I’ve been pretty deep into thinking through what it takes to create a home that flows. A home that has soul. A home that makes you feel something.
Working on my home styling course over the last few months has helped me focus on examining the nitty-gritty of what gives a home that certain something.
Photos by: Christa Tippmann
The conclusion I have come to is that it requires a homeowner (or two) who are willing to invest time and effort into:
Consciously Identifying Goals For The Home
Reflection
Identifying a General Vision
Maintenance
Approaching Styling As A Fluid Process
I have spent hours of my life delving into the specifics of this 5-step process and think it encapsulates the process of creating a home.
But as I was stirring the oatmeal this morning, it occurred to me that I overlooked something.
And it’s an important something.
Discipline.
I’m not talking about some super strict, rigid set of rules that must be followed at all costs.
I’m all for flow, and play and experimentation in the home.
But it also can’t be a free for all. There has to be some semblance of order.
Decorating With Discipline
Let’s apply the concept of discipline to the 5-Step Framework:
GOALS: Have the discipline to approach one space at a time and follow through until completion.
REFLECTION: Have the discipline to hold off on purchasing or making big changes without first taking time to think about the desired outcome.
VISION: Creating a list of colors/fabrics/materials/shapes/textures and having the discipline to stick to them as you shop and build out your spaces over time (repetition of these elements allows for a curated feel without chaos).
MAINTENANCE: Like it or not, your house will never look beautiful or feel as good as it could if you neglect basic cleaning and maintainence. It doesn’t have to be photo-ready. Have the discipline to keep your home clean and (somewhat) tidy; it goes a long way.
STYLING: Knowing how much (or how little) decor you like and staying true to what you love despite trends requires discipline as well.
If that feels like too much thinking and theory, here’s what it looks like in the real world.
When shopping for your home, buy primarily neutral items (grey, black, tan, and brown) according to your color palette. When faced with a choice between a fun fashion color and a neutral, I almost always go for the neutral. This reduces the chances that I will tire of the color as it goes out of style, allowing the item to remain in my core collection of decor for longer. This makes it more budget-friendly, more sustainable and allows me to confidently invest in higher quality items that I know will be with me for years.
Repeat the same thing. Over and over and over. And over. I always use baskets as an example of this. I am continually buying baskets for different spaces of my home. I’ve been buying them for 15 years. And for 15 years I have pretty consistently purchased the same basket material. Water hyacinth woven baskets. Now, well into this process, I can pull a basket from one room and know that it will match with the others that are already in there. Similarly, when you walk from room to room you will see that consistent motif repeated in my laundry room, office, bedroom, powder room… it adds an element of consistency and cohesion.
Do you agree? Disagree?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
xoxo,
Suzette