True or faux...??

photo: Ralph Lauren Home

This topic has been on my mind for a while now, and I hesitated to write about it for fear of offending anyone. We have all grumbled about magazine photos and how they can make us feel inadequate and envious and wistful for the life that the homeowners in the accompanying write-up live in their perfect homes. Some of us say, " But where's the clutter, the stuff of life, the dog hair, the abandoned sweatshirt flung over a chair?" Obviously we really don't want to see all of that and it wouldn't help sell the magazines, but what about all the overly "posed" photos. You know the ones... the ones the prop stylists just set up for photographic effect and we ask ourselves, "Do they really think we are buying into that fairy tale image??

In my line of work, the staging component that is, lifestyle selling is what it's all about. A little bit of corny can go a long way; the trick is to not overdo it. We all know that buyers are savvy, but they also do want a little bit of guidance in showing what the living can be like in the homes they are considering. However, it all gets tricky when the focus is just decorating your home to live in it. I have seen homes where the "in-house decorator" is trying a little too hard to be in style and showcase a "perfect lifestyle". Heck, we've all probably been guilty of it. Case in point is the proverbial vintage bicycle leaning against the picket fence with wicker basket in front. Now, don't get me wrong, this does look lovely, but is it real?? Is anyone really buying it?? Do your neighbours really expect that you are going to hop on and cycle to the nearest corner shop for a sack of peaches?? If you have one of these and really do use it, then I tip my hat off to you. Not only are you stylish but you are environmentally sensitive (or from a place where this really is commonplace and expected...lucky you!!). For the rest of us, I'm not saying it's wrong, just maybe a little contrived...It can depend on the house, too. Some older homes are just beckoning for this nod to the vintage lifestyle.

photo: Country Living magazine

Another example of contrived decorating is the wicker beach bag "packed" and ready to go with a vintage (and rusty on the inside) thermos and floral or Hermes headscarf (a la Grace Kelly) waiting by the screen door for someone to sling over their shoulder and be taken on the sojourn...sounds so romantic doesn't it?? Okay again if you will actually do this, but if you have a carload of overheated kids and a styrofoam cooler filled with Kool-Aid and your beach bag is full of Spiderman towels, it could probably qualify instead as faux...

I personally like authentic decorating. That means (to me) decorating with things that you really might actually use someday and not vignette staging for imaginary photographers on a photoshoot in your home. There are exceptions of course... for example, there's nothing wrong with setting out umpteen candles near your bath in the hope that you actually might light them someday and,of course, seasonal decorating is all based on imagination. A plate of faux gingerbread cookies under a tabletop feather tree looks perfectly acceptable...how else are your children supposed to have "visions of sugerplums" dreams after all?? Indeed, there is definitely a time and a place for everyday vignettes...but before you show them to your visitors stand back and ponder them with this question in mind, "Have I just created a magazine picture where my viewers will roll their eyes and snicker to themselves on the car ride home?"

photo: House on the Hill.com

Then again, as I've said before, it's your home and if it makes you happy, then that's good enough for me!! I'm only one opinion after all...and I promise not to snicker!!