By way of illustrating how you can discover an authentic style that reflects YOUR life, here are photos from a feature in Traditional Home. I was immediately drawn to the bright, clear colors and the playful atmosphere of the house. The design makes perfect sense for this family: the home was once headquarters for a well-known circus, and its address is One Circus Place. How fitting.
The family embraced the house’s colorful past and their own life — they love children (they have two), and the homeowner is a children’s photographer with a studio on the third floor. The result is a home centered on youthful energy and joyful details. Whether or not you prefer these bold colors and patterns, you can recognize this home as original and authentic because it reflects the family’s history and lifestyle.
I’m usually not a fan of literal “theme rooms,” but I am a fan of authenticity. There’s a difference between filling a house with meaningful, personal pieces and overdoing a gimmick. Authentic style hints at feelings and memories without shouting them from every surface. In this home, high-quality, lively fabrics evoke the excitement of the circus without turning the interior into a caricature. It’s joyful, yet tasteful.
I like how they let furnishings stand out without painting every wall in vivid hues or covering the floor in bright carpet. The pink chairs and striped ottoman are enough. The home’s serious architecture provides a perfect contrast to the whimsical decor, so the overall effect remains sophisticated rather than saccharine.
Here they added colorful walls but created a calm corner with a black table, simple wood chairs and a neutral mantle. The neutral rug and pared-back elements keep the room balanced so the eye isn’t overwhelmed.
When I first saw the photograph of the clown, I worried the circus motif might be overdone. A large clown portrait can feel too literal. Good taste matters when making a home personal — it’s easy to slip into buying anything that loudly proclaims a theme.
In this case, though, the photograph has personal meaning: it was taken by the homeowner’s aunt, a photographer who documented the circus decades ago. Because of that connection, the image becomes a meaningful heirloom rather than a gimmick. It works as a lively conversation piece that ties the house to family history. So, go ahead — SEND IN THE CLOWNS. Why not?
I just noticed that the table next to the Designer Guild pink chairs has rings, like in a circus — clever detail.
The Inspired Room’s tips for creating an authentic style:
1) Consider meaningful elements from your past, present and future dreams. Family stories, places you’ve lived or visited, and life aspirations are fertile ground for discovering what truly represents you. Authentic style is personal and unique.
2) Take your home’s architecture into account. You don’t need to copy it, but being aware of scale, details and proportions helps you choose furnishings and finishes that feel cohesive.
3) Master subtlety. Find ways to include meaningful pieces without making everything a dramatic statement. It’s more engaging when details reveal themselves over time rather than hitting you all at once.
4) Avoid anything that reads as cheap or tacky. Fun and affordable finds are great, but steer clear of items that undermine the overall quality of your space. Your decor should reflect the life you want to live.
5) Add conversation pieces that help guests learn about who you are.
6) Design each room to function as a whole. Even a house full of color, memories and personality should read as a considered, unified space when you step back.
Designer: Betty Murdock