What you like is perfect

I've worked with people who hire an interior designer because they're afraid to like what they like. They wanted me to tell them what they liked was okay.

So, let me say now: what you like is okay.

I'll go one step further: what you like is perfect for you and your home.

The very best rooms I have designed were inspired by clients who were fearlessly devoted to what they liked. They wanted my knowledge of interior design styles, color harmony, and space planning to make their vision better, but they were the ones in the driver's seat.

One client told me she wanted a bathroom that was modern but still felt warm and inviting. So, we designed a sleek, simple space with a soft taupe and white color scheme.

Photo by Boaz Meiri. Design by Jackie Lopey, Certified Interior Designer

Another client who loved to host family and friends and took hospitality seriously said, "I want a guest bathroom that feels special." So, we built a room around this purple Louis XV chest that is anything but cookie-cutter.

I didn't start out asking, "What do you think of a Loius XV chest with purple paint and ormolu mounts for a vanity?" Instead, I asked, "What does special mean to you?" It turned out that special meant a beautiful piece of furniture, classic details, and rich finishes. When you focus on what you want, the details come together.

Photo by Boaz Meiri. Design by Jackie Lopey, Certified Interior Designer.

You don't have to like either of these bathrooms. In fact, I'm sure some of you don't. That's not the point. The point is that my clients love them.

It's fun to look at current styles. There's fantastic work being done by interior designers, both professional and DIY. Pay attention to the pictures and products that, on first sight, make you gasp. Figure out which features grabbed you and then decide if you want to integrate those features into the room that you're creating. 

This first part of the design process, deciding how you want your new room to feel, doesn't have to be hard. 

It's your home. It's your room. It's your vision. Own it.

Interior design is an applied art, meaning that the creative is married to the practical. The real world will intervene. Budgets are limited. Space is limited. Time is limited. Your creative freedom need not be.