If you have been following along (and if you haven’t I suggest you check out how Creating Your Signature Decor Style, Part 1, and The Importance of Defining Your Signature Style, Part 2) then you have read and followed some of the steps my two previous posts and are ready for Part 3.  In Part 1, we discuss how to identify what decor elements inspire you. In Part 2, we discuss why giving your style a name is so important, and how it can save you time and money, and now we are ready for Part 3, Achieving Your Signature Style.

How to Achieve Your Signature Style

Now it’s time to put everything we have talked about into practice—this is the fun part! But before you start putting on your shoes to rush out and go shopping, let’s pause for a minute: What did you discover about your signature style? Did anything about it surprise you? Did you take time to notice what elements or pieces in your home are your favorite? 

For myself, I have found that my favorite pieces are the collected ones—the pieces handed down from family and friends. It’s the art from arts festivals and crafts shows I’ve visited. It’s the unique items from crafts shows and yard sales, flea markets and antique stores that have all come together to create a style that I love, and that also feels like me. It has taken time and it will take more time to further curate my style. Along the way I’m sure my style will change, and as life evolves in our household (decorating is a tad different with a toddler!), certain decor elements will change also.

When we moved into our house six years ago, I desperately wanted our home to be cute, curated, and comfortable. It was none of these things for the first few years. Over the years it has slowly come to look like what I originally envisioned when we first laid eyes on it. It took time—I wanted to rush it, but you really can’t rush the collection of items that reflect your style if you just rush out to Home Goods (yes, I do love that store) or Pottery Barn. 

Not long after we moved into our home, my mother wanted to get rid of the piano they had. I had taken lessons while growing up, and really liked the five foot tall, slightly battered upright piano from the early 20th century. I begged her not to get rid of it and instead to let us have it. We were barely settled into our home when the piano movers were scheduled and the piano was delivered. Something really neat happened as soon as that piano arrived. My house started to feel like a home. There was something in my home that instantly felt like me, that had memories attached to it, and had a sense of heritage to it that is so important to me. I knew right away I wanted more items like this in my home. 

The other thing I learned along the way is that if I want my home to have unique things collected from craft shows, or vintage markets, then I have to go to vintage markets and crafts shows in order to stumble across these items. 

How Does this Look Actionably? 

The first thing to do is to go through your home and curate it. Pull out, take down, and gather everything you’re not absolutely in love with. Gather up all the items in vignettes that you feel aren’t quite working. Let your house rest. 

Myquillyn Smith, author of “The Nesting Place,” and “Cozy Minimalist Home,” talks about quieting your home. She goes really far with this, even taking out furniture that you aren’t using very often. Then you wait. Live in your home for a little while, and see what you miss. 

As you notice that you are starting to miss something, pull it back out and put it on display. What items are you holding onto that could go? Just because someone gave you something doesn’t mean you are obligated to keep it forever—especially if you don’t love it! 

If you come across things that you love but need something to make it work, make a list! Maybe you have a gorgeous pot but no plant; maybe you have a piece of art for which you need a frame—make a list. Then start keeping your eyes open for the right item to fill these gaps—remember, don’t rush! No one is going to judge you for taking a little longer to find the right piece that speaks to you just in order to fill a decor gap. 

Put Yourself Out There! 

When you get a sense of the items you are missing, maybe a large piece of art, or a comfortable chair, make an effort to visit places that might just have what you are looking for. If you like craft shows, go to craft shows! If you like vintage, go to flea markets and antique malls.

Above all, be patient! Just because you don’t stumble across the perfect thing doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist!

I hope this little series has been enlightening and given you actionable steps to clarify and curate your decorating style and to create a home you love! Remember, if you have found this post helpful, the kindest thing you can do is to share this post with someone you know—this helps me to be able to continue creating these posts for you and your friend will be touched that you thought of them! Thanks in advance!

Disclosure

Please remember that this post contains affiliate links; that means if you click on the link, I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a way to support my blog! I will only ever share an affiliate link if I love the product and think that you just might love it too!

Other Posts You May Enjoy: 

What Inspires You- Finding Your Signature Decor Style Part One

The Importance of Defining Your Signature Style – Part 2

Capsule Decor

Who Told You?

How to Start Decorating a Room

Outdoor Decorating Ideas for 2023

In the last Homemaking post I shared how to find your signature style, (see that post here) and this post we are talking about the importance of defining our signature style. Why does defining your signature style even matter?? Why should you go through these exercises?

The reason to take time to find what styles, colors, and textures speak to you is so that you can create a home that inspires you and makes you come alive.

By doing these things you can create a curated home that looks like you and your style.

As to why you should define your style it is simple; if you never put a some sort of label on your decor style (you can make up a style name- we will talk about that in a minute) then you never have a guide for what makes the cut to bring into your home and what doesn’t. If you don’t have any sort of guide then your home will fail to look cohesive and curated.

Naming Your Decor Style

If you went through Pinterest you probably saw a wide range of styles including: 

• Farmhouse; shiplap, chippy furniture, galvanized metal
• Classic; Timeless elements, sleek lines
• Maximalist; lots and lots of color, patterns,and lots of stuff! 
• Bohemian; earthy tones and textures, woven materials, plants!! 
• Midcentury; 1950s-1960s inspired furniture, often shades of pea green, yellow, blue and red.
• Modern; somewhat minimal, very streamlined look.
• Industrial; exposed brick walls, metal, less upholstered materials. 
• Grandmillenial; antique store meets grandma’s house, more of a feminine feel. Lots of florals.

Now a thoughtfully decorated home should be a mix of your favorite parts of these styles; for example: I like elements of Bohemian Style, but it’s not my most favorite look, however I love the life all the plants that Boho style is known for, gives to a home. So I draw some inspiration from this style when it comes to my plant life in my house. 

How Do You Decide?

That is why Part 1- Finding Your Signature Decor Style was so important! What are the elements of these styles that make you come alive!

 For me, my signature style favorite elements include: 

• Classic elements; I always want my home to have a timeless look.
• Vintage pieces 
• Pops of color
• Art collected from craft shows and arts festivals. 

These elements all come together in a style I have named; Artsy Vintage Classic.

I could have also called it a hint of grandmillenial vintage with a modern twist. Despite what I actually name the end result is that I have a guideline for what my style is, and what comes into my home. When a friend was getting rid of their mid century buffet (originally from the 1960s) I could look at it and know that this mid century piece would fit in with other vintage pieces I have and work in my home. When I am at home goods and see a very modern piece of art that I like, I can assess if it fits into my home, and whenI decide that while I like it, I don’t love it, and it is a little modern for my style, then it stays in the store and just I come home!

Now if you, or I, see a piece we absolutely love, that makes our heart flutter and our palms get sweaty, but isn’t quite like the rest of the items in our home should we buy it? Yes!! If you love it, really love it, then there will be a way to make it work in your home.

That is part of the beauty of bringing only pieces that you really love into your home; your signature look comes to light because you are creating it out of pieces you really love and themes will emerge.

By taking the time to go through these steps; identifying and naming your decor style you will create a curated home that will always possess a timeless feel!

Disclosure

Please remember that this post contains affiliate links; that means if you click on the link, I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a way to support my blog! I will only ever share an affiliate link if I love the product and think that you just might love it too!

Other Posts You May Enjoy: 

What Inspires You- Finding Your Signature Decor Style Part One

Capsule Decor

Who Told You?

How to Start Decorating a Room

Outdoor Decorating Ideas for 2023