How to Create Your Personal Home Aesthetic

There is so much buzz about the Nancy Meyers home aesthetic in social media right now. I admit, there is a part of me that has always loved the Nancy Meyers aesthetic. I believe it was my obsession with You’ve Got Mail. It is homey and warm, soft and cozy. But then, there is a part of me that also likes a Ralph Lauren home aesthetic. The warm leather pieces pared with rich colors and textures; the equestrian vibe. Then, there is the whole modern aesthetic. I love an amazing black and white or black and cream / tan look. It’s so clean and classic, and well, modern. In a world with so many aesthetics to choose from, how do you create a home that remains relevant far past the passing trends? Well, today I’m going to chat with you about how you can create your own personal home aesthetic.

Surviving the Trends

Some trends come and some trends go. Some stay around for a few years, others fade almost overnight. When designing your home and curating your personal home aesthetic, it’s important to think about what you like on a personal level, rather than jumping onboard the latest home decor bandwagon. Let me show you why. Here are a few home decor trends that were hugely popular, but are probably not going to make a comeback anytime soon. Or Ever.

Who is Nancy Meyers, Anyway?

Nancy Meyers is an American filmmaker known for romantic comedies. So what is so special about the Nancy Meyers aesthetic that is taking the world by storm? Well, it’s a soft, warm, cozy interior style that is inviting and comfortable, lived in, and yet, cared for. It’s a look that has taken years to curate, rather than purchased from a big box store. Pieces are incorporated from yard sales, second-hand shops, antique stores, and include family heirlooms. Rooms include quilts and floral pillows, but is grounded in a traditional style that has staying power and a foundation in classic design.

The Nancy Meyers aesthetic can have a nod to the past, like in this set from The Holiday, or it may be a more modernized version with high contrast. What is always a recurringing factor is the feeling you could walk onto any one of these sets, in any one of her movies, and sit down with a cup of coffee and a friend and have a nice long chat. It’s comfort, and it’s comforting.

What about Ralph Lauren?

I think everyone recognizes the name, Ralph Lauren. He is synonymous with high fashion and high style. His interiors are warm and elegant while, like Nancy Meyers, they embody comfort and approachability. Ralph Lauren rooms are known for dark, rich colors, brass accents, animal prints, and dog and equestrian motifs. His rooms may include crystal lamps with leather lampshades, patterned pillows, and Persian rugs.

Like Nancy Meyers, you can envision yourself sitting down for a visit, enjoying a beverage in a crystal glass, while a softly snoring dog snuggles up near your feet. His rooms are welcoming and inviting, warm and comfortable, but with a touch of elegance and pizzaz.

Why do these aesthetics have staying power?

Home aesthetics like the Nancy Meyers and Ralph Lauren aesthetics have staying power because they are deeply rooted in history. That doesn’t mean they are historical, as in Early American design, it simply means there is a sense of history to them. You can imagine these rooms spanning years, or even generations. These rooms have been part of many stories, and have many stories to tell. There have been birthdays celebrated here, and holidays, too. Books were read here, and coffees shared among friends. There have been sleepless nights, and crying babies, barking dogs and jazz music played in these rooms. They take on a life all their own because life has been lived within their walls.

How do you create your own personal home aesthetic?

If we talk about home decor, I think it’s easy to pick a style and duplicate it. You can run out to Target or Walmart, place an order on WayFair or Amazon, purchase furniture from Haverty’s or Ashley’s and in a few days, have your home transformed to copy the style you’ve chosen.

But does that create your own personal aesthetic? I argue it doesn’t. It copies someone else’s aesthetic, and yours may be represented therein, but it doesn’t create your own aesthetic. So how do we do that?

1 – Find your inspiration

If you don’t know where to begin, I encourage you to look at all kinds and types of interior design. You may like traditional style, or modern style, Scandinavian style, or an eclectic style. Or, you may actually like bits and pieces of all of them.

I encourage you to create a few Pinterest boards, pin all the inspirational pictures you like, and then really, I mean really, dig into them and determine what you like (and maybe dislike) about the photo. Not just as a whole, but in part, as well. Do you like the wallpaper but hate the rug? Maybe you like the sofa style and color, but really don’t care for the rolled arm? Do you prefer photos above a nightstand or do you prefer mirrors?

Knowing what you like, and why you like it, will help you determine from the start what your personal style aesthetic is, and how you can begin to achieve it for your own home.

2 – Seek out others who have their own aesthetic

This one is huge! If you don’t want a cookie cutter aesthetic, you have to stop using cookie cutters. Don’t be afraid to color outside the lines. Maybe Tuscan style kitchens aren’t on trend anymore, but you really like the copper pot accents. You don’t have to throw the baby out with the bath water. Instead, find others who have their own design aesthetic and pay attention to all the details. You may expand your own ideas, and find a kindred spirit in the process.

Who is KariAnne Wood?

KariAnne Wood is a lifestyle blogger and best selling author who runs the award winning blog Thistlewood Farms. KariAnne definitely has her own design aesthetic. While her rooms are grounded in a traditional feel, they have a definite “KariAnne” vibe. Have you ever had someone say to you, “That outfit, those shoes, that purse, is sooooo you?” That is the feeling you get when you look through KariAnne’s home. It is soooooo her.

