The Steen Style

Have any of you ever had ivy growing around your house? You have to be careful because it can grow faster than you expect and find itself in odd places.

Just like this. On top of the kitchen cabinets? Absolutely not. Lets all get real right now. Fake ivy has got to GO! Nothing like that grows on top of your kitchen cabinets so why use it to decorate? It is just sitting up there, collecting dust in the one of the places that should be the cleanest!

Please make a pact with me that if you are currently committing this major faux pas, you will take care of it immediately. There are so many better options! If a ‘professional’ designer tells you to use it, ask to see their certification immediately!

Look at how great Sarah’s kitchen looks! She is using accessories and getting creative with what she is putting up top. This can be challenging for some but no matter what, don’t feel pressured and revert back to the 90’s kitchens! Use what you have, I bet you have more than you think, and check your local thrift stores for cheap and great items that can be cleaned up and transformed with spray paint!

I have also seen a ton of fake flowers and ivy used for decorating shelves and bookcases. Please don’t. Just, please don’t. Flowers don’t grow away from light and ivy certainly doesn’t grow in this area either. Look at how cool these bookshelves are using, wait for it, books!

Start collecting items from around your house that need a change of scenery or are sitting in closets. I bet you have more accessories than you think and can create much more creative vignettes than just slapping up a string of fake and expensive ivy! Look around, grab some books and go to town in a fresh and so-2011 way!