What is “Slow Decorating” and 4 Tips to Achieve a Home with Character
Through years of collaboration with our esteemed clients, we've identified the impactful trends shaping home design. These movements have evolved in response to changing needs and values. In 2020, multi-use and multifunctional spaces became essential; by 2022, the focus shifted to high-tech homes and sustainable furniture. Today, amid the rush to rapidly furnish homes, we are embracing the art of "slow decorating." Discover the essence of this thoughtful approach and explore our four tips for creating a sustainable home marked by timeless style.
What is the Concept of Slow Decorating
We believe that the concept of "slow decorating" is gaining traction as a counterbalance to the urge to rapidly alter our surroundings—a sentiment many of us experienced during the pandemic. This pressure that has been building over the past few years is being alleviated through the principles of slow decorating and sustainability. By embracing slow decorating, you allow yourself and your loved ones to grow into a space naturally. This approach aligns seamlessly with many of our clients who begin their design journey with cherished family heirlooms and existing furniture, aiming to integrate these beloved items into their new homes. Identifying these pieces early in the design process enables us to thoughtfully place them throughout the project.
To create a home that feels soulful and curated, we recommend blending new with storied treasures that cannot simply be purchased on a whim. For those meaningful elements not yet in our possession, we prioritize them in the design scope, ensuring ample time and budget to discover the perfect items—whether through travel or new artistic finds. This thoughtful approach helps achieve a layered, authentic aesthetic while remaining true to the spirit of our clients.
How to Manage Impulse Buying
To manage impulse buying with our clients, we reemphasize that the end-goal is to create a home that feels purposeful and curated. This can only be achieved through thoughtful planning and careful curation, rather than rushing to purchase everything from a single supplier in one day.
We also address the common expectation of needing everything immediately by identifying essential must-have pieces for move-in day. Budgeting accordingly for these key items is crucial. Towards the end of a project, clients often become impatient and fatigued waiting for the final details to come together. This is why we intentionally delay some of the last selections, allowing us to include additional items that weren’t considered essential at the start. Even if this means an extended waiting period, clients ultimately recognize the benefit and appreciate the foresight in accounting for unforeseen needs.
In the case of second homes, where impulse buying can be particularly challenging, we ensure that all necessary items are in place for move-in day, so the client feels instantly at home. Meanwhile, we’re planning and reserving placeholders for vintage furniture or artisan-made accessories. These unique pieces tell a story and add character to the design, making it truly reflective of the homeowners and their personal narratives.
4 Tips to Slow Decorating
Here are our four tips to embrace the art of slow decorating and to thoughtfully grow into your dream home.
Enjoy the Design Process
Don't overthink or stress about walking into perfection on moving day. Living in a space allows you to truly grasp how you function within it and how your rituals and environment change throughout the day. While planning helps and our goal is to try and figure out all the little details on paper, some nuances only reveal themselves once you're settled in. Embrace the process of discovering your home's unique dynamics as you go.Assemble the Basics
In this instance, form always follows function, and you have to address the space's basic functions first. When space planning, I always begin by asking these essential questions to pinpoint priorities and determine the essential pieces required to meet you where you are and support you on journey of where you want to go.
Space Programming Questions:What activities happen in the space?
How many people are going to be in the space?
How do I want to feel in the space?
How do I want my guests to feel in the space?
How can I foster connection in the space?
What specific tasks are done in this space?
Do I need privacy?
Do I need to control sound?
Do I need to control light?
Support Makers and Craftsmen
Every room should have something unique and handmade. The layering of special hand-crafted items alongside something crisp and modern creates interest, resulting in the push and pull of opposites that draw attention and provide excitement and tension in a space. I am constantly searching for something a little imperfect to implement in each of my designs.Don’t Overlook Vintage
In our projects, vintage treasures are woven into the design to infuse spaces with patina, interest, quirk, imperfection, and a sense of history. We seek out pieces with compelling stories, knowing that these narratives will live on in their new homes, embraced and enriched by our clients. As they share the tales behind these pieces with friends and family, these vintage items can spark engaging conversations that enhance not only your living environment but also create memorable moments during dinner parties and gatherings.
There are many other ways to celebrate slow decorating like working within your home’s architecture, choosing what to keep from what you already own, to shop purposefully, and to prioritize where you will splurge and where you will save. Together, these practices not only enrich the journey of manifesting our ideal homes but also foster a deeper connection to the spaces we inhabit. If you're intrigued by the concept of slow decorating for your new abode, we invite you to reach out. You can also learn more in our Martha Stewart feature, “How to Embrace Slow Decorating, a Décor Trend That Encourages You to Create a Collected Look.” With our expertise, we'll guide you through the process with precision and care, ensuring every detail reflects your unique vision.