Anne are you talking about BM Guilford Green?

Power to seniors!!

I forgot to say that I am most interested in any ideas any of you might have on how to accomplish this project. Thank you

Anne Louise Leonore

To whiteccafeakamargo

yes, that's the color. Thanks

anne

Has the house already been built.

I applaud you and can relate to wanting to incorporate your treasures into your decor.

Try youtube for videos on basic interior design principles. From there I think it really comes down to what you and your husband find appealing as far as what to put with what where. My philosophy with my house is when it looks right, it's done. And when I get tired of it, I change it.

Lots of English Manor houses built or expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries and in formal styles like Rococo were subsequently filled with primitive artifacts and collections with the expansion of the English Empire and all the colonization and exploration. And there were earlier "cabinets de curiosite" in other parts of Europe, that were basically home museums of arts and natural history.

I don't see anything inappropriate with building and decorating a full on historical-traditional house and then filling it with multi-cultural artifacts: there is a pretty strong historical precedent for doing so.

It is hard enough to get agreed advice for a throw pillow with so many opinions. With 8000 sq. feet, it would be mayhem!

look into examples of the British Empire period, maybe in India or Indonesia -- they very much combined elaborate formal furniture with "native/prmitive" art. you might or might not love the politics, but it was a well developed type of taste that still looks classic.

To Lanier DeLeon

no, not started yet. I am staring at "story poles" right now where the house is going to be. It's right in front of our current house where we are goi g to live while the New one is being built. Anne

Thanks for responding, Carol

yes, I'm sure I'll be hiring somebody. But whoever it is has to know I am part of the process. I guess I'm. Little nervous about bringing g someone in. But we are a ways from that decision since the house has been built yet

anne

Dear Palimpsest

what great ideas! I really appreciate the input. What you are saying makes it even more fun!

Thanks again

Anne

Dear ACM

thank you, thank you.

Etween you and Palimpsest (above) I'm starting to see a plan forming. I have a lot of research to do----- I didn't know anything about all of this.

Thanks again

Anne

To Katherine Beach

OK, since someone else suggested the same thing, I think I might do that.

There's not much to see you right now, of course. We have the story polls up and are staring at them right now in front of our current house which we are going to be living in while the new one is being built.

Thank you for your interest. Anne

I lived in India for 4 years and saw this kind of blend many times in the houses of the old guard royalty. They loved their gilded and flower patterned armchairs sitting next to ancient idols etc. It can be elegant if done correctly although I have been in some very upscale houses that didn't seem to work and were just confusing. Two suggestions:

1. Focus on the design of the house and furniture and then work out the correct locations for the artifacts. If you try to to design the interior around the artifacts, not only will it be much more challenging but you will also have less room to adjust once the house is built.

2. Once the house is built and furniture is settled, pull out your goodies slowly, i.e. don't try to find a place for everything at once. By doing this you will find a suitable spot for each treasure and then add to it a little at a time rather than trying to settle many items at once.

Thank you so very much. As I said above, I have a lot of work to do. But I'm starting to see how this can be done. I really, really appreciate your taking the time to write and share such wonderful ideas. I didn't know anything about all of this.

it's especially helpful to have you explain those steps to me. Again, thank you
Anne

Are you having an architect design the home? He or she may have ideas for incorporating the two styles.