Figured Maple

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April 23rd, 2008 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Figured Maple

How Can I Figure Out What My Style Is?

Style Discovery

Buy lots of interior design magazines that are in keeping with the architecture of your home. Clip out styles you like and start a file. You will see a style emerging. From the magazine clippings and words from the discovery interview list three to five words that really describe your style and life interests.

1._________________________

2._________________________

3._________________________

4._________________________

5._________________________

Your style discovery words may be earthy, artsy with lots of texture. Orperhaps you are Neutral, natural, spare with hints of metallic; these discovery words describe a sophisticated style. The more time you spend in this step of style discovery, the easier it will be when you go shopping for furniture and artwork. With each potential purchase, you will immediately be able to answer the question, ’Is this my style?’

My discovery words are “bold and simple with a dash of natural. Living on a houseboat with my husband and our cat and dog is a good “fit” for me. I am surrounded by water and wildlife (dash of natural.) It’s all about the view.

I painted the walls and wood ceilings in a soft white. I left the large natural fir beams unpainted. The floors are a “country” maple hardwood with lots of great rustic knots. In one corner we have a river rock fireplace with a natural fir mantel, matching the ceiling beams overhead. All of these elements appeal to my simple/natural style discovery. For excitement and energy I used a bold Mediterranean blue and navy wide-striped chaise longue nestled next to a large window looking out at the river.

On one wall behind a white sofa is a four-by-eight-foot photographic mural of the bridge over the river we live on. The mural is in different shades of blue. The bridge is in black, printed on silver paper; it is bold but simple.

The bold and simple are obvious: high contrast in color, wide stripe on the chaise longue and no clutter. The dash of natural can be seen in the sisal area rug, natural stone fireplace and natural cotton fabrics.

The walls of our bedroom are painted in the same soft white as the first floor keeping the whole house very simple. We have wall-to-wall caramel-colored carpet. Our bedroom is restful and has a cozy, large worn leather chair and ottoman to relax and unwind in. The bedding is white, inset with a Navy Blue embroidered rope. For artwork, I have personalized our bedroom by using black and white oversized photos from my grandfather’s collection of sailboat photographs.

Our bedroom is serene and calm, a perfect place to relax at the end of the day. We have a wet bar in the bedroom that I turned into a “tea bar” with a large rattan tray, white cups, Stainless Steel hot-water maker and potted white orchid. I drew the picture of the palm tress on our annual trip to Maui. It reminds my husband and me each night to take time to relax and reflect on our day with a nice hot cup of chamomile tea.

As you can see in the example of my home, you can have both energy and serenity under one roof. Decide which quality you want each part of your home to reflect, in this important planning stage.

Designer Secret: A helpful tool to use in this step is to take the time to create an inspiration board. As an interior designer I have skipped this step with clients in the past, thinking I knew exactly what they wanted, and found out later that I was wrong. The inspiration board will give you a clear view, through images, of exactly what you are striving for. Make it a family affair; give family members an opportunity to offer their input.

To create an inspiration board, go to an art supply store and ask for foam core. It comes in black and white; I like black. Buy some spray glue, too. From the clippings of looks that you have gathered, cut out images that best illustrate the look and, more important, the feel or mood of the room you wish to create. Make a collage with the images you have pulled together. Once you have a pleasing arrangement, glue the images onto the foam core. With this inspiration board you can have a dialogue with the whole family about what the direction of your rooms will be. Now is the time to find out what the likes and dislikes are before money is spent on furniture that cannot be taken back.

Designer Secret: When shopping for just the right pieces ask “Does this lamp, chair or art piece fit within my three to five words?” If not, then you are off track. You have not found the right piece yet. I believe that people are drawn to the same colors that they like to wear. You want to look good IN your house! So take a look at your wardrobe. Are there dominant colors that you could draw from?

About the Author

Kimberlee Jaynes is among the most talented interior designers in Portland, Oregon. A Kimberlee Jaynes interior design is where art meets function - a delightful blend of "Why didn't I think of that?" and "This is the way my home was meant to feel." She's an associate member of the Northwest Society of Interior Designers who has practiced both commercial and residential design from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to San Francisco, California, to Stuttgart, Germany to her home in Portland, Oregon. Check out her DIY interior design blog. www.kimberleejaynes.blogspot.com