***Edited April 24, 2014***** Originally posted March 14, 2012******
This is another oldie but goodie that I would like to share as today’s post. I often run into situations where clients are unsure of what their design style is. Hopefully this post will shed some light on the subject. Enjoy!
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
I recently met with a young couple for an interior design consultation. I walked into an empty, unfurnished house because they just got married and literally had closed on the house the day before. They owned nothing but a jumbo bean bag (that’s on its way out if I have anything to do with that decision) and they seemed a bit baffled about the style direction they wanted to take.
Walking into a furnished home usually gives me a clue as to what style or aesthetic my client is drawn to, but in this case there was nothing! Well the obvious thing to do was to ask what their design style is, but asking that question doesn’t always get you a straight answer, because clients simply don’t know exactly what their style is or how to define what they like. The next best thing was to ask lifestyle questions like how they like to live in their home, their hobbies and interests, how they like to spend their free time, long term family goals and goals for the home, and what type of fashion in clothing they are drawn to.
Although not always, the way we dress our bodies often correlates with our taste in home fashion. After all, much of interior design trends is taken directly from the runways of Paris, Milan, New York and translated into home fashion. Whether it’s the color trends or style trends, we can always look to fashion, especially when in doubt.
Let’s Look at some examples of how taking cues from your closet can help you define your interior design style, and help you decorate with confidence.
Casual Beach Chic
If you would rather wear a bathing suit than a cocktail dress, or if your closet is filled with board shorts and t-shirts, then you may appreciate an interior that is comfortable, casual, light, airy and beachy. You would naturally gravitate towards sandy neutrals and bright blues, yellows, greens and corals….colors that can be found by the ocean.
To apply this style to your interior environment go for natural materials like natural woven wood window coverings, reclaimed woods for furnishings, casual fabrics like linens and cottons, comfortable slip covered upholstery, jute and sisal area rugs, painted floors. Add accessories that hint at the beach without going overboard or getting too literal. You want to create the feeling of the beach and not a thrift shop.
You don’t always have to use “beachy” colors to give that feeling, just go for comfy and casual
Manhattan Chic
If a sleek, fashion forward “LBD” (Little Black Dress) is more your speed, then you may like a more contemporary, elegant, sophisticated and dressed up space, but still comfortable and liveable.
To apply this style to your environment, look for really tailored and clean lined pieces, it’s safe to use exquisite fabrics such as silks, mohair, velvets but balance them carefully with leather. Tufted upholstery is a great touch but keep it contemporary, adding original art is a great way to give the space a sophisticated cultured feel
Boho Chic
If you are more of a free spirit, and like to mix unexpected pieces, chunky jewelry and just have a vintage, collected feeling to your wardrobe then you may enjoy a boho chic interior. Strong colors and mixing vintage pieces in an unexpected way defines a boho chic space. Take a look
To apply this style to your environment, think eclectic, vintage, collected. Pieces have to have a feeling of having had a past life with an interesting story. It should feel like a personal expression of who you are and the stages of life you have gone through.
Updated Traditional
This style may appeal to someone who likes classic and timeless fashion, or possibly someone who is keen on having certain “staple” pieces in their closet and then are able to add an accent piece, whether a jacket or scarf or a piece of jewelry to update the look – Like a simple black dress that can be dressed up or down and can transition effortlessly from the office to an evening affair.
To apply this style to an interior environment, look for classic pieces that you won’t get tired of easily. Furnishings that hint at the past but still have a timeless appeal. Look for prints like houndstooth, paisleys and damasks. Uphostery pieces like a wing back chair or a chesterfield sofa done in leather are a great addition to an updated traditional space. Alot of wood work and moldings is an integral part of a traditional room, along with an interesting wallcover. Wallpaper has come a long way and can be just the right touch in an updated traditional room.
Shabby Chic or Cottage Chic
This style will be appealing to you if you love comfort and ease over all else. Shabby chic is very feminine and feels very casual and lived in, like a worn pair of jeans with a vintage t-shirt and a linen scarf. The use of floral prints, washed linen and cotton fabrics, and vintage jewelry are hallmarks of this look.
