How To: Find inspiration for your project.
Let’s be frank, it has taken us some time (and some style fails…) to develop our own signature style, particularly as we work across such a range of property types in home staging.
Today, we’re sharing with you our top tips for discovering your personal style and sticking to it. This is something that is especially important when designing, renovating or styling your own home or project. And, when you stop to look around, you’ll find there is so much inspiration all around us!
Inspiration
There’s two types of people in this world - those who have designed every final detail of their dream homes over the years and well, those who simply haven’t. And, more often than not, those who aren’t exactly across the detail isn’t through a lack of trying. In fact, they’re often the ones that, no matter how hard they try, are just unable to decide exactly which direction they’d like to go in and, if this is you, we’re sure it’s a relief to hear you’re not the only one!
Yet, unfortunately it’s critical to decide on a direction before you can move forward with whatever project awaits. These are our favourite resources which will help you build a collection of images that inspire you, from there you’ll be able to create practical mood boards to lead your project head-on.
Coffee Table Books
We love nothing more than kicking back on the sofa and looking through our collection of coffee table books for inspiration. It’s such a great opportunity to explore some of the best work by leading interior designers and architects from every corner of the globe. Books also capture the work of professionals from a moment in time, and therefore you can really see an overview of design across every era, and how those notions could be applied to the current time and trends. But, in order for this one to work, you’re going to need a photocopier or scanner so you don’t end up ripping up your books into pieces!
Fun Fact;
If there’s one thing we love at Perth Style Co. it’s a good old fashioned coffee table book! As such, our collection has grown tenfold over the years, and now, we’re lucky enough to own a coffee table book on pretty much any topic or subject.
Magazines
Magazines are also one of our top go-to’s! They’re a great way to view carefully curated content by journalists and stylists with an eye for current trends. It’s also a great chance to view the very latest design projects across the world on the forefront of architecture and materials.
Our advice here would be to find a magazine entity whose style typically appeals to you - does the magazine tend to focus on more classic or contemporary homes? Which is your preference? We love to flick through the pages of Belle Magazine and Vogue Living to be inspired by luxury homes from around the country.
We often see homes showcased in magazines that are at the forefront of the design world and therefore a little more trend-focused than what your project might realistically be, especially if you’re building, styling or renovating to last for years to come.
Social Media
If you’re looking for quick inspiration then Instagram and Pinterest is where it’s at! The content on these platforms is fresh and uber up-to-date, plus, there is so much to be found!
From kitchen renovations to exterior facades and everything in between, social media holds a wealth of inspiration from every corner of the globe. And, this brings us to our next point; social media is fantastic if your style is a little different or outside the box because you can find inspiration from every country… Have a huge appreciation for Japanese architecture? Can’t stop thinking about the Tuscan villa you stayed in back in 2018? Social media holds the answer to your design dreams!
Plus, both platforms give you the opportunity to save and file inspiration, which will make it super easy to refer back to at a later date. Our advice is to actively look for a few of your favourite designers or publications on these platforms - you’ll be amazed what additional content you’ll discover.
Now, with your gathered inspiration comes developing a mood board. Here are our top tips ;
Create a different mood board for each room to ensure you know the direction of each individual space.
Filter your inspiration until you are left with a handful of core photographs which will guide your next steps.
Identify what you’re particularly fond of in each image, and what you’re not such a big fan of. It will help you further define your intended aesthetic.
Self check-in - be sure that each image is provoking the right feeling you’re hoping for the space. For example, renovating your bedroom? Then you’ll want a fresh, relaxing environment.
Identify what themes you’re leaning toward. Is it retro and cool? Or, light and coastal? Be sure that this will tie in across your entire project.
Have a different inspiration source? Let us know! We’d love to learn more about how you guys curate for your own styling projects.