| Defining your personal style is one of the first | | | | ways throughout your home. Souvenirs from |
| steps that need to be completed before the | | | | your last trip to Mexico can be combined with |
| construction or renovation of your home. I have | | | | those from Hawaii. You may also want to |
| assisted hundreds of clients throughout the | | | | incorporate wind chimes, musical instruments or |
| selection process and have discovered that a | | | | other practical items in everyday living. |
| client's likes and dislikes need to be determined in | | | | 7. Inclusion of personal heirlooms - Almost |
| the initial stages in order to proceed in the right | | | | everyone has personal items that are heirlooms |
| direction. Individual style consists of many | | | | that were past down from other generations. |
| categories: | | | | Grandpas footstool or grandmas teacups can be |
| 1. Color - Everyone has a favorite color. If I | | | | a focal point of any room and used as the |
| asked you yours what would you say? If you're | | | | inspiration for the rest of the room. You might pull |
| not sure check your closet, look at your dinner | | | | a color from the china cup and repeat it in the |
| plates, what color is your car? Some people | | | | room with afghans. |
| prefer cool colors of navy and burgundy or the | | | | 8. Practical Factors - I think you need to make |
| warm colors of brown and orange. Whereas | | | | choices based on your family's size or age. If you |
| others prefer the primary colors of red, yellow | | | | are planning an environment for four children |
| and blue. | | | | under the age of five you would probably make |
| 2. Pattern vs. Solid - Your choices are unlimited | | | | different choices than if you are a bachelor. |
| when it comes to pattern. Do you like stripes, | | | | 9. Upkeep considerations - If your Queen Elizabeth |
| plaid, flowers, and polka dots or do you prefer to | | | | II you likely will not be a concerned with this as |
| have a weave that has embossed patterns? Be | | | | much as a working mom without domestic staff. |
| careful when your mixing patterns so that they | | | | The more nic-nacks you have the more dusting |
| don't look gaudy or clash. Most designers focus on | | | | needed. The more carpet the more vacuuming. |
| one main pattern in a room with the remaining | | | | Personal style involves choosing furniture and |
| neutral and solid. | | | | materials that match the time you want to invest |
| 3. Clean lines or Wavy edges - Do you prefer | | | | in keeping them clean. |
| furniture that is square as in contemporary tables | | | | 10. Consensus - unless you live alone you will likely |
| compared with the curves of Victorian style? | | | | not have the freedom to make all of the choices. |
| 4. Choice of materials - Do you like the softness | | | | Over the years I have often noticed that couples |
| and comfort that overstuffed furniture and | | | | often do not agree on the style they will have for |
| carpet provide or do you prefer the stability of | | | | their home. It's not important to "win", but it is |
| solid seating and hardwood. Glass, chrome and | | | | important that you have a way to resolve the |
| steel compare with rich woods, plush upholstery | | | | differences. I know one couple who were planning |
| and billowy fabric. | | | | a home in Nevada and could not agree. They |
| 5. Outside activities and hobbies - Your home will | | | | finally decided that he would chose the lot and |
| likely reflect your outside activity interests. Do | | | | exterior design while she chose the interior. |
| you have golfing trophies to display? Where will | | | | Construction and renovation are complex |
| you store your mountain bike or tennis rackets. | | | | undertakings. If you want to be satisfied with the |
| Could they become part of your design? Chess | | | | results you have to begin with knowing your likes |
| lovers may have a set permanently on their | | | | and dislikes. You will then be able to communicate |
| coffee table. Mothers may hang children's artwork | | | | those to the contractor, salespeople, designer and |
| on the fridge. | | | | end up viewing a beautiful result that is a |
| 6. Cultural Preference - Make sure you include | | | | reflection of you. |
| your ethnicity or cultural preferences in various | | | | |