“Home is where the heart is”
It´s a saying we all know, but have you ever actually stopped to ask yourself if your home is where your heart is?
When you come home, do you enter your house with an overwhelming sense of joy, or do you look around with disappointment wishing you could just change this or that, or even worse, do you view your home with indifference?
At a very primitive level, our homes provide us with the simple requirements of shelter, warmth and protection from the world, however, I believe a home is more than just a space we live in and your homes importance to your personal well being should never be underestimated.
A home that feeds the soul
Whether “home” is a 1 bed apartment or a huge country villa, when you are surrounded with comforting personal items, colours and textures that you love, furnishings that work for you, not against you, and art and accessories that inspire, you feel less stressed, more at home, more balanced, more….you.
Your home is a mirror of you
A home should be somewhere that provides emotional support as well as practical functionality, a place that is aligned to your lifestyle and adapts to your needs, but most importantly, it should be somewhere that reflects your style, taste and personality. Have a look around…does this sound like your home ?
Help!
If the answer is no, and creating this space sounds more like a daunting challenge than the fun and rewarding journey that it should be, never fear….help is at hand! Over the coming months I’ll help you discover how to unleash the potential in your home, guiding you through discovering your own unique style, planning your space, how to use colour, pattern and texture, and how to interpret the looks you love so they enhance your rooms and enrich your life.
A starter for ten
I’ll kick us off by helping you to understand the fundamentals of personal style.
Establishing your own taste is the first step in creating a strong and successful style for your home
I want to help you explore a little deeper and understand the various fundamental elements that create a “style”.
The Fundamentals of Personal Style
When exploring a style that suits you, there are some basic elements in all furnishings that should be considered; shape, pattern, texture and colour.
Colour is a huge subject that I will be talking about later.
Shape
Have a look at the shapes below, which do you find the most appealing . . .
Was it an easy choice or does more than one shape appeal ?
Loving the curves of shape 1 might mean you lean you towards the clawed table footings of European antiques, or the overstuffed plush sofas of shabby chic. If shape 2 appeals, you may prefer clean tailored lines in your furnishings, Shape 3 on the other hand may mean you are more experimental and lean toward retro or futuristic decor. The easy lines of shape 4 may mean eclectic, French provincial or traditional styles are more your thing.
Can you relate your chosen shapes to the images below ?
Your personality will have the largest impact on your choice of furnishings, leading you toward delicate antiques or in contrast, large plump sofas. But also to be considered in your choice of style are your daily routines and the practical requirements of your furnishings.
Pattern
Pattern can add detail and individuality to your chosen style and is best introduced through the use of fabrics and finishes. Pattern is often given a wide berth as many are afraid to use it, but the key to success is understanding what you like, and then learning how to mix your chosen patterns together.
Which patterns are you naturally drawn to?
Checks Polka dots Scenic prints
Stripes Paisleys Geometrics
Plaids Flowers Plain colours
Whichever patterns grab your attention when you are looking around, these are likely to bring a smile to your face if you use them in your home.
Using Pattern Successfully
Using pattern successfully is all about creating a sense of relationship. For example if you chose checks as your favourite pattern, this can be reproduced by establishing groups of square objects, such as cushions, around the room. If flowered patterns were your choice, then adding fresh flowers or scenic art prints will enhance the connection between flowered upholstery and the nature that inspired it.
To mix patterns successfully ensure there is a strong colour link throughout, and make it clear where one pattern begins and the other ends, otherwise you risk the result looking like a muddled mess.
Texture
Introducing different textures will help create depth and feeling in your style. Texture plays a basic dual role in an interior; firstly it toys with light to create a wide variety of surface effects, secondly it brings a satisfying range of tactile sensations on contact. Think of snuggling up against plush velvet cushions, or wiggling your toes in a sheepskin rug on a cold Spanish morning.
Consider the textures below and think about your emotional response to them.
Soft / Smooth Rough / Scratchy Silky / Slippery
Hard / Shiny Plush / Cushiony
Are there some textures you would definitely want to bring into your environment, and others you would want to keep out? Consider these when choosing flooring, fabrics and furniture.
Home is where the heart is
