of mistakes as iterations of real ourselves. We don't learn if we don't make mistakes. And, as you pointed out, if we are, at the very least, authentic with our choices, then these design iterations just nudge us closer to ourselves. Great rooms, not perfect rooms, are wonderful stories about the people who occupy them, never the things. As people evolve, so do their rooms. Maximalism is more forgiving of the growth process - like my stretchy pants. I mean my yoga pants.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownFebruary 25, 2015 at 8:24 AM

    Your blog is super originall. Amazing and your posts... i love it!, really.

    ReplyDelete
  14. BarbaraFebruary 26, 2015 at 3:28 PM

    I love your way of decorating. I am a maximalist too, and I love sticking photos around in bowls, and the photo frames. Hubby and I have a second home, a little cottage for when we retire, and we go there for vacations. I ended up with a "microfiber" sofa too...something I said I'd NEVER do.. It will probably last forever, and I can sell it when we move there permanently.
    Hmmmm...thinking of leaving a note on the hall mirror for hubby. "I'm sorry I called you a jackass".

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownMarch 1, 2015 at 6:59 AM

    Bardzo super :) Pozdrawiam

    ReplyDelete
  16. Gudang NgecitMarch 13, 2015 at 5:53 AM

    Very Pretty

    Games Cheat Facebook dan Game Point Blank

    ReplyDelete
  17. Necla NurMarch 14, 2015 at 7:23 AM

    It is amazing.I love it so much!

    ReplyDelete
  18. www.tokovimaxoriginal.comMarch 17, 2015 at 4:29 AM

    Obat Kuat Pria
    Obat Kuat Tahan Lama
    Obat Kuat Black Ant
    Obat Kuat Semut Hitam
    Obat Kuat Levitra 20Mg
    Obat Juat Levira Germany
    Obat Kuat Cialis
    Obat Kuat Cialis 80Mg
    Obat Kuat Procomil Spray
    Procomil Spray Tahan Lama
    Obat Kuat Levitra 100Mg
    Levitra Obat Tahan Lama
    Obat Kuat Nangen

    ReplyDelete
  19. مدونة سوفت للتقنياتMarch 17, 2015 at 6:47 AM

    Your blog is super originall. Amazing and your posts... i love it!, really

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2016 at 11:54 PM

    I love your curtains!!! Where did you get them?

    ReplyDelete