Philosophy

For better or worse, I created a home decor site to match my home decorating philosophy.

  • Color Rocks. I have never liked beige, since it is so often the color of "default". I consider it the color of indecision. However, I must be careful about creating an entire world of kelly green.

  • Blending is not just for margaritas. I won't go so far as to say that every color matches, but close. When I've gone matchy-matchy, I haven't been happy with the results. Besides, exact matching is very difficult when different materials and lighting are involved. When I blend, it enhances all the colors involved. So I've been known to pick the blend over the exact match.

  • Expensive items don't fit into my lifestyle (or my budget). I was raised in the mid-West and we just don't spend money unnecessarily. Well, I do, but most mid-Westerners do not. And in this economy, it's becoming hip to spend less, not more, for the same look. So our slipcovers, for example, will be built around easily accessible and affordable furnishings from Target and Ikea. Of course, I love furnishings from Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn as well. But for budget's sake, those must be taken in smaller doses.

  • I don't want to look like everyone else. Or their living rooms. The problem with easily accessible and affordable is everyone can and will have it also. If you aren't careful, your home will begin to look like the model for one of those "buy-an-entire-room-in-one-trip" stores! There is no reason you can't integrate mass-merchandised basics with your family heirlooms and thrift store finds.

  • DIY is good for the soul. Creating something yourself can be really fun and satisfying. Whether the project takes 3 hours or 3 days, the project gives you much needed "you" time and will give you long-term aesthetic benefits as well. Project ideas and instructions are included on the site to guide you along.

  • Days are short. DIY is not good for the soul when it becomes overwhelming. That sense of fulfillment can easily turn into a sense of doom when you have ripped up the living room carpet, painted half the walls and are attempting to recover the couch, two side chairs and make curtains for four windows. Especially if you haven't pulled out your sewing machine for years! And double that if you are working full-time in or out of the house. And multiply that 64 times if you are raising children. (By 98 times if they are at an age to "help".) So get your fulfillment from one or two DIY projects in the room and purchase the remaining items. The space is still styled by you and it was done in under six months!

  • Paint is powerful. I believe paint can completely change a room and the lives of its occupants! And it can be done in under 48 hours and for less than $100. (Especially if you skimp on the prep work.) No, we don't sell paint, but the site will include lots of color and painting suggestions, because I think painted walls are the perfect complement to great textiles.

  • If you like it, the room works. The ultimate authority on the decor in your room is you. (And of course, other occupants that may have an opinion.) If you study enough design mags and books, you'll find there is no definitive answer-- it's what works in that space for those people. I believe people shy away from their favorite looks and colors out of fear. What's to fear? If you aren't spending your life savings on the transformation, you don't have much at risk except your time-- and you might end up with your dream room.

I hope this site can inspire to breathe new life into a room, whether it's a complete redo or the addition of some well-placed pillows. And of course, I'd love it if you would share your story and pictures with me.

Enjoy making your space your own!

History

jcaroline home! is yet another variation on the jcaroline theme. The jcaroline websites have had a long-term relationship with textiles since 2001. The original business designed and manufactured purses, then morphed into selling fabric, ribbon and other supplies to people in other creative businesses, and now producing our own sewn home decor items.

Caroline Devoy (the person behind this madness) has always loved textiles and bright, bold home decor items. And when she teamed up with graphic designer, Jessica Jones (of How About Orange), in 2008 to produce some fun canvas prints, it was a natural metamorphosis to produce home decor items.

We can use your fabrics. See our B.Y.O.F. (Bring Your Own Fabric) page for details.