Showing posts with label Dorothy Draper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dorothy Draper. Show all posts

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Adopt and Adapt

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More sage advise from Dorothy Draper….

Shortcut #12:


There are two words in the English language that you should try to remember when you are looking for new ideas.  Strangely enough they both begin with the very first letter of the alphabet.  The words are “adopt” and “adapt”.

So many people get discouraged when they look through the pages of the opulent so-called service magazines or try to glean some ideas from the room set-ups in the stores.  “The rooms were all much larger than mine,” or “I could never afford such big pieces of furniture,” are the laments of the majority.

The idea is to “adopt” the concept and “adapt” it to your own room and your own way of living.  You may not be able to afford or have room for such a large breakfront, but how about a small secretary or hutch? 

You like that swag idea for the window in your living room, but the heavy damask and tassels is much too heavy a treatment for the size of your room.  Adopt the idea, but modify it to suit your space, taste and pocketbook. 

You admire the bamboo fretwork on the wall behind that bed, but it looks expensive, so why not use a regular wooden garden trellis for practically the same effect?

Did you see that picture of the patio with a riot of petunias in planters?  Take that idea and plant some inexpensive petunia seeds or small petunia plants in wooden salad bowls and have three bowls brimming with color on your kitchen ledge.  Learn to adopt an idea and adapt it to your own special needs!”

Inspiration is everywhere when you are open to seeing it.

Friday, April 9, 2010

The gospel according to Dorothy Draper

 

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The other day when I was browsing through the “home improvement”  books at my local Goodwill, I spied this book by Dorothy Draper that I was previously unaware of (gasp).

I haven’t finished all 365, but I thought I would share an excerpt from #11--my favorite so far….

 

Oftentimes when I get to bed at night these phrases are still floating around my head, “Is it proper?” “Could I use?” “Would it be all right to?” “Are they using?”  “I love such and such a color, but could I mix it with so and so?”

Recently an ad for individualized clothes had a heading “Enjoy the luxury of being yourself.”  And to all those people who ask me all of the above questions, what could be a better answer?  What do you care what they (whoever they are) using?  Who knows what is “proper”?  Be yourself, think for yourself, be guided by good taste and have what you want….

 

You said it sister!  I think if she were around today, Ms. Draper would have a fabulous blog.

 

Enjoy the luxury of being yourself!

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