October 22nd 2017

Stay True to your style
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So what do you do when you are  buying a new home, renovating or just giving a room a facelift? My recommendation is stay true to your style.

Nine years ago, when I first moved to the lovely Okanagan, I bought the most beautiful ultra-modern loft right in the heart of downtown Kelowna. I left all my cozy décor and furniture behind me and started with a clean slate.  All my friends and family were in awe when they came to visit, but it never really felt like my own little haven. As a designer I can appreciate most styles, I am very eclectic at heart when it comes to decorating. It's really difficult for me to stick to just one style, I love them all-just not the super modern. I think the simplicity in adornment and embellishments of a modern home just didn't cut it for me, it felt too darn cold! Oh how I longed for all the amazing things I had collected over the years and left behind in Edmonton.​

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​So what wisdom can I pass on from that experience? As you decorate your home, the goal should not be about sticking to trends and what everybody else is doing. It should be about creating a space that fills your soul and nourishes your spirit. Only fill your home with the things you love. Make your home a sanctuary that you enjoy coming home to each evening.  I'm not saying don't be bold and try something new. Take a look at contemporary design trends and adapt a bit of what you like to your own décor.  I find that most people tend to gravitate to either a warm or cool colour palette. So if you really want to incorporate some of today’s contemporary colours into your home like grey and you lean to warmer palettes then stick to a warmer shade of it. Paint one room, you might then find that grey just isn't your colour. Personally I can't live with grey, it reminds me of cold and hard concrete no matter what the shade. 

Now how do you find your personal style you might ask? Ever been invited into other people's homes and felt that genuine sense of warmth that is expressed by that person and their home? Your home should be an expression of yourself. Fill it with unique pieces that inspire you and make you feel good, like funky artwork or accessories you just brought back from recent travels. What about a quirky grouping of fabrics you love that just sing  Fabulous. You don't have to have a name for your style, just acquire the things that set your soul on fire and display them. Trust me, they will tell the story.  We are all inspired by trending styles, fabrics and colours in life but you really shouldn't let that drown out your personal individuality. Decorating is truly about creating an expression of you, so let yourself SHINE! 

​Martyn Lawrence Bullard is one of my favourite designers because his homes always have some warmth and   personality to them.  Take a peek, his rooms just tell a story...

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​Design by Martyn Lawrence Bullard 
Martyn Lawrence Bullard is an international designer who is widely known for his eclectic and always stylish interiors, mixing period and ethnic pieces into modern environments. Martyn’s palates are colorful and strong, yet always show a sense of humor.