Decorate for bliss: Creating a mood board for your design

Lately, I have been doing a ton of virtual design and many of my clients have really wanted to be involved in the process of creating the overall theme for the room. As much as I love creating my own, I do enjoy helping my clients create their own process for designing their own space. It can be fun and empowering for someone to take charge in creating the concept for a space and seeing it through to completion. I'm sure it goes against any designer/client rules but I love creating little budding decorators. It makes me happy. I'm currently in the process of creating my newest workshop/online course called Decorating for Bliss; how to be your own decorator. Stay tuned.

Over the weekend, I was gathering some inspiration for my clients and went through one of my old favorite books by Tricia Guild. She has always been one of my favorites for mixing colors and patterns. The book gave me so much food for thought. Then I came across her 2018 Spring/Summer look book and it gave me some ideas to share with you on how to create your own. 

Many designers, artists, and creators use a concept board to formulate a "look" or as Kelly Wearstler coined it "a vibe". This should be the starting point for decorating or designing your home because it helps you to not get overwhelmed by so many choices or options, as I feel many of my clients do. Creating your own board for each room can free up indecision and to help you not make mistakes. 

Let's look at Tricia's mood boards to help you and inspire you. 

1. Come up with a mood. You can think of it like an experience. You might use a movie, play, video, fashion photo or exotic location to help you. A few ideas to inspire:

Moulin Rouge, The nights sky, Marie Antoinette, Marrakesh, Under the Sea, A tranquil spa, Palace of Versailles, Greek Isles, etc.

2. Choose the colors. Throw out all the rules for colors and just go with the colors that look and feel good to you. True Feng Shui and Color Therapy will tell you, you will be attracted to the colors that you need. Begin picking things (fabrics, items or photos) in colors you really enjoy and add them to your board. Spend some time arranging and rearranging your color palette, see how things evolve and flow. 

3. Begin choosing looks that you love. This will help you get clearer on what layouts and furniture styles will appeal to you. Once you have seen what styles of looks and furniture you are attracted to, you can begin to shop for things that may work well in the room. 

THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. Don't limit yourself, allow for freedom when it comes to creating your vision. You can use flowers, metal scraps, food, etc. To really pull it all together. Keep going until you begin to feel really connected to your board and it makes you fully happy. 

DON'T LEAVE YOUR VISION. I want to encourage you to not to veer from your board. When you go to shop, use your board as a shopping guide for as to what to buy. So if you find something but it doesn't go with the board, wait on that item. 

Here are some beautiful boards to give you some ideas: 

Kathy Kuo Home

BM Design London

In the details: 6 places to style your home for a happy life

"May your walls know joy; may every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility" - Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey

I've been away from my home for several days now. My grandmother passed away which took me back to my family home and days were spent with tons of family members. It felt so good to be surrounded with life memories. It reminded me that home is always where the heart its the memories and beautiful moments make up a home. So when we haven't built up memories in our homes for decades, how can we make our space feel like home to our hearts? 

When I came home I realized that when I walked through my doors, its the details that make my house feel like my home. Small details of our own like candles, books, pictures, knick knacks, etc. The things we love to look at, that bring smiles to our faces. These are the things that give us feelings of familiarity and connection to the things we love. It touches our hearts. When we are decorating our home, there are a few key places we can enhance with "stylized details" that will give us the feeling of connection to our home. If you want help organizing and decorating your space for personal success and bliss, you will really benefit from this workshop.

1. Your coffee table. I change up my coffee table every month or so. I place fragrances that I currently love, flowers, the books I am reading, collections from travels and a few of my favorite things. If you like variety, you can change up the theme constantly. Places like TJMaxx and HomeGoods always provide beautiful things that you can use to affordably work with. 

2. Your workspace. My desk is probably my favorite place to be, aside from my bathtub. I'm always styling up desktop vignettes. I love pretty pens and pencils, books, crystals, etc. See more of that here. 

3. Reading nook. A curated spot where you flip through catalogs, read magazines or your favorite books. You may even love to journal in this space. It's important to set yourself for a beautiful reading session. Feels so blissful. 

4. Your vanity area. This is probably one of my favorite areas to shop for. I love this darling vanity space by @margoandme . Pretty trays, boxes, picture frames with beautiful memories. This is one of the most personal spaces and you can style it up for bliss. Not only can you enjoy getting ready here, you can have your tea, make your to do lists, try on perfumes and jewelry. It's such a divine and feminine space. 

5. Your nightstand. This is the best place to set yourself up for a blissful nightly routine. Candles, hand lotions, crystals, journals, flowers, etc. Your nightstand should enhance your sleep rituals and have beautiful things to look at before you drift off to sleep. 

6. Your bathtub. If you haven't indulged yourself in bubble baths, I highly encourage you to begin this beautiful nightly ritual. I use bath salts, beautiful soaps and all kinds of nourishing things. Your skin is so important to care, as is our face and hair. This is the place to care for self. Make the most of this and create a gorgeous backdrop to do so.