What are the sources of our personal style in home decor? They are as unique as we are and can originate from anywhere including the environment we grew up in to our experiences from childhood into adulthood. To inspire a novel home decor style that will turn our living space into a home of comfortable surroundings suited to our particular tastes we need to tap into the personal wellspring of our interests. As an example, let me highlight where my home decorating interests came from.
My first source was the rustic antiques in the country farm home I grew up in. Being surrounded by fashionable home furnishings is something I got used to and try to copy.
The unique wall sconces and candle lanterns in particular fascinated me and still do. There was electric wall sconces to illuminate staircases and hallways plus several unique wall sconces strategically placed for use when the power went out. One was crafted of wood to contain a tapered candle in front of a mirror. Another was an antique (detachable) lantern complete oil reservoir and the wick behind which was a polished metal plate for projecting the light.
A second source is my hobby of reading history and fantasy literature including Tolkien and Robert Jordan. Robert Jordan, in particular, specialized in such a descriptive style that wavy mirror full length he could paint a picture in the reader’s imagination of a room’s decor, complete with vibrant colors.
Since most series occur within a medieval setting without electricity, wall sconces and candle lanterns were essential for providing light in the usual places for fantasy literature: castles, keeps, strongholds and palaces. In addition, they often played a significant role in setting up the mood of a scene. Today, wall sconces and candle lanterns can do so much to heighten or create a particular ambiance you are looking for within your home.
The same can be said for shabby decor. I’m aware that distressed finished furniture, cabinets, shelves, mirrors and other accents provide an appearance of age; it is an illusion that I am willing to cultivate to breathe a sense of history into my home decorating. In my imagination this is a small way of being able to visually connect with the generations of the past by investing in this style of unique accent furniture.
If you are searching for home decorating ideas start your search within yourself. Identify your particular interests by trusting your intuition and follow your heart in the search to make an outward home decorating statement that reflects your inner self. Decorating to satisfy another’s taste won’t lead to happiness. Have fun in your quest to surround yourself with the home decor that’s just right for you. Peace of mind and comfort will be your elixir to the daily trials of the world outside.