Essentially EmmaMarie
How to Achieve Your Signature Style
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!
How to Achieve Your Signature Style
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.
The Importance of Defining Your Signature Style – Part 2
In the last Homemaking post I shared how to find your signature style, 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?
What Inspires You- Finding Your Signature Decor Style Part One
Frankly I’ve been feeling a bit bored with my home…Our house projects have been focused on the outside this year, and looking around I realize that a lot of my decor has been the same for some time. Yes, I’ve changed out my vignettes, and centerpieces but overall… the same. This is not to say that over that past year I haven’t bought a new thing or two for my home; I have purchased several prints of original art… but haven’t gotten them framed and on display yet!
Outdoor Decorating Ideas for 2023
Summer is right around the corner! We often focus on the inside of our homes but what about the outside? In today’s post I am sharing several ways that you can enjoy your outdoor space more this summer; including how to rehab older pieces of wood and perhaps how to get more life out of your wooden deck without having to redo it!
Centerpieces for Late Spring and Early Summer
It is not too early for me to start playing with some late spring/early summer centerpieces! Using elements you probably already own here are several ideas for how to DIY super simple centerpieces for late spring/early summer for your dining room table!
Spring Decorating for 2023
Are you ready to decorate for spring? In this post I am sharing a few spring cleaning ideas, vignette Ideas, and more ways you can refresh your home, get ready for spring, and decorate this year!
Easy DIY Easter and Spring Wreath
If you don’t yet have a spring wreath check out this post for how to make your own Easter wreath or spring wreath- these are super easy! One doesn’t even require any glue!
How to Keep Groceries Fresher Longer
The average American family wastes about 40% percent of the food that they buy each year (according to the FDA), which roughly converts to around 250 pounds of food wasted by the average American family. That's huge! What would you do if you got almost half of the...