This week we're talking all about discovering your personal style! I often find when working with clients that they don't really know what they like. They might appreciate a well decorated neighbor's house, have ideas and opinions about current trends, or maybe they're just more comfortable following the masses. But they have a harder time determining what they really love.
The process of designing a home that is true to your style requires some education, whether it is learning relevant vocabulary or studying spaces you admire and identifying what you're drawn to. For us at Michelle Erin Interiors, Architectural Digest has always been a source of inspiration for our own homes and client projects - and we live for the Open Door series! If you're not familiar, AD has a series where they film celebrities giving tours of their homes. They talk about the design process, pieces and collections within their homes that are important to them, and how they want their homes to feel. Below, we've created a list of our favorite "aesthetic" categories and assigned an AD Open Door video to each! Read through and let us know which styles you're drawn toward.
Maximalist
“More Is More”
Collections and Mementos on Display
Bold Pattern Mixing and Layering
Very Little Empty Space
A Stuffed Peacock on the Wall (Just Because)
Meticulously Decorated
Additional maximalist design viewing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMzSVEaWq5c&t=390s&ab_channel=Quintessence
Minimalist
Simplicity & Clean Lines
Often Monochromatic
Empty Space with Curated Accents
Slab Cabinetry
Limited Accessorizing
Fewer, Finer Items
Blank Walls, No Problem
Integration
Additional minimalist design viewing:
Urban Modern
Clean Lines
Simple Designs
Deliberate Use of Texture
Calming & Comfortable
Softer and more personal than modern or contemporary design.
You might like to shop at RH Modern.
Additional urban modern design viewing:
Traditional
Brown Leather Club Chairs
Arch Back Rolled Arm Sofas
Plaid & Chintz
Border Rugs
Rich, Dark Tones
Warm Wood Finishes
Intricate Finish Work
You may be a fan of Ralph Lauren.
Your home may fit in in the Northeast.
Additional traditional design viewing:
Transitional
Sweet Spot Between Traditional and Modern
Timeless
Blend of Old & New
Neutral or Muted Color Palettes
Balance & Symmetry Preferred
Artfully Layered Textiles
Personality Through Design Details
Additional transitional design viewing:
Naturalist
Many Layered Textures
Indoor Plants
Warm Color Palette
Wood, Leather, Fur, Wovens
A Large Jute Rug
Organic Furniture Shapes
Earthy & Blended with Nature
Light
Additional naturalist design viewing:
Art Deco/Glam
Luxurious & Romantic
Long flowing drapery
Shiny or Mirrored Surfaces
Bright & Bold Color Palette
Crystal Chandeliers
Velvet or Mohair Upholstery
Metallic Accents
Marble & Brass
Additional art decor/glam design viewing:
Eclectic
Anything Goes
Unexpected, Interesting, Fresh
Lots of Personality
Artistic
Spontaneous
You may pair an antique dining room table with modern dining chairs.
When it comes to mixing styles, colors, or patterns - no rules apply.
Additional eclectic design viewing:
Industrial
Raw & Unfinished
Large Scale
Exposed Brick, Concrete, Beams, Ductwork
Use of Metals
Open Floor Plan
High Ceilings
Loft or Warehouse Inspired
Your home may fit in in Chicago or New York City.
Additional industrial design viewing:
Modern Country
Wood Floor & Finishwork
Cozy & Casual
Informal
Rustic Elements Balanced with Modern Shapes
French Countryside Inspired Kitchen Designs
Warmth & Texture
Your home may fit in in Nashville or Austin, Texas.
Additional modern country design viewing:
Rustic
Rough, Aged, Reclaimed Wood
Casual
Stone Floors or Fireplace
Mounted Antlers
Solid Furniture Pieces in Rich Leather
Rugged & Early
Cabin Inspired
Your home may fit in in Colorado or Wyoming.
Additional rustic design viewing:
There are so many beautiful ways to design a home that the options can be overwhelming. It is always helpful to have a starting point - maybe it is one of the AD videos above or a photo you've have saved for years. When you can start putting words and images together, a picture will start to form of how your ideal space will feel. When working together we'll really work with you to try to nail your personal style. If you're feeling stuck, give us a call for a free consultation!