I'm In A Decorating Challenge With Chairish

“Design is coming to grips with one's real lifestyle, one's real place in the world. Rooms should not be put together for show but to nourish one's well-being.”
                                                                                    ~Albert Hadley

I recently was asked if I wanted to take part in a Mix n Chic Style Challenge with Chairish.  If you want to find out more about Chairish, just click here.

The Challenge was to use Shabby Chic furnishings and mix it with other types of styles.  I've never been one to match my styles.  For those who have been following me for awhile, you know I love looking for the unique and unusual and finding a way to mix it in with what I already have.

I've always loved houses and decorating even as a young child.  As I would walk to school (back in the day), I would love looking at the houses; and I especially loved looking into the windows at night when my father was driving the car.  I liked to see what they looked like inside.   Whew, now my little secret is out!  But I just know there's thousands more just like me who like to see how other houses are decorated.  Yes, you!!  Or someone else close to you, I'm sure.

So this is what I came up with...

But THEN...I decided to swap out the club chair and ottoman for this modern leather and wood one.  I love the mix so much better.  So this 2nd one is the one I'm going with!  What do you think?

I found a really cool and great site for creating inspiration or styleboards.  It's called Olioboard.  Anyways, getting back to what I chose, I worked a few modern and traditional pieces into the shabby chic look, along with industrial and vintage.  I used two abstract paintings to hang above the apothecary cabinet.  It's kind of hard to see, but the table next to the  leather chair is a butcher-block end table.  How cool is that! 
Mr. Cottage loves what I chose for the coffee table.  I wish we had one just like it.  If I had the metal magazine shelf, I would have it decorated with books and all the things I love.  If you didn't notice it, go back and read my quote for this posting, at the top of this page.  It's so true when you decorate.  I always use what I love, not just because it's a passing phase or because everyone else is.  Let your decorating express who you are and what you love!

Source:
Carved Wood Horse
Antique Dutch Commode
Vintage French Crate
Vintage Linen Chair
White Carved Bowl
RH Lancaster Sofa
Leather Chair & Ottoman
Antique Edwardian Accent Chair
Restored Factory Cart Coffee Table
Marble Top Side Table
Butcher Block Side Table
Steel & Elm Console Table
Vintage Metal Magazine Rack
Surveyor Tripod Floor Lamp
White Table Lamp
Brass Table Lamp
Industrial Desk Lamp
World Globe...
Lamp on Wood Cabinet
African Stripe Throw Pillow
Vintage Mali Mudcloth Pillow
Kimono Lumbar Pillow
Raja Pillow on white chair
Wedding Blanket Pillow
Horse Trio Print Pillow
Oriental Wool Rug
Framed NYC Subway Sign
Vintage Wooden Sign
Abstract Horse Drawing behind leather chair
Abstract Art Paintings above cabinet