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 WoodworkingYou are considering doing a kitchen renovation, but are a little nervous because of what your friend told you when they renovated their kitchen. The project was completed, and they settled into their new space and enjoyed many of the latest amenities. Then something happened. As they adjusted to the area, they thought about something that could have been done differently or that they wished they had added.
This design trend seems to always be among the most popular, and you don’t have to live on a farm to appreciate this simple, inviting style. In a world that seems never to stop moving, there is often a need to create a space where you can slow down, unwind from the cares of the day, and enjoy the simple things. In this blog, we want to explain precisely what the farmhouse style is and how you can incorporate a little of the past into your future.
Greenbrook DesignWe are excited to share this recently historic home remodel, built in 1824. This project presented us with some unique design challenges that we were able to overcome, resulting in a beautiful finished product and a very well-functioning kitchen.
Also known as Antebellum architecture, this property not only gives us an intimate look at how people once lived in this southern region but also shows the characteristics and style of a stunning southern design, which remains rich in history.
Greenbrook Design
Walker WoodworkingDesign trends are shifting, and people are looking to maximize space by combining rooms, so the laundry room has been built to meet this demand. A mudroom combined with a laundry room can be a great area. As the family enters the home, they can drop off any dirty clothing, eliminating any major messes. This is also a logical spot to have the dog feeding area or even the litter box, both of which prevent your guests from seeing the dirty side of your pets. A small pet bathing area can be added, making it convenient to wash the dog and then dry it with the towel in the washer. There are a few other combinations, including a pantry or bathroom. Be sure to consider what matters most to you and your family’s needs.
Walker Woodworking