Your Decor: The Joy of the Calculated Risk

Celebrate the Color and Surprise of Highly Personalized Homes

Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward Interiors. It's my greatest pleasure to inspire you to live well, to live in style, and to extinguish the myth that style and budget are mutually exclusive. Read more about my design philosophy and my work at http://www.blulabelbungalow.com

Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward... More »

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We've all heard the expression, "the greater the risk, the greater the return." The risk/return tradeoff is generally discussed regarding a financial investment, but does the same apply when investing in your home's decor? Realtors around the world would vehemently discourage the risks in this ideabook because highly customized homes often yield a lower return when the home goes on the market. But let's focus more on the satisfaction the homeowner receives from realizing their personal vision. For someone who desires to break out of cookie-cutter decor, the risk definitely outweighs any expert opinion.

by Mal Corboy Design

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The lady who grew up envying the doll who had everything can now live the dream in a pink kitchen of her own. Sleek cabinetry in a sweet, high-gloss pink is balanced by white lower cabinets and hardwood floors. This delicate balance keep the space contemporary and less confectionery.

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eclectic entry Diamond and Baratta design

by interior- decorating-diva.com/Marie Grabo Designs

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For a colorful family with an appreciation of the arts comes a two-story foyer from Diamond Baratta Design with flair and personality to match. There is so much to love about this space, from its saturated hues to the shiny tiled floors, captivating mural, artsy stair runner and the Murano glass chandelier. The black door, trim and railing add polished accents to this enchanting space.

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by Avalon Interiors

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Purple isn't just for royalty. Enjoy vivid colors in custom drapery and even in your chandeliers. Both can carry a high price tag, but when it's something you love, it's okay to splurge. Many clients request that their decor be unique —something they won't see in anyone else's home. This room and any room you can dream up will fit the bill.

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by Ventana Construction LLC

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Surprise is the spice of life, isn't it? Or is that variety? Enjoy both with a BlueStar Range that offers a splash of color in a pristine white kitchen. Little kitschy elements like this make even mundane chores more enjoyable.

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by Stephanie Lake, PhD

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Count on a wise owl to let you know who left the toilet seat up. Be open to ideas on where to place your uncommon finds and leave your guest with something to really talk about.

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by Grizzly Iron, Inc

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When the saints go marching in, it's not enough to memorialize their presence even with a baby grand piano. Why not make a grander statement with life-size, two-dimensional musicians marching in a row? Taking a stand with an artistic statement never leaves guests to question your family's favorite pastime.

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by Imagine Living

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Try a less permanent statement when exploring life outside the box. Humorous art that captures moments like the one in this painting would make any parent cringe with embarrassment. The irony lies in the fact that it becomes funny when on display and it's not your kid.

What have you done to break outside the box?

More:
Have Fun With Unexpected Art
10 Places To Go Bold With Pattern

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Comments

LOIS says:

In the last picture I love the unusual pattern of the chair. But that painting has GOT to go! I don't care whose kid it is.

11 months ago · Like

margaretjam41 says:

Not loving the owl image but I love the comedy of the little boy picking his nose!!!the crazy design of the chair adds to the playfulness!

11 months ago · Like

beardog says:

I love the unexpected. The biggest risks I've taken so far with interiors is to paint my hall very dark chocolate brown, with a very large round grey/silvered mirror and a shocking pink painted walls with a large red leather sofa in my reading room.

11 months ago · Like

libelula says:

http://www.addiescreativefabrics.com/images/its-a-wrap.jpg I am going to paint my small entrance foyer a bright color, make and hang these fabric plates/baskets on the wall, and tile the bottom half of the entrance.

11 months ago · Like

senesac10 says:

I pickled new custom cherry kitchen cabinets white with a Bolivian Rosewood hardwood floor and Rosewood granite countertop. I'll send a picture when it's all together. My cabinet maker said i'd burn in hell for pickling cherry and his partner said they looked like Strawberry Quick. Hope I'm not sorry. We'll soon see.

11 months ago · Like

Jennifer Simpson Johnson says:

I love the idea of personalizing your home to suit your personality rather than going for resale value. It's probably a better idea to stay put instead of trying to sell in this market anyway - why not make it truly yours? Oh, I don't think that's an owl btw, it definitely looks like a parrot LOL.

11 months ago · Like

carolzee says:

Love them. The more we play it safe for resell the more boring we become, lets face it the turquise hall just needs a repaint if sold and maybe replace the stair runner - in the meantime it makes such an impact that anyone would love

11 months ago · Like

dancingfish says:

Having had the arguement with my husband for YEARS--why should I decorate and remodel for someone who doesn't pay the bills and doesn't live in the house? His answer is always it will sell better?????? hello we have now lived in our home 25 years!!
As far as my walk on the wild side??? I have a ORANGE hallway-- nothing says happy better than orange

11 months ago · Like

Netty says:

I agree with dancing fish about the color orange! My guest bedroom has off-white walls but is then accented with a bright orange chair, pillows, vase, throw and lamp. Above the bed is a large abstract painting with orange, green and other colors! The painting is the headboard. Every time I walk pass it, I smile!

