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.
Walker Woodworking When space is limited, it is valuable and greater thought is invested in creating a design that maximizes square footage to provide a functional space for the homeowner. Both manufacturers and designers alike are continuously thinking of new ways to give their clients the things they need, but using less space. One such item is the Murphy bed, yes, the one used in multiple comedy routines, but it has evolved into a stylish piece, yet remains as functional as ever. It is also comparable in price point to a traditional bed. Could the Murphy bed be the solution to your limited space problem? Let’s unpack exactly what it is and how it can help give you additional room in your home.
Walker Woodworking What to do when you don’t have the luxury of square footage? How can you create storage when there is not a lot of room, to begin with? Can you make small spaces work for you? These are good questions that we have helped our clients answer numerous times. While it may present more challenges than a larger home, it is possible to have the necessary storage for you to keep everything you need on hand. Small is not bad; in fact, it comes with multiple benefits, and a good design can help you maximize the space you do have to build a home that is exactly right for you. Let’s talk about some creative storage solutions for small spaces.
Walker Woodworking We always say details matter, and that goes beyond a project. Your home is filled with details that tell your guests who you are and what matters to you. Artwork, pottery pieces, and furniture are just a few things that give homeowners a chance to show off their style. Another area is hosting, and tablescapes have become a beautiful, fun way to share your own unique design choices with family and friends. Whether it is for a small gathering to enjoy time with those you love or to celebrate a special occasion, there are many ways to create the perfect look. By combining different colors, patterns, or materials, you can create a tablescape that will dazzle your guests, whether you prefer an elaborate or simple design.
Greenbrook Design Window treatments have made an interesting journey through the years in interior design. From floor to ceiling and mere window length, they have travelled the full circle of style. Today, window treatments can come in a variety of forms and options, plus they do more than just block out the sun; they can finish the look of a room and add the necessary touch that brings out the homeowner’s personality. Windows are our connection to nature and are an essential part of the home, which means they deserve proper consideration and care. They are also an area of the room that naturally draws the eye of the homeowner and guest alike. Most of the time, however, windows tend to be overlooked.
Greenbrook Design There’s nothing quite like the warm weather and smell of blooming flowers that come with springtime. While you may have grown used to cozying up indoors during the colder months, now you can start spending more time tending to your garden, playing with your kids in the yard, and kicking back on the patio while enjoying the sun.
But in order to fully enjoy your time outside (and potentially save yourself from having to pay for expensive home repairs in the future), you will need to perform some basic home maintenance. To help you get started, here are some key areas to tackle this spring, brought to you by Greenbrook Design.
Walker Woodworking