Designer Janet Coon says, “Shop your Own Home” |

I couldn’t wait to continue my interview with popular home designer, blogger, and photographer extraordinaire Janet Coon– creator of Shabbyfufu.com. If you missed part 1, click here.

Janet, if you could sum up your ‘style statement’ using just three words, what words would they be? “Relaxed, Casual Elegance.”

One of the questions posed over and over in Q Style is: “Who are You Today?” How has your life changed as time has gone by, and how have you accommodated those shifts with your design choices? “We’ve lived in the same home since our children were small, and there definitely have been lots of changes along the way! I’ve always believed that a home is meant to be lived in and have made choices that are both child and pet-friendly. While the styles I’ve embraced have changed over the years, it’s been easy to go with the flow by always painting walls white and keeping furniture neutral. As the years go by and seasons change, I change out the accessories and shop my own home--by moving things about.”

farmhouse diy table — Janet ‘shops her home’ using juice glasses and shells she has on hand. She loves incorporating fresh flowers into her decor.

flowers for easter on a farmhouse table

In Q Style we say, “The better you know yourself, the easier it is to make choices that reflect your true essence. How can ‘knowing yourself’ benefit someone who is designing her home? (Janet advises asking questions.) “Do you tend to be someone who loves to fill your life with lots of activity or do you prefer quiet? Is bold color and rich pattern in your wardrobe, or is your closet filled with black and white? Are you obsessed with the latest fashion trends, or do you stick with the classics? How you dress and present yourself is a real key to recognizing how you want to live.”

How do you achieve your personal, relaxed elegance? “When I style a room I generally start by clearing as much as possible out, including the furniture. (If the rooms needs a fresh coat of paint or you are searching for a totally new look, this is the time to rethink what you hope to achieve.) Then I play with furniture arrangements and carefully add accessories back in. I might include some vintage or vintage-inspired pieces, pillows in your favorite pale tones, and a floral arrangement. By keeping a room uncluttered, it’s simple to change-up and create a more-relaxed atmosphere.”

French style living room — A vintage dress form, frameless art, and fresh blooms send Janet’s message: relaxed, casual elegance.

Can you share some inexpensive tips that could make a big impact when changing up a room?

I always have fresh flowers in my home and change them up on a weekly basis. This doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition. Shop for whatever is on sale at the market and add fresh clippings from your own yard. Something as simple as snipping greens or branches from a tree can work by mixing them in with carnations or roses. You can get a large arrangement from a store-bought bouquet, then pull out a few flowers to display in Mason jars or tea cups.
Janet uses single flowers as accents.

Change out your pillows. I’m always on the lookout for pillows or cozy throws on sale. Or you can sew your own pillows.
Check out how Janet creates pillows simply using one piece of material.*
As for artwork, I love the idea of propping up framed art on shelves–that way, there’s no commitment to hanging on the wall. Or, layer several mirrors or framed prints on a mantel and add in some florals in jars to finish the look.

propped pics — Janet props art, mirrors, and frames anywhere there’s a wall. Easy to change out and no fussing with nails.

When someone walks through your front door, what do you hope to communicate through your style? How do you want your guests to feel? “When someone comes to our home for the first time, they are often wowed. I’m seriously delighted and seriously not sure why. It seems they just haven’t thought outside the box in terms of decorating in the style that I embrace.

beach at Janet's