How to Decorate Fearlessly
5 easy-to-apply tips from award-winning blogger & stylist Sarah Akwisombe.
© sarahakwisombe.com
Having expertly carved out a unique 'street-meets-chic' interiors style, blogger and stylist Sarah Akwisombe is on a mission to help others find the confidence to show their own personalities in their homes. Her award-winning blog is packed full of inspiring videos and features, which impart no-nonsense advice in ravishingly rebellious style. Here she shares her five top tips for decorating fearlessly with Wayfair...
The best way I've found to decorate without worrying what others think is by finding your own unique style. Spend time pulling images from magazines and create a scrapbook or board of things that make your heart sing. Look over the images and try to understand why you like each piece and what from your past might be drawing you to them. Perhaps they signal something to you, like a comfortable feeling from your childhood or an aspiration.
Once you're in your own lane you'll find the confidence to go for things that are a bit more wacky or outside of the box. When someone has their own style, it's quite hard to critique! It may not be to everyone's taste, but that's kind of the point.
© sarahakwisombe.com
I am a big fan of testing lots of paint colours and fabrics before I make a choice. Before you do any painting, you should invest in getting paint cards from the major paint companies. Then you can take your chosen palette colours out and about with you as you shop for accessories and furniture. It'll help you to make sure you're not going to have any colour clashes later down the line. You can test out paint colours by ordering testers and then painting large sections of card to hold around your chosen room. View in different areas to see how the light works with the colour in different sections of your room.
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3) Go Big or Go Home
Decorating fearlessly is all about picking bold, statement pieces. They show the world you're confident in your choices. Many people shy away from big pattern or colour choices and play it safe, which is really boring in my eyes. The easiest way to start with statement stuff is to do it with non-permanent pieces like soft furnishings or accessories. They are easy to swap in and out if you change your mind and will help to build your confidence by starting small.
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4) Try Vintage
Buying all new pieces is a sure-fire way to have your home look like a shop, and not in a good way. Try out some vintage, retro or antique pieces to create a unique look. Most pieces are one-offs so it's unlikely that your friend will have the same piece if you've bought vintage. They add such a depth to your home because they carry so much history and provide a nice contrast amongst new pieces. Learn as much as you can about the different eras and what to look for. Don't be afraid to check out local charity shops too—I've found such great stuff there!
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5) Break the Rules
I'm all about breaking the rules and being rebellious. Just because the colour you love isn't on trend this year, it doesn't matter. It's good to be trend-aware so that you don't create something that looks dated. You can use the latest trend principles and ways of styling as a guide, but use your own colours and pieces. You need to grow your confidence and stop worrying about what other people think. You're the only one who lives in your home, so you're the only one who needs to like it! It's better to be odd but exciting than normal and dull—in my opinion anyway!To find out more about Sarah Akwisombe, read her Q & A with Wayfair here.
