One of a Kind. How to Create a Unique Home

When you start decorating a home there are decisions to be taken. What style, which colors, how do we start? Taking care to stay in the budget. You will get inspired by magazines or Pinterest. Important is not to copy whatever you like on the first glimpse. It is your home and it should be as unique as you are.

Create your home in time

image on the left via T.D.C - on the right via Dwell

You are decorating your new home and you want it to be as perfect as possible from the moment you move in. No stress, take your time. Once you move in you will feel the space better and you will understand what you still need. When you want to have it all done at once you will visit some showrooms and place an order for all you need. Take care in that case not to fall in the trap of buying a set. Bathrooms and kitchen should be finished. Buy the important objects such as a good bed, a comfortable sofa and armchair. You also need a table and chairs. Afterwards you will have all the time in the world to find the missing pieces. Because those things will make your house feel as home.

Mix it up

The Vanves Flea Market in Paris via PalmTrees and Pellegrino- interior via Chinoiserie Chic

It all depends on the budget you want to spend or where you will do your shopping. And of course the style. You can find some real treasures on flea markets or in antique shops. Now you understand that this takes time. You can combine different styles and create an eclectic interior. Your interior will get richer over time. Depending where you live, you will find occasionally or on a more regular base interesting flea markets.

Mix old and new

Murano White and Dove Gray Color Italian Chandeliers, 1980 1stDibs - interior via Decoholic - upholstery details via Kim’s Upholstery -

Mixing old and new is my preferred way to go. I love old buildings with modern furniture and a touch of ethnic. Ok, for those who don’t know me since a long time: I’m a bohemian and just came back home from a trip to Marrakech with a Boucharouite rug. Creating a unique home takes time. Maybe you want to re-upholster some old chairs or armchairs; you look for a beautiful fabric or a combination of different prints or weaves. Small details will make the difference: trimmings, metal nails and maybe you finish the wood with a patina. In a specialized shop they will advice you and show different options. Nobody will have the same dining room chairs as you have. Maybe you have some fabrics you found on your travels, than those chairs will tell even a story and bring back nice memories.

Look for one of a kind pieces

Peretii Magici - detail of Vanessa Bell's cupboard at Charleston via Little Augury - chair from project Ragamuf via Helsinki Design Week -
Handmade marble-effect stools by Ferréol Babin via Cate St Hill

One of a kind can be the finish of the walls, a piece furniture or a DIY project. Maybe you have an old chest of drawers from your grandmother, get inspired and get creative to make this piece unique. This makes me think of an antique shop in Antwerp where I saw some years ago a selection of Swedish antiques where they showed the different layers of paint added by the owners, generation after generation. It was amazing. Maybe you visited some old castles or mansions and saw those amazing bas-relief, you could have one at your home, done by some specialist. A discrete way to embellish your walls and create an amazing effect. Young designers are showing one of a kind creations, you will be one of the first to have a trendy and original piece in your home.

Add art

Jean Cocteauís poetic oasis Villa Santo Sospir via World Travel - adding metal nails around door via Design Indulgence - showcase your collection via Kinder Finds

An art wall is a great way to give a artsy look to your room. Why not having an artist coming and use your walls a their canvas. Your room will be turned into an art gallery in an instant. The perfect background to start decorating the rest of the room as you will have a beautiful color harmony to start with. You can play with printed fabrics, embroidered pillows, and still can add an accent color. Or maybe it can be a collection of plates, hats or whatever you collect that can find a place on your walls. It can also be small accents that can give a complete different look to your room, such as the big metal nails around the door arch.

A touch of handcraft

wool door curtain Nest Design - Entangle wallpaper Kelly Wearstler - LTNC via Casa Vogue

Handcraft adds a lot of character to an interior. A human touch, small imperfections are giving your interior a warm touch. You feel the hands of whom made your curtains, or sculpted a wooden tray, hand dyed yarns for a rug, There are a lot of options to add more soul to your room. Crafts projects are on the rise, Now that the long evenings appear, you could get into a project yourself. It is the perfect way to wind down in the evening or the weekend.

Use natural stones

Callacata marble Ollin Stone Rosso Francia Ollin Stone - Bathroom via AD - wall in travertine via Archinect

Nature is amazing, using natural stones, specially marble or onyx will make your room outstanding. Not one slab of marble is the same. Did you ever visited a place where they sell marble and you have to choose the slab you want. I find it every time an amazing experience to see such a beauty that comes from nature. No better source than nature to get inspired.

Bespoke furniture

Dressing room via Lonny - paint brushes My Painted Door - cabinet knob Rejuvenation

When your budget allows you, you should consider bespoke furniture. You can decide on the smallest details and they will create a piece of furniture or an amazing room; dressing room, kitchen or bathroom. You are taller or shorter than average? No problem as they don’t work with standards and can adapt all so it fits you perfectly. Playing with the effect of different colors or tones, choosing the hardware. Creating a dream.

So how to make your home one of a kind

  • decorate in time

  • mix it up

  • add art

  • look for handcrafted objects

  • use natural stone

  • personalize

  • bespoke furniture

Hope you got inspired to create a home as unique as you are.

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