Before I start, please know, it’s there. You definitely have it, and, if you’re intrigued by this article, it is likely quirky, non- conventional and a bit of an eclectic mess. Wohhooo! Today’s article is aimed to help you find your style, embrace it and implement it into your home and daily surroundings. Why is this important?
“When it’s right, our space does so much for us. It stimulates and empowers us as individuals. It effects our productivity and energy levels and enhances our senses, mood and state of mind.”
When we feel supported and encouraged to be ourselves, we are really at our best. Our surroundings have an ability to articulate and strengthen that. Like music, interiors have a proven capacity to evoke a positive or negative emotional response in people.
We endure so many other compulsive factors which affect our day to day lives, why not invest our time in something that has profound outcomes that we can actually control?
Finding it.
The aim here is not help you find a style that you like just in the ‘now’. It’s not to keep you up to date with current trends so these can then be discarded or altered from season to season. I want to help you find a style which you love now and will continue to love in the years to come. For this, it’s important to dig deep.
Ditch the trends: Especially if you are one to get easily confused and overwhelmed. Trends are fabulous for innovative inspiration but can often easily deter and discourage your individuality.
Colours & tones: Finding your preference in colours and tones is an important start. Take note of any existing patterns. Are there colours that you like to dress yourself in? Colours that you are more drawn to? Pick these colours for your interiors and have a play with some suitable contrasting or complimenting colours to form a palette.
Add texture: Textures are just as (if not more) important as a colour palette. The more texture to the space the more interest, depth and warmth you add to your interiors. Texture can be applied through so many forms and is a great core design element to focus on for couples or people with varied styles sharing a space.
Exhibit your interests: Think about what interests you. What gets your insides tingling? This could be a culture, a creative field, a form of art or even a trade. Mind map ways these interests could be reflected in your home. Get creative!
Do you research: Look up aspects of typical interior styles that interest you. Familiarise yourself with the core elements of that style. You don’t have to like all elements but see what works well with those components and what doesn’t.
The execution.
“I know what I like, and I know what I don’t like, I just struggle to put it all together so it works” Said every second client… It’s Ok to be eclectic. Having your own eclectic style doesn’t mean you don’t have one! You don’t have to follow rules to make it all work, but there are some key factors I like to recommend to people trying to incorporate various styles into their home.
Clean up: Start by saying goodbye to your chaos. Ditch the things that don’t matter or aren’t valued in your home. You’re wanting to start with a clean slate. Everything in your home should have meaning, purpose and value if it doesn’t, it doesn’t belong.
Choose wisely: A 2017 Harvard study found strong links between our happiness and our personal relationships. The study found when it comes to social relationships, we are better off picking quality over quantity. This is also true for our things. Be patient & invest in quality pieces that you absolutely love and that will last in your home.
Consistency is key: Things start to look muddled when we introduce too much into one the one room – this applies to colours, patterns, textures, finishes and materials. Consolidating our materials is a really important way to create uniformity throughout your space. Black, brass, bronze, silver, white, timber and gold are all popular finishes featured in many accessory and furniture pieces. If you have a brass picture frame, think about having brass featured in your furniture pieces or a brass lamp etc etc.
Small steps: If you are a nervous starter or financially restricted, start with paint and accessories. Think about going neutral for your large core pieces and focus your individual style on things that are easily changeable. You can then expand on this as your confidence grows.
Go green: Increase your visual access to the outdoors. Connecting your everyday to the outdoors has profound phycological impacts and also great aesthetical benefits. If you are restricted by these possibilities think about introducing the outdoors in. This is possible, even for a black thumb – no excuses!
Diversity: Think variety when choosing form. Break up square and rectangular pieces by adding softer round shapes into the room. Think about also adding variety when it comes to the heights of your pieces, especially for those with high ceilings.
You might not see it, but creative design exists within you and your daily life. You demonstrate this every day, from how you dress yourself, or present your work, or your food, or even your stationary selection on your work desk. Design is a creative expression of you.
Be bold. Be brilliant. Be you.
Till next time,
- Tarmaine