Themed VS. Inspired

By Madison Peterson

A guide to making your home feel truly inspired and authentic.

A common mistake homeowners make when decorating their home is accidentally turning a space into a themed room rather than an inspired one. When I speak of themed, I’m talking about things like signs we all love and know, such as “Live. Laugh. Love” or “Farmhouse”. Maybe a white pitcher that says “milk” but it’s not fooling anyone! We all know nobody is storing fresh milk in there. When choosing art, accessories, and the overall design of a room it’s important to consider how these elements influence the space. Is it screaming “Look, we say farmhouse so we must be a farmhouse…”. Or is it giving, Heirloom? History! A story? We want to bring items into our home that make it feel how we want, not tell you what it is.

How to achieve an inspired home

Artwork is a simple starting point for making your home feel more inspired. Consider events that might actually happen on a farm, or exemplifications that might actually happen in the period you are representing. Art is meant to be a form of remembrance, it tells a story and sparks conversation. Thoughtfully choose pieces that speak to you. You don’t necessarily need to know the story behind it because you have a story of your own, nostalgia is a powerful thing. How did it make you feel? That same feeling will resonate within your space. The same concept goes for accessories. For me, it’s always like entering another world when walking into an older building or home. The candle and light sconces, the silver platters, the wallpaper or shiplap! Whether you are going for farmhouse, victorian, mid century, etc., they all have one thing in common and that’s the relics that belong within them.

History behind the theory

My inspiration always stems from history itself. It’s necessary to carry over historic components to truly achieve a storied space. Something we see a lot of in historical homes is pattern, and pattern can come in many forms. It’s not necessarily a bright green embroidered chair, it can be subtle and unnoticed but also profound. In modern architecture we see the pattern of straight lines, squares, and rectangles. Floral and damask patterns were commonly seen in victorian homes while symmetry and plaids could be found in traditional farmhouses. These are rooted techniques proven to be successful in all parts of the world.

Victorian houses were perfectly imperfect with their asymmetry.

Farmhouses provided more symmetry and traditional style.

Mid Century moderns were geometric and rectilinear.

Color Palettes

Older homes were not only filled with patterns and textures but also deeper and darker colors than what we commonly see in today’s modern homes. Don’t be afraid to get bold and color drench an entire room. Changing the finish of paint from eggshell to satin or semigloss for trim and accent pieces can help define one thing from another. Use this technique to achieve a warmer and more intimate feel.

This isn’t to tell you to avoid new and modern all together but its definitely about finding the right balance. Don’t be afraid to try something new! Thoughtful curation is important when choosing timeless articles that never go out of style. Takings these aspects into consideration can make a significant difference in your homes personal authenticity.

Sustainable Sourcing

Sourcing items for the home can be challenging for even the most keen eye. With so many options readily available at unbeatable prices with the click of a button, it can be hard to choose. While convenient to shop online, have you ever found yourself questioning the integrity and quality of these items? Or the impact that fast furniture poses to our planet and people? I am here to tell you there are other options! As an interior designer who specializes in old homes, I can attest that the ‘old’ is built to last. This also goes for furniture, fabrics, and art. Sourcing these items through antique/thrift stores or secondhand sellers has proven to be highly successful in appearance, quality, and sustainability as well as affordability.

Carefully handpicking unique items is one way to make your home standout amongst the rest. Here is a list of some of my favorite items to source secondhand.

Artwork- Finding a large statement piece or several small works of art is a simple and quick way to make a big impact on any space.

Wood furniture - The older the better! Solid wood furniture pieces are built to last. Walnut, oak, maple, etc. Choosing pieces made from real wood allows them to be refinished and withstand wear over time. Wood has a way of wearing the most beautiful patina with age. Not only everlasting, natural woods can help bring the perfect balance of organic warmth to the space.

Accessories - These are the pieces that are going to tie the room together. Think patterns, colors, and finishes. These might be items that help fill a shelf, a table, or hang on a wall. Books can usually be found in abundance at antique stores. Lighting such as table lamps can make or break a room. Switch plate covers are another one of those small change big impact items.

Textiles - When shopping for upholstered pieces, search for the durable natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, and velvet. Vintage sofas and seaters can be more challenging to come by but the right ones will have the quality and timeless feel to set the stage for any room.

All of this to say, there is no right or wrong way to decorate your home. Home is a feeling, not a place. So find pieces that speak to your heart and tell the story of you to all who enter.