What I'm Learning About My Design Style
And how to lean into our own personal style language
Y'all, I've been having a LOT of clarity over the past year. While this clarity spans many areas of my life, it's been particularly revealing in my approach to design. Now that our home renovation is about two years behind us, I've had the chance to really observe what works and what doesn't in our space.
While I don't have many regrets, I've noticed that the elements I'd like to change are usually things I settled for rather than saving for what I truly wanted. Or spaces I rushed to complete when I should have allowed more time for discovery and evolution. Most importantly, I'm learning to let go of what no longer serves me and make room for what resonates with my current chapter.
The Evolution
Growing up in rural Minnesota, interior design wasn't really a thing. My mom loved to antique though, so we lived in a thoughtfully designed space. It wasn't until I moved to Los Angeles for college that I "discovered" design for myself. My sister would house-sit for her boss in Los Feliz - his magazine-featured home with mid-century furniture, real art, and custom curtains opened my eyes to truly curated spaces.
The clean lines of mid-century American furniture appealed to my distaste for ornate pieces. When I moved to Nashville, I scoured Craigslist for fun finds on a budget. In my 30s, comfort became paramount - while I loved mid-century aesthetic, those smaller silhouettes, especially in chairs, didn't serve my comfort-loving partner or me. I found myself drawn to slope arm Belgian-style sofas and chairs, discovered the world of fabrics, and through travels to Santa Barbara, fell in love with Spanish revival furniture and European silhouettes - always gravitating toward their simplest forms.
As I transitioned into interior design as a career, my understanding of architecture and furniture periods deepened. I moved away from modern mass-produced pieces toward mid-range vintage and discovered a wealth of modern American hand-crafted designers with an artisanal quality. This deeper sourcing taught me to trust my instincts over trends and showed me how materials play a crucial role in timelessness.
What I've Learned
I’m learning so much about what really speaks to me in design, and it’s been fascinating to see these patterns emerge:
My Design Approach:
· I love when spaces feel relaxed and welcoming.
· I’m definitely a curator, not a decorator and enjoy finding special pieces over time.
· The way we actually live in a space matters deeply to me. Functionality brings its own kind of beauty.
· Comfort is key.
My Favorite Materials and Elements:
· Beautiful materials and artisan-made pieces really speak to me. There’s something about the natural and handcrafted quality that just can’t be replicated.
· I like pattern but I LOVE texture.
· Vintage pieces add soul – I love how they bring their own stories into our home.
· I’m learning to trust my attraction to unique objects – they’re often the pieces that bring me the most joy. I’ve stopped questioning why and just started embracing what draws me in.
· Adding depth to basic drywall – whether through art, wallpaper or texture – makes a space feel complete to me.
Personal Preferences:
· Blue is my happy color, and I enjoy finding new ways to incorporate it.
· There’s something about brown that feels so grounding to me. It’s like a warm hug for a room.
· I don’t like open-concept living and prefer homes that have a combination of both open social spaces and quieter nooks to retreat to.
· Those super stark, high-contrast spaces? Not my thing. I prefer softer transitions and gentler contrasts.
· When something feels too precious or perfect, I get uncomfortable. I find myself most at peace in spaces that welcome real life and natural wear.
Understanding these preferences has been so freeing – it’s helped me make more confident decisions and let go of things that just don’t feel like ‘me’. If you’re curious about discovering your own authentic style, here are some exercises that have helped me along the way.
Finding Your Own Style
The beauty of understanding your style - not what you think it should be - is that your home begins to nurture you in a more personal way.
How to Analyze Your Space
The Emotional Scan:
- Walk through each room as if seeing it for the first time
- Notice what makes you smile instantly
- Identify what feels slightly off
- Ask: Would I choose this again today?
The Lifestyle Check:
- Consider how you actually live in each space
- Note what you work around
- Identify unused items
- Determine what's missing for beauty and function
The Future Vision:
- Imagine your ideal day
- Assess what reflects your current evolution
- Consider potential investments
- Identify what could be edited
Starting Small:
- Focus on one room or corner
- Identify three things to release
- Remove one "fine" item to make space for something loved
- Keep a thoughtful replacement list
Remember:
- Empty space is as valuable as filled space
- Quality always trumps quantity
- Evolution is natural and good
If this resonates, try creating your own list of what speaks to you in design. It’s amazing how leaning into your true style can transform how you feel at home and help you stay true to your vision in the midst of trends.
xx
Carly
You teach about design in such a beautiful way. Carly! Paying attention to and leaning into instinct is something you do so well and write about so eloquently. Always grateful to read these!
I’m going to try some of these curating prompts this weekend. Thank you! Currently have my eye on some special pieces at an auction and am willing to let some “fine” pieces go.