I don’t know about you, but quotes inspire me. So I thought I would share 10 favorite design quotes and hope they inspire you too.
Meaningful quotes
Back in the 90s when we built our dream home, that I had designed, I did a little thing. When they framed the house, I took a permanent marker and wrote quotes all over the studs in the walls.
I used things that were pertinent to each room. A favorite about priorities, we wrote in the walls of my hubby’s home office. It says, “No success can compensate for failure in the home.” Along with, “The most important of the Lord’s work you will ever do, will be the work you do within the walls of your own home.”
I figured, in 100 years, whenever the house might be renovated, to find these words within the walls would be interesting. The kids signed and dated their bedrooms, and all was right in the world. I thought we would live there forever. We did not. We sold it 9 years later and moved back to California (only to return 2 years later).
Words are inspiring
My most favorite quote about homes is one from Elsie de Wolfe. She was one of the first female interior designers (as an actual job) even though she started out as an actress. At the turn of the century, she lightened up interiors after the dark Victorian age, and created brighter, less cluttered rooms.
This quote has been at the forefront of my own design work for the past 30+ years.
Envisioning your home to how you want to live and feel, is really the most important step in design. If you can do this in the beginning, less mistakes will be made. No one wants to pay for renovations, only to realize later it wasn’t right.
A house is there , but home takes time
When moving, it is easy to set up furniture in a way that functions. But creating a home is always more than just putting the bed together, and setting up a place to eat and sit.
The process of creating a home is a long one. For me, and my home philosophy, I believe that a home should never be “done”. As we, as humans, are always evolving. Our needs change as life goes on, and we should always be creating a space that serves where we are now.
Decor should be about you
Back 25 years ago, when I was designing craft products for the scrapbooking industry, I realized something that extended into my interior design background. It’s that, home is really a scrapbook of your life. And in my work, I mean nothing more.
When I began following Nate Berkus, after he was popular on Oprah, I read a few of his books and was so happy to realize that he believed in this too. Everything he said sounded so smart, and was so right!
A home should feel collected and comfortable. It should tell the story of your life, like a scrapbook, and it should represent the people that live there.
A bit of practicality
This next quote is really about authenticity and personal style. And you know, I am always over here screaming about just that.
Since I tend to be a bit of an obsessive personality, I love to collect many things. Vintage is my jam. And reading this quote gives a beacon and purpose for all that is brought into the home.
Use this as your excuse to not follow trends, and only collect items that are useful and beautiful. When you do this, you will always have a home full of personal style, that is authentically you.
Creating beauty
You are the author of your own life’s book. And your home should reflect how you want to live. Adding beauty, style, and comfort can enhance that life and bring appreciation for the finer things.
I would much rather have a few fine things, that nourish the soul, versus too much that brings chaos and blah. In my head, I always hear the fabulous designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard proclaiming something to be ‘pedestrian’. Truly the kiss of death in design.
Seek for those things that bring you joy. Allow your home to be the backdrop set design to your fabulous life.
I’m so glad you’re here
If you love to decorate your home, and create a unique space full of personal style OR if you are interested in learning how, then you are in the right place!
Let’s talk about home decor, vintage, how-to’s, and all the home inspiration to help you make your space a true reflection of YOU and your personal style!
We can solve design problems together. I’ll be sharing resources, tips, inspiration, and some ways I’ve learned to navigate thru the homemaking life.
Hey, Jill here. I’m excited to share my passion for design, vintage, and all things home. I look forward to hearing your questions and comments.
You can make it happen
I think one of the first coffee table design books I purchased was one by Charlotte Moss. I always read those books, because I want to know how these great designers think, and this quote is classic Charlotte.
She always taught that observing is free, and I have never forgotten that lesson. Watch and learn, notice details, see what colors you are inspired by and your own style will grow from it.
Everyone wants to be remembered
When I first read this quote, this took my breath away a bit. I mean, how profound! Yes, Armani as a fashion designer, understood way more than just standing out. Because frankly many people can stand out with garish and obnoxious qualities.
But elegance is about being remembered. And I believe that is the desire of every human. After we have lived our lives, when the final curtain closes, we just want to not be forgotten.
This quote gets a boost from the last one that I will share. Because as far as home design goes, from the people that live in your home to those who visit, their needs should be cared for and met.
Be confident in what you love
Thank you Billy Baldwin. Because this quote is the most important one, especially if you constantly second guess yourself. He knew what he was talking about. He was the designer that JFK and Jackie hired to decorate the White House. Such grand style!
Trust yourself, you know what you like. You don’t have to waste money following trends that aren’t you, and will be gone soon after. Decide what you really love, how you want to live in your own home, and go with it.
If what you like is outside of the box from what everyone else is doing, stick with it. No one wants to be in a box anyway. Be confident and say ‘yes, I love it’ and do what speaks to you. Because you are the one living with it.
Let’s be practical
Leave it to the master, Steve Jobs, the man behind Apple who basically changed everybody’s life.
Back in the early 2000s, maybe about 2008, we went on a trip to Paris. My hubby had the first iPhone with him that he had literally purchased days before we left. One day, we were at the Louvre and he was looking at his phone for something. This german guy noticed and freaked out! They chatted, looked, and later he exclaimed, “I came to Paris and the best thing I saw was the iPhone!”
It’s crazy how, even now, my little grandbabies know how to work one, it’s so intuitive. Good design always makes sense, and Steve Jobs understood this better than most.
A home needs to function properly, and if it doesn’t, you will always be fighting against the current. Make good choices so your home works for you.
When everything is right at home
When creating a home, it is always wise to anticipate how you will receive others. You may not be an entertainer, but chances are at some point, you will have visitors.
Things will always go smoothly when you consider the needs of friends and family, and design a home that can accommodate that process. Even without interior space, you can make plans to provide thoughtful touches outside, for comfort and enjoyment.
Home is more than just a place where we store our stuff. It is where we live our lives and many times, home shapes us into who we are.
I hope these quotes have inspired you to think of your space differently, and create a home that you will be comfortable in and proud of.
Tell me in the comments which quote is your favorite, or I would love to hear one that you have always admired. Follow along for more inspiration.
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I love the writing in the walls thing. We wrote a few scriptures too. It just makes the whole experience so meaningful. But I do love that the people who bought the house from us ripped out the basement area and renovated, so I know what they found!
These are great! I am a quote girl 😂! I have collected them for years, and now my middle granddaughter is doing the same. On a semi different note, when we built our house, we did the same thing but with scripture. It is neat to think of all the scriptures that we, along with friends and family, wrote behind these walls.