It has hardly escaped the avid reader of interior design blogs that DwellStudio Founder & Creative Director Christiane Lemieux has published a book called Undecorate. With the appealing subtitle The No-Rules Approach to Interior Design. I got my copy the other day and first of all: the book is definitely a decorative object in itself! But that’s still not the primary benefit of the book. Undecorate is a homage to personal and heartfelt interior design. In a beautiful way it draws upon today’s [or tomorrow's if you live in Sweden ;)] trendiest and most valued interior design ideal: the lived-in, unfussy, creative imperfection. The book features twenty homes which all have the highly interesting and precious trait that they could only be the home of the person who decorated it – so much does each home reflect and enhance the individual(s) it contains. It’s a sweet but definite goodbye to the practise of buying ‘style’ from a know-it-all interior designer. Instead, this book invite you to decorate – or more specifically to undecorate; to follow your own instinct even when it’s telling you to do something a little crazy, a little different; even something against the ‘interior design rules’…

Still undecorating as a (or Lemieux’s) concept, is not haphazard style; it’s not thought-free. At all. It’s about being guided by something other than the traditional constraints. To be your own guide. Though just like its neighbour the creative, personal, quirky and eclectic style it’s not totally trend-free or without its own standards – it points to some direction, at least. Yet the ‘undecorating’ philosophy has an inherent freedom. It says a lot of yes and no no’s. It has a no-rules approach. If you love polka dots and feel you want to paint your rooms polkadotty, yes you should! If you want your living room to feel like a decadent Paris club…OR even ;) if you want your kitchen to look like an emergency room – yes! If those surroundings make you happy. And no, the book didn’t say those last things, but it inspires you in that direction. My personal favourite of the houses featured is under the heading “Life Imitates Art”. A New Englander has created a California home full of beauty and personality. It’s a mishmash of styles and periods with personal connection as a unifying link. It’s even a bit circusy, which I love (and now I know that love certainly has some connection to the fact that I used to ride a unicycle as a child).

Very inspiring, just like the entire book. It can be read many times over and in between readings it’s an attractive addition to the decor – if you love decor books!

Share Tags: ,

You might also like...

Decor Philosophy
Decorate. A How-To.
5 Blogs We Dig
Freedom, joy & creativity
  • Daniella

    Hey Mia, love your blog! Excellent review of the book – makes me want to read it!! What do you think of the concept to “undecorate”? Ive read about it but dont really get it!

  • Mia

    Hi Daniella and Thank You so much!! :) So happy to hear you like Trendey.

    I changed the title of this post to what I believe is the idea of the ‘undecorate’-concept: to decorate without rules…Tricky thing to find a word/concept that works, because when you are ‘undecorating’ you are still decorating! But not in the sense that you take away all decoration; un-decorate =depersonalize. Guess it makes most sense if you start from a home that is decorated according to all interior design rules – and undecorate it!

    So, in my understanding, undecorating is all about the no-rules-approach; personality above decorating rules – and creativity; to let the decor evolve, as you do.

    Interesting, I think! :) Next I’ll read “Decorate” by Holly Becker.

  • rebecca byron

    I love this concept! the heartfelt and imperfect decor is much nicer than interior design!! a book that celebrates this is a must read

  • http://design-vox.com/ Christina

    This is definitely on my wish list. Also, you’re emergency room kitchen comment made me grin.

  • Mia

    Haha! I couldn’t help but say that ;) To the ER-kitchen’s defense – that style is not about reflecting the individual. ….(…?)
    :) Splendid book anyway, I’m looking forward to read it another round (maybe in the hammock when summer comes) and look more carefully, I felt there’s lots to see in it.

  • Rene

    I looked through that book and actually think least half of the homes featured are ugly. No rules = messy. Interior design makes homes beautiful. Who wouldnt want a pretty home?

  • Smithsjee1

    I thought it was
    going to be some boring old post, but it really compensated for my time. I
    will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find
    that very useful.
     

  • Mia

    That is absolutely lovely to hear – Thank you! :)