Y’all, this past weekend I sprinkled preen on my freshly mulched beds to make sure weeds don’t emerge until I apply it again (in six months). I don’t think I spread it evenly, as I went rogue and took the top off, before I hosed the mulch down to activate it. Next time, I’m going to apply it right before we’re expecting rain (and with the top on). I might even try it on my gravel parking area. Work smarter, not harder, right?
Later this week, I have a handyman coming to get a TON of things done on a running list I keep for the house. It’s going to feel so good to get that all done!
Now onto some things I think about a lot. Every time I look at a picture of a house, see a real estate listing, pop into a store, or look at other spaces for inspiration, I run it through my personal filter of “design pet peeves.” It’s an automatic response and it pops up daily. It’s a blessing and a curse. Sometimes I dream of having “bad” taste and not knowing any differently, because it would save me money and brain space.
These are my personal opinions and preferences. Everyone has their own set of rules that guide them and their design choices. I was born with some of mine and developed others over the years. Here are my design pet peeves. . .
A wallpaper, fabric, purse, fashion, etc. that is trendy and everyone is using/has. It’s going to go out of style and I would prefer a classic or something authentic/unique to my own personal tastes. Curating items personal to me is much more fruitful and keeps me from getting sick of them.
Dark, heavy furniture (in the wrong space- this is so dependent on scale, materials, lighting, etc.). It can make a room feel cramped, smaller than it is, and overwhelmed. Anything heavy or bulky belongs in a big space, not in your tiny bedroom. Personally, I like a mix of woods with different finishes. Think antiques mixed with modern/contemporary pieces.
Some metals and finishes can look cheap and you will tire of them (and eventually want to replace them and spend more money than just doing it right the first time). I like an unlaquered brass, french gold, chrome, polished nickel, and oiled bronze that reads black. There are more modern gold pulls in my kitchen that drive me insane, because they are too “trendy,” but they came with the house and I will change them eventually.
Wall to wall carpet in a bathroom. This is a crime against humanity. An area rug used in a specific way is the only exception to the rule.
No point of view and personality in a home. A home should feel personal and show the personality of the people who live in it.
Furniture all from the same place. Boring.
Not “living in your house” and using it. Rooms off limits. Never put your feet up. Might as well have everything covered in plastic. A house that’s too perfect doesn’t feel comfortable. And your guests will never feel comfortable.
Too many houseplants. This makes me nuts. You don’t live in a greenhouse. They should not be on every surface.
Decor with words on it. Think “Live, Laugh, Love” signs.
The barn door trend. I inherited one to my bathroom and not a day goes by I don’t want to rip it off the wall. It is on my long “wish list” for the house to fix it.
Cool lighting instead of warm. Lightbulbs should ALWAYS give off warm light. If you do some cool lighting and some warm lighting in your house, straight to jail for you.
Canned lighting everywhere and no lamps, sconces, or chandeliers. My house has too much canned lighting and it makes me nuts.
And here are my fashion pet peeves. . .
Noticeable logos. I can’t handle a large Tory Burch logo (sorry y’all), LV/YSL/Fendi,etc, Hermes “H” belt (unless you have the initial “H” and even then it’s dicey for me), Bottega Veneta bags (They’re not well made, especially for that price). The only exception I make is a vintage Chanel bag with the interlocking “c’s" and their classic two-tone flats in a million color ways. You will not catch me with something that is overly branded, because to me that makes it less versatile and useful (how often can you wear an outfit covered in branding aka Dorit from RHOBH).
Cashmere that pills. Literally one of my Roman Empires. I think I’m going back to experimenting with Pringle of Scotland as they source cashmere for luxury brands like Hermes and are a fraction of the cost.
Thongs that roll down/over when you move and literally saw you in half. Why is there NO comfortable shape wear thong and just in general?
Bleaching things that touch my skin. I’m so sensitive and it makes me mental to have such chemicals touch my skin (and I proceed to itch). I’m currently experimenting with a less toxic version of bleach.
