Written by Kathleen Ellis
Everyone deserves to live in a home that adds beauty to their everyday lives. However, many people feel intimidated, confused and overwhelmed when it comes to creating a home that truly reflects who they are and their own unique sense of style. By following these easy steps you will be well on your way to creating a living space that will make you feel comfortable and “at home” because it reflects who you are.
1) Get Inspired
Who are you? What do you like? Where do you vacation? What colors are you drawn to? These are all questions that need to be answered…by you. For a bit of help, visit a bookstore, grab a latte and dig into the limitless supply of home magazines and books. As you begin to notice rooms, colors, ideas that get your attention, make note, buy those magazines and when you get them home start tearing out pages and marking what it is that grabbed you. You may need to do this a few times before you have a pretty good collection of “visions” to consider. You should begin to see some similarities developing in color and style.
2) Consider Your Senses
You spend more time in your home than anyone else, therefore, it should be a place that makes you feel good. What is “good” to you? Cozy? Luxurious? Casual? Elegant? Formal? Relaxed? Light & Airy? Think about places you’ve visited that have renewed you, nourished you, excited or relaxed you. Was it a cozy country cottage inn? A light and airy beach bungalow? An elegant French chateau?
What kind of place feed your senses, nourish your soul? When you define those elements you’ll want to then look for ways to incorporate them into your home.
3) Relax
Once the pieces begin to come together…relax! Reflect, ponder, dream and envision your home becoming a sanctuary that welcomes you in and hugs you each time you come through the door. A place that makes you smile when you think of it. A haven you just can’t wait to get to get back to.
YES! Your home can be all of that! and more!
4) Get Comfortable
Now you’re almost ready to make your game plan, but first you need to get comfortable with color!
Many of you are needlessly living with off-white walls simply because you’re afraid of color! Fear not! Color is a wonderful way to express your style. Color affects our mood and can set the tone and mood in a room in a way that off-white just can’t do! In the process of collecting your visions you came across colors that drew your attention, spoke to you. One of the best ways to transition into using color on your walls is to bring those pictures to the paint store, find those colors and buy them in the smallest size you can. Get some foam project boards and put 3 to 4 coats of your color on 2 or 3 boards. Then live with them for awhile. Move them around your room, look at them in daylight, candlelight, sunset, sunrise…you get the idea! This will help you become comfortable with the color. If it’s not quite right, go back to the paint store and try a lighter or darker version. Repeat the same process until you come up with just the right color. Then, after steps 5 & 6, go for it! You’ll be glad you did!
5) Make a Plan
Now is when you’re going to put action into place! Make a list of all you want to accomplish in your home to transform it into your vision. Don’t hold back! Dream…be outrageous, if necessary! Of course you can’t do it all at once, but you need to have it written down so you can make a plan of action.
Once you’ve completed your list begin to prioritize the items. Where do you want to begin? What will be the second project, etc. When you’ve decided on your first project, break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Remember, “You can eat an elephant, one bite at a time.” My suggestion for the first place to begin is your bedroom. I know no one sees it except…you. Isn’t that the very reason why you’re on this journey? Your bedroom is the first place you see every morning and the last place you see every night!
Doesn’t it make sense to make it the first place you transform into a sanctuary that reflects who you are?
6) Make Choices
Now is the time to look at the elements in the space you’ve decided to transform. Look around…what do you see? Are there pieces you love? Keep those! Items you really dislike? Get rid of them! Things you’re not sure about? Remove them for now, perhaps you’ll bring them back at a later date. By removing elements you don’t like and those you’re not sure about you’ll free your mind to consider other options in their place. Now, what do you need to make the space complete? Make your list and begin the adventure of finding just the right pieces that reflect your style. This is a process, be patient, better to live with an empty space than to fill it with something that you don’t absolutely love.
When you are on this adventure, look everywhere. Traditional stores, thrift shops, discount stores, auctions, etc. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find once you’ve defined your style and have a focus!
If something “speaks to your heart,” don’t walk away from it. Whatever it is, because you love it, it will work in your home. When you consistently bring things home that you love they will eventually all work together.
7) Enjoy!
You are well on your way to creating a home that is uniquely you! Be sure to make time to enjoy it and remember to enjoy the process along the way. Your home should be ever evolving, with little changes and updates every so often. This will keep it a current reflection of you as you grow more and more comfortable with expressing your own unique sense of style!
About Kathleen
Kathleen Ellis, Lifestyle Designer, decorator, speaker, writer and TV personality, specializes in teaching you how to create a life of TOTAL BEAUTY which includes Inner Beauty, Outer Beauty and Surrounding Beauty. Kathleen believes your unique sense of style should be reflected in your life choices & mindset, your wardrobe and your home. She is an expert at motivating and inspiring you to create the Beautiful Life you dream of and to bloom into Beautiful Woman you were created to be. For a life of total beauty visit Kathleen’s website at www.kathleenellis.blogspot.com.
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