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 DesignThe kitchen tends to be one of the busiest areas in the home, and over the last year, it has become more than just a place to cook food. It has evolved into a multifunctional space where everyone gathers to perform a wide range of tasks. With so much at stake, planning a renovation requires careful thought and well-designed plans. Many designers caution against following the latest trends, but there are a few additional design mistakes they also encourage their clients to avoid. If you are considering a renovation or a new construction project, here are our top five biggest kitchen design mistakes to avoid.
Countertops are often underappreciated and underrated in the design world. They are the true workhorses of any space, as they are used regularly and withstand a great deal. We chop, pound, knead, spill, and more all over these smooth surfaces, yet they continue to function day after day. Unfortunately, they are not meant to last forever. Experts recommend replacing them every 10 to 15 years, especially if signs of wear and tear are evident, such as stubborn stains, chips, or cracks.
Walker Woodworking Sometimes, certain areas of home decor have been influenced by trends that are no longer in style and can make the space feel dated or even uninviting. Rooms also serve a specific purpose, and those can change over time. If your children are no longer living with you, their bedroom can be transformed into a craft room or even a guest suite. There are also some new things that are making their way onto potential homebuyers’ lists. We have done some research for you and discovered some of the top new items being used in home design.
It is always fun to watch those home improvement shows. It is always a delight to watch designers come up with a plan that completely transforms the space from drab to fab. Often, after watching those shows, you have a tendency to look around your own home, wishing you could give it an update, but a renovation is not conceivable at the moment for one reason or another. The good news is that you don’t have to undergo a renovation to give your home a lift or freshen it up; sometimes it’s the little things —the details —that can completely revamp your space and make a big impact without breaking the bank. Discover six simple ways you can freshen up your home and even make it feel completely new without going through a renovation.
Here are some steps you can take to ensure your kitchen is healthy and ready for creating dishes that are not only delicious but also beneficial for your family’s health. We know that it is not always easy to stick with the decision to be healthier, but with a well-designed kitchen, it can be. With over twenty years of experience, our design team is well-versed in planning a kitchen design that functions well for your specific needs while also reflecting the style you will love. We serve more than 15 counties and invite you to visit our 5,000-square-foot showroom, where you can walk through multiple kitchen displays to get a feel for the possibilities that await you. Connect with us and let’s start planning a healthy kitchen design.
Walker Woodworking