Our conversation on identifying our individual and unique aesthetics continued with a jam packed episode of ‘A Quarter Til Wine’. Yesterday I had the opportunity to discuss how I walk not only clients, but my own thoughts as I approach design. In a world of trends and the implied need to chase them to keep our homes ‘current’ we often lose sight of what is truly meaningful to us. Instead of diving deeper into our own voice and creating a home rooted in what it is that uplifts us, we live in a surface level of ‘beauty’ eagerly hoping to ‘please thy neighbor’.  Is there a way to enjoy and embrace trends that is authentic and supports our unique nuances? Of course! It, however, takes care and understanding. It takes patience and discernment. 

Where did you grow up?

This is one of the questions I ask when I begin working with clients. The environment where we grow up plays an incredibly important role in what we see as comforting and safe. Whether we are conscious of this or not, your childhood home is ‘where it all began’ of sorts. Acknowledging this contribution and considering what pieces you’ve carried with you in your own home is an immensely helpful starting point. 

While this is where our journey begins, I caution clients of using this as a blueprint for the home they are building for themselves and their families. Just as you are a evolved representation of both of your parents, your home will and should be an evolution as well. As many of us are also building a home with a partner, and having children of our home, the influences will continue. To identify your home’s truest tapestry all of these starting points and varied journeys need to be considered.

Seek outside influences

Put down the Pinterest boards, turn off HGTV, pause the social media scrolling, and look up! It is no secret that when artists are seeking inspiration they look at the world around them. The same should be true when you are still training your eye to recognize your unique design aesthetic. I urge clients to describe what colors, patterns, shapes and textures they are drawn to without using ‘room inspiration’ as a starting point. Even in the most thoughtful way the truth is that you will inevitably fall into the ‘recreate this’ or ‘recreate that’ and base your decisions on someone else’s ideas. While I am not stranger to admiring beautiful rooms and decor, I shy away from relying heavily on them, especially when I’m at the beginning stages with my clients. They need to see themselves in the world, and it is my job to pluck it out and transform them in their home.

Dare Yourself

Some of the most profound artists of today pride themselves in going against the grain, almost to a fault. Dare yourself to do the opposite and you may uncover something you never thought possible. When you're listening to your heart, you’ll find that the shifting trends won’t sway your contentment with what you appreciate. Blinders are often the most productive piece we can add to how we digest our modern world. We are continually bombarded with other’s views and opinions and we are led to believe that we should develop similar ones. This could not be further from the truth and I know.

What I believe and know to be true is that when we aren’t afraid to say ‘yes’ to what we love, ‘no’ to what we aren’t passionate about we create a world that we don’t need to change but one that ages better over time.

What popular trend are you not crazy about? What is something that went against the grain in your own home?