How I Create Harmonized Beauty Throughout My Home
Time flies, doesn’t it? Back in July, Ella and I recorded our first live podcast with Sainsbury’s Home. It was a really interesting experience and the audience asked lots of great questions, one of which has stuck with me , “How do you create an overall aesthetic in your home?”
Since Ella and I both moved into new apartments earlier this year, we had a lot to talk about! As someone who thinks about home décor a lot, I wanted to share some of the things Oli and I focus on to make our apartment feel harmonious and cozy. I really enjoyed delving into this topic, so let’s get started!
1 – Define your home’s values/adjectives
While working on the branding for Zera (which feels like a long time ago!) ), my wonderful designer Jamie guided me through a brand questionnaire. This questionnaire helped me define the feeling the brand was trying to convey, and the corresponding visual identity. And guess what? You can apply this approach to your home as well!
When Ollie and I considered the style of our new apartment, we always came up with the same set of adjectives: calm, cozy, elegant, warm and relaxed. We also considered the age of the house – Georgian – and our love of the Mediterranean. We especially love the soft, sunny tones of Menorca. So we envisioned a mix of Georgian and Mediterranean styles, keeping those adjectives in mind. Sounds simple enough, right?
While these words don’t immediately conjure up “décor choices,” they do influence décor styles! For example, when we look for a sofa, we ask ourselves: does this sofa feel calm, comfortable, elegant, warm and relaxing? The same goes for everything else: from choosing wall colors to picking out decorations.
Here’s the key: take some time to think about how you want to feel in your space and what that feeling should look like visually. Remember, everyone has their own idea of what “calm” or “cozy” means. So, your interpretation of a cozy space may be a warm terracotta color, while others may prefer calming grays and soft blues. It’s important that your choices are consistent with your personal vision.
2 – Choose your color palette
Once you’ve identified the core values of your home, it’s time to start choosing your color palette! Let’s go back to those adjectives – calm, comfortable, elegant, warm, relaxing – Ollie and I considered colors and textures that would crystallize those feelings.
We settled on soft gray walls and accent colors like soft blues, faded greens, blush pinks, whites, and a hint of brass. But with so many paint choices, we realized we needed some expert advice.
The Color Consultation Experience
One of the best decisions we made during the redecorating process was to schedule a color consultation with Farrow & Ball.Kat (who now works at their headquarters) came to our apartment and helped us evaluate all the factors we hadn’t thought of. She considered the direction of sunlight exposure, whether or not to paint the storage space, and the best color scheme for our period property. We were amazed by her attention to detail!
We also talked about the specific shades of gray we wanted for each room. As it turns out, not all grays are created equal – there are huge differences between shades! In the end, we chose three different shades of gray: Pavilion Grey for the living room and bedrooms, and Dimpse for the kitchen and hallway.
Choosing the right shades was crucial to creating the sense of harmony we wanted.
1. Laying the groundwork
When designing your office or home, the color of your walls should be a top priority. After all, walls are the most time-consuming and costly change. This also applies to large furniture or fixed elements such as kitchen cabinets.
To strike a balance, I recommend keeping core items relatively neutral so that you can experiment with different colors for accessories and details. The trick is to choose 1-2 primary colors to anchor the space and then introduce 3-5 accent colors to add a sense of space and interest.
Essentials:
Start with neutral tones and add personality with accents. Keep large items simple and be bold with smaller items.
2. Layering is key
One of the most valuable pieces of advice I learned from design manager Andrew Tanner (Sainsbury’s Home and Argos Home) is that layering is important. It’s not just about having things that other people might have, but how you layer those items to really personalize your space.
When it comes to layering and matching, the first items that come to mind are those that are bigger and more important. Here’s a simple categorization:
Monica’s Layering List
(from most important to least important):
- Wall color
- Large furniture (couches, rugs, coffee tables, etc.)
- Smaller pieces of furniture (lamps, side tables, vases, etc.)
- Artwork and wall decor
- Decorative items (trinkets, candles and ornaments)
Starting at the top allows you to focus on the big decisions first, and once the room starts to take shape, it’s much easier to decide on the smaller pieces.
Essentials:
Layering decorations is a great opportunity to create an exclusive space. Start with the base décor and gradually add upwards. Your layered decorating style is unique, so be sure to stick to it!
3. Stick to a consistent style
Almost every room in my home has some common décor. Whether you’re visiting my home or just catching a glimpse of my style, you’ll notice these recurring elements:
- Artificial hydrangeas
- Eucalyptus trees
- Recycled glass vases
- Brass and copper details
- Patterned textiles
- Textured ceramics
- Natural materials and woven fabrics
- Unique trinkets
- Candles
- White marble
These decorative elements may seem insignificant, but they tie it all together and create an integrated atmosphere throughout the home. Think of them like makeup on a fashion show – coordinated details that bring harmony and unity to the entire space.
Essentials:
Find your favorite decorative elements and use them throughout your home to create harmony and unity.
4. Trust your taste (or find someone who does)
When we first started decorating our apartment, Ollie and I would agonize over every little decision. But over time and with experience, we’ve grown to trust our own taste. Even if something isn’t universally loved by others, we’re now confident enough to make decisions that are right for us.
Sometimes it takes time to trust your style. If you’re not quite there yet, seek guidance from people you admire. In today’s world, social media makes it easy to save inspiration and revisit ideas when needed.
Summarize:
Trust your instincts when it comes to home décor choices. If you can’t decide, find someone whose style matches yours and ask for guidance.
Home Decor Inspiration & Shopping Tips
When decorating our home, Ollie and I often share screenshots of items or looks that catch our eye. We love drawing inspiration from these images and it helps us a lot in shaping our style. When it comes to home decorating inspiration, Instagram accounts such as @anitayokota, @monicawangphoto, @apairandaspare and @luluandgeorgia are some of our favorites. I find a lot of inspiration from these accounts! Do you have any recommendations for decor inspiration accounts?
The key is to experiment with different styles and items, your intuition will give you more guidance. But if you’re feeling a little lost, that’s okay too! There’s nothing wrong with looking to others for inspiration, whether it’s through saving, tagging, or cutting out images from magazines. Make the most of these skills!
Shopping for Home Decor
Finding true style in home decor takes time and patience. It requires listening to your instincts and finding out what you really like. Don’t feel pressured to cater to any preconceived trends – trust yourself and enjoy the process. Focus on the big picture, like choosing the right paint colors and those high-investment pieces, and then enjoy the small details! Layering and combining different elements is a fun part of design.
Here are some of my favorite places to shop for home décor to inspire you:
Large Items:
- Habitat
- IKEA
- Argos
- La Redoute
- French Home
- Second-hand stores, markets and auctions
Small accessories:
- H&M Home
- Anthropologie
- Sainsbury’s Home
- Home Sense
- Hambledon
- Zara Home
- The White Company
- Charity stores and second hand treasures
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you like creating the whole vibe of your home, or are you still figuring it out?
Have fun with your decorating!