To apply this style to your interior space, look for very casual and comfortable upholstery pieces like a wonderful white slip covered sofa, vintage linens on pillows, floral prints with very feminine colors like pink, mint green, baby blue. Furniture pieces and accents are often flea market finds with very worn patina.
If you enjoy the French country feel look, you will probably like a shabby chic or cottage chic look
So these are just a few examples of how your personal style can influence your interior design style. Of course, there are many variations to this and it is not always the case. But chances are, if you are stumped as to what style direction to go in for your interior décor, then you should try looking to your closet.
No matter what your decorating style, make every room a fabulous extension of your personality and lifestyle. Create the perfect home that reflects who you are, and what you love. Just have fun with it, and if all else fails, give me a call
Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!
Be Inspired!
Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
VeronicaSolomon.com
Like this:
Like Loading...
Love your perspective on this! I honestly don’t know what style it is that I like, but I know I like earthy colors and lots of comfort… Guess that shows with how I live in flip flops!
If you asked me, I would have no idea either. I’m guessing, our house would be “kid-friendly” for style!
Lol. That’s a style. Low maintenance, strong and durable furnishings
Do you have a suggestion for harried mother of 8? You know, sweat pants and ponytails?! If I didn’t have the kids to worry about, I’d say Shabby Chic. I love that look. But so many of the pictures you posted had me thinking, Ohhh I love that.
Lol Brandi, I definitely recommend low maintenance, comfortable, functional and easy to use. The fact that you like shabby chic is perfect…..the distressed furniture will only look better with more scratches and dings. Instead of white slipcovers on your upholstery, you can use a denim slipcover. Even harried mammas need some pretty home love too
I am definitely the Beach Casual…and it is exactly the look I am going for in our new place. Thanks for the tips on materials.
I think my style would be Boho and shabby chic combined. Funky and comfy
(Kim)
My style is simple, eclectic and traditional combined. And I think you’re right about our personal fashion matching our home decor. I have a 90′s fabric print couch coupled with modern dark oak wood furnishings and a repurposed metal wine rack to tie it all together. Clearly not something you would see in a show room but they all work together quite well.
We’re still trying to find out style after all these years, and once we do, it changes…
Haha! You are not alone Scott
I live right off of Cape Cod, so everyone here went with a beach theme for their houses. I think I would go with the Manhattan Chic look.
I’m with you on that Robin! You don’t have to follow the pack. Do your own thing!
This is so interesting. My fashion style isn’t really all that exciting. I wear a lot of darker colors. For decorating, I think I’m more eclectic. I love beachy colors for summer, but jewel tones for colder months.
My sense of style is sorely lacking in both areas. I like to call myself a minimalist. I don’t do makeup, either.
Minimalist style is actually really cool. Just make sure every piece counts and makes a statement.
That’s really cool to know your interior style by what you wear. So my style would be Boho Chic.
Love the effort you put into this, Veronica. Your posts are always so well thought out … and executed! And we learn something (always about design, sometimes about ourselves) as a result of it. I’m sure lots of us are shaking our heads after this one. I’d have to call mine “Worldly Chic Meets Tropical Florida” … pieces collected while living and traveling around the world, scaled back to casual Florida living. Both clothing and furnishings. Interesting!
Thank you so much Sharon. I am glad you find value in my posts. They come from the passion and love I have for what I do. The great thing about decor style is that you can express yourself and be who you are. No one style has to define your style. You can mix it up, and make it all about who you are and how you like to live in your home.
I’d definitely say I would be the Shabby Chic/Antique — I love the look and well just everything about it.
This is so smart! It totally makes sense that you would be drawn to similar styles!
Interesting! I never would have compared my fashion with my interior likes. I think I am more of an updated tradition kind of girl.
Interesting I would never have thought my fashion would reflect my house style.
Ah, never thought of that. Interesting. I’m not really into fashion but I think I’m in the boho chic one since I love colors + vintage style
Great way of looking at this. I think my style is some comfy casual mixed with boho and shabby.. And my interior design style is very similar!
I always have to think this only applies to people who bought their home furnishings. We’ve gotten ours given to us due to lack of finances.