I don’t care about Birkin bags. They’re not practical to me; it can’t go over your shoulder. The Kelly is my dream bag as it’s lighter, more structured (and not open), and can be worn with a longer strap over the shoulder or crossbody.
Here are this week’s interiors finds. . .
1. Linen-Blend Cushion Cover 2. End Table 3. Nora Pillow 4. Scalloped Rattan Accent Table 5. Hand-Painted Decorative Iron Tray 6. Large Plaster Cherub Vase 7. Cordless Iron Table Lamp 8. Large Plaster Wavy Mirror 9. Beatrix Glass Lamp Candle Holder 10. Irregular Rattan Wall Mirror 11. Inflorescence Wallpaper 12. Bubbie's Fuzzy Chair
13. Bristol Glass Bud Vase 14. Woven Metal Bowl 15. Drunk Monkeys Wallpaper 16. Vintage Newly Upholstered Scalamandre Le Tigre Velvet Footstool 17. Murano Art Glass and Brass Pink Color Wall Light 18. Favorite Vase 19. Schumacher x Timothy Corrigan Wallpaper 20. An Italian Metalwork Painted Demi-Lune Console Table 21. Papier Mache Table Lamp 22. A Palm is a Palm Sisal Wallpaper 23. Le Tarot Plates 24. Casa Cutlery Set in Pink Rhodonite 25. Brass Bird Ashtray
26. De Stijl Wood Table 27. Wafer Thin in Emerald 28. Italian Splatter Pitcher 29. Martini Wallpaper 30. Mesa Nook Rug 31. R&S Cigarette Espresso Mug and Saucer 32. Strawberries Wallpaper 33. Desk Scissors 34. Set of 4 Gala Lowball Cocktail Glasses 35. Cary Chair 36. Pink Silk Faille Table Lamp Shade 37. Ribbon Rug 38. Elden Wood Bench 39. Canton Candelabra in Brass 40. Steccato 2pt Teapot
Here are this week’s fashion finds. . .
1. La Vie Style House x Mini Caftan 2. Cove Shell Clutch 3. Frances Top 4. Sardinia Dress 5. Sammy Silk Pant 6. Off-White Delicate Tapestry Maxi Cover Up 7. Inca Hat 8. Tolan Shirt 9. Luna Midi Pareo 10. Fawn Twill Carine Dress 11. The Uma Tote
12. Spot Black Egret Santiago Midi Dress 13. Lucien White Sapphire Leverback Earrings 14. X Style By Simkins Emma Stripe Print Square Neck Sleeveless Dress 15. Baby Blue Ditsy Floral Hillsborough Dress 16. V-Neck Cuffed Maxi 17. Cleo Blouse 18. x Style by Simkins Kathleen Soutache Crochet Sweetheart Neck Sleeveless Dress 19. Pastel Sequined Caftan 20. Sophia Strap Dress 21. Hati Embroidered Wrap Long Sleeve Dress 22. Jen Velvet Bag 23. Exclusive Checkmate Dress
24. High Rise Stride Wide-Leg Ankle Jeans 25. Lara Strappy Leather Dome Sandals 26. Mia Tiered Shirt Dress 27. Deanie Brown Gingham Tote 28. Verity Linen Midi Skirt 29. The White Lotus x Aqua Treasure Tank 30. Azure Double Knit Jersey Julietta Dress 31. Linen-Blend Pants 32. Crepe Pants with Drawstring 33. Tie Front Cassie Skirt 34. Cala Asymmetric Linen Slides
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Current Obsessions
-A great substack about home renovation with amazing resources and various accounts to follow.
-Delta is expanding their Shake Shack partnership to more routes.
-I’m excited for Hotel Baby Grand to open in San Diego.
-Heidi Caillier’s design dos and don’ts.
**DEAR STYLE SNACKS: If you have something you need help finding, troubleshooting, or are curious about, please leave me a comment or send me a message, and I will be sure to feature your question (with the answer) in an upcoming newsletter.**