Decorate With Intention: Define Your Style
Being able to define your decorating style in one simple phrase can be a
powerful tool, helping you make decisions that bring your home closer
to your vision. Your style words can also help ensure that purchases
reflect the look you love most and suit your lifestyle.
So, how do you define your style? It seems there are as many answers to that question as there are decorators in the world, but one thing is certain: Your style statement needs to work for you. A skillful interior designer can work with you to pinpoint your style, but if you are attempting this on your own it can be hard to know where to begin.
Get warmed up. I encourage you to begin by thinking about your style in wider terms than decorating alone. From the clothes you wear to the books you read and the activities you enjoy, style encompasses your whole life. What sort of music do you listen to? Which films, novels and artists inspire you? Where would you love to travel? Your answers to these questions can help point the way toward your style.
Start with one word or phrase. This should be fairly easy, so don't overthink it. What sort of homes are you most drawn to when you flip through the pages of a magazine? Let's say you are drawn to rooms with exposed beams, comfy seating and faded colors. Try to come up with a word or phrase that describes this look, without worrying about "official" definitions. For instance, you might dub the look "rustic," "Old World" or "Euro country estate."
Look for contrast. Have your first word or phrase? Great. The next step is to seek out a bit of counterbalance. Most of us are not entirely one note when it comes to style, so think about adding a second style word that you also love. Perhaps you adore rustic style but also crave a bit of modern zing. Consider options for your second word or phrase that speak to you, such as "fresh," "current," "hip," "mod," or "happy chic."
Put it all together. Blend your two style words together for a tailor-made mix. All rustic wood and drab linen might be a bit too heavy for your taste, and all modern too spare, but put them together and a natural balance ensues.
Case in point: Floral wallpaper, a simple wooden table and a natural fiber rug lay a rustic foundation, while a pair of shapely lamps and a ruffled mirror keep things feeling fresh and current.
Continue reading...
So, how do you define your style? It seems there are as many answers to that question as there are decorators in the world, but one thing is certain: Your style statement needs to work for you. A skillful interior designer can work with you to pinpoint your style, but if you are attempting this on your own it can be hard to know where to begin.
Get warmed up. I encourage you to begin by thinking about your style in wider terms than decorating alone. From the clothes you wear to the books you read and the activities you enjoy, style encompasses your whole life. What sort of music do you listen to? Which films, novels and artists inspire you? Where would you love to travel? Your answers to these questions can help point the way toward your style.
Start with one word or phrase. This should be fairly easy, so don't overthink it. What sort of homes are you most drawn to when you flip through the pages of a magazine? Let's say you are drawn to rooms with exposed beams, comfy seating and faded colors. Try to come up with a word or phrase that describes this look, without worrying about "official" definitions. For instance, you might dub the look "rustic," "Old World" or "Euro country estate."
Look for contrast. Have your first word or phrase? Great. The next step is to seek out a bit of counterbalance. Most of us are not entirely one note when it comes to style, so think about adding a second style word that you also love. Perhaps you adore rustic style but also crave a bit of modern zing. Consider options for your second word or phrase that speak to you, such as "fresh," "current," "hip," "mod," or "happy chic."
Put it all together. Blend your two style words together for a tailor-made mix. All rustic wood and drab linen might be a bit too heavy for your taste, and all modern too spare, but put them together and a natural balance ensues.
Case in point: Floral wallpaper, a simple wooden table and a natural fiber rug lay a rustic foundation, while a pair of shapely lamps and a ruffled mirror keep things feeling fresh and current.
Continue reading...
