The Home Styling Secret

For the last couple of years, we were spending a lot of time at home. With the world being an even more confusing place right now, we are more than ever in need of a safe haven for comforting ourselves. This makes a lot of us focus on our overall home feeling and how we can improve it. The truth is our mood changes every now and then. So, to feel in tune with ourselves, we need a frequently adaptable living space. The first thing we need to do is to create a well-thought out and streamlined basis. We then can be playful with all decoration possibilities the world has to offer.

The secret formula is to FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS.

You need to build your confidence in your own instincts rather than fighting against them. We are barraged by so many images every day of beautiful interiors. You can totally lose sight of what your instincts are. From seeing images every day of popular colours or styles we can become conditioned to like them, simply because we are seeing them so much. Those are the images you start to feel you should have without even being aware you are doing it. Which is why confusion sets in and you no longer know what your own style is.

So how do you move away from that illusion and build your confidence instead?

You need to connect back to how you wish to FEEL before you even consider how your home might look. Your home needs to make you HAPPY!

We express our feelings through words. Before planning the look for your space, go inside yourself and search for the words that encapsulate the feel you’d like to create. Examples of words might be Calming, Energizing, Relaxing, Nurturing, Welcoming, Joyful and Fun. Pick three words for your room. Then get searching for inspiration that works with those words. You’ll start to see themes in terms of colours, patterns, and textures you are drawn to. Gathering design inspiration is the most fun part of designing your home.

Where do you find this inspiration?

I normally say to get away from the screen and get out there. You need to see, touch, and sometimes smell to really connect. Nature is one example. Inspiration from nature will always make you feel grounded. Plus Mother Nature has already come up with some stunning colour combinations for you!

Physically tearing out images from magazines or looking back at photos of places you’ve visited is a good alternative. So look back at a special holiday, a memorable hotel stay, your favourite restaurant or even a store which invites you to linger.

Another good way to get inspiration is to physically flick through magazines and simply tear out the images that make you stop. Do the flicking through fairly quickly and without any analysis! Your instincts will be drawn to certain images. Look for inspirational images which evoke an emotional response. When you start analysing and breaking it down it just doesn’t work. Then keep those images in a scrapbook.

If you’ve already done your inspirational research you’ll now have an idea about the feel you’d like to create. Which puts you in a better position to think about the pieces that work with that feel.

So how do you go about doing that?

One idea is to start with what you love and build from there. If you start with a fabric, wallpaper or rug that you love you can start to build a decorative scheme from there. The most prominent pattern in the room sets the tone and colour scheme for the rest of the space. It is a brilliant starting place to anchor the space. Have fun with it and order items you are drawn to. If you keep using your words as your anchor you can’t go too far wrong.

 THE POINT IS TO ENJOY IT! 

If you need support streamlining your ideas or even for the final touches, please feel free to contact us. We offer flexible services including online consultations.

We’d love to hear from you!