Trusting your instincts to create a beautiful home
If you’ve ever hesitated to decorate because you’re not a “professional” or because you can’t perfectly describe your style, take heart: You have taste. You always have.
Taste isn’t something reserved for designers or trendsetters. It’s not a certification you earn or a language you have to master. Taste is something built in. It’s part of who you are—and part of where you come from.
British interior designer Rita Konig speaks about something she calls your design DNA. It’s the idea that the homes you grew up in, or even visited as a child, shape what you’re naturally drawn to as an adult. That cozy floral chair in your grandmother’s living room, the way sunlight poured through lace curtains in your childhood bedroom, the smell of beeswax on old furniture—these memories form a quiet foundation for your personal taste.
I snapped these photos (I love the brass & black lamp, the brown transferware dishes, and the vintage botanical print in the dark frame) in an antique shop because they caught my eye. Because they are core to the decor style I repeatedly use in our home with good success. So when you make choices for your home, you’re not starting from scratch. You’re drawing on layers of experience and memory, even if you don’t realize it.
“You don’t have to name your style in order to attain your style” – Myquillyn Smith
Your taste may not have a name. It may not follow a trend, and to my mind that’s great! Your taste belongs to you, and when trusted/explored will be what makes your home uniquely yours over time.
You Don’t Need a Perfect Style Label
It’s easy to feel stumped when you’re asked, “How would you describe your style?” Maybe you like vintage dark wood furniture but also love light, airy spaces, this would create a fabulous high-contrast look! Maybe you love the coziness of English country, but can’t resist the clean lines of a farmhouse sink. That’s okay.
Trying to neatly fit your personal style into a “label” will cramp the diversity and natural evolution of your style. Your home should reflect you—not a buzzword or a Pinterest trend. Often, the most memorable and welcoming homes are the ones that mix and layer different influences naturally, over time. I have found that instead of the label a few descriptive words are much more helpful. They provide just enough structure that you have something to work within, but they are fluid enough that you are free to evolve.
Taste Grows Stronger the More You Use It
Taste is like a muscle, the more you trust it & use it, the stronger it gets.
Every time you choose a piece you love, every time you rearrange a corner until it feels right, your design instincts grow clearer & stronger. You might not get it “perfect” every time, but you’ll get closer to the home that feels true to you.
Practice following your gut. Pay attention to the colors, textures, and moods you naturally gravitate toward. Notice what you love living with, not just what you admire in a photo. Study your actual life and the way your family lives.
“Home is a living story, and you are the best one to tell it.”
Home is More Than a Checklist
Design magazines and shows can be inspiring—but they can also quietly suggest that there’s one “right” way to decorate. That you need the newest finishes, the exact right rug, the current “it” paint color to get it right. But real homes, the ones that people love being in, aren’t about perfection or checklists. They’re about soul. They’re about narrative. They’re about comfort and function.
A worn armchair that’s been the spot for a hundred bedtime stories. A faded quilt draped at the end of a bed, passed down with love. These things don’t come from a store. They come from living with what you love.
“Living with what you love is a sign of great taste.”
What you love tells your story, and that’s your style. I’d love to hear how these thoughts resonated with you! Until next time,
Take Care,
Rachel
