When I am training a new designer or working with the staff, I often tell them…when a client is struggling with telling us what they want…go straight to emotion. When you use descriptive words, you can almost always pinpoint what people want. My clients know that I will often say to them, “do you want this to feel demanding and in control or cozy and warm?” “do you want bright and happy or stunning and rich?” and “you want fast and cheap and right?” Too bad……can’t have them all, you only get 2 out of the three. So, when this week’s blog topic came up, I decided to use descriptive words – they paint a picture. Yes, there are rules to styles but who cares, the bottom line is you want your room to “feel” a certain way. I’ve described the different interior design styles below so read through and see what makes your heart sing. THAT is your style.
Coastal
Breezy, bleached, wavy, natural, light, wood
Cottage style
Worn, slipcovered, comfortable, casual, painted, lazy, simple, shabby, recycled
Transitional
Balanced, mixed, comfortable, fresh, clean
Traditional
Proper, classic, timeless, flawless, elaborate, ornate, collections, patterns
Modern
Clean, crisp, bold, sleek, pristine
Contemporary
Current, trendy, now, hip, shape
Minimalism
Less, clean, light, open, clutterless (is that even a word?), essential elements
Shabby Chic
Feminine, loose, pastels, light, soft, distressed
Industrial
Exposed, raw, warehouse, hard, metal, wood
Mid-Century Modern
Slight, organic, wood, clean, nostalgic
French Country
Distressed, substance, warm, earthy, naturals, mixed, busy, brick, stone
Bohemian
Mixed, fun, colorful, patterns, bold, daring, eclectic, gathered
Rustic
Rough, stone, wood, bold, dark, distressed, heavy, beams, vaulted