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Design Dude
Your home, your style
 | | John Fortuna, the Design Dude |
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Welcome back to the design dude's guide to planning your interiors! Last month we began with the basics of function, size and color. This month we actually get into the "FUN" part of the process, deciding on style and looking for pieces that fit your function, style and color schemes.
Style:
Style is the backbone of what makes your room unique. It allows you to express all the things that make you and your home unique. One of the clues to defining your style is to look at your home's architecture. If you bought your home because you love it's big casual great room, chances are that you will not be happy living with formal antiques and silks. If you love your traditional fireplace, or the angled ceilings of your 50's ranch house, those are styles you should focus on and embrace. That isn't to say that exciting and eclectic interiors can't exist with the juxtaposition of antique and modern, formal and casual, but a rule of thumb is decorate with the architecture, not against it.
Another way to help establish style is to pay attention to how you live. Do the neighborhood kids make your living room command central? Do you give large family parties or spend most of your life vegging in front of the TV, or would you rather curl up with a good book? Let these things (which also relate to function) help you in determining a style.
As with color, magazines and your personal wardrobe will offer you tips on defining who you are style-wise.
Finding your look:
Now that you've done your homework and determined the basics you can begin to fill your room. Take a look and make a list of pieces you wish to keep that you already own. I often take photos of client's pieces to keep as a reference when selecting new pieces for them, and you should as well. If you keep a file of these things when you go searching, you never have to worry whether your new sofa will look ok with your leather chairs, because you can look at the photo and notice how the arms will look together, and whether the fabric will be complimentary or not.
People always want to know where to find pieces, and there are so many resources in our area to help you. There are numerous designers and design studios in the area offer assistance and exclusivity, usually at a price, whether hourly or as a percentage of the retail cost.
 | | Your bedroom should be a spot where you can get away from everyday stress. |
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There are big box furniture stores that offer furniture at great prices, but whose selection is the same store to store. There are locally owned furniture stores, some of which have in house home departments, where price and style meet. Finally there are a range of antique, consignment and secondhand stores that offer value for the dollar, though you may need to work on the pieces you purchase there to make them presentable for use in your home.
I always recommend that you look in all these places for the person, price, and stock that appeal to you. Next month I will highlight a few of my favorites, so that you can see what they have to offer.
Until next month, remember to look at, live with and love great design!
 | | New and consignment furniture both offer exciting home design possibilities. |
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