Cup of tea in hand, you sink into a favourite spot for reading.  In your lap is a selection of current decorating magazines – or house porn as I prefer to call it.  C’mon, you know exactly what I’m talking about.  The house-proud (myself included) buy these glossy magazines every month and salivate over the perfect curves and taut lines inside. Chances are you believe these gorgeous homes belong only to the privileged few with lots of cash or a team of experts on hand. Still, wouldn’t it be great to have a house – or even one room - that looked that good?   

Experts say, “Tear out pages of rooms you love and this will help you determine what your own personal style should be.”  So you do that. It’s difficult to choose just a few because so many of the photographed homes look incredible.  After a while a small collection fills a folder, a binder, a box...it’s impossible to stop tearing out these dream rooms.   As you assemble your precious choices, you wonder how this helps since each of these rooms looks different from the others.  What is this supposed to tell you?

Look for the common denominators in each photo.  First consider the mood or atmosphere.  How do these favourite rooms make you feel?  You may find that though each photograph represents a different style, there is a consistency in the mood or energy of the rooms – maybe they’re all serene and peaceful or conversely, full of drama and high energy. 

Perhaps you’ve chosen rooms that represent a wide variety of feelings.  That’s fine. Separate the various photos by atmosphere or mood.  From here, determine which rooms might benefit from the feeling represented in the inspiration photos. For example, a bedroom may be an ideal space for the quiet calm evident in some of the pictures.  The family room may be rich and cozy, ideal for reading or watching television, or it may be bright and energetic, the perfect spot for busy toddlers.  What about a dining room - is it going to be quiet and romantic or sultry and glamorous? 

Once you’ve got the photos grouped by mood and you’ve determined which of your own rooms can work within those boundaries you’re ready to move forward. Begin by creating a separate folder for each of your rooms.  Take out the inspiration photos for that space and analyze the commonalities.  Are you always drawn to dark woods or light woods?  Do you choose rooms with elaborate draperies every time?  Do you like elements on display or does a minimal, clutter-free room appeal to you?  These additional clues allow you to capture the specific elements you love; culminating in a dream room that’s personally pleasing. 

From here, it only requires discipline to stay on target. Before making a purchase, consider whether the object in question contributes to the desired mood and look you want to achieve.  If it doesn’t, be prepared to say no, no matter how much you like the item. 

Finally, try not to over-think your decisions.  Remind yourself that there is always more than one right answer in decorating. The television may look fantastic in plain sight on modern shelving or discreetly tucked inside an armoire.  Bedding might be fresh as summer in pure white or pale yellow.  Stay focused by continually referring back to your inspiration photos and the list of common denominators.  In this way, you will be able to create the room of your dreams; one that looks like it belongs in a magazine.

<< Back to In Print