Rules of Style
What do you suppose goes on in that little cocoon when the caterpillar turns in to the butterfly?? In my crazy world of unlimited design choices, I imagine the little fella thinking “What color wings should I go with?, Which pattern?, Is this design EVEN in style??” Interior Design can seem to be that same vexing experience. There are so many choices to be made. It can feel like the crafting of the Constitution once you are done. It can be a pressure cooker of self-doubt when every decision feels so critical. Okay, breathe and remember before the beginning of brilliance, there must be chaos.

EMBRACE IT! The first rule of style is that there are no rules. Rules create boundaries and put a “whoa Nelly!” in the creative process. Let go of all of your preconceptions and remember no one has a secret, hip home playbook that everyone must follow. I always get a little giddy to see what my 7-year-old is wearing in the mornings. This kid has a flair that is all his own. He generally dons a cool combination of striped track pants, plaid flannel shirt and a completely random sweatshirt for the cherry on top. I am truly inspired by his style savvy to throw caution to the wind and go with his own personal style de jour. We should all be so confident in our choices.

WHAT IS YOUR STYLE??? I have a girlfriend who is always asking about the projects we work on.“ What is the look you’re going for?” she asks. This is always comical because we never answer Tuscan, French Country, or Contemporary because I like to give each house it’s very own label. It gives a much better visual; like a house I would call “Italian villa meets Rat Pack Martini Lounge with a touch of leopard print.” A great tween room we just finished is described as “urban princess meets punk street artist.” Each look is completely original and individual. Branding your style sharpens the focus and is a great starting point.

SWEET FREEDOM Now that you know that the options are unlimited, you may be overwhelmed by them – especially if they are all good. How can you turn those ideas into reality? How do you keep from squashing all of your design ideas together into a big jumbled mess?

BE ECLECTIC Eclectic style is all about imagination, unexpected contrasts, and fun, quirky surprises. Outfitting your home in a variety of periods, styles, and cultures is an accepted design technique these days. Safe, traditional solutions— like buying sets of matching furniture - can result in rooms short on personality. Consider mixing it up in every style sense of the word. BREAK IT DOWN We met a new client who gave us a picture of a room that she has been saving for months – “I love this room,” she said, “but, I have no idea why.” We can break it down to colors, and textures. It’s that easy.

START WITH COLOR Don’t chicken out in this department. We have planned color schemes around a s i n g l e vase or p i l l o w t h a t “ wowed” someone. There is something to be said for the soothing neutrals of a hotel room, but don’t expect to make a statement in your home that way. The statement you are making with all builder beige walls is either, “I am planning to move soon,” or “I am stunted with fear of making a wrong choice.” Paint is the quickest and cheapest way to set a mood and convey personality. Pick a room and add that pop of drama. Then, use that same hue in other rooms of the house with vases, accessories, etc. to create a continuous flow. I have seen many homes transformed by paint.

TEXTURES CREATE CONTRAST Remember, there are no rules. Furniture pieces can vary in style and period; wood can mix with metal which can mix with tile or concrete. Antiques can mix with a more streamlined look for flavor. Upholstery and window treatments could fuse raw silks, chenille and leather. Visual contrasts are important as well – blending shiny, matte and mirrored surfaces. Finally, pull it all together, whether it’s paint, window treatments or a full kit and caboodle remodel. Change can be tricky (Have you read Who Moved My Cheese??). Remember, it’s not going to become a French Chateau meets 70’s retro flashback overnight. The “Wow” moment you get from a being in a great room comes from coming out of the style closet and exclaiming with attitude, “I have a look!” Then, and only then, are we ready to transform the caterpillar into the blingedout, too-cool-to-care butterfly that’s dying to get out.

January 2007 Home Style article for Southlake Style Magazine by Cheap Thrills Décor, Bob & Jami Zimmerman

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