Intentional Interiors: A New Year’s Guide to Home Transformations
Happy 2025! I love the new year and the sense of starting over it brings. In this episode, I steer clear of trends and focus on a slow style approach to interior design. Instead of overwhelming yourself with big changes, I suggest sitting in each room of your home to take stock of what makes you happy and what doesn't. I encourage you to use inspirations like new hobbies, recent travels, and the desire to declutter to make meaningful transformations. The goal is to make your home reflect your evolving self and create spaces that give back to you. I also talk about my upcoming 'Master the Mix' course in February and invite you to sign up for my Slow Style Home newsletter for more personalized tips. Let's get excited about making changes that truly resonate with us this year!
Watch this entire episode on YouTube HERE
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Link to creating a vision for your room (previous episode)
KEY TAKEAWAYS
As the calendar flips to a brand-new year, I'm filled with an invigorating sense of renewal. The promise of starting over wipes the slate clean of any previous missteps. I love everything about this season—the fresh resolutions, the crisp first page of a calendar—it's all a playground for optimism. And I want to channel that energy into every facet of my life, including the sacred space of my home.
Reflecting on Our Spaces
This idea of renewal is what drives me to assess our homes each January. This isn't about finding the newest trend, discovering the color of the year, or splurging on the latest must-have accessory. It's about a slow, thoughtful style. It's about considering how each space in our homes makes us feel and what changes can bring us more happiness throughout the year.
Take a moment to sit quietly in each room of your home, perhaps with a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Observe your surroundings and reflect on your feelings. What bits and pieces bring you joy, and what clutter clouds those beautiful elements? Are there corners that have been unfinished, items that once held personal significance but are now overlooked, or spaces that you gravitate towards because of the light, the comfort, or simply their energy?
Overcoming Overwhelm
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the potential updates when doing this exercise. But don't let that feeling lead to paralysis. Return to your favorite spot in your home—the one that makes you feel truly alive. Ask yourself what it is about that spot that brings you happiness. Is it the natural light or the items on display? How do they represent you?
Most importantly, reflect on how you want your home to serve you in the new year. This process is about nourishing our souls and finding pleasure in creating beauty ourselves, rather than chasing external pressures or trends.
Personal Inspirations
For inspiration, I often draw from personal experiences and new interests. Take, for example, my husband's newfound passion for birdwatching. It inspired us to bring home some exquisite vintage illustrations of birds, discovered in a quaint antiquarian bookshop during a stroll through London. These pieces now inspire our home decor, particularly a potential powder room revamp.
Similarly, my own passion for afternoon tea has led me to create a beautiful little tea station at home. After discovering a charming tray at a thrift store, I've set out my treasured teacup and beautiful tea tin—a visual cue to take a restorative afternoon break.
Travel also offers endless inspiration. A trip to France and a stay with my friend Miv Watts, who may host our future design retreat, left me longing to recreate her luxuriously soft guest room in my own space. I managed to snag some gorgeous antique European pillow shams that now serve as a foundation for a slow-burn makeover of our bedroom.
Decluttering for Clarity
It's also the time of year to focus on clearing out the clutter. I believe that highlighting what brings us joy and giving it room to breathe can revitalize any space. Root through your cupboard and bring out those cherished objects. Use heirlooms or intriguing mementos in new and exciting ways. This process can inspire fresh changes in your home.
The Ever-Evolving Style
I embrace the idea that style evolves with us. Our homes should mirror our personal growth and current interests—an ongoing experiment rather than a static picture-perfect scene. This evolving style approach is part of my slow style framework, where the goal is not a quick fix or a trend-followed room but a home that genuinely reflects who we are.
Taking the Leap
Whether you face a blank canvas or you're building upon what you already have, it's crucial to maintain excitement about the process. Articulate your reasons and find inspiration. Whether it's a new hobby, an aspect of yourself you're exploring, or an invigorating trip, these are your positive motivators.
Think about what excites you this new year. If you're eager for some guidance, I'm thrilled to announce the relaunch of my signature course, Master the Mix, this February. It's designed to help personalize your journey of home transformation. Plus, if you haven't yet, sign up for the Slow Style Home newsletter for more tips and updates.
Remember, transformation starts from within. Identify what brings you joy, reflect it in your surroundings, and relish the beauty you create. Here's to a home that truly tells your story in the New Year.
Until Next Time
-Zandra