How to find your style

I'll be honest, I've been thinking about this post for a while after it was requested and it's a difficult one to write. In all honestly, it's less of a 'top tips' post and more of a reminder to follow your instinct. I'm sorry to say there is no easy way to find your style, although there are a number of quizzes you can take on google (how well they work I don't know). There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to your personal style, it is completely up to you how you choose to design your home (or anything for that matter) and I firmly believe in purchasing products you love rather than trying to follow a trend or someone else's style. After all, your style will evolve over time and although their may be themes that continue, there is no doubt that something you may think you like now will be heading for the charity shop in a couple of months/years.

No idea where to start?
Instinctively you'll know immediately if you like or don't like something - start by exploring shops, Instagram, Pinterest and books to see what you're drawn to, save them all in one place and keep adding to it until you establish some themes in your saved images. This isn't something I would rush, keep looking regularly and saving new images and you will probably delete some you previously saved. When buying items for the home I like to look at them as a long term investment - is Item A going to move house with me when I'm ready to move on? If not, it's probably not worth the money and it's best to choose something that'll stand the test of time.

When studying Interior Design at college one lecturer said "you should never use wallpaper on the ceiling". I left that class feeling SO frustrated that said lecturer of course wasn't imparting factual interior design knowledge at all, but in fact was letting us know her opinion on it. She was wrong FYI - a couple of days later I went into a cafe toilet and it was the most beautifully designed space; tiled walls, quirky lighting, a patterned sink and your guessed it... bright patterned wallpaper on the ceiling. Here's another example of how it can work if done correctly:

Source: theidentite.co via pinterest

Here are some examples of different homes to start inspiring your style journey, all different and all beautiful in their own right. There are no rules and you absolutely do not have to stick to one style, you do you!

Source: threeboysandapinkbath instagram

Source: marta_kop_home instagram

Source: scandi.liebe instagram

Source: thebarnatmanorfarm instagram

Source: minimalhouseandhome instagram

If you take one piece of advice from this post please let it be to never compare yourself. As hard as that can be scrolling through endless aesthetically pleasing Instagram feeds and Pinterest moodboards, your home should be a place you feel safe and happy. Try to enjoy your surroundings, how boring would it be if everyone's home looked the same?!

AHJ