One of the most impactful ways to reflect on what’s happened in my life is to revisit the things I’ve written, the music I’ve listened to, and how I’ve lived in my homes. Looking back on these experiences brings up feelings and memories that I would have otherwise forgotten. (Which reminds me… I need to write things down more often!)
Since this month on Wit & Delight has been all about personal style, it seems appropriate to reflect on how my personal interior design style has evolved over the years.
Today I’m taking a look at my design trends in the last four homes and assigning three words to each.
my first solo apartment
My three words for the design of this home: Eclectic, comfortable, playful
My first solo apartment was about learning to have — and enjoy — my own space. Here, I learned what it meant to take care of a home and bring it to life. I learned that the task of designing a home is not a trivial one, but a way to practice self-care.
In this apartment, I started to stretch my design muscles. I bought a new couch for the living room and everything else from Facebook Marketplace, a thrift store, or scavenging from friends and family. Even with my small budget, it’s here I learned how satisfying it can be to design a space just for you.
My first solo apartment was about learning to have — and enjoy — my own space. , , , Here I learned how satisfying it can be to design a space just for you.
Our Modern City Apartment
My three words for the design of this home: Eclectic and comfortable with pops of color
When Joe and I walked into this apartment, I thought to myself, it’s very new—when all I really wanted was an old-school loft with history and character. To contrast the modern structure, I brought in more vintage elements and furniture.
In this apartment, I experimented with design elements and tried to figure out what my “adult” interior design style was. I tried to balance my tastes with Joe’s design wants, which I learned were mostly about functionality. Even now, I can look back on this apartment and see similarities to my current design sensibilities, although this modern apartment is a world away from our traditional home now.
the first house we bought
My three words for the design of this home: classic, airy, modern
This was the first house that he and I bought. we spent Very Money on home updates while here. We put $200K into various renovations, which we recouped when we sold in 2020.
The square footage was relatively small at 1,700 square feet (2,200 square feet once we remodeled the basement) and we completely redone the layout. What I learned in this house was the value of small spaces made really thoughtfully. Here, I try to find the intersection between what the heart desires and what is right for the home.
When I look back at this house, I see how I started using color, especially in the smaller rooms. I selected bright wallpaper for the two bathrooms and painted the office cobalt blue. The undercurrent of craving more color was already beginning to present itself in my design tendencies.
our current home
My three words for the design of this home: Colorful, eclectic, comfortable
We’ve always wanted to live in the neighborhood we’re living in now. When the opportunity to buy this house came, it felt like luck. When we actually moved into the house in May 2020, I was in the midst of inquiries as to who I was. I was really tired of social media and trying to deal with the weight of the pandemic.
This has been a house where I’ve taken bigger design risks than I’ve ever taken before. This is the house I borrowed from and built upon a lot of the inspiration that was already here. In this house, I have tried to make it look like my dream world. Getting to experiment more with color and pattern has been a real gift and helped build my confidence in the process. My personal style and how I do interior design that’s why It is very clear to me now – this is what this house has given me.
My personal style and how I do interior design that’s why It is very clear to me now – this is what this house has given me.
What I’ve come to understand about my personal interior design style while living here is that I love spaces that feel Hot, This is one of the most common things people who visit our home say – that it feels cozy and warm. What I’m learning is that there is a consistent line in terms of the things I draw in the world of design.
Kate is currently learning to play the ukulele, much to the dismay of her husband, children and dogs. Follow her on Instagram @witanddelight_.
