In
honor of the upcoming celebration of love, Valentine’s Day, we’ll devote
February to acknowledging those things we love most that influence the look and
feel of our home and our sense of design.
This week, let’s give a nod to what makes us unique – the ways in which
we personalize.
The
possibilities are limitless when we consider all the ways we can add our own
touches to our homes. Some pull ideas
from television, magazines, and online, and some just have that creative flair
to institute their own concepts in décor.
Whatever the motivation, personalization is expression. It reveals something about you in what you
put out there, so let YOU shine through.
Use a color palette that reflects your favorite shades in anything from
wall colors to fabrics to dishes. Put
your own stamp on things by incorporating your monogram or initials on decorative
pillows or shams, or bath towels or welcome mats, and have a custom address
stamper made for a consistent return address on outgoing mail. Play up your curb appeal with larger, modern house
numbers installed on a stand-out color door to set you apart from the
neighbors.
Change
some lighting options in your home by adding in more lamps for warm light or
turning current fixtures into lights that dim.
Lighting expresses mood in a room, and having options never hurts. Show off your hostess skills by decking out
your guest bathroom and bedroom with more amenities than non-hotel guests
expect, like dressy shower gel, black washcloths for eye makeup removal,
allergy sensitive pillows, and a soothing sound machine.
If
you have an artist side, devote wall space to your own artwork or
photography. If cooking is a passion, be
known for setting a beautiful table with scrumptious dishes for a regular
weeknight and not just a special occasion.
If you are an avid reader, display your hardback collection proudly by using
stacks of books throughout your home in decorative settings instead of filling
one stuffy bookcase.
You
know what makes you stand apart from the rest.
Now revamp the ways you can let that show in how you decorate, organize,
and run your day-to-day home. Celebrate
your many options for personalizing and loving the space you live in.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star February 3rd.
