When it comes to creating a vision for their home, would you be surprised to know that most people have no idea what they want? If you fit in this category, it’s okay. I’ve found that over the years, we’ve lost our ability to dream. I assume the daily demands of life combined with social exceptions and financial constraints have robbed us of our ability to recognize our true heart’s desires.

However, I invite you into my world. Let’s go behind the curtain and through the process of establishing a design direction for your home in three simple steps.

Step #1 – Explore the idea…

A less intimidating approach I use to get ideas flowing comes from my own therapist who often asks me to, “Explore the idea…” If you’ve ever worked with me, you’ve likely heard me use this approach on you. This notion allows you to take the limits off and ask for what you really want. Trust me, none of my five children have a problem with telling me what they want. Little children have no problem with exploring infinite possibilities. Let’s borrow this valuable lesson from them.

If you are meeting with us or plan to meet with us soon, carve out some time for idea exploration. Design magazines, your favorite restaurant, hotel, houzz idea books, or even our Pinterest boards are all excellent ways to discover and keep track of your favorite rooms. These are all common methods in which clients show us what inspires them.

Step #2 – Ask Yourself…

We ask clients lots of questions to help formulate design concepts and get creative juices flowing. Here are a few for you to think about. I’d recommend you first writing the answers to the questions that come easiest to you, then go back and decide if you want to answer the others.

• What places or destinations inspire you?
• Do you read home/lifestyle magazines or blogs? Which ones?
• Where do you feel most welcome? Why?
• What did you love most about your childhood home? Dislike?
• What do others complement you most on?
• How would you describe your fashion sense?
• Would you entertain more if you were more confident about your home?
• What do you feel is your greatest hurdle in achieving the home of your dreams?

Step #3 – Review, Revise…

Review the answers and highlight what feels good to you. Mediate on each item even if it means closing your eyes and letting your mind wander. Smell the scents, notice the details, dream in color and then write that down, too. The more clarity you have on how you want your home to look and feel, the more motivated you will be to achieve it.

Let’s Pause for a Moment of Transparency…Here’s An Example

As much as I enjoy making my client’s home a reflection of those who live there, I’ve only recently taken the time to do this in my own home.

Though we live in Atlanta, our family has always been inspired by coastal living. I’d love for each room to mimic the peace of the sea and place emphasis on worry-free living. I personally feel a sense of comfort when I have family heirlooms in my home. They feel both authentic and time-honored. For example, a mirror from my grandmother’s living room hangs over the mantel in our kitchen. We have a large family and feel most welcomed in spaces that can accommodate us even if the room is small. Exotic destinations are on the travel list my husband and I created together. It may be a while before we get to all of them, but our favorites can make an appearance in our home. Does that mean we have wooden beach signs on the walls and Chinese red silk drapery in our dining room?

No.

However, we’ve realized some of these dreams in the following ways:

• Purchased a large sectional to accommodate our desire to lounge together (ACCOMMODATION, WORRY FREE LIVING)
• Placed an emphasis on natural materials by adding a few rattan accent chairs, installing seagrass carpet in my favorite room, and decorating with teak accessories (COASTAL LIVING, PEACE OF THE SEA)
• Painted the main areas of our home white and allowed the view of the backyard to take center stage (NATURE-INSPIRED)
• We’ve made the dining room bold and exciting with saturated color and large pattern, while the bedrooms are painting in calming hues and have less energetic patterns. (EXOTIC DESTINATIONS)
• We’ve slowly began to acquire small vintage pieces and invest in larger antiques (AUTHENTIC AND TIME-HONORED)

Next Steps…

The design and decorating process should be accessible and enjoyable. Through our service offerings and this blog, we seek to deliver insights, advice, tips, and inspiration to help you create the home of your dreams. Confidence is key and most times insider knowledge is essential for the completion of a well appointed home.

We’d love to hear how we can support you in the quest of crafting your ideal home. Here are a few ways to get in touch:

• Leave a comment below
• Send us a private message here
• Schedule time to meet with us

We look forward to working with you!