Define Your Personal Style

Do you have trouble creating, a flowing and cohesive look in your home?  Perhaps you need help finding your personal style.  I often have customers that call me for help with this.  

Here are some recommendations to finding your “look”…..

Take a walk through your own house

Walk around your house with a note pad and jot down notes about each room, what you do and don’t like about the room. What do you feel as you spend time in the room? Is it cozy and warm?  Are you just drawn to the blue wall color in your powder room? Perhaps you have a specific pattern of fabric that you love. Make notes of all of these items.

Magazines

At your next trip to the supermarket, pick up some magazines such as Interior Design, Veranda, Elle Decor, Better Homes and Gardens or any other home décor magazines you may find.  Rip out pages of rooms you like and take note what exactly you like. For example; brightly colored window treatments or upholstered chairs in a floral print.

Websites

Of course I can’t talk about defining your style without directing you to Houzz. Pinterest is also a great way to find interior design ideas.

Shopping

Is Pottery Barn one of your favorite stores to visit or do you prefer the clean lines of Crate & Barrel? Maybe the eclectic mix at Arhausis just for you. If you could win a shopping spree to one home décor store where would it be?

Now sit down with your notes and look for repetition. 

Maybe you’ll discover you already have several pieces of modern, clean lined furniture and are drawn to some abstract artwork in a magazine.  Design your room focusing on Modern Design. 

www.cb2.com

 

Do you love the intricate carvings in your stairwell as well as more elaborate furniture and patterns? Does Veranda magazine make you excited to decorate?  You may be a follower of Traditional Design.

 

www.potterybarn.com

If you find you have a collection of styles ranging from modern to traditional and everything in between you might just be a Transitional Design fan. You love collecting pieces of artwork while traveling and each piece in your home tells a story.  You find joy in mixing an antique table with a clean lined lamp. 

www.restorationhardware.com

Congratulations, you are closer to defining your personal style!

Now take your findings and create a list of items you’d like to see in each room. For example, enhance that clean lined chair you love with some bold pillows and a modern lamp on the side table to give the room more of a cohesive look.  Look to add colors and patterns and before you know it you’ll have your specific style nailed down. Have fun with this!