When thinking of ways to make your home reflect your stlye, inspiration can come in many forms.  If you love the outdoors and nature, simply going outside for a walk can become a great way to begin!  There are so many beautiful colors outside during the seasons, from which to draw inspiration.  My favorite season for design is fall.  I love the colors of the leaves when they turn bright orange and golden brown.  The rustic look of the brances is a great textural inspiration.  I like to think of pairing a rustic dining table with more modern chairs, as a way to mix the old and new.  Another great nature walk is to the beach.  The colors of the water and sand can be so soothing and relaxing.  Great colors to have in the restful places in your home.  
Inspiration can also come from the people in your life.  When family pictures surround you, your home instantly becomes a relaxing story of your life and the people in it.  My family inspires me, because they challenge me to be creative in the ways we organize our life and how we can all have a design voice.  My mom has always been a great inspiration to me, because she has a great way of combining different styles and making them work.  She has always said and this is so true, that “if you find something that you love, you can make it work in the space.”  It goes back to pairing your favorite things with what inspires you!  Enjoy the nature walks and the people in your life!   

There are curtains in our living room that puddle on the floor about an extra 6 inches!  That might sound crazy and unnecessary, but I actually did this on purpose.  When purchasing these curtains to fit our windows in our new home (5 years ago), I thought they looked like a fabric for a dress.  I really became inspired by french decor, which can be oppulent and fabric heavy.  When I was watching decorator Sarah Richardson on HGTV, she described puddled silk fabric as the ballgowns for your windows!  I thought, that’s it!  What a perfect description.  I thought about Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and how her elegance in fashion and style can also transcend to interior decor!  Even a small statement in a room, such as curtains, can become such a focal point.  It can be the icing on the cake, or the little black dress of the room.  Small changes can actually create big impact.  So, if you hang your curtains and realize they’re too long- leave them!  And enjoy the puddle!

When I say that your decor tastes will change– I say that from personal experience.  When I was younger, I loved contemporary design.  I remember driving by a very modern house, and thinking it was my dream home!  When I went away to college, I loved everything that was cheetah or leopard print!  I had leopard print curtains, pillows- you name it!  When I got married to my wonderful husband, I introduced him to my love of shabby chic!  Everything in our apartment was yellow, cream or pink!  The couches were slipcovered white and there were floral prints on the walls.  After realizing it might be too much for us, the style in our home turned more primitive, early Americana.  We shopped at small shops and found more masculine colors and early American folk style pieces.  And as we get older and our taste evolves, we are now at the current style, which is a return to modern.  We like a more simple, contemporary look, with a blend of traditional elements.  The mix of old and new, traditional and modern is the perfect match for us!  Over time, your style will evolve and new pieces will come into your home and mix with the wonderful things you already have.  It’s an everchanging process, and we’re along for the ride!

I have loved interior design for as long as I can remember.  I am an avid HGTV fan and love to come up with new decorating ideas, or expanding on existing ones.  My education background is not design, but I feel it is my calling!  I daydream about what to decorate next, or how large print damask wallpaper will look in my entryway.  I truly believe that you don’t have to be a famous designer to have great style.  You also don’t have to break the bank to afford great style.  Choosing to begin with timeless pieces that will always be in vogue and will stand through the ever changing trends is what makes your design last!
Let’s get ready to talk design!