I recently re-watched the HBO movie “Behind the Candelabra,” an intimate look at the personal life of Liberace (starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon). As he was showing his latest young protégé his home, Liberace waved his arm dramatically and said in that iconic voice, “I call this palatial kitsch.” Think floor-to-ceiling mirrors, gilded everything, and ornate and tufted grandeur at every turn. In fact, I probably didn’t even need to describe the room based on what we know about Liberace: it was just so HIM. 

I start with that little story to illustrate the point of today’s post. Whether you’re just embarking on your decorating journey or have been a long-standing amateur designer, personal style is really the first order of business when considering how you want your house to look, feel, and function. Just as with clothing, how we decorate our homes says a lot about how we live. Someone dressed head to toe in Lilly Pulitzer probably favors decor that’s whimsical, elegant, and beach-y. There’s a good reason you won’t find any disco balls in a convent. And I’m guessing an outdoorsy person probably doesn’t live in a space that’s fussy, overdone, and lacks a place to park their mountain bike or kayak. Bottom line: look to your personal style as you define your interior design aesthetic.

To begin, think about three adjectives that you might want people to use when describing your home. For example, I want my little cottage to be Relaxed, Chic and Inviting, so I have built my design approach with those words in mind. You’ll find comfortable seating, soft throw blankets, cool baskets (great for smart-looking storage!), and lots of cheeky accessories that say a bit about me. I’ve been a Francophile for as long as I can remember, so there are little nods to France here and there, and of course it’s pretty obvious by scanning my home that I am a major dog lover.

So, what about you? What three words would you use to describe the kind of space you want to create? Feel free to share, and we’ll talk accessories next time. Take care and have fun finding the fun in your home!