Your home should tell your story

This week I was asking a new client how she wants her newly transformed home to look when complete. She said above anything else, she wants a home which looks and feels uniquely hers. A home which reflects her family’s style, personality and unique story.

This was music to my ears! This philosophy is the key to how I help my clients transform their homes. That’s why I offer a truly bespoke service. I work with you to create spaces which are completely unique. It’s a very personal and individual process. With this in mind, here are my top tips if you’re wondering how you can inject some of your own personality into your home.

1. Do not follow trends!

Always go for pieces, colours, patterns and materials which you feel drawn to, which make you feel fabulous. Trends are not a true reflection of your personality and you’ll quickly get bored of them or they’ll start to look dated in years to come. Don’t rush to choose everything all at once - better that items are collected over time and come with a story attached rather than being the same as every third house on the street.

2. Get the photos out.

Blow the special ones up to size, choose pics with colours which will tie in with your room scheme and find beautiful frames which will suit the style. Create a gorgeous gallery wall of your favourites, the ones which will evoke memories and really show off your family’s personality. Perhaps you might pick an eclectic mix of different style frames in different sizes whilst keeping the photos all black and white. Display old photos of family (don’t forget any pets!) alongside more recent snaps to show your family’s story.

3. Showcase your interests.

Ask yourself, what are you into? How can you show it off? Do you like music, art, nature, sport, holidays? Can you find a print or special objects which reflects this? I created a home office for a client who was hugely into lego and we displayed his creations in perspex boxes on the walls - a fantastic way to fill the space to the brim with personality.

4. Get creative.

With the lego in mind, are there any objects you can cleverly display on the walls? Plates are a great example of this. The same with children’s artwork, framing your favourite pieces is a beautiful way to showcase memories which are uniquely yours. Or could you create your own art? Check out these lovely frames from My Little Davinci, made especially for kids artwork. The front openings mean they can easily be updated with fresh artwork.

5. Curate and show off your own art collection.

Art is such a personal choice so picking pieces which speak to you which you’ve collected over the years is a great way to showcase your style. Go oversized to make a real statement and always make sure you frame your artwork properly - a trip to the local frame store should take care of this in the best way possible.

6. Design your home from the heart.

Going back to my ‘don’t follow trends’ mantra, you want to design your home YOUR way and not anyone else’s. Choose colours, furniture, accessories which you feel drawn to and the more personal the better. Spend time researching in magazines and online, pulling together and editing imagery to really dig deep into a discovery of your unique style. Once you are clear on this, look out for pieces and colours which reflect this and don’t be afraid to go for it. Upcycle an old chest of drawers by painting it your favourite colour, or jazz up an old floor with a rug you love. Find some wallpaper which you adore and find a spot for it in a place which you know will cheer you up every day.

7. Bring out the family heirlooms

Pieces which have been passed down through generations are a fantastic way to bring your home to life and tell its story. Don’t get rid of your grandmothers vases. Dig collectibles and antiques out the attic - see how they look on display. Sand down and stain an old piece of furniture - you’ll be amazed how you can bring something up to date with a wood stain or lick of paint. And if you don’t have any of your own, scour antique stores, boot sales, Facebook Marketplace or eBay for unique one off pieces which tell a story.

8. Create a feeling.

When guests enter your home how do you want them to feel? A home should give off a vibe just like you do. Are you a calm person who has everything in order? Or are you very creative and love to be surrounded by stuff? Don’t be afraid to allow your home to reflect this. Use scent and texture to draw people in. Scented candles, diffusers, throws, pillows, sumptuous curtain fabric which will make people want to reach out and touch and feel in their surroundings. It’s all in the detail here and much of it will happen organically anyway so don’t overthink!

Does your home need a little storytelling? Are you struggling to bring your home to life and need a hand? Drop me a line and see if I can help.