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Interior design should be enjoyable, and by following these simple steps anyone can find their personal decorating style with minimal anxiety.
Decorating a home is an adventure. Although there is the excitement of making changes and adding something new to space, designing a home can be a stressful undertaking. Amidst the barrage of design styles, terminology, colour selections, and furniture options, the personal style tends to get lost in the shuffle. There are three simple ways to determine anyone’s personal design style.
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Study the Master Closet for Design Clues
A quick trip through the master closet will yield an amazing amount of style information. Fashion and interior design are closely linked; colours, patterns, and styles found on the runways today will begin appearing in home fashions next year.
Take inventory of any favourite pieces of clothing, accessories, and shoes. What colours rule the wardrobe? Often, the colours one enjoys wearing are also the colours that one likes having around at home.
Clothing and accessory style choices also offer clues to a decorating approach. If a majority of the clothing is simple and sophisticated with clean lines and neutral tones, the personal design style tends toward Modern Simplicity.
Or, someone who prefers wearing a mix of intense colours and patterns mixed with vintage pieces, may prefer Bohemian Eclectic. For those who favour classic pieces with timeless style in saturated and enduring hues like burgundy and navy, Traditional Elegance may be their home décor preference.
Take a Home Accessory Inventory
The accessories and artwork in the home often develop into a collection of hand-me-downs, gifts, and pieces purchased on a whim to fill the space. Although not everything is a treasured item, among this mix of paintings, vases and statuary are nuggets of one’s personal style.
Take note of any favorite pieces, whether they are furniture, artwork or accessories, and write down what is loved about them. Is it the bright, fun mix of colours in a painting? Or, perhaps it’s the vintage, peeling finish of an old desk rescued from the curb. This list of favourite things will offer hints about one’s personal design style.
For example, a preference for vintage, treasured items passed down from friends and family instead of sleek, modern furniture, most likely means a decorating style of either Traditional Elegance or Bohemian Eclectic.
A love of pristine, reconditioned antiques further refine that style to the Traditional Elegance end of the spectrum; Bohemian Eclectics tend to prefer weathered patinas, instead of perfectly restored finishes.
Think Beyond the Walls
With a good idea of what one’s home currently holds, one’s attention can be turned beyond the walls. Jot down a few notes about other well-loved travel or recreation destinations. Is there a favourite wine bar, hotel or vacation spot? Note the colors, feel textures and artwork that make each location special.
Take some time to flip through a few magazines featuring home décor, architecture or interior design. Tear out photos of lovely items, whether they are entire rooms, single accessories or colour schemes. Collect these photos and clippings in a three-ring binder for future reference.
Add any notes regarding wardrobe and current home accessories, as well as photos of these items. Colour swatches can be added for reference, as well, whether they are paints or fabrics.
Common threads from which to build a home décor will begin to emerge from this collection of photos and colour swatches. Colour preferences will begin to show themselves, and inspiring photos will offer something to strive for when shopping for particular pieces.
The great interior design creates a statement about the personalities of the homeowners, not the designer. A little investigation will help anyone find their own design style.
