Defining Your Personal Interior Decorating Style
A new client who is moving from the town home in Leesburg to a new single family home in Ashburn contacted me the other day. She was looking for guidance on how to transition her décor and furnishings from her current home into a much more expansive space in her new home. She wanted to use as many pieces as she could from her town home and add to it to make her new place feel like “home.” When I asked her to describe her style, she initially struggled. But through the course of our conversation and asking her key questions, we were able to get to the heart of her personal style. She was equally excited about finally defining her personal style as much as decorating her new home! The key to unlocking your personal style is more than likely right under your nose. Where you shop, what your purchase, where you travel can hold all the clues. Here are some tips to get you started.
PRIOR PURCHASES
Your last home décor purchase can be a great indicator of your style. Certain qualities about that piece attracted you to it so step back and really take a thorough look at it. Think about what really stands out about that piece that led you to purchase it.
Where you shop for home décor also lends to your personal style. Stores tend to cater to certain looks. Think about what stores draw you in, even if just to browse. A client in Fairfax frequented the same shop to browse but was never comfortable buying on her own instinct. After talking more about that store, we were able to determine the contemporary style with clean, uninterrupted lines really attracted her but their fabric choices were not her style. She loved the look but wanted to make it her own with bolder, more exotic prints. Being able to pinpoint exactly what she was attracted to allowed us to move forward and decorate her home in a way that truly reflected her personal style.
WHERE YOU TRAVEL
Some designers suggest you look at your closet for a clue when establishing your color palette. I suggest you also think or dream about your favorite vacation city or resort. What stands out in your mind most about that location? When we think about our favorite vacation spot, a strong image typically comes to mind that is rich in color, texture and feel. Where you stay can also say a lot. Do you prefer luxury hotels or cozy bed and breakfasts? Resorts and hotels cater to establishing a certain image so think back to your favorite resort or hotel and the furnishings and accessories that made that space “feel like home” for you.
YOUR CURRENT HOME
Take an inventory of your favorite pieces in your home already. Does a piece stand out more than others for you? This my be a sign that you’re interested in incorporating that look into your home but may not be ready to fully commit to it or have over committed.
A client in Great Falls loves mirrored chests. She wanted to incorporate a chest into her bedroom to create a chic look reflecting old Hollywood Glamor. Unfortunately, when 2-3 mirrored pieces were purchase for the same space, it looked more like a furniture showroom than her intimate, sophisticated bedroom. Less is more when integrating certain pieces.
I often hear that people feel their place does not look “pulled together.” This is usually a sign that they have not committed to a single style, and are challenged with using color, lines of the pieces and varying forms to create a cohesive look. Not to worry, sometimes a few new pieces can pull everything together perfectly.
That thread bare, lumpy sofa probably holds many insights into your design style and you’re afraid to give it up for fear you won’t be able to replace it. The art on walls can be one of the best indicators of your personal style. Art is very personal and the images and colors say a lot about your style preferences. It clearly indicates what look you feel drawn to.
Defining your personal style can seem overwhelming at first but apply some of these basic guidelines. I guarantee you will be inspired to decorate.
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