11 months ago · Like

kathyforcum says:

this is one of my favorite houzz posts...really interesting stuff here

11 months ago · Like

bajablue says:

Whoever said the booger-picker has got to go is spot on. It may be funny to some, but I find it seriously nauseating.

11 months ago · Like

interiors by loraine says:

Very interesting in "yucky" sort of way!

11 months ago · Like

Jan Yatsko says:

Anyone who owns a house and then will not personalize it to their tastes is not taking advantage of and fully enjoying home ownership. Who wants to be a slave to realtors and home stagers. I would purchase the house with the turquoise foyer in a minute, especially if the rest of the house was just as playful!

11 months ago · Like

lindseyakin says:

I seriously want that swirly chair in the last picture. It'd be perfect in my living room with its dark brown top half of the walls.

Our dining room (once we get to that renovation!) is going to have an orange ceiling, and the same orange (earthenware jug by SW) is going on the kitchen walls too.

WE LIVE in our homes NOW, why should they be for some anonymous person who has yet to even step foot in the house? Unless you're planning on selling soon, make your home something you'll love.

11 months ago · Like

City Cabinet Center, San Diego says:

Great Chair...horrid picture. Gross, seriously picking your nose is not cute...or stylish...or funny- it's NASTY! Burn that thing....NOW!!!!

11 months ago · Like

najlaamundson says:

I absolutely believe you should decorate your home to your family's tastes - not for resale. I used to always think about my house as something that needed to be appreciated by others. Now I do what I want - paint the walls colors my family loves -- and we all wake up each morning and appreciate OUR home! :)

11 months ago · Like

CAROLE MEYER says:

Love these photos.....very individual......but that is what makes a home....that touch that sets it apart....gives it personality! Carole www.carolemeyerart.com

11 months ago · Like

A & D Glass says:

My house reflects our family, from the terra-cotta walls and surf art in the master bedroom to the whole room jungle painting in my daughter's room. My son's room has a different color paint on every wall, their bathroom has an "under the sea" theme with a surf board rushing by overhead on the ceiling, and my bathroom is a spa escape with my favorite plumeria flowers peeking around corners. It can all be painted over when the time comes to sell, but for now, it's us. And by the way, I love the nose-picker! It's not like he's mining for gold!!

11 months ago · Like

PaintColorHelp.com Dallas says:

How wild to go is entirely a function of how long you plan to live there. On a project that is strictly for resale, yes, neutrals make sense. But this constant dictate that every decision be made for "resale" at some vague point in time makes me sad. What is the point of working hard to have a home, if you can't fix it up like you want? I couldn't live in some of these soulless beige boxes that I see.

And yes - to achieve great results usually means taking a great risk. These colorful rooms are proof of that.

11 months ago · Like

vaniamtz says:

THE BEST HOUSE EVER!!! I LOVE IT!!!

11 months ago · Like

slingbag says:

The turquoise hallway is FAB, it just says...."This is my home and I love it!" I also love the marching musicians, bold statements both which shows that if you want to you can carry anything off.

11 months ago · Like

wgrosenthal says:

I am a realtor in the Tampa bay area and all of these homes except the first two are fine for resale as well as enjoyment. I love design and to each their own but the first two pictures, really.

11 months ago · Like

sandre says:

absolutely LOVE the stair railing in the piano picture....

11 months ago · Like

outsidethebox says:

This is your best post ever, Erika!! Of course...my signature in decorating...is decorating with the unexpected.

11 months ago · Like

Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors says:

WooHoo! Thanks everyone for the comments and feedback. This was a fun ideabook to write.

11 months ago · Like

Lisa says:

That owl strangely looks like a parrot to me....beak....long, flowing feathers...but whatever- not for me. Nor the other beak, er, nose. Yuck. But those jazz musicians jamming up the stairs- WOW!!! What enthusiasm and whimsy- love that!

11 months ago · Like

Lisa says:

Oh- forgot the pink kitchen. I LOVE it. Love how smooth the finish is and you can't see the doors, love the unexpected pink. Love the traditional wood floor. It's a great look.

11 months ago · Like

gwen mckay says:

loove all of them, except the purple dining room it looks outdated and ugly

11 months ago · Like

Faisal Raja says:

Great..........

11 months ago · Like

janishill says:

All I have to say is Fun, Fun, FUN!

11 months ago · Like

vmurphy928 says:

I have two small doors that fit nowhere. My father refinished them about 20 or more years ago and I've moved them with me from apartment to apartment to house. I finally found their purpose. I'm hanging them on my dining room wall and then I want to fill the rest of the wall with sheet music to James Taylor songs. The opposing wall has a painting of two wild stallions and a photograph of a single horse. And, no, I would not consider the decor Country, or Western, or even Southwest. It's actually pretty contemporary. I will try to post pictures when finished with the "door wall".

11 months ago · Like

vmurphy928 says:

BTW...that turquoise stair runner is to DIE FOR! Makes my heart go pitter-patter just thinking about it!

11 months ago · Like