One question interior designers hear over and over is: “How do I personalize my house and make it truly a home?” So often we walk into a furniture showroom and want to buy the whole suite-sofa, rug, lighting, and all-only to get the furniture home to find we have just recreated the showroom floor. It might look pretty, but where is the personality? Where is your mark in the room? We asked local designers what they think makes a house into a welcoming home packed with your personality.
“I love to look through a client’s boxes filled with what they consider junk,” says interior designer Camille Garro. “Things they’ve collected over the years from various trips or gathered from rejected gifts they didn’t want to toss for fear of hurting someone’s feelings.” These misfit items can become the perfect treasures to display on bookshelves. Camille suggests each bookshelf has its own theme. For instance, the sentimental shelf displaying honeymoon mementos-the little ship in a bottle, the dancing hula skirt doll, and, don’t forget, the shot glass embossed with the word “Maui.” She also suggests displaying travel guides and books about particular vacation destinations. Place the books horizontally for a perfect resting spot for the travel trinkets.
Camille also believes no room is complete without photos of family and friends. Knowing a group of photos can look haphazard or messy, Camille suggests turning the photos all to a sepia tone and place them in similar frames. “Hung collectively, they can look stunning in any room,” notes Camille.
Camille even says the ugly old sofa from Aunt Gertrude can be transformed to make your living space special. By simply painting the carved legs with a high-gloss finish, such as silver metallic, and reupholstering the sofa with a contemporary fabric, such as a mohair, you can change the look from frumpy to fabulous. Wrap the pillows in a new fabric, such as a tapestry or an animal print, and you will have your own personalized piece.
Sue Adams agrees that incorporating your personal items into a space is important. She suggests the first thing you can do to personalize your space is to paint the walls of the house. “Choosing colors you love can really transform a room into your own,” Sue says. “And once the walls have your favorite hue, don’t forget to hang pictures up!” Most people are afraid to put holes in the walls once the paint job is done. “But incorporating your artwork that you have collected through the years is key to personalizing the space,” she notes.
Sue also says its important to create balance in a room to make it comfortable. “Don’t crowd all your furnishings around the TV and leave the rest of the room bare,” she says. Create different groupings of seating areas-one to watch the Red Sox game and one for relaxed conversation. Sue also believes it’s critical to give purpose to a room. If it’s an unused dining room, turn it into the kids’ crafts room. Or maybe the vacant space becomes a place to install a wet bar and pool table, transforming it into a game room. Don’t let the room remain an echo chamber-get creative and put your stamp on it.
Jeffrey Landry of Landry & Acari Rugs says rugs are simply art under foot. Whether you are looking for a favorite color or design pattern, a rug can be the foundation behind the rest of the room’s design. “A rug really can make the biggest statement in a room- they provide warmth, color, and comfort,” he notes. Jeffrey also suggests homeowners bring home a couple of rugs to try within a given room. “It’s important to see if the rug will be a good fit not just in terms of size, but also if it fits your personality.” Whatever the pieces are, make sure they are something you love and want to live with-then you will feel the space is truly your haven.
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Lighting Designers offer their Top Three TipsÂ
Donna Christopolous, Design Lighting
1. Dimmers aren’t just for chandeliers. Fitting your outdoor fixtures with dimmer controls will give you full brightness where you need it and low levels of light where you only need a glow.
2. Outdoor lanterns are not just for the outdoors! Add them to your home’s interior for a distinct touch.
3. Layered lighting in any room gives you the right balance between function and mood. Wall sconces add ambience to a room’s decor, while the chandelier or ceiling light keeps the room classic and functional.
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Lucy Dearborn, Lucia Lighting & DesignÂ
1. Accent lighting: Architectural lighting that accents a special painting, sculpture, or architectural element in the environment draws your eye to that special piece so you can appreciate it day and night. Remember that architectural lighting can be utilized inside or out. Landscape lighting both extends the day and your view, especially during daylight savings.
2. Decorative lighting: Use decorative lighting as inspiration and decoration to enhance colors, shapes, and design elements. Decorative lighting can really make a space pop! Consider hanging custom color pendants in your kitchen to match your stone countertop, or using a signature color Murano glass chandelier to complement a favorite fabric or wall color in your dining room. Small entryway? Using a crystal ceiling-mounted light as “jewelry” in a tight space creates a dazzling effect.
3. Repurposed lighting: Remember that beautiful table or floor lamp that’s in the attic? Bring it out and have it rewired. Top it with a fabulous new or customized lampshade that will update the lamp and make it your own. It will make you feel good and your home look great. Repurposing and customization are two popular trends that are both planet friendly and personal.