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Personal Decor Style - What is Yours?

June 21, 2011
The natural finishes, wood, and glass give this room a rustic cottage feel
The natural finishes, wood, and glass give this room a rustic cottage feel

Written by Emily Larochelle, Design Consultant

The first step in designing any project, whether it is simple décor change or a large construction project, is determining one's personal style.   It may sound complicated, but it is easier than you think!  

Throughout the last number of years, even before I went to design school, I would tear pictures out of magazines, flag photos in books, and save digital images on my computer, all documenting things that I like, that stand out, are unique and beautiful.  Eventually, this became a binder that I named my ‘idea book’ and shaped my personal style.

 Recently I’ve discovered a website called www.Houzz.com which is an online version of an ‘idea book’.  Anybody can go online and access this gallery of photos and can search according to major categories, such as kitchens, bathrooms, exterior, etc.  If you choose to create a log-in, which is free, you are then able to create your own idea book, by saving images into any number of named photo albums, thus creating a scrapbook of things you love: real pictures that portray your personal style.

When I meet with people initially, I try to gauge their personal style.  It helps me begin brainstorming for initial floor plan layouts and design concepts.  For example, if someone loves a cottage feel, I know that we are looking at natural finishes, uses of wood throughout the space, lots of texture on finished surfaces, and large areas of glass to maximize their view to outdoors.  Another example may be a washroom: the use of marbles, polished chrome, detailed cabinetry and lighting fixtures may indicate a more classic style.  Even having just one photograph of a beloved space holds enough information for me to start your design.

Today, we are surrounded by a culture embracing design: there are design and decorating TV shows, reality shows, magazines, and even design cable networks.  By utilizing these tools you can create your own ‘idea book’ – things you love, things your don’t love, rooms that inspire you, and more.  Then when it comes time to start making decisions, the people helping you, whether it is a professional designer, decorator, or even a sales person, will be able to guide you to the products that match your style.