By way of illustrating how to discover an authentic style that reflects your life, here are photos from a feature originally published in Traditional Home. I was drawn to the clear, bright colors, and when I read the story, the whimsical approach fit the family perfectly. The house once served as headquarters for a well-known circus—its address is literally One Circus Place—so the playful palette and lively details make sense.
The family built their décor around the home’s colorful history, their love of children (they have two), and the fact that the homeowner is a children’s photographer with a studio on the third floor. The result is a youthful, energetic home that feels personal. Whether or not you prefer bold colors and patterns, you can appreciate the authenticity: the design reflects the house’s story and the family’s life.
I’m generally not a fan of literal “theme rooms,” but I am a fan of authenticity. There’s a big difference between filling a home with meaningful, personal pieces and overdoing a gimmicky theme. In this house, the owners used lively, high-quality fabrics and furnishings that evoke the circus feeling without being kitschy. It reads as joyful and intentional, not forced.
I like that they allowed furniture and textiles to take center stage without painting every wall a vivid color or installing coloured carpet. The pink chairs and striped ottoman provide enough visual punch. The home’s serious architecture offers a refined counterpoint to the playful decor, so the whimsy never becomes cloying.
In another corner they introduced color on the wall but balanced it with a black table, simple wood chairs, and a neutral mantel. A neutral rug keeps that area calm, preventing the room from feeling overwhelming.
When I first saw the photograph of the clown, I wondered if the circus motif might be taken too far. It felt very literal at first glance. When creating a space that reflects your personality, good taste and restraint still matter; it’s easy to accumulate items that shout “theme” instead of telling a story.
But the clown image has context: it was taken by the homeowner’s aunt, a photographer who shot circus scenes a generation ago. Knowing that, the photo becomes a family heirloom and a natural conversation piece. In this house it works precisely because it has meaning rather than being a random novelty.
I also noticed a playful detail: the small table next to the Designer Guild pink chairs has ring-like motifs that echo circus imagery. Little touches like that add charm without shouting.
The Inspired Room’s Authentic Style Tips:
1) Take stock of meaningful elements in your life—family history, travels, passions, and future dreams. These personal references are the foundation of an authentic home; no one else will replicate your exact story.
2) Consider your home’s architecture. You don’t need to match it exactly, but being aware of scale, detail, and character will help you choose furnishings and finishes that feel cohesive.
3) Learn subtlety. Integrate significant pieces so they reveal themselves over time instead of creating a one-note “ta-da” effect the moment a guest walks in. Layers and restraint make a space more intriguing.
4) Avoid cheap and tacky. Fun and affordable are fine, but items that look cheap undermine the overall feel. Invest in well-made pieces where it counts.
5) Include conversation pieces that let visitors connect with your story—objects with provenance, meaningful art, or family photographs that invite questions and memories.
6) Design for the whole room, not just individual objects. A house can be colorful and full of life, but everything should work together so the overall composition reads as intentional and tasteful.
designer: Betty Murdock