PIPI DESIGN MARCH 2016

One of the hardest things to decide when embarking on a renovation, however small it is - what is my style??. There are so many magazines and aspirational books showcasing top decorators work not to mention Pinterest and Instagram. It’s confusing - which look do I like best? Which resonates with me? Which style would represent who I would like to be?

I did a beautiful Sydney terrace house renovation in 2009, the kitchen was sleek and modern, there was a designated place for everything, so no clutter, I loved it. However, when I moved house and rented while working on another renovation the rental kitchen had big old fashioned wide window sills which I put all my antique tea cups on and little cute pots with growing herbs, it gave me so much pleasure each morning seeing those pretty teacups, their gorgeous feminine colours and designs... I loved plucking leaves from my herb pots so easily while cooking dinner, also the greenery was calming. It really made me re-think my next kitchen design!!

It is always interesting to note that the lovely magazine shoots we drool over are so reliant on superficial styling, the colourful artfully arranged flowers, the clever photography showcasing gorgeous ‘pieces’, the pristine sparkling presentation that not one of us mere mortals would ever maintain, our children would surely knock that priceless vase over and those flowers would last 10 minutes in our hot humid summer ..... I personally do not keep my cake stands and glass bowls clustered on my kitchen island and certainly do not have three or four floral arrangements in my kitchen area either. There is a difference in finding your stye and “styling” a room.

The best way to try to whittle the endless options down is to simply immerse yourself in all magazines and books you can get your hands on and photograph or clip all the things you like - and just as importantly, do the same for the looks you don’t like. Eventually you will see a pattern emerge, it might be subtle to start, a colour palette or a combination of styles, perhaps traditional with glam or mid century modern but with a little more comfort - this will help you have a starting point at least!! Then we really do all have to consider life at home on a daily basis, sometimes the type of home we love in a magazine actually wouldn’t work for our busy families. However, we can always incorporate a coveted look or feel - tone it down and massage it to fit your home, your life. I really believe it is so important to come home to an environment that makes you feel happy and relaxed, somewhere that is a reflection of you and what you love. A sanctuary away from all the busyness of our daily lives!

Happy clipping! Al Paget