Lean Into Your Quirks and What Makes You Happy

I've been thinking a lot about how leaning into our quirks and obsessions is so important when creating a home that is 'authentic' to us (ick, I know 'authentic' is such a buzzword).

Okay, hear me out!

We live in a world of sameness and design trends that rinse and repeat every decade or so, and we’re encouraged by brands and social media to jump on the ‘what’s trending’ bandwagon.

Then, nekminnit, all our houses look the same?!

I love a good design trend like the next interiors-obsessed person (and am easily influenced by them). Style and design trends are in their way a kind of social conversation, a reflection of how we’re all living as a collective, and what’s happening in the world.

But, at some point, we need to ask ourselves, are we buying for the sake of keeping up with what’s trending, or are we buying because we genuinely feel like what we're purchasing reflects our tastes, and who we are at our very core?

Five years ago, I jumped on the boho trend because it was 'the hottest trend' on Instagram and Pinterest. My home was all about the macrame, rattan, tasselled rugs, abstract women’s silhouettes, and velvet bucket chairs. Now, I can’t stand tassels and have sold most of my boho decor (except the rattan - that I'll always love). Did I really like the boho look? Umm, kind of?

It was only until I stopped trying to make my house look like something off an Insta influencer's page, and leaned into my obsession with old things and spaces that had an Austen-esque or Practical Magic Owens sister vibe that I finally created a house that resembled something I felt was more me.

(And yes, my patient Husbabe did not get a say in the interior styling of our home BUT he did get to choose the dishwasher.)

The moral of this particular newsletter is:

While we can and should take inspiration from current style and design trends, for a home that looks and feels truly like you, the most important ‘influencer’ you should be listening to is you.

Your quirks, taste, and obsessions make your home feel uniquely personal and not something off social media or some new season catalogue.

If you love old things, the 1970s, film noir, the colour pink, history, loud patterns, whimsical prints, pop art, paintings of cats or dogs, or just anything that makes you happy - lean into THAT. Design trends be damned!

I've noticed that the most interesting and 'authentic' (and dare I say, timeless) homes are not billboards for the latest design trend, but are often not 'on trend', a little bit offbeat and kooky, and a reflection of their occupant's stories, personalities and interests.

So, next time you're deciding whether or not to hang that borderline weird painting you love so much in your living room...Hang it proudly, my friend.