Laura Engen Interior Design

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Find Your Style

design by Laura Engen

There’s a reason we all have wildly different Pinterest boards featuring those sought-after “dream home” characteristics. Some people love a super modern aesthetic. Others prefer a heavy dose of vintage and antique pieces thrown into the mix. But no matter what you’re drawn to, one thing’s for sure: our homes are direct reflections of our personalities and every item and design decision tells a story. So much of what we do and love is subconsciously what we search for in home decor, and when we choose a piece of furniture or a thrifted tchotchke that doesn’t quite match that style, well, it just feels off somehow. That’s why this month, I’m talking all about home style and giving you a quick guide to help YOU find your perfect home aesthetic. Because nothing feels quite as perfect as a space that is unapologetically and fabulously you.

Xo,

Laura



CLASSIC MODERN

design by Laura Engen

If neutrals are your go-to closet staples, but you still like to stand out from the crowd with a bold lip or a wide-brimmed hat, then classic modern is your style. You prefer to drink your cocktails in a sleek coupe glass with a bright citrus garnish on top, and your idea of the perfect night in is having a small group of friends over for a murder mystery party or a binge session of Mad Men. Your home is a mix of tried-and-true design elements with a splash of the unexpected for edginess, and with a hint of glamour placed here and there, it’s a style that never gets old. The key to getting this home aesthetic just right is to layer plenty of black and white combos with a few whimsical patterns tossed into the mix - the pairing is guaranteed to turn heads (in the most timeless and subtle way, of course).


COLORFUL ECLECTIC

design by Laura Engen

Adventurous, vivacious, and free are just a few of the adjectives friends and family use to describe you. You absolutely love creating unique outfits from contrasting, but complementary pieces, and though you always dress for your own enjoyment, you’re nevertheless a trendsetter with your bold and vibrant style. Color - and ultra-saturated color at that - is what gives you life, and nothing quite tops a weekend spent bopping around your favorite thrift shops to find that funky brass figurine or collection of vintage Nancy Drew books to add to your shelves. The colorful eclectic home is filled to the brim with style, but always with a lived-in and collected vibe that favors layered accessories, beloved gifts from family members, and personal mementos from your exotic travels around the world.


REFINED TRADITIONAL

design by Laura Engen

For the refined traditional, organization and calm guide everything you do. You love to relax at the end of a long work day with a glass of pinot and a copy of Magnolia Table opened up to your favorite recipe, soft dinner jazz playing in the background as you prep the garlic and seasoning for an unforgettable meal. Your closet is always organized by color, with everything resting on matching velvet hangers, and your go-to outfit usually consists of a tailored button up with a pair of oh-so-comfortable (but crisp) trousers. Your home has elegant and fresh written all over it, with whites and grays taking center stage. Your home style definitely favors traditional elements with clear symmetry, but you still like to mix and match a variety of patterns to give each space a lively and contemporary look.


TRADITIONALIST

design by Laura Engen

A perfect weekend for you consists of a morning stop at your favorite local bakery for a croissant and a latte, then heading to the opening of a new exhibit at the art institute. You revel in the classics - be it literature, art, or theater - and you dream of visiting places of grandeur around the world (Versailles tops your travel list, for sure). And while you would secretly love nothing more than to don a period gown for a celebratory event, you’re perfectly happy settling for a classic a-line dress that feels oh-so-chic and structured. A traditionalist’s home is anchored by beautiful antiques and vintage elements, and for you, the more history and character a home has, the better.