Finding my style

While I recently shared tips on discovering your inner design vibe, I must admit to having a rough time figuring out my own. Every day, I see tons of drool-worthy products in a huge variety of styles, from amazing antiques to out-there contemporary styles. I can identify what I like, but there's a big difference between liking something and putting it in your own home.

So, when chatting with the lovely Lisa Canning about the upcoming makeover of our master bedroom (more on that later!), I felt a knot in my stomach when she asked that inevitable question: "How would you define your style?"

I feel like this is something I should know intuitively. It should be obvious, right up there with my favourite colours and music. 

But I don't.

So instead I mutter a grab bag of things I do know I like: organized spaces, clean lines and bold colours. I say I lean toward the modern style, though I also like contemporary, vintage and mid-century modern pieces. 

I've also previously described my decorating as Scandinavian, partly to justify all the IKEA furniture in my home (though I do love blond wood and moody grays too).

These descriptions are not bad, but are far from the definitive, pat response I feel like I should have stored in my arsenal. 

And I'm still working on that answer. I clip photos I love (like this one from a Colin and Justin makeover) and try to find connections between them — which fit mostly in with my clean lines, Scandinavian description. I also tend to clip tailored furniture and rooms that are purple, grey or green.

I've also taken the Twitter advice of fabulous freelancer (and former Star reporter) @p_lori to look into my closet, as she said, "I find I decorate a lot like I dress: bright colours, bold print, little clutter."

My closet's not that far off from her description, and neither are the things that I've purchased that I love. My silver vases are the equivalent of my favourite pair of pewter earrings, while a few boldly patterned throw pillows punch up an otherwise solid room, much like a patterned tank top paired with a solid cardigan. Add a little sparkle from mirrors and glass vases, much like my favourite necklace, and my room's "outfit" is not that far off from my own.

So, I'm narrowing down the description of what I like, and I'm also finding that my IKEA-induced 'Scandinavian' answer isn't entirely false. But, I've still got a way to go before I hit upon the perfect phrase to define my style!

(Brandon Barre photo. Read the full Colin and Justin article).

Comments

[Cheryl]

I feel the same way. My style preferences change weekly. One day it's clean, modern, minimalist style... next week it is Scandinavian, vibrant, bold and a few weeks later it's Shabby Chic.

It's really difficult trying to define my design style in just one sentence -- or it would be a very long sentence ;)

I have magazine clippings that I've tried to organize into sets but still can't seem to figure out the one style that defines me (and husband). Need a stylist/designer/decorator ... PRONTO! Or my house is just going to look like a colourful zoo.

[daysofmb.com]

Once you identify the styles, you can narrow your search for the perfect home.