Finding My Own Style {with Inspiration from Sarah Richardson}

Last year, when a writer/stylist asked me what my design style was during an interview for a magazine, I realized I didn't have an answer to that.  Sheesh...a blogger that mostly blogs about houses should know that answer off the top of her head!  I stumbled through my answer of farmhouse country mixed with casual mixed with a bit of glam (referring to the one crystal chandelier in my master bath).  Since then, I have taken some time to look around my own house and my Pinterest boards, and I realize I was right in my answer, but a more simple word to use may have been eclectic.  A little bit of everything that I love and speaks home to me.  I really think the most interesting, warm and charming homes have a collection of styles that is unique to the people who live there.  This  window seat and bookshelves are the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning.  We created this space a year ago and it still makes me happy to open my eyes and see this, because it is so perfectly "me".

It has taken me years to be confident in my own style.  When we were first married, I decorated in a very country style.  However, over the years, that style began to feel dated and I started decorating in what was more trendy.  But it never felt like me.  Watching Sarah's Richardson's HGTV shows was a game changer for me.  My "A-Ha" moment as Oprah would say.  Sarah was using quilts and antiques and creating gorgeous spaces combining a variety of styles.  Her version of country didn't feel corny at all.  I was inspired in a way that I had never been before by a designer.

My own family room is layered much like this room.  I think Sarah is a master at mixing textures and patterns and she has shown me that I can try my hand at that too.  My room is definitely less refined and more family friendly...because that is what suits us best.  That and I am not a professional designer with my own tv show:)

I enjoy mixing patterns in throw pillows.  My family says I am throw pillow obsessed.  They are right.

 I love the banter between Sarah and her sidekick, designer Tommy.  Most of all, I have enjoyed watching and learning from her design process.  How she picks out fabric and shops antique shops and shows.  When I was designing our Master Bedroom last year, I kept looking at the Master in Sarah's Farmhouse for inspiration.

I love the quilt mixed with the floral fabrics.  My budget prohibited selecting custom made bedding and pillows, so I did my best to pull together a similar look for my bedding with things I found at Ikea, Pottery Barn and HomeGoods.

And I enjoyed putting the fabrics in the window seat together as well.  Here it is at Christmas last year.

When it came time to renovate our Master Bathroom, I looked to some of Sarah's bathrooms for help designing ours.  Isn't this bathroom gorgeous?

That's a dream bathroom for sure!  My bathroom needed to be my version of a much more affordable dream bathroom.  I added a touch of glam with my mirrors (from Lowes) and chandelier (from Home Depot) and I love it.  

I loved the exposed shower that Sarah used in this bathroom but the cost of that particular fixture was waaaay out of my league.  

So I shopped and shopped and shopped some more.  Until I found a similer look in our price range from Vintage Tub and Bath.  

I channel my inner Sarah Richardson when it comes to decorating for any season.  I loved putting together these fabrics in our Fall kitchen.  An eclectic pile of coordinating fabrics makes me happy!

And our numbered stairs that lead from our Family Room to our Kitchen, were definitely inspired by Sarah :)

Are you a fan of Sarah Richardson?  I follow her and Tommy on Instagram (my very favorite form of social media.  you can find me here) and I am so excited that they are currently renovating another lake cottage.  I can't wait to see those episodes!  Unfortunately, it usually takes a while to get to HGTV in the US because it usually runs first in Canada.  The best news is that she has a book coming out soon in November...her very first.  Yup, I already pre-ordered it :)

I hope you enjoyed reading about how I have found my design style.  The e-mails and comments you guys send me letting me know that my style has inspired YOU just make this all worthwhile.