Matching your personal style with the style of your home

February 3, 2022

These days I’m ruminating on the expression “to be comfortable in your skin”. I think to live fully and happily, you need to be comfortable in your home. This means living authentically in your home. If your home supports you in the way it should, it will contribute to your well being and to living comfortably in your skin.

If you are a relaxed, casual person, chances are you don’t want a lot of formal glamorous decor around you. That disconnect can be jarring. When you enter your home, you should feel nurtured and at peace. Don’t decorate for others. Decorate for yourself and your family.

Sometimes the architecture and big ticket items in the home (ie. flooring, fixtures, millwork) are at odds with the style that speaks to us. I’m reminded of a consultation I did last year for a lovely couple who adored the modern farmhouse style. However, they purchased a home that was very formal and traditional - think flocked damask wallpaper, polished metal and glossy dark wood floors. When trying to meld two styles that are on opposite ends of the design continuum, it’s best to enlist some professional help. Simply replacing formal light fixtures with rustic ones, will not achieve the desired result. Nor will adding rough wooden counter stools to a glossy fluted island make it feel like a modern farmhouse. Shiny dark, prefinished hardwood will be at odds with the casual modern farmhouse look. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting that these traditional elements are bad. It’s just that they are out of sync with the new design elements. As such, they don’t work together to create a harmonious result. In this case, they won’t lead to the desired casual farmhouse vibe.

Replacing certain aspects of a space is a quick way to a final result, but without an overall design plan you risk a result that is jarring and filled with conflicting elements. A more prudent approach is to pause and consider your budget and timeline. Seek guidance on which elements can stay, and which ones need to change in order to achieve your desired outcome. An experienced eye can help you meld the various parts to create the harmony you seek. When it’s all said and done, you will walk into your home and breathe a sigh of relief and contentment.