Watch out, I'm deep in thought.
Do you try to decorate by following RULES? I found this great little diagram and definitions here. I really didn't read the too much into it but thought it was a good way to think about decorating.
- Bureaucratic: You feel that rules are necessary to get things done. You want a rule for every situation - documented of course. You are uncomfortable when there are no rules. You are shocked when someone breaks the rules, and do not agree with their justification, whatever it is. You are the rule maker.
- Chaotic: You feel that rules are unnecessary or worse are obstacles to getting the job done. You are uncomfortable with lots of rules. You tend to ignore the rules. You think the rules do not apply to you or your situation. You are the rule breaker.
- Pragmatic: You feel rules are important, but should not be followed blindly when doing so would interfere with getting the job done. You are more likely to follow the spirit of a rule rather than follow it to the letter. You prefer guidelines to rules.
Want to read more about breaking the rules?
The Lazy Perfectionist
Imperfectly Beautiful
Winner of the Mom Cards from Teacups and Tadpoles:
30 comments:
Even though my home is often in chaos,I think I fall between pragmatic and bureaucratic. I never really thought about it in those terms, but I think it explains a lot about me. Thanks
That's so cool, I have never really thought about it, but I think I am more pragmatic. I like a plan, or guidelines, but like knowing that I can bend and tweak where I want. :-) I just LOVE your blog!!! :-)
A new way to think about things---definately a bit on the chaotic side----unfortunately!!!
With your ideas in mind, I used my glue gun and covered a container in ribbon for Christmas. It turned out great, and was so easy.
I'm definitely "pragmatic."
And I want you to know that because of your inspiration (just reading your blog has given me inspiration...all this talk about "window mistreatments," and all) I've FINALLY put curtains up in my dining room and my great room after living in my house for 4 1/2 years!!
The dining room? I actually took down the previous heavy drapes (awful!) the day we closed on the house, but I left the harware up. I guess that's awful too...but today, I now have lovely cream colored sheers with gorgeous embroidery from Target!!!
And the great room? I didn't think I wanted window treatments there, but after reading your blog, I decided maybe I did, since it doesn have to be perfect.
I even hung them myself (no hot glue) with a real live drill. First time!!
I'm so proud of myself. Thanks for your tips and thoughts. And for letting me know window treatments don't have to be custom made and cost $1000.
Blessings,
Sandy Cooper
www.godspeakstoday.blogspot.com
Pragmatic definitely. Our brood ushers in chaos faster than you could say boo! I need to be a little flexible or I would spend ALL DAY making sure the rooms were clean, chores finished, and towels off the floor. Sometimes a quick trip to the movies is a good de-stresser for the entire gang. Of course, they don't get to go until after their rooms are clean... RULES I try to enforce.
Well, I am really not sure...can I be all three? It simply depends on the time of day and my mood and if company is coming over any time soon!!
How fun...your blog is so great! You give a great spin!
-sandy toes
How fun...your blog is so great! You give a great spin!
-sandy toes
Oh my...you are talking about rules? Yikes, that means I actually have to think and after the day I had, (fellow parent left with my keys in their pocket leaving me with 7 kids in a deserted parking lot..gone from 8am to 9pm)
I can't think about giving myself a definition. I'll pray over this decision and get back to you. :)
Pragmatic, with a bit of rebel Chaotic thrown in!
I would totally say that I'm a mis of chaotic w/ pragmatic thrown in there.
You got me all flustered....I meant MIX instead of mis.
Dang it.
I just love it when you think. Great post.
Rules? I do follow some, like make sure you have enough lights and big pieces of furniture aren't shoved up into the corners and the pictures aren't hung .42 inches from the ceiling (unless your ceilings are 4 feet high, but then heaven help you anyway). Oh, and follow the Nester like she's the ultimate decorating goddess. As in, like the Zeus of decorating. So don't have capri window treatments and lust for tassels and ragamuffin garlands and toile sofas.
Actually, I'm thinking until we win the lottery, or an HGTV house, or an imaginary inheritance, my house realy won't look all that great, or how I really want it to look.
