Whats Your Design Sign?

If you've been consistently bewildered about how to make your style happen in your home, relax, take a deep breath and forgive yourself. We don't come into this world with knowledge, we learn as we go!

At first glance, interior design appears to be about the latest trends, beautiful fabrics, furniture or rugs, and the hottest label.

First of all, let me tell you what I'm not going to talk about! I'm not going to talk here about current trends, what's in, what's out. I'm not going to show you homes of movie stars or business tycoons. I'm not going to show you rooms and rooms of expensive furniture that you might be able to afford-- or not.

So, you won't find the answer on any TV show, in any magazine or website.

The answer is in you!

After serving over one thousand clients in 25 years, the secret of creating a dream home is-- dreaming! So, the first step is knowing what you want.

Experts and authors who talk about goal setting, from Napoleon Hill to Anthony Robbins to Lynne Grabhorn, talk about a FEELING. Yes, written goals are essential, but where does the writing come from? A book? Someone else's goals? No! They come from YOU! Have you ever really explored what is important to YOU?

From trash to treasure

Here's an exercise for you to do. It will help you pick your home accessories, but it will also help you find your individual style, your "Design Sign".

Go up into your attic, rummage through your closets, look under your beds and pull out the things you packed away. Pull them out and lay them on the floor. What items make you feel good, bring you joy that you'd forgotten?

Look through any decorating magazines you have lying around (or any other magazines, for that matter). What images stir your heart, make you smile, and move you? Start clipping pictures and pasting-just a few if you don't have a lot of time.

As you go about your day, look for things that make you feel good. I'm not talking about expensive things or status items; I'm talking about the simple, subtle images and memories that bring you peace, joy and comfort. Only you know what they are. These are the things that bring Beauty into your life, not the latest trip to the shopping mall.

Echoes of Childhood Past

Think about the places you lived growing up. If you have pleasant memories, recall them. What gives you a sense of safety, excitement, wonder?

Growing up, I loved to ride horses on our family farm. I liked everything about it: the green fields, the sound of wind in the trees, and yes, even the smell of manure!

So it's not surprising I live in a bungalow in the middle of horse country. No, it's not a "McMansion" in a trendy zip code. I moved there because of the feeling of freedom I had when I was a kid.

Believe it or not, your conscious intention to find these things will influence your attention to noticing them! If this sounds strange, believe me when I tell you I've seen stranger things. I have my clients do just these things, and I've seen them come alive when they rediscover parts of themselves they had forgotten.

For me, this is the whole point of interior design: creating a home that is warm, expressive, and personal. The first step on the path of self-discovery-- before buying anything, or reading anything-- is to spend a little time with yourself and those you love.

Good luck and happy decorating!

Mary Cynthia Knowles is an interior designer with over 2,500 clients in her portfolio. She has been sharing her home decorating knowledge and teaching the joy of self-expression for over 25 years.

For an expanded version of this article, complete with a quiz and illustrations, please visit http://www.decoratebydesign.com/hom e-decorating-ideas.htm

---

Preserved Flower Candles

Putting flowers in your candle will add a unique look,... Read More

Dont Hire Someone to Steal Your Joy: Decorate Your Home Yourself!

In researching what makes people happy, I discovered that "Planning"... Read More

Home Decorating & The Smaller Place

"Big Things Come In Small Packages" We're all familiar with... Read More

Interior Decorating For Cats - Protecting Your Possessions

Part 1The first thing a cat owner should know about... Read More

Discover the Designer Within

Limperts Academy of Design, an international awarding body for design... Read More

Displaying Posters: Some Ways You Never Thought Of

How many ways can you display posters? With the easy... Read More

An Introduction to Chess Sets

Chess is a popular board game across the world. While... Read More

Kitchen Island Ideas for Great Custom Kitchen Islands

Use kitchen island ideas to better understand how to create... Read More

What a Five-year-old Taught Me About Decorating

My 5-year-old grandson is getting his own room. He's very... Read More

Purchasing Framed Art For Your Home or Office - a Novel Way to Decorate

Framed art is an ideal compliment to any room of... Read More

An Upholstered Bench To Incorporate Style and Function

How do you envision your dream home? Is it rich... Read More

A Baker?s Rack: Always A Favorite

When it comes to home accessories, baker's racks have long... Read More

Creating A Cozy Spot

Having a warm & cozy spot to snuggle up is... Read More

Heirloom Decorating

I love to surround myself with things from the past.... Read More

The Legend of the Bayberry Candle

When colonial families settled on the Eastern seaboard, they set... Read More

How to Choose Bed Sheets Effectively

Buying sheets is not as easy as it used to... Read More

Home Decorating For Smaller Spaces

"Big Things Come In Small Packages" We're all familiar with... Read More

A Look at Edible Fruit Baskets

By their very nature, all fruit baskets, especially the original... Read More

Magic Carpet Ride?

There are hundreds of choices carpet choices out there! How... Read More

Designing Your Kid?s Room is Child?s Play!

Would your child's room benefit from some fresh design ideas... Read More

Decorating on a Dime

Decorating your home and office can be a challenge if... Read More

Decorating, Where Theres a Will Theres a Way

Decorating anything is one of the easiest things in the... Read More

Where to Find Discount Wedgwood China

There is not a lot of discount Wedgwood China available,... Read More

Persian Area Rugs - Tabriz Rugs are a Fine Choice to Enhance Your Room?s Décor

Tabriz rugs are made in the north western part of... Read More

Couch Slipcovers - An Easy Way to Give Old Furniture a Stylish New Image!

Fitting new couch slipcovers is a great way to instantly... Read More

Choosing the Right Wallpaper

There is literally thousands of different colors, different patterns even... Read More

Wall Clocks Tell Time and Decorate!

Clocks can be of any type - they could be... Read More

The Basics of Cigar Humidor Care

Seasoning a Cigar HumidorTo keep the things we cherish in... Read More

Luxurious Linen ? Surround Yourself With Sensual Texture

Luxurious linen has been used for centuries. Writers speak in... Read More

Seven Ways to Emphasize a Decor Style

After searching decorating books, using trial and error decorating, and... Read More

Creating Positive Environments for Home and Office

From the office cubicle to the executive penthouse suite and... Read More

Summers Unexpected Outdoor Candelabra

For picnic tables, decks, porches, patios, and sidewalks, decorators are... Read More

California King Bedding Cannot Be Interchanged With Standard King Bedding

If you are looking for a great selection of California... Read More