What should our living space look like? It shouldn’t resemble a furniture showroom or be an exact replica of the images we see in magazines or on Pinterest. Why? Because almost no one ever lives in those spaces. The pictures are heavily staged and edited to look perfect, and a bookcase filled with only blue or yellow covered books suggests that they were chosen for their appearance, not their content. A bed adorned with too many accent pillows that are promptly thrown aside when we go to sleep is not practical. Professional stylists have access to large budgets and numerous items that are not usually available to us. In real life, our homes have a mix of items that are functional or meaningful to us.
Your home should reflect you; it is an extension of yourself. It contains items you need, want, and love. If the house is for your family, each family member should see themselves in the space. Therefore, shared interiors are likely to be eclectic. The challenging task is how to combine different items into a harmonious and practical collection. Investing in quality, essential items and paying attention to details are crucial. After that, you can relax and enjoy your space. A little imperfection and sloppiness can be charming and comforting.
I love to see my clients take good care of themselves, their living spaces, and the memories they create. A cancer survivor who fell in love with her meditation corner all over again, a grandmother who treated herself to a high-quality leather recliner for the first time, and a military officer who realized that frequent moving doesn’t mean that her belongings have to be temporary. These real-life “images” make much more sense to me than the ones in fancy catalogues.