Style debates: Minimalism vs Maximilism

I've been a serious lover of style for about ten years now.  I am drawn to such a variety of things.  I envy those people whose vision of what they love is so crisply defined. I've struggled to decide between extremes, and in that uncertainty I've been frozen.  My fence-sitting left me with nothing that thrills me and makes my heart flutter.

I was originally going to do one post on this, but realized I have several different style debates going on in my head and decided to make it a series.

So here's #1...

Minimalism vs maximalism

This style debate has been raging for years in my mind.  Perhaps it always will.

I love the calm serenity of minimalism.  It is not about the room, it is about the life lived in it, and the room is merely the backdrop.

Minimalism that inspires me:
Book review - Simple Style by Julia Bird on The City Sage (I have this book and love it!)
Interiors Inspiration: Atlanta Bartlett on Little Bits of Lovely (I have both of Atlanta Bartlett's books)
Amy Neunsinger on Space for Inspiration

I love the bold, playfulness of maximalism.  It demands attention.  It will not be ignored.  Maximalism IS about the room, and the room makes a statement about the person who lives there - what they like and what they love.


Maximalism that inspires me:
Atelier Abigail Ahern
Give me Libertine or give me death on Habitually Chic
Sam Robinson on Boatshed Chic
Home tour of Cindy Greene at the Selby
Interview - Sibella Court by The Design Files
interior designer kelly wearstler on the daily imprint
The 40 winks hotel
India Knight on Poppytalk

So which one is winning in my personal tug of war?

Well, you may notice as I was listing my personal inspirations in each category that I had two maximalist examples for every minimalist one. I am gravitating to Maximilism.

Lately I've been more willing to take a step, make a statement, make a definitive move. I've decided to move towards the eccentric, bohemian maximalist look and let the chips fall where they may. My recent art wall is a good example of that.  It fills me with joy seeing it.

Am I a little nervous about making a commitment in one direction or another? Yes. But it already feels good - much better than sitting on the fence.


So which direction do you lean?