I was at a conference recently which was largely populated with incredibly stylish young women. They all looked fantastic and chic and, well… homogeneous.  At some point I started to wish that someone would walk in looking full-blown crazy just to shake things up.

There’s a bit of a “sea of sameness” thing happening of late. Everyone’s in the know, hitting the trends, rocking’ the “good taste.” And it’s a little boring.

I tend to think that the antidote to sameness is sussing out the “one-of-a-kind” with a vengeance. Think estate sales, flea markets, out of the way haunts. Sleuth, dig, unearth. You’ll be better for it, I promise…

But you better do it quick, because if the found shops at West Elm and Serena and Lily (the source for these fetching rattan and fabric pendant lights) and Wisteria are any evidence, one-of-a-kind is the next big thing.

I’m in the midst of a decidedly “pink” moment, which, given my steadfast devotion to all things neutral, is throwing me for a bit of a loop.

There’s just something about a little shock of pink (preferably of the neon variety) that gives an otherwise staid space an injection of whimsy. Case in point, that perfectly lovely room to the right is now burned permanently on my design consciousness thanks to the pink throw pillow resting there all nonchalantly.

Well played pink.  Well played.

(Photo by Maree Homer via Desire to Inspire.)