She loves color and not just color, bright bold beautiful blue and white. KariAnne also is a connoisseur of red lipstick. Her love of that bright splash of lip stain is represented in her home with splashes and dashes of hot pink. It’s like KariAnne showed up wearing a blue and white floral dress with matching shoes and straw bag and just tossed on a bright red lip to finish it off. That is what her home looks and feels like. You can see her personality and her personal style in every single room.

I contacted KariAnne and she graciously allowed me to share some of her photos with you. But I have to warn you, these photos might just be life changing!

*All photos are property of Thistlewood Farms, used by permission.

Who is Sarah Phillips?

Sarah Phillips is an interior designer who was trained at London Guildhall University. She runs the blog and YouTube channel for She Holds Dearly. Like KariAnne, Sarah has a definite style that is all her own. While it has its roots in the antique, years-gone-bye, it also has this timelessness about it that instantly makes you feel at home.

Sarah’s home is filled with antiques and thrifted finds, but you are just as likely to spy a handmade diy treasure as well. Like KariAnne, Sarah’s home embodies her personality and personal style. Sarah loves the romance of life, whether it’s gardening or building a greenhouse or sewing a linen pillow cover or creating beautiful rooms filled with treasures. Sarah has a soft and soothing voice that personifies her personality. The rooms of her home are an extension of her love and zest for life.

Here are a few photos from Sarah’s home, but be aware, you may not want to leave.

*All photos are property of She Holds Dearly, copy write SheHoldsDearly.com.

Who is Valentina Fussell?

Valentina is a stylist and creator of the blog and YouTube channels, House of Valentina and Valentina.com. She and her husband, Jack, have lived in numerous countries and operate a real estate and interior design business catering to the luxury market in the Atlanta area.

In every video, every blogpost, every Amazon live event, you see her personal style and her personal home aesthetic come shining through. While KariAnne prefers color and Sarah prefers antiques, Valentina embodies the modern, high contrast black and white aesthetic.

But don’t underestimate her! Simply because her personal aesthetic is black and white does not mean her personality or her personal style lacks a punch. NO! In fact, you can see pizazz written on every styling surface of her home. Faux croc pillows? Check! Sculptural art pieces? Check, check! Zebra rug in the primary bathroom? Check – Check – Check, Check, Check! Everything about her home reflects her vibrant personality.

And for the record? Those YSL shoes she’s wearing will most likely be paired with a cute pair of Amazon shorts and a t-shirt from Zara. She knows her style and she will get it no matter what!

Here are a few photos from the blog. But let me say….you might find yourself a little addicted.

*Photos sole property of House of Valentina and House of Valentina.com

3 – Discover your personal style

That may be easier said than done. But there are a few style cues you already have at your fingertips that may help you a great deal.

First, look through your wardrobe. Taking cues from your personal fashion style can have you moving in the right direction. Do you like bold, bright colors with pops of fun and festive accents? If so, going for a neutral room may not be your best bet. You might prefer a bold, green sofa with colorful throw pillows.

Do you like soft, feminine blouses with lace cuffs and neutral colors? If so, a black velvet sofa might be right up your alley – as long as you pair it with a couple of crochet or needlepoint pillows. Add in a beautifully soft fern or other greenery and you may find yourself feeling right at home.

Take cues from your wardrobe, but also from rooms you are smitten by. Do you have a friend or neighbor whose home makes you feel your personal best self? Those are cues you can go from, as well. But notice the specifics: Is it the rug, the textures, the lighting, the colors? Find out what you love, and then begin to curate that feeling.

4 – Take your time

Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your personal aesthetic be. These things take time and often require tweaking. Don’t try to replace everything at once or fill an entire bookcase in one go. Curate your personal taste and your personal home aesthetic over time. Slowly but surely, you’ll begin to see your style emerge and your personality shine through it all.

If you have an already established style you aren’t in love with, try editing your room of anything that you aren’t crazy about. Giving your home room to breathe will often allow your creativity to shine through. Removing a set of bookends you aren’t fond of may allow you to envision other possibilities for that space.

5 – Take a pared back approach

This may be difficult, but while cultivating your personal home aesthetic, try not to over-shop. It may be tempting to run into every antique shop, art store, and browse through every yard sale you cross, but leaving space for your own ideas to emerge will be of greater benefit to you than buying that one thing simply because it’s on sale. Don’t allow yourself to give into the fear of missing out. Give yourself time and space to really hone in one what you love, who you want your home to represent, and how you want that story to be told.

6- Learn your likes and dislikes

Finally, learn your likes and dislikes. In fact, knowing what you dislike may serve you better on your journey to a personal home aesthetic. Knowing you do not like wool blankets because you’re allergic may save you money and a trip to the doctor. Understanding you really don’t like the color gray even though it’s gone viral on instagram will save you hours of time painting your space, only to have to repaint it again. Recognizing you really like the feeling of a classic white tulip but in a black modern vase may be a good indicator which overall direction you should start in.

So, what do you love about your home? Start with that. Edit out what you don’t love and find beautiful or useful. Thank you William Morris for permission to do that. Then, study the things you love. Don’t be afraid to be bold and always, always color outside the lines! That’s where you find your personal home aesthetic!

Cheers, everybody!

Billie