Even if your furniture were given to you, there are inexpensive things you can do to make them your own and express your personal style. You can paint them, distress them, reupholster, decoupage, stencil. The possibilities are endless really. I think I’ll write a post about changing the look of hand me downs to suit your personal style
This is really interesting. I’m not sure how much my style matches my interior design style, but I prefer mostly neutral colors in both.
That’s a great clue Pam. Work with the neutrals just add tons of texture
I have so many different styles but I really like the ones you chose! It is a great way of looking at things. I never equated the two:)
I would have to say that my home is pretty much an extension of my fashion style. I like the same colors and I prefer things to be understated rather than bold and loud. Loved this post. Very interesting read.
There are so many different rooms that I liked! It’s really interesting how styles match up with how people design their rooms.
I have no fashion sense whatsoever, my room would just be a blank white all around and just a bed.
How fun looking at all of the different styles! I never really thought about it that way!
So… how do I decorate to match my jeans and T-shirt style? I am still figuring out my wardrobe and by design aesthetic.
That means that you love comfy and casual. So your upholstery choice will be overstuffed cushions and pillows and the furniture pieces are casual, you can put your get up on without worry
Now that you have pointed it out, I don’t wear too many different fashion worthy styles… and my house is kind of blah… I need to step up my game!
That beach look is adorable. I’m not a very good dresser either.
I never really thought about this how much our personal style is also reflected in our living environment but it’s so true! My style is comfortable, casual with pops of color. My home reflects this.
That is such a great way to try to figure it out. I have a hard time because I am a combination of many of those things. I love the causal beach, the shabby chic as well as the very laid back – pretty much sloppy runner outdoor girl look. My next home is going to definitely be a home that is more like the rustic/outdoor except for one room which will be my shabby chic.
I personally think your style can be anything you want it to be. If you decorate with the things that you love, and says YOU, then your home will be beautiful
Hmm, I’ve never considered matching my fashion with my interior design! It totally makes sense though. I think I’d opt for casual, comfortable styles since that’s the clothing I like to wear.
It is an interesting idea to look at one’s closet to determine interior design style.
I can see how they they are related. I’d love to have the same style house I had when I was dressing for an admin. job. These days I’m a sahm and dressing in sweats, so I guess the house style is how I like to dress, but not how I’m actually dressing, at the moment.
I am pretty casual and eclectic in both areas. And I love already loved items.
I tell you what, though – I am in love with that closet!
I like this idea, though I’m a little frightened of what my yoga pants would tell me about my design style.
What a great article! What a fun way to see how your style transcends both your clothing and your home!
I never even thought about getting inspiration from my closet! Great idea! I like this post – glad to see you brought it back!
Brillant blog. So many of my friends say they don’t really know what their style is in dressing or furnishings. Love how you assist with visuals that can get them thinking.
My person style definitely reflects into my home and space. A lot of the color schemes with my room and living room come from inspiration from my wardrobe.
I like a little bit if every style. I like to stick my nose in everything. Lol
I like a little bit of every style. I like to stick my nose in everything. Lol
My fashion style tend to be very down to earth and relaxed. And my pat is decorated the same way. Earth tones and casual pillows.
I love this post. The styles are portrayed so well from dress to room. I don’t think my decorating reflects my personal style of dress that much. I dress really casually most of the time though.
Casual beach fits me perfectly. We ended up decorating with lots of bright colors.
Definitely beachy! I love the beach and totally designed my bedroom like it.
Can “survival” be a style? It’s definitely kid proof
Haha! We will use lots of camouflage, outdoors, and camping inspired décor. Lol. You know survival mode
I don’t know if I could describe my style very well. I like comfort but clean line but LOVE old things given new live. We are kind a missmatched in our home but I like it
Makes sense to me. We wear what we like, so using clothing as a cue to what will appeal to someone in terms of interior design certainly makes sense to me. Nice tip.
My sense of style is yard sale! It’s what I decorate my house with and I love the eclectic look of it but it’s also probably traditional which is how I dress.
Love this. Definitely seems to fit. I’m in the beach casual group.
I enjoyed this blog post – makes sense! <3
Please come to my house. My walls are still white after 8 years of living in here. I am clueless. I love this post and am so overwhelmed by design options