Maybe I'm too critical. Maybe I'm spot on. Maybe I can't remember the point I was trying to make anymore. Maybe I better just give in to the Better Homes and Garden line at WhiteTrash-Mart (why, WHY?! couldn't they sell their stuff at Target?). Oh yeah, and call me Mrs. White Trash.
Maybe you will be excited to know that I actually found many different colored burlaps at a nearby fabric store (WhiteTrash-Mart only had two LAME colors). I think they were there all along, but I was looking with my third eye or something. Now I need to make a memo board. If I can figure out exactly how. I'm sort of simple-minded that way. And apparently have no life and leave ridiculous marathon comments. That totally go off-subject. My trademark, I guess. Off to get a life. i hope.
Thanks for inspiring us to buck the system, Nester! I'm definitely pragmatic, but since becoming a faithful follower of YOU...I enjoy throwing a little chaos in the mix every now an then. And as you can see from the title of my blog, I am all about being imperfectly beautiful!!!
~Amanda
I like that you are not just creative, you're smart too. Maybe God lets you use both sides of your brain/ :-) I need to have a chat with Him.
Take care
(I'm somewhere between the styles. depends on the day)
Thanks for all your great posts! I love your blog and visit it often! I'm pragmatic for sure!
In my house I'm pragmatic.
I was pragmatic when planning my wedding ever since my fiance proposed to me with a gorgeous diamond engagement ring from www.idonowidont.com and he was more of a bureacratic person.
Opposites attract obviously!
I am definitely bureaucratic. I was teaching this to my 6th graders the other day. it is an interesting way to think about decorating.
In life I am very rules-y. In decorating I like to know the rules. Mostly because I'm not good at making up stuff on my own. But every now and then I find myself outside the rules. And I get excited about and proud of that!
I'm definitely pragmatic.
I love having guidelines but sometimes you just have to make things work for your family.
I'm definitely pragmatic.
I love having guidelines but sometimes you just have to make things work for your family.
I'm pretty sure I broke one of the rules yesterday when I hung a collection of dishes in the bathroom...above the toilet, no less.
Now, I have dishes hanging in every room. Oh, wait...there's the closets and the garage...
Very thought-provoking question, Nester. I'm not sure what I am, probably because I don't like to be defined. ;-) But here's what I feel about design.
There are some rules in terms of design that shouldn't be broken(usually when it comes to what I think of as tacky -- grin), but I also believe in a sense of fun, a sense of having a personal environment. And one man's kitsch is another man's treasure!
I tend to study and know the design rules and break them if I think something works. I'm also a lot easier on other people than I am on myself when it comes to design. The English Country look is my favorite. I also like certain regional looks in the U.S. These include: New Orleans, Charleston, Natchez, and Key West for the South and the Martha's Vineyard (specifically Edgartown) and Nantucket vibe for New England.
I don't think that less is more. Rather, more is never enough! Exception: an ultra contemporary interior. But I like clutter, and I like it balanced and organized. There is a reason my books are stacked a certain way or a throw lands on a chair at just the right angle. I also like some pieces that aren't perfect... though for the most part I like my china perfect.
I tend to have design legends I follow like Keith Irvine, Mario Buatta, and Bunny Williams. All of the aforementioned people love an eclectic look as evidenced from their designs. I think you can learn a lot about the rules and should, but I believe that real designers are artists. They understand color, scale, balance, history, etc., but they know instinctively what makes a room work.
Thanks for making me stop and think.
Sheila
Hmmm....pragmatic at best, chaotic at worse. I am a fairly organized person, but when it comes to decorating 'rules' I just do whatever I like. The things I pick may fall within a certain rule criteria, but if it does...its certainly an accident lol!
Christy
I loved your post. How interesting to link our decorating styles to these. I fall into the pragmatic area. Thanks for sharing!
I'm definitely in the bureaucratic slot in real life. As for my decorating, well other people would probably say that is chaotic:)
Miss Janice
Interesting post! I am definitely pragmatic with my decorating (and anything in life really). I do follow a certain set of rules but if I break one... well, better luck next time :)
I love this! I am definately one to not follow any rules. If it works for me -great-!
I cannot be boxed in....No rules rules for me.
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