Washington - Fashion blogger Candace Ourisman shares her top five tips on putting together a space that shows your personality:
1. Let your home reflect your passion. Having ridden horses all my life, the equestrian lifestyle resonates with me. Throughout my house, there are touches of equine just about everywhere: a photo of a powerful stallion galloping through water in my bedroom, a wooden sculpture of a horse on the living-room mantel, even a whimsical bench with four hooves. Surrounding myself with my passions makes this house feel like my home.
2. Collect books that tell your story. I have been collecting coffee table books for years. Family and friends have caught on, and many have given me some of my favourites. These books, sprinkled throughout, serve as a constant reminder of my interests and passions: art, fashion and design. Whether your interests are space or watchmaking, start collecting books that you can display.
3. Create an opening statement. I love a good conversation starter and wanted a space that was anything but boring. The graphic wallpapered dining room is the first thing you see when you enter our house. You immediately have a glimpse into my personality.
4. Show your own style of hospitality. Food is something everyone relates to. I have a notorious sweet tooth, so friends know that when they come over there will always be a giant bowl of M&Ms out. I always know which friends walk by without a blink, and those who can’t resist.
5. Honour history. Pieces of our family histories are sprinkled throughout the house. My favourite is a large gold goat that used to live in my foyer when I was growing up.
Designers specialise in interpreting clients’ hopes and dreams. Erica Burns, who helped Candace with the design of her home, shares five tips on how to create your personal dream home.
1. Spend time gathering inspiration. At my first meeting with Candace, she had stacks of magazine clippings and dozens of Pinterest boards. Each one had something she liked, whether it was an overall feel of a space or a lamp she coveted. Even though they may have been different looks, you can start to see a common thread throughout that provides a foundation for a design.
2. Use your own fashion style as a guide. Do you lean towards jeans and a white T-shirt, or do you love bold patterns and haute design? The way people dress often says a lot about how they want their rooms to feel. If you’re preppy, that will reflect a more tailored and co-ordinated room. If you’re more boho, that home would be more layered and eclectic.
3. Decorate for you, not someone else. So many times, people think they should replicate a room or look they see in catalogues. But it really doesn’t reflect who they are. Take time to think about what you really want.
4. Shop for things over time. Most people are anxious to decorate a home soon after they buy it, but it can be great to collect things over time. Keep a list of items you need and always be on the lookout for them.
5. Add in a few things a bit outside your comfort zone. This may seem counter-intuitive, but doing some pieces that are a little against the grain will help balance the space. If you love neutrals and simple patterns, adding a colourful lamp or an interesting piece of art will give it a twist. Or if you love pattern and colour, white walls or a muted rug might be what you need to make those fabrics really stand out.
Washington Post