Life, Styled
At the heart of any design work is the chance to tell a story—the story of those who live there. Our home is at the core of who we are. It is our grounding, the place we can truly let our hair down and be ourselves. It’s where memories are not just made, but remembered and passed down to the next generation. Homes are meant to be special—a symbol to all who enter of what truly matters to us. That’s why the design choices we make should be influenced by who we are, where we came from, and how our unique experiences shape us. Across the world, people’s design choices are deeply rooted in culture. But in today’s ever-connected world, we’re also seeing a beautiful blending of cultures—where traditional elements mix with modern influences, and regional styles merge to reflect global inspirations. This is why we have such rich and diverse styles such as:
- Scandinavian Chic
- Moroccan Splendour
- Americana
We are impacted by our family roots, and since there is no greater symbol for family than home, we should embrace who we are and let it play a part in telling our personal story to the world. Here are several ways you can blend culture with interior design to create a unique style all your own.
Family Heirlooms
Everybody has at least one relative in their family who never throws anything out or has saved those special pieces that have been passed down to them from parents and grandparents. While most family heirlooms contain very little monetary value, the sentimental value can never be truly measured. Some great examples of family heirlooms include:
- Furniture
- Dishes
- Textiles like embroidered artwork
- Decor items
There are so many delightful ways to weave them into your home decor. Have an old set of dishes from your grandmother? Display them in an elegant hutch; sometimes, you can find one in an antique store for a great price. Do you own a side table that has been passed down? Use it in your hall or entryway to hold keys and outgoing mail. There are also some unique ways to use non-traditional items, such as old suitcases. Add some legs and you can create a little coffee table that makes a great conversation starter. Did your grandmother love to create stitching samples? Have them framed and hung on the wall. Maybe you have an old furniture piece that is beyond repair, but some of the wood is still usable; consider having it turned into a different piece of furniture. The possibilities, like the love you share, are endless, and it is a beautiful way to keep your family close.
Family Photos or Collections
This can be a lot of fun and provide you with some amazing decor pieces that cannot be imitated anywhere else. There is an old saying that if walls could talk, well, now they can; they can be used as the largest storybook ever. Have a collection of old photos? Find matching or maybe not matching frames and display them for all to see, laugh, and smile with you. Did you have someone who loved to collect stamps or maybe postcards? These can also be beautiful wall decor items, or they can even be grouped together in larger frames or pinned on canvases to form elegant art. Because there is no one like you or your family, every photo or piece is exclusive to you. It is the perfect way to tell your story in a one-of-a-kind way and share it with others.
Purposeful Color Choices
Color is a powerful design tool because it can influence our moods and the overall atmosphere. It also possesses something else, a link to memory and representation of certain cultures. For instance, the African-American culture often highlights bold, beautiful colors like lime green and bright orange, while a Scandinavian palette tends to favor neutrals like gray and white. Don’t be afraid to incorporate the beautiful shades and tints that are from your culture; it’s a part of who you are, and people should see it when they come into your home. Just because that color hasn’t been used with the particular style you choose doesn’t mean it can’t. There are lots of fun ways to bring color into the design:
- Accent pieces like pillows
- Window treatments
- Paint
- Fabric for furniture
- Artwork
- Area rugs
- Decor pieces like a vase
Color tells a story, and in your home, it should be yours. Take the time to look through magazines, talk to family members, and create a design plan that fully represents you and your loved ones.
Patterns and Textures
Many cultures have particular patterns associated with them, such as the French fleur-de-lis and the Celtic knot. Both of these symbols are forever linked with their country and used in multiple design choices for flyers, graphics, and even textiles. This is a fun way to bring your culture into the home. Pillows, bedding, and window treatments can also be the perfect way to highlight families’ rich history in the home.
Greenbrook DesignFresh air, open outdoor spaces, and cooking on the grill are just a few of the benefits associated with having an outdoor space, which is becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. Our homes are our refuge, but an outdoor space is the perfect solution to curing cabin fever without having to pack up and drive somewhere. With spring just around the corner, we thought it would be a good time to highlight the reasons why an outdoor space matters, what elements should be included, and how to bring it all together to create the perfect outdoor space for everyone to enjoy.
Everyone enjoys returning to a well-organized, spacious kitchen after a long day. It’s even better if your kitchen includes a nicely organized pantry!
Walker Woodworking Have you ever found yourself in utter disarray, scavenging through the depths of your kitchen cabinets, relentlessly searching for that specific spice or measuring cup that you so desperately need, only to realize that you have no idea where it could be? If so, you’re not alone. An unorganized kitchen can be a source of immense frustration and consume a great deal of your time. However, with some simple yet practical tips, you can transform your cluttered and dysfunctional kitchen into a functional and efficient space. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best tips for organizing your kitchen cabinets so that you can enjoy the benefits of a tidy and well-organized kitchen.
While each home is unique, there are several common elements that designers use to craft the core of the story, such as color, texture, and pattern. Combining these things in various ways allows the client’s story of home to be told exactly the way that represents them best. Another element that is popular and fun to use is layers. Utilizing layers in your interior design is a great way to add depth to the room. It is where you mix and match items to create a blended design that results in a stunning final space for you and your family to enjoy. It involves selecting contrasting colors to create visual interest, allowing the room to make a statement to everyone entering. It utilizes a myriad of items, such as wallpaper, artwork, accent pieces, and rugs, to bring charm and character to each section of your home. There are multiple ways to incorporate layers throughout your home. Let’s talk about them.
Walker Woodworking Each year, new design trends are announced with the intention of highlighting what many homeowners and interior designers have enjoyed using or even a new way to use a traditional material or method. Another bonus to trend announcements is how it can become the spark needed to create the perfect space for someone. When it comes to refreshing your space or designing a brand new one, lighting plays a vital role in the process. Sufficient lighting should be a top priority in any area of the home, as it can help minimize eye strain and even reduce stress and accidents. As they are a key component in interior design, it is worth exploring the latest lighting trends announced for 2023. The lineup features a wide variety of sizes and styles that can be used throughout your home. We will unpack some of the top ones here in this blog.
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