Finding Your Design Style

Are you someone who knows what you DON'T like, but you can't put your finger on what your style is overall?

Decorator and TV Design Pro, Christopher Lowell shared some very simple solutions with me on my radio show Home Wizards with Cindy Dole this weekend. It boils down to this question: If money were no object, where would you want to live? In other words, which of these 4 lifestyles would make you feel the most at home and comfortable?

The City,Town, Country or Shore?

I'm a Shore- which apparently 60 percent of women are as well. It means we love to be near water. But Shore can be a lot of different interpretations - the shore of Greece, the shore of New York, maybe the shore off the Caribbean or a lakeshore off Michigan. Maybe you are a City, Town or Country kind of guy or gal? Once you tap into which of these lifestyles you gravitate toward, then you can start to build on what makes you happy in your home design and decor.

Another great tip that Christopher shared with me is this. Take your design cues for your home from your next stay at a nice hotel. Since hotels must lure you in with something trendy, cool, and luxurious that has a 10 year staying power, here is where you can find ideas for any room in your home, from color to furniture and decor overall. Their key to success is non-gender specific decor - that way men and women both enjoy it, and can embrace the entire home decor and design process! Think about it!

And if you still walk into a room you want to change and say...now what - consider Christopher's 7 Layers of Design Philosophy - It takes a lot of the overwhelming emotions out of it!

Layer 1 - Paint and Architecture,

Layer 2- Installed flooring

Layer 3 - Upholstery - sofa/loveseat

Layer 4- Accent fabrics - drapes/pillows

Layer 5- Non-upholstered furnishings -chairs/coffee table

Layer 6- Pictures mirrors/accessories

Layer 7- Plants and lighting

Check out more at www.christopherlowell.com

Hope it helps!

Cindy

Cindy@homewizards.tv