Wednesday, September 30, 2009

What is a "Clean Line"??

There's a buzz phrase taking the design world by storm and it has me asking, what is a "Clean Line"? You can't turn on HGTV without hearing it, almost every issue of my favorite magazines like Traditional Home and BH&G mention it, I've even heard it used alot in Blogland these days. I'm so ashamed to admit that I have absolutely no clue what this means. I don't want to be left in the dark about such a popular term. Is it even new? How long have these two words been used to describe a room? And what if one doesn't have clean lines? Are they inviting people into a home with dirty lines? How can I even think about calling myself a designer-wannabe if I can't make sense of this?

At a recent gathering in my modest home, one of my guests complimented me on my rooms' clean lines. I didn't dare ask "huh"? Instead I graciously thanked her as my inner curiousity grew stronger. When I walk into someone else's home I immediately start taking in all the decor. I'm very nonchalant about it - don't want to appear nosy. But when I'm fairly sure nobody's looking, my eyes start darting around the room in extreme curiousity. Not because I'm judging their design skills, but because I'm SO influenced by how other women decorate and I love borrowing, okay, stealing ideas. But something I almost NEVER notice, are lines. Unless there is striped wallpaper or plaid fabric on a chair, I'm not seein any lines. I know I'm pathetic, but I'm pathetically asking, er begging someone out there to please clue me in. please.

7 comments:

Sue said...

Hmmmm, I am with you.....not a clue. Maybe it has to do with the bones....like the big pieces in a room?? I am just grasping here, heehe!
Blessings~LillySue

Unknown said...

I'm gonna join the "what does this mean" club. Cuz I'm not too sure. Well, I tell ya...I've heard it a lot before, too. And I just gave it my own definition. :) I *think* it means a home with a modern, uncluttered, open concept layout; one where the architecture is simple, yet screams class.

How do ya like my definition?? LOL! I have no idea what I'm talking about. I just like to guess my way thru life!

Nancy

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Have not a clue girl...to me having a clean house says it all...Hope you find out and then you can let me know...Hope you are having a great day my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Stacey said...

Well I think "clean line" means that the furniture is not all curvy. The furnishings are simpler and not terribly ornate.

You think?

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Ah HGTV once again throwing around those catch phrases. Good thing clean lines came along; because I thought if I heard "cohesive" one more time I would scream!!;-)

I think clean lines means a modicum of accessories and fluff. Simple furniture lines. That sort of thing. But what do I know...I never even used cohesive in a sentence until this comment!

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Cute post! LOL! The only thing I can figure is maybe it means, not alot of fluff and simplier, but "cohesive" furnishings and accessories! LOLOL! There is Pat's word...cohesive. But really, other than that, I'm clueless too! LOL! But I did love your statements on how you take in your friend's decor when you are visiting their homes! ME TOO! And I'm not above "borrowing" a really good idea, either! LOL! ~Rhonda :)

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

This is such a cute post! Well, I wouldn't know about clean lines, my style of decorating has become very layered, especially lately! LOL! (more finds than I know what to do with, but then I don't want to part with them either!) I would think that clean lines means uncluttered, but to tell you the truth, I really don't know either...but I have heard that term alot!

By the way...the blue transferware is beautiful and what a deal!