AMOR DECOR
“AN INTERIOR IS THE NATURAL PROJECTION OF THE SOUL.” -COCO CHANEL
From the second we leave our doorsteps, we are engulfed by the hustle and bustle this world continues to bring. It’s no wonder we can’t wait to retreat back and just relax at the end of the day. Our homes essentially become a refuge from all the chaos, as well as serving as an extension of our individualities. That’s why it’s so important that our houses (or apartments) exude a sense of peace and tranquility, but also aesthetically represent our soul.
However, the process of transitioning a house to a home can be overwhelming when figuring out where to start. To create a unique and cohesive space, there are several key factors that each play an important role in the design process. I have broken them down to help you create your own unique space that will have you and your guests screaming “Amor Decor”!
*Disclaimer: Usually I’d make the below into its own article, but I figured these points were a pre-requisite for all of my interior design articles. :)
• Size matters: First and foremost, you need to be practical. Measure the space you have to work with and be realistic with how much room you have for furnishings and decor. You can buy great pieces but if they are the wrong size for your space it can be really distracting and look awkward. The last thing you want is a cluttered space or even the opposite, a space that looks too empty and unfinished. Once you have your measurements it will help narrow down your options leading you to the perfect sized items for your space.
• What is your theme? When people enter your space, you really want it to embody who you are as a person. Just like fashion, interior design gives you the opportunity to embrace your personality and express your own unique aesthetic. Adding in details that represent these key characteristics about yourself are what individualizes a room. Are you rustic? Add an antique refurbished chest as a coffee table. Glamorous? Add mirrors and a crystal chandelier. Modern? Add a low to the floor sectional. Minimal? Country chic? Bohemian? You get the idea, and once you are able to hone in on your theme you can begin picking the perfect items to embody this. When it all comes together, it’s more than just a room full of things. It’s a great representation of your soul (as cheesy as that sounds).
• Color palette: Choosing colors for a space, whether it’s the paint or the items in the room, goes beyond just picking a theme. Understanding what colors go well with each other is important. A great tip is using the color wheel as a reference! This will help you learn how colors affect each other, helping you to create successful color schemes and set the mood you want for the room, as well as picking colors that will accentuate the space. In terms of paint, if it’s a small room with not much light, lighter colors will brighten and help the room appear larger. If it’s a large room, a statement wall with a bold color can help gravitate the attention to a focal area. If you have a patterned couch or upholstery, try choosing the primary color in the pattern and creating a muted paint version to tie it all in. I have linked a YouTube video below that was really helpful for me in understanding color relationships.
• Organization: Just as much as our home becomes our refuge from the world, it also becomes our storage unit! But a bunch of random stuff does not look so cute all piled up in a corner. We keep adding one more thing to the pile, ignoring how it’s starting to look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa! Well, one day it’s going to come tumbling down! Let’s avoid that, shall we? :) Functional organization pieces don’t have to be bland. All the top furnishing stores offer boxes, bins, shelving units, drawer dividers, built-in closets, mud room furniture, etc., that hold all your belongings effectively and cohesively while looking chic at the same time. A great tip is to once a week reorganize and clean where all your items are being stored. This will prevent it from ever becoming a large job you will try avoiding. I have linked my favorite store below, that is the holy grail for everything organization and storage! Click the logo to go shopping!
Look at your home as a blank canvas and slowly work from room to room creating an atmosphere that makes you excited to run home after a long day and just relax. Start with one section at a time and just build on it. I recommend paint being the first building block and adding from there.
As I said earlier, all of the design tips I bullet-pointed above should serve as simply a general guideline for personalizing your nest. For more specific design tips, you’ll need to check out the individual articles.
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