During this redecoration process I think what I fear the most is making a huge mistake, settling and ultimately not being happy with the end results.

I know that what is a mistake for one person might not be considered as one to another. Decorating will always be known as objective and personal. There are several fundamental formulas and guidelines in design but thanks to you and your comments and support, I now truly believe that planning and knowing what you love is the key to any successful interior.

Incorporating personal items and aesthetic will help us relate to our environment. We want to feel comfortable in our own home. We want pieces that evoke positive emotions and memories for us and our family while planning out our composition. Otherwise, the tendency to feel disconnected can become all too apparent and that is exactly what is happening in our house at the moment.

Now that we’ve scanned magazines, books and websites and have found ourselves with reoccurring elements, colours and patterns, we are feeling more and more confident in all of our choices. Fear should no longer play any role in this project. Mistakes, although not entirely avoidable, will not overshadow the process of designing for it. After all, this is supposed to be a fun project, and thanks to you, it will be.

So what are your fears when designing for interiors, whether it be your own or for a new client?

Images from, *piou* , Bloesem DesignHome UnRaveled (Nicolette Brunklaus), Bloesem DesignHome UnRaveled (Jurianne Matter), Emmas Designblogg

Suddenly I find myself thrust into the world of re-decorating our home.

It had to come sooner or later so, as a husband and a father, I am a fool for thinking that my life would always revolve around Ikea couches that are full of crumbs, covered in pen ink and general squashed beyond all recognition and comfort. For the first time in my life, I find myself actually choosing my own designs, layouts and furniture. It’s a very strange feeling to not really understand where your taste in interiors comes from.

I’ll tell you now. I am not the interior person of Holley & Gill. I tend to work on the “sales and business stuff.” Michelle sends me to a website and I click on images I like. I am completely un-influenced by most goings on in the real work of interiors and design. I travel a lot for work and run a record label out of the basement in my spare time. I feel comfort in quality and well made utilitarian items. I tend to hang onto clothing items until they fall apart. I don’t like the off the shelf “newness” feeling and wish I could buy everything thrift or vintage. I know what I want. I guess perhaps I am the ideal “social modern day consumer?” someone who instinctively buys what they really associate and connect with?

Don’t expect me to have a name for my style. I scroll through 12,000 images on Flickr and just pick out the ones that register something in my brain. I guess that’s just how I work. I have always been someone who just explores and connects with something. Whether it is an image, brand, photo, product or music. I guess that maybe everyone else is plugged in that way too?

*footnote

After putting these photos together and showing them to Michelle for the first time we were both actually quite shocked that many of the photos Michelle had already bookmarked or marked as favorites through various other sites and links.

Pretty cool eh?

Images from, Design is Mine, Courtney Dawn, Bright Bazaar, Bright Bazaar, Candi Mandi, h4ddz, Candi Mandi, High Street Market, Ork Posters.

So for some time now we’ve been to-ing and fro-ing in regards to reinstating a feeling of ourselves, us, back into our living/dining room. Having two children along with a roller coaster ride of a life has left us uninspired and disconnected in a room that should normally be filled with personality and fun.

So, we sat down and had a chat. We were always hesitant in even beginning this process as we would dismiss it as being too large or too expensive and not a priority. The more we talked, the more we realised how much we needed to do this. This room needs to be inviting to us, it needs to be an extension of who we are coupled with the stage of life we’re living in now.

“Family” needs to be what would hit you first when you enter. We won’t be neatly tidying up all signs of children’s items behind closets or cabinets, but as parents, we still want our personalities to be conveyed through our choices or fixtures, art and furniture.

So, we have a long road ahead. We know our floor plan drawn tonight is the way to go. For me, it will be about letting go of all my designer notions and for just this once, really, and I mean, really let go. Bottom line, we want a room we can all be happy and content living in, not one that someone else would be happy with.

What are your design suggestions in creating a room that is genuine and true to you?

To purchase the book The Family at Home by Anita Kaushal, have a look here.