Finding inspiration in the age of social media

Tiktok, Instagram, home improvement tv shows, lately, they’re all flooded with the same, cookie-cutter designs. And while there’s definitely something to be said about clean and fresh, when your house looks the exact same as everyone elses, it can easily become one of the least inspiring places to be. 

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But, our homes should really be our sanctuary, a reflection of ourselves and our personalities. Yes, budget is a huge consideration, but there are always ways to upgrade your home without compromising your personal style. So, where do you begin? 

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Architectural Digest for Inspo

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For starters, dive into the Architectural Digest’s Open Door series. If you’re unfamiliar with this (extremely epic) YouTube series, it basically follows a celebrity as they tour their oftentimes, mansion. We want to stress this, celebrities are bajillionaires, they can afford the best of the best when it comes to designers, materials, and decor. But even your local home depot might be hiding those lovely gold fixtures that are just like the one you saw in David Barbour and Lily Allen’s brooklyn apartment tour. And if nothing else, it’s extremely entertaining to watch, even if you disagree with the design choices.

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Use social media... the right way

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We can also recommend a couple of really amazing people to follow on social media. Kelly Wearstler is a must. She can single-handedly take a tacky disco ball and fit it perfectly into your home’s entryway. She doesn’t fear colour, pattern, or texture, which I think is something we can all admire and feel inspired by. Justina Blakeney is another super fun designer you should check out on Instagram. If we could describe Justina’s style in three words it would be: bold, colourful, and inviting. If these three words resonate with your personal style, definitely toss her a follow. But okay, maybe, just maybe, you do like simplicity. You like sophistication, classic, elegance - but not to get it twisted for the beige, DIY-esque style that’s taking over the internet. If “black, grand piano on an ivory carpet with gold picture frames hanging on the wall” sounds a little like you, 110% start following Alyssa Kapito… like, yesterday. Truly, her spaces can make even the most anxious people breathe more deeply. 

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Visual discover engines like Pinterest

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Obviously, websites like Houzz and Pinterest can be a great place to source inspiration, but only when you know how and where to look. Like we said, the internet can easily become one of the most overwhelming places to be for someone who doesn’t yet have a definitive, refined style yet. So, we’d suggest starting there. Start thinking about what you want your space to not only look like, but also feel like. How do you want your guests to feel when they enter your kitchen? What kind of a space do you want to wake up in? Try to limit your responses to a couple key words - those key words can guide you as you figure out what you like design-wise. 

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Above all, our single biggest piece of advice is that you should always stick with your gut. Your style is definitely not the same as everyone else’s, but don’t be afraid of that. You’re the one that has to live in your home, you’re the one walking through those doors everyday, so relish in it, appreciate it, and own it.

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