I have been procrastinating on writing this post, and I think you'll understand why in a minute. I know that a lot of you have been asking for pictures of our new home. I have not been ignoring you! This is how I've been feeling...
As much as I would love to share our home and all of the decorating fun that goes with it, after a lot of thought (and consulting with family, friends and fellow blogger friends) I have decided not to share large scale pictures of our home on my blog. As most of you know, I have a young family and I worry about security and privacy. I have never shown pictures of family members for the same reason and I think, at least at this point, it's a line I'm not comfortable crossing. Once it's out there, there is no going back (hence the picture above!). I will, however, share more pictures of projects and specific snip-its of our home as they relate to our home's design. I hope that will be a good compromise.
I am really disappointed about this decision because I know that for most of you, you want to see our home because you genuinely share a love of design and it would be perfectly safe. Believe me, I would love to show you! However, as with many things, a few can spoil it for all of us and unfortunately that's what's driving my decision.
I hope you can understand and support my decision. I also hope I haven't offended anyone who has decided to share photos - this is a personal choice and I respect that decision. Please leave a comment (even if you never have!) because I'd love to hear what your thoughts/reactions/ideas are.
Have a great Thursday and Thanks SO MUCH for reading.
Maybe you can trick us all down the road and post it as a clients??!!!Hehehe...a thought.... I agree it is spooky the weirdos out there.... if it turns out very well best it isn't published as then you have a better chance of publication....yet another thought...really hard to know all and all...I think of Joni at Cote de Texas and the ladies of The Skirted Round Table and I must say I do enjoy seeing their home projects....you simply have to do what suits you and yours!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara....defeintely can understand your feelings. Funny when our house had ntohing it in, I felt much more uninhibiited about showing it but as its become more of "our home" I feel a litlte more protective, especially about certain rooms but the kitchen, baths, I am happy to post and share about. So agree about pictures of the families, I at times I wish I didn't feel the way I do and wish I could be as open as many are, with how they share but in the end its got to be what you are comfortable with period. And to go wtih your gut. Which is what I am doing too.....if that should ever change, then its your perogative. So if anyone can relate its me. It is so much fun to see each othes homes and projects and most are remarkably open and willing to share which is such a beautiful and generous thing, but it also has to be comfortable for you and feel right. So, in the meantime, we will look forward to your "snippets"! Hope you have a great day!!
ReplyDeleteNo worries Barbara we understand! I feel the same a little bit as I don't post my name a lot! We love your blg, your images and your style so we can use our imagination at what your house is like :)
ReplyDeleteI totally understand Barbara because I feel the same way. Yes I've shown pictures of my husband but never his face and I don't think anyone could ever pick him out on the street. It's my blog and he didn't ask to be a part of it. I don't show much of our private home for the same reason, privacy. So don't worry about not putting your enitre life on display we're happy with seeing you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day!
XX
Debra~
Barbara-I agree with you. I few rotten people have to ruin it for all of us. It can be dangerous.
ReplyDeleteJust keep on doing what you are doing, and for those who don't mine, I immensely enjoy seeing images of their home.
Happy Thursday.
Teresa
xoxo
your decision is completely honorable. it is YOUR blog and you get to set the boundaries. i also identify with where you are coming from. if i cared only about the amount of attention my posts received (and maximum traffic and comments), i would be posting random pics of our home everyday! i post some pics, but i am keenly aware of judging and jealousy and even maliciousness out there. i post what i want when i want.
ReplyDeletesmiles to you!
michele
You're making a very smart decision, Barbara. Once it's out there, it can't be taken back. Your family should always be your first consideration. You only get one shot - there's no rewind button.
ReplyDeleteYou have my support.
Cheers,
John
Barbara,
ReplyDeleteI totally understand, you have to make these decisions for your own comfort zone. I show rooms in our house and yard as projects come up. I don't show family members except from a distance. My DIL ask that we not show our granddaughter's picture on any of our blog sites, but I wouldn't anyway. There are some uncharted waters with all of the technology out there and I believe it is wise to err on the side of caution.
Karen
what i love about all of our blogs is that they are ours and ours to do with as we please.....we do not always get that opportunity in life. so take it, we understand, will respect and honor your feelings. and besides we come for you barbara; your voice and your visions and that will not change
ReplyDeletebest to you!
debra
Totally understand. You have to think of your children first. I would do the same. Little projects are fine, what ever you are comfortable. I just enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteI think it's wise. I tried to keep my name and address private but I think it's going to end up in the BH&G book or magazine. And then I did guest posts for a local magazine that mentioned my name. And then local followers started to tell me they drove past my house and thought it looked better in person. I also own a business and I've intentionally left my photo off the blog so customers don't come across the blog and connect my two lives. I did end up becoming a local celebrity which I never really expected or wanted. I would love to fade back to anonymity.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, It is good and healthy to set boundaries. There are a few (and some are very active) crazy and jealous and bored people that take pleasure in invading other people's space. Prevention is good, especially with young children. Be Well. Mary
ReplyDeleteI understand and respect your decisio and privacy. I see more than I want to see of opulence, questioned and wondering if it is for real. Keep your life and your family safe at all costs!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great choice, Barbara. I don't think anyone should feel obligated to share their home and family photos online. It won't keep me from reading!
ReplyDeleteNo problem, it's up to you. Snippets are just fine.
ReplyDeleteIt's a personal decision, Barbara, and I respect and admire your choice. However, feel free to email me a few pics of your new home... I promise I won't share! :)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Wendi
Wow!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a picture.
Amazing!!
http://estilohedonico.blogspot.pt/
xoxo
I have never commented before, but I love your blog, I love all that you have to share and I will keep on loving it. Although I have no where near the following that you do, my husband was concerned about me offering too much info on my blog, so I am taming it down a bit, I respect his decision and I certainly respect yours!
ReplyDeletekim
Totally understand where you are coming from Barbara. It's easy to forget how public your life becomes when you share it on the internet (I am definitely guilty of forgetting this) but I also try and keep things as private as possible. At the end of the day, you should do what feels comfortable and right for you so you have definitely not offended me! Good on you for making this decision.
ReplyDeleteYou've obviously given this question a great deal of intelligent thought and have come up with the right decision for YOU. Own it!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your explanation of how you made your decision -- it makes a lot of sense. I also appreciate that you stressed that it is each person's personal decision (how much to share) and not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing.
AS proud as I am of my home, and as much as I love it, I too would think long and hard about putting it out on the world wide web.
That said, I'm glad that so many people DO share their homes on the web, and in books and magazines, because that's where much of my inspiration comes from.
I am new to your blog but will keep coming back.
(signed),
Another Barbara
I'm one of those people that share just about everything. Right or wrong, I'm not sure. The kids have moved out and I don't feel at risk. I hope I would have been just as cautious, with little ones at home. We never know who's lurking out there! I have probably developed a false sense of security, here in my home-sweet-home. I just hope I never learn differently!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have everyone's unfailing support! Besides, there are few things in life that we have control of. Isn't it nice to know that our blog content is our's to manage?
Best to you,
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
ReplyDeleteSounds like the decision to open your home to the blog world was weighing heavy on your mind. I wasn't expecting you to have a home unveiling and would feel a little strange asking you to show and tell. I'm new to Facebook and blogging and I always think carefully when I put something personal up and I have NO intentions of giving a home tour!
leslie
Oopsies. I guess you will not be showing pictures of your newly painted black front door! Which I totally hear you on. I don't show any identifying exterior shots of my house for the same reason! You're a wise lady!
ReplyDeleteCamille