Alaska Airlines Magazine | Home Style with Lisa Jones
The most successful home decors are inspiring, comfortable, personal backdrops to your everyday life – a lesson I’ve learned through trial and error as a first time homeowner. For those looking to find their inner decorator, or to update their homes décor, take my advice; While the process may require a little soul-searching, if you consult the members of your family, have fun and keep an open mind, finding your inner decorator can be a thrilling journey in which you’ll learn more than just your favorite shade of paint.
When my husband and I decided to buy our first home, I envisioned the two of us completing crosswords by the fire in the comfortably plush living room or whipping up chocolate soufflés in the retro yet tasteful kitchen. In reality, neither of us can get beyond Monday’s crossword puzzle, and we certainly can’t cook more than a simple one-pot meal. In my mind, buying a house would magically transform us into brilliant domestic mavens with impeccable style, to boot.
Imagine my shock when, after purchasing our new home – an adorable bungalow in an up-and-coming Seattle neighborhood – I was suddenly faced with the very real task of decorating. I quickly made it my mission to deck our new place – perfectly.
I soon learned that it’s best to take each decorating project step by step. Lisa Jones, a designer with Miller-Pollard – a furniture and design store in Seattle that also offers interior design consultations – encourages her clients to start b asking themselves a very simple question: How will the spaces in your home function? She says, “Maybe the living room, for example, needs to be an adult space, so the amount of seating is importiant. Perhaps it also needs to function as a kid-friendly area, so the furniture construction and durability are considerations.”
Get Inspired
It was with cautious enthusiasm that I began to craft my vision for our new home. Having recently acquired cable, I prepared for my decorating task by watching, pen and notebook in hand, shows such as Myles of Style and Small space, Big Style on Home & Garden Television (HGTV). I observed, transfixed, as creative experts transformed drab into debonair. Cramped, unfinished basements became functional offices and family rooms; outdated, dingy kitchens became bright, welcoming gathering places. Soon I had a laundry list of design ideas.
Next , I started employing a handy and inspiring interior-design trick: clipping pictures from magazines, which is a great way to piece together a concept. Look for images that evoke the style or even the feeling that you want your home to embody. Then go to your favorite bookstore’s decorating section. When I did this I happened upon a Parisian-décor book that had me crying out, “Yes, that’s it!” When you see a style that inspires you, you’ll know.
But how was I to translate a pile of magazine clippings and a notebook full of scribbled thoughts – such as “Couch away from wall” and the somewhat cryptic “Plum? Perhaps?” into a focused decor? I wanted some French flair with a good dose of Moroccan chic, modern kitchenware and bold statement pieces. And I know that I wanted to steer clear of clutter, floral prints and too much beige. But I didn’t know how to translate these disparate likes, dislike, wants, desires and needs into a unified home décor.
Plan Together
When I shared my emerging plans with my husband, I was met with a blank stare. He delicately reminded me that , in my artistic flurry, I had somehow failed to consult him. It’s a good thing I finally did: He casually informed me that he was hoping for a more traditional aesthetic with elegant furniture and antique artwork.
