Discovering Your Personal Style
Ever look through inspo online and can’t decide what aesthetic you want for your room? Maximalism is cool, love the color, but there’s just something special about Scandinavian interiors. Been there, done that, and it has definitely taken a lot of trial and effort to figure out what my own personal style is. When there are so many options, it gets kind of overwhelming when your imagination is bigger than the space you have!
So, how does one figure out their personal style? Let’s dive into the wild world of interior design style that’s, honestly, part thrilling roller coaster ride and part nerve-wracking scavenger hunt. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of options, but after at least a decade of working in this industry, I’ve got some tricks up my sleeves to help us navigate this chaotic landscape. First off, let’s raid the treasure trove of inspiration. We’re talking about flipping through magazines, scrolling through design blogs, and falling into the black hole that is Pinterest. Trust me, it’s like entering a vortex of aesthetic wonder, but hey, at least we’ll come out of it with some killer mood boards, right?
Now, let’s get real personal, shall we? It’s time to dig deep into our own weird and wonderful souls to unearth those hidden gems of style preferences. Think about your fashion choices, your quirky art collection, and yes, even your questionable taste in rom-coms. Because hey, if we’re gonna design a space that screams “you,” we gotta embrace all the glorious messiness that makes you, well, you. (By the way, I love to help others work on their art collections and have lots of ideas and resources to do so! Scroll down to check out the Art Curation service section by clicking that link just above.)
Personally, I love dressing up my home to reflect my Japanese and Hawaiian culture. There is no shortage of plants, and while I design for style, I also keep in mind things that are pet-friendly (for my cats). Next up, let’s hit the streets to scout out some furniture stores, both in the real world and the virtual one. Some of my favorite showrooms are Room & Board, CB2, Lazzoni, and so much more. There are myriads of showrooms in every style all over NYC, so let’s touch some fabrics, sit on some sofas, and pretend we’re judging on a reality TV design show. It’s all part of the process, my friends.
Oh, and don’t forget to take inventory of your current stash! Your beloved possessions hold the key to unlocking your true design DNA. So grab that magnifying glass and start sleuthing through your stuff. Everyone has a closet, attic, or garage, they throw their miscellaneous items in, I know I have one that keeps getting fuller and fuller.
And who knows, you might just stumble upon a hidden treasure buried under that pile of mismatched socks. Of course, let’s not neglect our surroundings. Take a good hard look at your space, flaws and all. Embrace the quirks, the wonky walls, the creaky floorboards. It’s all part of the charm, but, if there’s something that’s really driving you up the proverbial wall, make a note of that too. We’ll figure out a way to tame that beast, one throw pillow at a time.