3 Comments »

Determining Your Design Style

• Tweet

• Tweet

The first thing required, before embarking on any design project, is to determine your design style. It can seem rather a complicated exercise, especially with the media bombardment about what we ought to like, how we ought to dress, what we ought to buy, how we ought to live, and so on. The thing is, each of us already has a style – you just can’t be a person without having your own unique style – it may not be the one they advertise on the billboards, but, rest assured, you have one. The trick lies in dimming the outside noises, refusing to ape prevalent fashions, being perfectly aware of past and present fashions, designs and trends, and going with what gives you joy.

To determine your design style for your home, there are several questions to ask yourself –

• What kind of atmosphere do you want to create? Peaceful and contemplative? Vibrant and cheering? Old world and traditional? You can create different moods in different parts of the home. Identify your desire and purpose.
• What kind of space do you have and what kinds of space arrangements appeal to you?
• What kind of furniture do you like? Modern, Contemporary, Traditional, Country, Casual or Fusion? Do you care more for looks or for comfort, functionality and convenience? A futuristic glass and steel chair, for example, may look pretty far out, but a stuffed arm-chair will be more inviting to nestle down in.
• What kind of colors, patterns, shapes, textures and fabrics do you like? You can get a good idea by checking your lifestyle choices – the clothes you wear, the accessories you have, the pictures, collectibles and books you own, the car you drive, etc.
• What kind of materials do you fancy? Natural or synthetic?

You also need to consider –

• Your life-style – Do you have an easy-going or very hectic schedule? Do you have a small or large family? Do you entertain a lot, in a middling way, or rarely? What would suit you, a high maintenance or low maintenance interior?
• Your budget – Are you rolling or reeling? Having plenty of cash on hand is convenient – there are so many beautiful things out there – but, if not, no problem. Just acquire one good thing at a time.

Nothing like knowledge to help you along, so –

• Peruse interior design books, magazines and online resources.
• Visit interior design stores, home improvement shops, flea markets, antique shops, art dealer stores and auctions.
• Keep a tab on the different design styles available in the market. You don’t have to follow any specific style, but knowing the various ones can serve as a guide.
• Familiarize yourself with different designers and their creations.
• Have an idea about current prices for the items you want.
• Keep your eyes open for beautiful interiors when visiting friends or acquaintances.
• Learn the fundamentals of interior design – why something works, in what combination or why it doesn’t work.
• Read up on interior design history – it’s fascinating to know how and why things developed and evolved.
• Make a folder of photographs and cuttings of designs that represent most what you’re looking for. You’ll find a common theme developing.

Once you have gathered together enough ideas about what you want

Follow any one or more styles. Or, better yet, you can pick and choose and mould them into your own unique vision. Don’t be afraid of experimenting.

Photos used

1. Irish Living Room
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Living_room_Ireland.jpg

2. Utsein Kloster – Photo by Frode Inge Helland
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Utstein_kloster01_(2).jpg

3. Eleanor Roosevelt Living Room – Photo by Rolf Müller
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:EleanorRooseveltNationalHistoricSite_Livingroom_2007_02.jpg

4. Bedroom – must add link to www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Uncategorised_g43-Bedroom_p968.html

Written by Sonal Panse