March 28, 2024
The art of layering your decor to create a home that’s uniquely you

The most fascinating and wonderful houses are types that truly mirror the homeowner’s style, pursuits and character. But how do you translate something as intricate as identification into a cohesive, intentional appear? Designer Carrie Hatfield says the essential is having your time and, a single by a single, bringing in parts that resonate with you. “I appreciate when layering can help to mirror the personal model of the home owner,” she suggests. If you are curious about how to hone in on your personal design and style — and get that layered appear devoid of making visible chaos — examine on. Hatfield and other designers share their techniques.

A living room features an emerald green carpet, white upholstered furniture, and modern...
Designer Carrie Hatfield stresses the relevance of taking the time to uncover your own style. She extra to this lovely living room in excess of the system of a couple of many years.(Stephen Karlisch for Total Media Package)

Be client. Look at this residing spot intended by Hatfield, who took yrs to realize the look viewed listed here. “Most people today want issues performed immediately, all at the moment,” Hatfield states. “And though I do imagine the seem can be attained that way, it aids to pile on the a long time of working on a individual room.” For instance, she initially styled this space with the modern burl wooden espresso table piece from Cain Modern-day in Los Angeles. A number of years later on, she included the emerald environmentally friendly rug from The Rug Organization and the graphic trim on the ceiling. “The space advanced in excess of time,” she suggests.

Find your self with artwork. “Artwork allows give a household an identification,” notes designer Hillary Littlejohn. And whilst selecting art and designing a area all-around it can really feel daunting, it’s not as challenging as you may think. Just set, what you gravitate toward can assist you determine out what you like. For instance, if you are drawn to shiny shades, go daring in a single of your areas. If you are into avant-garde modern day artwork, cling a piece in your good area or eating home as a excellent discussion starter. Are you leaning into landscapes? You may well like an earthy, bohemian vibe for your dwelling. What ever it is you pick out, adding artwork provides a house temperament (when showing off yours as perfectly).

An entry features black-and-white checkered floors, an antique table, and white lacquered...
Hillary Littlejohn built this College Park household with contractor Brad Bean of Coats Homes and architect William Briggs. In the entry, Littlejohn blended antiques and new parts for an eclectic, layered appear.(Stephen Karlisch for Complete Media Package deal)

Invest in from numerous resources. Designers under no circumstances stroll into a one showroom or retail outlet and outfit an whole area that would consequence in an extremely stylish, one particular-take note structure. In this entry, Littlejohn styled an antique Italian console from a Miami antique keep with Chinese yard stools and reclaimed marble tiles from Beautiful Surfaces. She finished the space off with a lacquered paneled wall in Benjamin Moore’s “Decorator’s White.” The mix of aged and new from an array of showrooms offers the entry character and interest.

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Glance for a widespread thread. If you love a particular model — say, contemporary farmhouse — try mixing these items with much more modern day or clean-lined products so that your dwelling is not so matchy-matchy. The essential to generating the combine get the job done, according to Littlejohn, is to discover a commonality. “It is not unlike pals or partners,” she shares. “Modern and antiques can be very various, but they have to share one thing in common. It’s possible that is a material or most likely it is the wooden finish or possibly it is only the curved profile.”

Preserve your combine going. “You have to build some form of harmony,” says designer Hatfield. “The female with the masculine or the regular antique with a thoroughly clean line of a graphic fashionable rug.” Designer Angeline Guido endorses for each 1 piece that is antique, funky or eclectic, you harmony it with a single piece that is much more clear, fresh new or contemporary. “It requirements to be somewhat consistent throughout your property so it feels intentional, in any other case it can experience like a hodgepodge of hand-me-downs or that you’ve dedicated too tough to just one design and style,” suggests Guido. “Having that blend, even if it is just a single small side desk and a stool in your dwelling home and a vintage credenza in your eating room, will make it come to feel intentionally eclectic.”

A living room features a blue sofa with antique lounge chairs and a warm fireplace.
The assorted things in this home sense intentional, not random, many thanks to designer Angeline Guido’s feeling of harmony. She worked on this house with Spruill Rework.(Costa Christ for Complete Media Deal)

Really do not overlook the heirlooms. Even if your grandma’s dishes or your parents’ chairs are not necessarily what you would have selected, they can even now incorporate depth to your style. “I adore a sentimental antique chair or a dialogue pottery piece,” says Guido. “Layering in these features make the style come to feel so a great deal extra exciting and particular.”

If you really like it, it will get the job done. Just after digesting all of these insider recommendations, recall: If you adore it, purchase it. “At its core, your dwelling should be comprehensive of things you enjoy — and the other stuff will tumble into put,” Guido describes. That indicates heading with your gut. “I primarily feel this way about artwork, pillows or a person-of a-type or vintage pieces,” she adds. “Don’t sit and stew far too lengthy on a piece. If your gut is telling you that you really like it and it will in shape proportionally in the place, go for it.”