Traditional or modern? Fussy or minimalist? Find your design style and create a personal haven.

By Dee Dee Taylor Hannah

Renaissance—the re-birth, a new beginning. The New Year is a perfect chance to start over and your personal space is a great place to start.

Let’s learn from the spaces in which we live. Pick a room and evaluate the way you use the space and how you feel in that space. For example, a family room where there is a fireplace and a television as well as a stereo system. A room may have many distractions but it is the juxtaposition of these elements that will either annoy your senses or enhance your mood.

A room needs inherent structure so the many uses can co-exist harmoniously. The term ‘structure’ means the fireplace and TV need to function with the furniture placement. In turn, the furniture placement needs to respond to the size and location of the speakers. If the room meets its performance criteria then the fun can begin. Bring on the style!

To design a room that feels right for you, you must first determine your style. What are you trying to say to the outside world? Is your taste edgy, classic, timeless, modern, or transitional? Do you even know the term for your style?

Determine your style
Are you a victim of fashion magazines, repainting your rooms every six months with the latest faux finish? It’s the perfect time of year to ask the question: What style do I bring to the table? Is this style reflected in your clothes or in the spaces in which you live or work? Do you dream about certain images but are not sure how or where to incorporate them in your life? The quest every year is to stay current with your own personal style and to be excited about what you bring to the table.

Start slowly and write down how spaces affect your emotions. Do you feel comfortable, excited, annoyed, sleepy, happy or sad in your space? Try to decipher the reason for your response. The next step is to fine tune your senses in your spaces. If your bedroom is dull and lacks energy, move the furniture, change the paint color or add interesting lighting sources. On the other hand, perhaps the kitchen is a sea of stainless steel and endless china that requires order. Bring in more storage space and soften the glare with neutral tones and indirect lighting.

Add a layer one room at a time but continue to live in your spaces and bring yourself home. Your style is yours, treasure it and nourish it and let it grow with you and in the context of your world.