Define a Home Decorating Theme
with Magazines as your Inspiration

Looking for a Home Decorating Theme?

A little Design Inspiration?

Do you like to browse through home decorating magazines like I do?

Use your home decorating magazines to define a Home Decorating Theme. Start a home decorating notebook, and an inspiration board that will express your personal style.

Begin with a few of your favorite home decorating magazines. Tear out the pages of the rooms you are attracted to. Even if you are not sure why.

I refer to my notebooks often when I begin a project for a new client. It gets my creative "juices" flowing.

Starting with one of the photos from your folder, quickly jot down all of the basic ideas that you like about the room. It could be anything,

white painted woodwork, dark painted ceiling, oversized artwork, comfy looking chairs, neutral color palette, warm tones...etc.

Also read the accompany article, and add any descriptive words the writer used to describe the room. This will give you an idea of what the designer's vision was for the room. Take notice of the different features in the room, like the window treatments, or lack of. The color scheme, or how the furniture is arranged.

Looking carefully at each photo, dissect the different design elements you appreciate. The use of,

wood tables with glass and metal, crystal chandeliers, carved wood chairs, the use of area rugs, and so on.

You can actually circle the things on the page if you like.

After compiling a couple of examples of favorite rooms depicted in the photographs, tape them to a piece of foam core or poster board. This will start your inspiration board.

Imagine the room without the furnishings for just a moment. Look at the color scheme. Does it make you feel calm, or restless? Is it stimulating or soothing? Imagine how you would feel living in a room with that color scheme.

Find paint chip samples in those colors and tape them to your board.

If you refer back to the list of descriptive words you compiled, you can probably put a label to your Home Decorating Theme.

Are you,

Casual; Cottons, Linens, Comfortable furnishings, Lighter woods

Formal; Silks, Velvets, Crystals, Symmetry

Traditional;

Classic, Graceful curves, Crown molding, Tailored,

Modern; Simplicity, Subtle sophistication, Clean lines, Monochromatic,

Or do you lean towards more Worldly Influences:

Tuscan; Warm colors, Wrought iron, Stone, Marble

French Country; Vivid colors, Old world charm, Trims, Relaxed yet Refined

Or maybe a touch of the Unique:

Tropical; Comfortable, Natural Textures, Exotic Elements

Cottage;

Vintage, Romantic, Pale Washed Fabrics, Painted furniture

Paris Apartment; Luxury, Abundant use of Fabrics, Antiques, Flowers

You will definitely be drawn to certain pieces, textures and looks that will somehow speak to you. When you are, trust your intuition. Listen to your impulses, and soon a Home Decorating Theme will emerge. One that will excite you and represent the style of home that you really want.

This will give you lots of Interior-Home-Decorating-Ideas!

But hold on to your inspiration boards! You are going to want to add to them later, as your Home Decorating Theme unfolds.

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