Defining Your Style
Are you traditional? Perhaps you prefer a country style. Or does the sleek minimalism of contemporary style set your heart alight? Determining your preference is a simple exercise in understanding what it takes to create each of these styles. If you are drawn to the dark wood furniture with elegant curves and plush fabrics, old Persian carpets, rich jewel colours, lots of ornaments, old silver pieces displayed on highly polished tables, Chinese vases and collections of old world paintings, you are a classic traditionalist. If you favor pastel colours, floral prints, overstuffed couches and chairs, lace curtains, brick or stone floors with a scattering of braided rugs, copper pots, potted plants and lots of little knick-knacks displayed, you are country. When the sleek, shiny tables and tightly upholstered chairs and sofas make you stop and sigh, then you have the heart of a contemporary stylist. Less is more for the true contemporary look. Your colours are monochromatic, meaning that you use only one colour, say blue, but in various shades. You like solid coloured fabrics that have texture. You like wall-to-wall carpeting, roman shades on the windows, a few special pieces of art and only a small number of objects displayed.
Of course, you could be what the majority of homeowners are: eclectic. You like a little of everything. This style is difficult to pull together. Scale and proportion are important. You can have a few traditional tables in a contemporary space, or a balanced mix of traditional and country. Even a blend of all three is possible, with the right combination.
Why not make a cup of tea, settle into your favourite chair, and take a look through some of the many home décor magazines available today. Or visit some websites on decorating. Or, better yet...email me with pictures or questions at missy@skipperscottage.com
Maintaining Your Style
Got rhythm? As in the rhythm achieved with a professional design project? It is the repetition of the tools of design and the application of those tools.
Tools? What do I mean by tools? I mean the five elements of good design is in the line, the space plan, the texture, the colour and the light. but that is another day's lesson.
If you have rhythm in your home, then you have the appropriate amount of characteristics of your chosen decorating style. A good rhythm allows the eye to move with ease within a room, and from room to room. Each room should feel and appear to belong to the same dwelling. The background coverings, furniture, lighting sources, window coverings and accessories should complement each other in colour and texture and should be applied according to the purpose and activities in the space. Rhythm makes each room inviting, stimulating or relaxing.