Signature style, what is it and why is it important? Well, as an interior decorator it’s my job to create beautiful spaces for my clients. But as we all know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What looks amazing and works well for one client may not (and likely will not) work for another. We all value different things and have different perspectives in and on life. This reality transfers over to how we need our homes to look and feel.
So again, why does your personal design style matter? Well it has to do with self-expression. You want to feel like you belong in your space and that it makes you feel good. It also has to do with creating a cohesive environment. This means that there is a sense of harmony throughout your home. It will also save you time and money. That near life size giraffe statue that you paid generously to ship back to your home when you and your family went on safari last year may not fit once you get it home, literally or figuratively. Then again, it may be just the thing your space needed – the wow statement. How to know? Know your personal design style (yes, it’s getting a little repetitive here.)
Since I know you agree with me, we’ll move on to how to unlock your signature style.
Personal Reflection – Reflect on your preferences. What is your lifestyle? Do you want or need to entertain formally? Or, is your life casual and unfussy? How about your personality traits? Do you like to fuss with squishy pillows? I once got quite a chuckle out of a husband when I asked his wife if she minded fluffing and arranging pillows and she vehemently declared “absolutely not!” These seemingly little things can become pain points. You need to know how you want to live in your space and what will work for the rest of your household.
Gather Inspiration – I sometimes regret telling people this one. This is not a license to shop. You aren’t there yet, even if you have umpteen images on your Pinterest boards. Look for and save images that speak to you. Do you love deep, rich saturated color? What patterns do you see in the images you’ve collected?
Create a Mood Board – Collect materials, colors, images that evoke the feeling you are striving for. This can be a physical collection or a digital collection. Additionally, I’m not just talking about fabric, tile, or paint chips here. Your collection could consist of a leaf, a pebble, a picture from your last vacation, a piece of jewelry – anything that resonates with you and how you want your home to feel.
Research Design Styles – Traditional, Classic, Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, Industrial or Coastal to name a few. There are also subsets to each major style. Google these design styles and do a little research. Note the history of the style and the key elements of the style. Which design styles align, at least in part, to what you want to achieve in your home? You will find sub-design styles in each genre as well. Hygge and Japandi for instance are related to Scandinavian design. Then, there are over-arching philosophies such as sustainability and eco-friendly design to consider.
So, why am I telling you all this when it’s my job to decorate your space? Well, because I want you to love the results. I can’t design for you unless we can discuss your needs and preferences. It’s every decorator’s dream to have carte blanche when decorating a client’s home, but there still have to be a few parameters for a successful result. Enjoy the process of learning your signature style.
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Cheers!
