Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Tips for Bringing Personality into your Home


We're all pretty much over the worst of the nasty plague that infected us, but things are still really busy around here. I'm super excited to have my sweet friend Kathryn guest posting here today! Kathryn has the cutest style and is super creative when it comes to home decor on a budget. As I've been searching for ideas and inspiration to style my house, I almost always end up thinking "what would Kathryn do?". Yeah, she's good. Kathryn was sweet enough to share some of her tops tips here. Make sure you hope over to her blog Mox and Fodder and check out the pics of her Seattle condo that she shares with her hubby Joey and their adorable pup Zu Zu. 
Thanks a bunches Kathryn- love ya!

I believe that developing a personal design aesthetic is the first step to making your house feel, well, like a home.  Since buying my first condo, I’ve slowly brought my personal style in, and it has transformed the space.   I’ve compiled some tips for how I was able to make my home match my personality.

Tip #1: Choose a paint color that speaks to you—who cares if it is lime green, or fuchsia, or just plain white.  As long as it is something you love, you can make it work!

I doubt that many people would call grey their favorite color, but I happen to love it.  So much so, that I painted about 80% of the walls in our condo a light shade of grey.   On first glance, it might appear bland, but anyone who knows me, will testify that it matches my aesthetic perfectly.  I tend to get overwhelmed if there is too much color in a room.


Tip #2: Think about what inspires you. Embrace décor that is meaningful to you or represents your ideals.

I believe that there is beauty in almost everything.  One person’s junk is another’s treasure.  For instance, I made a wall hanging out of scraps of fabric I found at Goodwill Outlet.   While someone else thought the fabric was junk, I saw buried potential, and now I have a beautiful piece of art hanging in my living room. It’s one of my favorite pieces of décor in my house and it exemplifies the ability to find beauty off the beaten path.





Tip #3: Develop a decorating budget that you feel comfortable with and stick to it. You won’t be able to enjoy your space if you are in debt.

Since I work in the finance profession, I have a tendency to be very cautious with money.  It shapes all of my decisions, including my furniture choices. I always had a dream of owning a mid century modern style credenza from Design Within Reach.  Unfortunately, the price was not within my reach. Thus, I had to compromise and buy something more affordable.  I landed on two PS Lockers from Ikea, which I absolutely love.  Even though I might have liked the look of a mid century credenza better, I would have regretted spending so much money.   

Tip 4: Show off your hobbies.  Do you have a postcard collection? Why not make a collage and frame them? What about those old bowling trophies?  Show them off!

Joey (my husband) and I love to play music.  We have a wide array of instruments, including the dulcimer and slide guitar hanging next to our bed.  Anyone who walks into our room can tell right away how proud we are of our instruments.  It’s a great representation of our shared interests.


Tip #5: Don’t be afraid to make a bold statement with your décor choices.  Even if your personality verges on the cautious side, surely there is one thing you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the courage to.  Whether it’s buying that purple couch that you’ve been eying, or hanging a disco ball, as long as you exude confidence, it will always be stylish.

Joey is a graphic designer and artist.  I’ve always wanted to give him a creative space where he could have free reign.  That is why I painted one of the walls in our office with chalkboard paint.  While I was nervous about whether it was too trendy, I decided to let my inhibitions go.  I’m glad I did, because it’s the perfect place for Joey to get his creative juices flowing.  Plus, whenever I want a change, all I have to do is ask him to draw something new.

I hope you found these tips helpful.  Just remember to be yourself, and your space will look great.

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