Lynn Knight Jessee

Style is a magic wand, and turns everything to gold that it touches. - Logan Pearsall Smith-

This week we are concentrating on communicating style into your home, "your style". Some of us like to think we have style in our genes; perhaps we acquired it as children when our parents taught us to appreciate the beauty surrounding us. We hope this is something that is passed down from generation to generation. But alas, this is not always the case. There are some of us that couldn't carry style if we had it in a bucket. I sometimes think I was one of these. There was always that person whose hair was always perfect even when it rained, who wore linen shirts that never wrinkled and whose home always looked like a magazine cover and I didn't fall into any of those categories. The point of the matter is, if I can develop style, believe me, anyone can. My home, as a child, always touted "the newest trend". I remember the orange contemporary living room with the orange Christmas tree ornaments. My mom was raised with antiques and to this day doesn't care for them. She sold them as soon as she could and replaced them with 'Blonde Furniture' or what ever was 'in style' at that time. Our home was always changing and although Mom's decorating taste was great; I think it set the stage for my desire to invest in something permanent and to keep it for a lifetime. I always remember 'living in our house', but we were taught to appreciate and to respect what we had. I still carry this with me today. I love the beauty in my home, but my homes most important function is to be a nesting place, a place to nourish my family and my friends.

Style is defined in the dictionary as a distinctive manner of expression; a custom of behaving or conducting oneself; a particular mode of living; a particular manner or technique by which something is done or created; beauty, grace or ease of manner'. Style is easy to recognize but much more challenging to define. It is an expression of knowledge, sophistication and culture with a hint of imagination. It gives life to our lives, in the way we live, decorate our homes and entertain our friends. We all have our own 'Sense of Style' that is as unique as each of us. It may be undeveloped, waiting to be discovered or constantly changing. Style develops in our exposure to different places and things, our openness to new and exciting ideas and the willingness to explore possibilities that may not be in our comfort zone. So how do we discover our style? Let's begin by looking around and taking notes on the things that we really love to surround ourselves with, particular styles of furniture, fabrics and colors. I become quite amused when one asks about Tuscan style, the latest buzz word in design. To me it is a combination of all of the beautiful European styles. It is rare to find a home in Europe that is completely decorated in French or English furnishings. When I think of the beautiful old homes of France and England, they are full of collections from the travels of the owners. We often forget the far east and its impact on these well seasoned travelers. Now for a little test, should our homes reflect their owners? Well...yes.

Neither social standing nor money offers any guarantee of style. We cannot procure it on the internet, nor can it be found in success or fame. That is why so many of us turn to the French and the English for their wonderful time tested interiors as our passports to good taste. We admire the subtle way they present themselves to the world. Within these wonderful aristocrats, with an air of superiority, reserve and integrity, we find treasures in their styles that we want to adapt as our own. Perhaps it beckons to a simpler life, where home was the central part of a family, an existence so many of us long for. Then too, there is the classical manner in which they cherished the past and we can since the countless layers of history. Whatever the case may be for you, we can use these beautiful homes as building blocks for our own homes. We can use their passion for beauty, their sense of scale, their symphony of colors and their incredible ability for living in harmony, as our own. As we begin to integrate into our lives and homes some of their styles, let us discuss several different ways to achieve these goals. We will compare the antiques of yesterday with the reproductions of today. I hear so many people say they only buy the real antiques and would never own a reproduction. It might be interesting to know that every antique is a reproduction except the first one made. Unfortunately, wonderful antiques are so expensive that they are out of our price range. Good reproductions are also expensive but still cost about half as much as the antiques. Perhaps that is why I became so involved with creating custom furnishings that reflect the wonderful old interiors. I feel as if I have a part in creating tomorrow's antiques.

Leave nothing to chance. The smallest elements can make a striking difference, the placement of your furniture, the quality and selection of fabrics, lighting fixtures that are proportionate to the size of the room, or pictures and draperies that are hung at the appropriate height. Beautiful rooms don't just happen, they are carefully planned. Define the use of each space. While considering the function of the room, try to rethink your basic floor plan and see if the space is better suited to another need. I had a sitting room next to my kitchen and a very small dining room. I started defining my needs and decided to move my dining room into my kitchen sitting room. It has made all the difference in the way my home functions. One of my biggest pleasures is family dinners and entertaining friends, I now have the space to do both. My small dining room has now been converted to a music room with my baby grand piano and a small sitting space to enjoy the music. I now have two special places that I didn't even know I had. Reevaluate your needs and the way your family lives and be open to change. You might be pleasantly surprised at what your existing space might have in store for you. A carefully chosen plan can help ease the stresses of the day as well as give a small room the feeling of space and a large room a feeling that is less imposing. I 'always define the family's needs and the use of the space before any money is ever spent on purchases for the room. This is Rule # 6.

Remember, whether you are young or old, don't skimp on quality. It is far better to prioritize your desires and needs, believing always that some things are better left undone than done poorly. Insist on quality, and always remember 'you do get what you pay for'. This applies to everything especially products and contractors. The saddest stories I have heard is about people getting burned because they thought they were saving money. In the long run it cost them much more. Rule #7 "Always expect a level of workmanship that more than often, only money can buy". Before beginning any project, set a realistic budget. This will require getting estimates from contractors, selecting items to purchase and a realistic approach to the project. Create a floor plan and use it as a guide for your entire project. You can identify your existing furniture as well as the new ones you want to purchase. Add paint colors, rugs and drapery ideas along with fabric cuttings and always keep it with you. If you find something wonderful, review your plan, place it in your room, check your budget and if it meets all the criteria, BUY IT. I know this will take extra work and time, but if you want to be a designer, you need to think like one. Although it is every woman's desire to have a beautiful home, have the desire to make your home comfortable and livable for all who reside there. Create an appetite for ease and the appreciation for your home as it is the setting for the emerging life of your family.