For many, establishing a personal style can be difficult to develop. Others find evolving this style into home decor to be even more difficult. The key is to find personal touches that not only reflect your aesthetic, but also your design beliefs.
First and foremost, I believe that every element incorporated into a design must not only look good; it must also have a purpose. I approached decorating my apartment in a similar way. Each item must fulfill a function. Living in New York means that there is precious little room; every inch is accounted for. Therefore, every item within the apartment must serve a purpose.
Furniture
The first design solution that I incorporated into my apartment was this base cabinet and hutch combo. I knew I wanted to add shelving to the living room so that I could feature my mug and Judaica collection. I also knew that I needed to maximize the storage space. My kitchen is very tiny and I needed to find a piece that would allow me additional storage so that I didn’t need to keep the utensils in the TV stand. So I created this custom piece with the help of Home Depot. I went to a stoneyard for the countertop to search for a remnant to keep the cost down and opted to use marble handles from my grandparent’s bathroom to add a touch of nostalgia. I’d say that a big part of my style is mixing the old with the new, and this piece definitely achieved that.
Wall Art
Another key addition to my apartment was this leaf wall art by Infinity Art Designs. I wanted an item to fill the area above the TV that would take up a decent amount of space without looking too bulky or distracting. This piece fit the bill not only because of the negative space within it, but also because it truly represents my aesthetic. I love incorporating graceful swashes, earth tones, and natural elements into my designs. It was also important to me to have a collage of friend, travel, and design photos to inspire me on a daily basis. A lot of the custom frames that I found were very pricey, so I opted for a bulletin board so that I could customize the size and layout of the photos and swap them fairly easily.
The Little Touches
Home decor doesn’t necessarily have to be art or furniture. It can also be the little touches. These mugs have been carefully curated over years. Each shows a part of my personality and collectively they represent my identity. Furthermore, they serve a purpose as I am an avid tea and coffee drinker. Another tchotchke that holds a near and dear place in my heart is this embroidery work by Sarah Beth Timmons. It both showcases my introverted personality and natural aesthetic while also allowing me to support a local and fellow artist. Lastly, I knew I wanted to incorporate my love for ampersands without being too heavy-handed with it. The ampersand mug and trivet are both functional items while the frame in the window draws your eye to the view outside.
All in all, converting your personal style into home decor is all about translating your design values and aesthetic into a physical space. The place where you live should be the place that reflects your personality and makes you feel comfortable, safe, and yourself.