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What is your Soul Design Style?
Finding a design style that speaks to your soul
How would you like to find a design style that evokes the 'Wow” in your emotional response? In this guide, I will cover 10 well-known interior design styles, discussing their key features and the emotions and sensations they may evoke within us when we encounter them.
Explore these design styles and discover which ones inspire you. I have provided a general list of elements defining each style and the thoughts and feelings they may evoke, depending upon who you are as a unique and unscripted individual. It’s very important that you continue your process by doing some pinterest or google research on these styles and
follow your intuition. Links have been provided to facilitate this process.
Make lots of notes of individual elements that you like and dislike about each inspirational image. Hone in on the elements that speak to you. Trust your instincts as you make notes. Remember, design is a matter of personal taste. Don’t hesitate to bend the "rules" and surround yourself with what brings you the most joy! The truth is, while there may be guidelines and standards in design, there are no rules! So have fun and pursue this from the inside out. The point is to marry your inner and outer worlds to create a design that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but gives others a window into your soul.
We are all wonderfully complex; thus, most of us will not fall into a single style category but enjoy elements of different styles.
Everything you learn here will guide your choices in designing a new space that genuinely reflects the essence of you. Let these elements resonate with your innermost desires, harmonizing mind, body, and spirit, and lending a design that feels like living in your own skin.
1. MINIMALISM
Image credit: saatva.com
Understated
Natural
Crisps
Subtle
Monochromatic
Simple
Thoughts and feelings:
Peaceful
Spacious
Tranquil
Meditative
Spa-like
Uninterrupted
Boring
Not enough personality or individuality
Image credit: One Kind Design
Soft earth tones
Wood
Shiplap
Industrial lighting
Functional
Exposed beams
Vintage or antique touches
Some iron
Cozy patterns and textures
Farm themed art
Smooth combined with rough textures
Thoughts and feelings
Homeliness
Family friendly
Security
Practical
Nostalgia
Cozy contentment
Too neutral
Too country
Too trendy
Too calculated
Image credit: One Kind Design
Free-spirited Aesthetic
Rich Textures and Patterns
Global Influence
Layered Look
Vintage and Handmade Items
Bold Colors
Unexpected Combinations
Eclectic Art
Many purely decorative pieces
Natural Elements
Thoughts and emotions
Freedom
Creativity
Nostalgia
Layered comfort
Adventure
Surprise
Joy
Excitement
Overwhelm
Disorganization
Lacking a unified theme
4. TRANSITIONAL
Image credit: Decorilla
Neutral color palette
Clean lines and simple forms
Subtle patterns and textures
Classic materials with a modern twist
Elegant but comfortable furnishings
Contemporary statement lighting
Simple, stylish accessories,
Minimalist window treatments
Thoughts and feelings
Sophisticated
Refined
Harmonious
Balanced
Adaptable
Elegant without being too formal
Versatile
Basic
Unimaginative
Generic
5. TRADITIONAL
Image credit: Dengarden
Classic furniture styles
Rich color palette
Luxurious Fabrics
Detailed Woodwork
Formal Layouts
Ornate chandeliers
Traditional Patterns and Textures
Decorative Accessories
Thoughts and Feelings
Classic
Stable
Comfortable
Grounded
Cozy
European
Warmth
Elegance
Symmetry
Predictable
Disconnected from modernity
Image credit: Decor Aid
Classic furniture with modernized upholstery
Updated color palette
Less ornate woodwork
Modern lighting
Refined art
Elegant but practical accessories
Comfort and practicality
Clear mix of old and new
Thoughts and feelings
Uniqueness
Timeless
Creative
Classic without feeling old
Elegant yet cozy
Sophisticated
Freshness
Contrived Authenticity
Confusing
Too colorful
Complex
7. RUSTIC
Image credit: Lord Decor
Natural Materials: wood, stone, leather, metal
Exposed wooden beams
Stone and brick accents (on fireplaces, etc.)
Raw, unfinished surfaces
Earthy colors
Weathered and reclaimed furniture
Natural light
Antlers, vintage tools, old fashioned lanterns
Organic shapes vs. sleek modern lines
Thoughts and Feelings
Warmth and Comfort
Nostalgia: Reminiscent of country homes or cabins.
Harkens to a slower pace of life
Brings one closer to nature
Tranquility and Relaxation: Retreat from the busy, modern world.
Groundedness:
Authenticity, imperfection
Contentment
Too outdoorsy
Old fashioned
Too masculine
Dusty perception
8. INDUSTRIAL
Image credit: Maisons du Mond
Visible infrastructure such as duct work, steel beams, and columns)
Raw and reclaimed materials such as exposed brick, concrete or weathered wood
Industrial lighting
Minimalist and functional furnishings
Neutral color palette
Open floor plans
Upcycled elements
Large windows and natural light
Practical and functional decor
Thoughts and Feelings
Raw authenticity
Unpretentious
Coolness, edge
Spaciousness
Innovative and forward thinking
Functional and durable
Coldness, sterility
Overwhelming grit
Austerity
Hard to individualize
9. MODERN
Image credit: Sheila Say
Clean lines
Neutral color palette
Functional furniture and accessories
Smooth Wood, metal, glass, acrylic
Spacious
Abstract Art
Textural contrasts
Geometric patterns
Integrated technology
Thoughts and Feelings
Clarity
Innovation
Non-fussy
Trendy
Simplicity
Functionality
Practical
Coldness
Rigidity
Image credit: LIVSPACE
Clean lines and minimalism
Organic geometric shapes
Every piece tends to have a clear function
Multipurpose pieces
Bold colors and neutrals
Color blocking (solid colors used in large blocks rather than in intricate patterns)
Innovative and futuristic designs for their time
Unconventional Shapes:
Curved and Angular Forms:
Thin Tapered Legs
Off-the-Floor furnishings
Minimal Ornamentation (no excessive decoration)
Thoughts and Feelings
Nostalgia and timelessness
Simplicity and clarity
Organized
Creativity
Optimism and progress
Fun
Iconic
Innovative
Bold and sharp
Form over comfort
Overused, cliche
Predictable character
Lacking personal touches
We hope this exercise has been enlightening and rewarding. Go over your results with your Interior Designer and work together to achieve a design style that feels like living in your own skin!
Liz Gabriel Interiors LLC is a design firm based in McKinney, Texas that specializes in versatile personality-driven design. Each design is uniquely different based upon the vibe of each person. We use tools such as the above to hone in on your style and produce a completely different result than any other project. Reach out today for a consult by filling out the contact form on LizGabrielInteriors.com.
LGI is a Limited Liability Corporation