FIND YOUR DECORATING STYLE
Monday, April 29, 2019
Trying to decorate your home before finding your style is similar to travelling to an unknown destination without directions. But once you find your own home style it can be such a beautiful feeling. It enables you to completely transform how you are decorating and create a space which reflects you and with turn gives you a sense of pride of home.
Each one of us is unique, from our fingerprints to our clothes. Even if you went shopping with someone like is completely as like minded to you and purchased the exact same things, you would probably find that both of you would style these items very differently in your home. I have experienced this first hand, with one of my close friends. Despite having many similar interests and a love for shopping for all things home our decorating styles are very different. The chosen colour palette for my home is neutral tones, however my friend enjoys experimenting with bold, rich, colourful tones, which look incredible in her home. See the images below.
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| Photo credit@my.horsford.home |
You Do Have A Style
One thing I have learnt from my friend, is never regret trying something new or out of your comfort zone. Use a mix of style influences to enhance and inspire your own style. With Interior Design and Styling becoming increasingly popular, more and more people are taking to social media platforms to share their individual styles. To someone who has yet to discover what it is they want their home to look like this mix of style influences, can make it harder to know exactly what style or mix you would like in your home.
As an interior stylist, I regularly receive emails for prospect clients who are looking for advice on how to style their homes. The process of meeting the person/family, getting to know them and discussing their likes and dislikes enables me to quickly grasp an understanding of their style. However, it took me years to grasp who I am stylistically. I have spent copious amounts of time and money, decorating then redecorating, styling and restyling rooms because they just did not make me feel comfortable and at home. Once you have successfully find your decorating style is overwhelming feeling of relief and calm can felt as you walk into any room. But not only that... you will absolutely LOVE it!
Let's Find Your Decorating Style...
As mentioned above, one of my first steps when meeting with a client is to find out exactly what their style is. I do this by asking questions and touring their home. One of my favourite Style Quizzes, that inspired me and help me find my style, was created by the best selling author and stylist Emily Henderson. The Home Style Quiz found on her webpage and in her book 'Styled', provides you with a starting point to discover how you want to style your home. It is a fantastic way to help you find the interesting parts of your personality that have an influence on the look you are so craving for.
Alongside this quiz, you can also take some very simple steps to give you that initial starting point. Because one thing that is very important to remember when finding your decorating style, is that the process will take some time to do and that is absolutely nothing to worry about, all great things take time!
STEP #1 - TOUR YOUR HOME
Take a look around your home and take photographs.
When you look at these photographs, can find any similarities, do any of the rooms have a flow in style. What is it that you like about these rooms? Are there any particular items which are valuable to you?
These questions, will begin your journey to finding your unique style.
STEP #2 - CREATE A PORTFOLIO/MOOD BOARD
This doesn't need to be a hard copy item anymore. Nowadays people are pinning their ideal home/room styles, on a variety of sources; Pinterest, Instagram, Houzz. These are all great ways of gathering ideas of what you like, whilst also allowing you to chop and change as you go along.
Over time, you should once again begin to find a pattern in your style.
STEP #3 - LIST YOUR LIKES AND DISLIKES
Once you have started to recognise these key style features that you like, you should be able to narrow this down further. Looking at both the items you have picked out from your home tour and combining these with the images you have selected from your research, you will have identified a main theme and found your style!STEP #4 - DECLUTTER
Now you have recognised your unique style, your next step is not go and throw away and replace the items you no longer require and feel will stop you from moving forward with your home style makeover. Take this stage very slowly, but feel confident that you have a plan and you know what it is you looking to achieve!
STEP #5 - HOW TO PURCHASE NEW ITEMS
Moving forward, when it comes to purchasing new items keep you new decorating style in mind. Try to find items that you love, but will also suit the new home style you making.
By following these steps, applying focus and staying on track, you will with time have a home you will be proud of and a house that is completely unique to you.
THREE WAYS TO MAKE A DARK ROOM LOOK BRIGHTER WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
Let there be light
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| Photo credit @anna_louisa_x |
There are times when a room may get less than the optimum amount of natural light; which was an issue one of our clients is attempting to overcome this week, with the brief including the necessity for both a living and dining room to appear brighter. Our client is looking to achieve this without having to modify their home structurally.
With this brief being a hot topic in the TGA Interiors office this week, we were keen to share ways of creating a bright, light space; as dark room can feel dated and uninviting but by using simple techniques it's easy to freshen up a dim space and make a room a whole lot lighter!
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| Photo credit @makeovermyhome |
WALL COLOUR
Currently the interior styling world is going crazy for the bold dark colours, no longer are these colours being used as a one stand alone feature wall but instead people are opting to paint an entire space in these dark hues. There is no denying that dark paints look amazing but a lighter colour scheme can instantly transform a dark room into a more uplifting space.
Most people assume that white is the go to colour when it comes to making a room feel bigger and brighter but if the room has very little natural light it can make the room appear lifeless and dull. White paint works well in rooms when there is ample of amounts of natural light, as it encourages the light to bounce around the room but without that light the white paint looks bland.
Interior stylist Emily Henderson suggests that neutral paint is the answer to making a darker room look brighter. She says that instead of opting for white, you should paint a dark room in neutral tones. It's about picking colours which have movement already in them that way they help the light to move around the room. Below are some of Emily's neutral tone suggestions.
CHANGE YOUR CURTAINS
When a room is dark and the only natural light you have available to coming through a small window, this will not be helped by dressing the window with large, bulky curtains. You need to make the most of the natural light you have! These heavy window treatments are great for keeping the heat in but they are also very good at blocking out the sunlight from coming into the space. So if you are looking for an easy way of brightening a room and boosting how much light the room gets, then you need to consider taking down the fabric curtains and switching them for lighter weighted fabrics which will let the light stream in the room.
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| Photo credit @mulberryhouse_ |
ADD A MIRROR
Mirrors are the most obvious choice when it comes to reflective materials, but strategically placing mirrors in rooms it can instantly reflect light around a space making it feel brighter and bigger. Place a mirror opposite a window to instantly double the amount of natural light a room gets. Mirrored furniture is another great option. We love how home styling instagram blogger @anna_louisa_x has cleverly used mirrors in her once small, dark bedroom to make the space brighter, lighter and bigger.
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| Photo credit @anna_louisa_x |
FINALLY...
When incorporating these 3 methods of making a dark room look brighter and to maximise their potential, it is also necessary to consider the layout of the room. You need to ensure that the room is not cluttered and there is an open plan scheme in the room to allow for free movement and flow between areas.
Have you successfully managed to lighten up a dark room in your home? please let us know your top tips in the comments below.
If you would like any help with styling your home please do not hesitate to get in contact with us or visit the 'How We Work' section of our website for more information.
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