personal style

is a matter of making your home reflect your preferences. It’s a process much like shopping for clothes, but most people are less daunted about coordinating an outfit than they are about putting together a room.

Set a mood

Start a scrapbook

Once you’ve assessed your needs andestablished priorities, you’re ready to shop. Keep in mind, too, that styles and finishes can be mixed. Just remember that when elements are disparate, they should have a unifying mood—be it formal, informal,sophisticated or cozy. To set your own style, start by amassing a library of decorating elements you like. Look to a wide variety of design magazines for inspiration. Then, once you’ve established your library, go through everything you’ve collected and choose 10 pictures for each of the following categories: 1. Products. This category can include products of any kind.Even if you’re redecorating a living room and find a photo of a great professional kitchen sink supplier, tag that product anyway. 2. Room settings. Find a variety of room designs that appeal to you. Even if you don’t like every detail of the room pictured, include it in your collection. 3. Color schemes. You say you don’t have a favorite color? Nevertheless, you probably respond more strongly to some color groups than others. Select examples of colors you like.

A few practical tips

Will it fit—and fit in? Will it last? Don’t waste money on furniture that will wear out in a couple of years. Invest in quality pieces you’ll treasure for years to come. Never buy amajor piece of furniture without knowing where it will sit in your home. Go shopping with accuratemeasurements of your floor space plusa tape measure and samples of your wall colors and fabrics furniture. Note also the dimensions of doorways that your furniture will have to go through. 4. A specific room. Do you want to decorate a living room,bedroom or modern dining room? Find 10 pictures of that type ofroom—ones that really call out to you.Now, review your choices, group by group. You’ll besurprised how much you can learn. You shouldbegin to see a common point of referenceand notice those elements to which youare attracted. Remember to includeother family members in the exercise, as well. How shall I spend my money? After determining what you can afford, reserve a majority of your budget for furniture purchases. Spend the remainder on modern paint finishes, wall and floor coverings, art and accessories that will be essential to making apersonal statement in each room.
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