But the thing is, articulating your style is the key to creating a room that really reflects it. If this sounds esoteric, have no fear: We’ve have some simple steps to help you identify the look you crave, a few visual tutorials to make you a mini expert on design, and dozens of sources to let you shop your style and bring it home. So whether you’re overhauling a mishmash of furniture bit by bit or doing a rapid-fire redecoration, you’ll learn how to make great choices and get cohesive results that you’ll love.

3 STEPS TO NAMING YOUR STYLE

Decorating is an extension of your personal style, but so much better, because it comes without the concerns of sizing and fit. That should make it fun, but for a lot of us it’s incredibly stressful — a too-blank canvas that involves big commitments and potentially pricey mistakes. Aside from the money part, choosing a sofa is not all that different from picking a pair of shoes: It’s all about who you are and what you like on a gut level.

Finding your decorating groove depends on getting in touch with that;  We’ve created a plan geared toward home decorating. Here’s what to do.

1. Tour your home, and really look at your furniture.

With a pad in hand, walk from room to room examining your belongings and make two truthful lists: “Love It” and “Wish I Could Replace It.  Catalog everything you can, including art — and be real, even if it’s difficult.  It’s all based on how things make you feel. Maybe you come across a piece of art that bugs you, but you’ve kept it around because it was your grandmother’s. Pay attention to that — and categorize accordingly.  You can also photograph the room, print out a copy of the photo and cross out what you don’t like and circle what you do.  You can think of that photo, as a bouncing off point and use it as reference when shopping or getting advice.

2. Pull together small items you love, including clothes.

Check the top of your dresser, your mantel, your bookshelves, your china cabinet. Sift through collections and mementos. Make a pile of favorites on your bed. Then pull special clothes from your closet. Focus on the items that make you feel beautiful and joyful, the ones that inspire you to stand tall. Take the same eye to your jewelry and accessories.  Open your closet doors and see what colors pop out the most.  You can see which color dominates and use that as a reference point for the “colors” that you are drawn to.

3. Tap your memory and your imagination.

Get comfortable, then close your eyes and think about places you love to be and why you love them — from a local cafe to a faraway beach. Recall paintings, movies, and books that have stuck with you for some reason. Then go into fantasy mode.  Imagine that real-world constraints don’t apply.  Picture your dream home. If you could live anywhere in the world, would you choose a loft in New York? An English manor? A tree house in the tropics?  Then think outside of home:  If you were invited to the Oscars, what would you wear? Include jewelry and shoes.  This moves you beyond the limitations of your own lifestyle and budget and into a new realm of creativity. Jot down your answers.

Now for the hard part. Look for common threads — design, colors, shapes, materials, vibe — among the things you love. You may find yourself attracted to a blend of styles rather than just one. Notice which features appeal to you and which don’t. This will help you translate your taste into smart decorating choices.

4.  When all else fails, call an Interior Designer.

“Style Samples”

SOPHISTICATED CLASSIC

An elegant blend of refined traditional furniture, jewelry-like accessories, and pale hues. Patrician old-world elements pair with cleaner Art Deco shapes. The look evokes a more formal lifestyle. Think Grace Kelly, Tiffany & Co., and Charlotte  from “Sex and the City”.

FEATURES
 Delicate furniture pieces with feminine lines and tapered legs.
 A palette of neutrals and soft colors.
 Grand chandeliers.
 Luxurious fabrics, like silk and velvet.
 Rich dark woods with polished veneers.
 Luxe accent materials, including metal, marble, and glass.
 Symmetrical floor plans.

COZY CASUAL

A warm, traditional look made for relaxing with family and friends. Draws on English and early-American furniture designs, as well as laid-back country, cottage, and farmhouse styles. Weathered, low-maintenance furnishings are easy, inviting, and built for daily life. Think golden retrievers, fuzzy slippers, and just about any movie by Nancy Meyers.

FEATURES

 Plush upholstery, often slip-covered, with roll or square arms and skirts or ball feet.
 Indestructible tables with turned legs, trestles, or substantial pedestal bases.
 Warm wood tones with rustic or distressed finishes.
 Natural fabrics, like cotton and wool.
 Solid textiles, simple stripes, or unfussy floral’s in muted colors.

MODERN GRAPHIC

A fresh, fun, contemporary look that combines urban styling (imagine a downtown loft) with edgy, colorful elements and mid-century design. Simple furniture forms balance out bold accents and patterns. Think the Museum of Modern Art, Frank Lloyd Wright, a Rubik’s Cube.

FEATURES

 Furniture with clean lines and no extra adornment.
 Blocks of saturated color.
 Boxy upholstery with plain legs or skirt-less bases.
 Lacquered finishes and a mix of woods, both light (birch, oak) and dark (walnut, mahogany).
 Geometric or abstract patterns and Pop Art–inspired accessories.

VINTAGE ECLECTIC

A rich, layered look combining flea-market finds, furniture designs from various time periods (including Victorian pieces and 18th-century French styles), and a diverse collection of accessories and artwork. Dusty colors, timeworn or handmade textiles, and collected objects create a lived-in feel. Think Paris flea markets, Granny’s teacups, the film Grey Gardens.

FEATURES
 Furniture with shapely, feminine silhouettes, intricate detailing, and weathered finishes.
 Jewel tones mixed with washed-out, chalky shades.
 Antique and vintage elements interspersed with newer, offbeat items.
 A varied mix of fabrics (on pillows, upholstery, and window treatments), including Jacquards, paisleys, ethnic tapestries, folk motifs, botanicals, and florals.
 Crystal chandeliers and embellished lamps.
 Abundant art and decorative accents on walls and surfaces.

For more information regarding these and other styles, contact pcdesign@mac.com.

]]> http://www.affordableinteriordesigners.com/blog/2010/04/22/define-your-style/feed/ 0 http://www.affordableinteriordesigners.com/blog/2009/07/13/hot-items-for-summer/ http://www.affordableinteriordesigners.com/blog/2009/07/13/hot-items-for-summer/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:35:07 +0000 PC Design http://www.affordableinteriordesigners.com/blog/?p=624 PSST….

I wanted to share some great new items HomePortfolio is showing off for “Outdoor Living”.

 ****Remember....Your backyard/frontyard/porch/patio/etc... 

are all area's to consider when decorating in and around your home. 

Tandem Outdoor Furniture from Ego Paris Floating Moonlight from Moonlight Cocoon Hammock from Henry Hall Designs Complete Outdoor Kitchen from Viking Aqua Adagio from Jaclo Industries Frame Chaise Lounge from Paola Lenti Outdoor Dining from Kelly Deck Design Saturn Fire Pit from Stone Forest Slim Line from Dedon Backyard BBQ Area from The Green Scene Pool House from Amdega Machin Outdoor Wine Refrigerator from Marvel View more outdoor ideas Homeportfolio.com.

Check out HomePortfolio.com to see more great items.