Do Your Interior Designs Show Distinctive Style? Or Just Your Design Rut?

Recently I toured The Art Institute of Chicago. It is of course a fabulous museum that represents a broad genre of artistic genius . I am posting some small sections of famous paintings today , to show how easy it is to recognize a distinctive style.

We as Interior Designers often seek to showcase our unique point of view through our designs. How we implement color , our flair for space planning , the way we light a room, whatever we feel that highlights our differentness.

But is your work being recognized in a positive way that proves you have reached your audience , not recognized at all , or worst yet recognized as a she/he always does that ?

It is one thing to be known for example for your unusual use of color in accessories. It is a whole different thing for the word out there to be that you always do beige interiors. It can be a proud accolade if the reviews back to you are about

your creative contemporary creations , but a let down to learn that they knew it was you because you always use Mid Century tables.

It can be a fine balance between having a Distinctive Design Style , and falling into a design rut. Are you showing the special point of view that you work endlessly toward expressing? Or have you fallen into a this- is -easy- for- me -so -I -will- use -it -again mode?

One way to find out if you have developed a visual Brand is to ask your clients , colleagues, and friends about how they identify your look , or if they can identify it at all. It will soon become apparent by the adjectives if you are becoming a style icon , or slipping into a repetitive form of presentation.

We seek to be leaving an imprint that is undeniably ours in the viewers brains , in the same way you would recognize a  Monet. First thought  is Impressionist , then we see water lilies , bridges , certain colors , etc. You embrace a familiar image with appreciation and even positiveness , not boredom.

If  you are all over the place and nothing recognizable comes to mind at all with your Interior Designs , then you want to work on that as well. To have a Brand we need to have shown a look that becomes  associated with your company. “They always do the most amazing kitchen designs”. ” I know that is XYZ Designs because of the marvelous use of natural materials”. Not ,” Oh there is that purple again.”

Take some time to review your work and refine or even identify your Distinctive Design Style. If you find you do not have one , seek to develop your point of view. To not have a style may mean you are not really putting enough of yourself into your work.Your soul so to speak. Find your artistry , your creativity , find you.

Today is Wednesday often a tough day to feel inspired or introspective. Seek that 15 minutes where you work on the youness in your designs . Review , edit , renew , refine , and then Design!

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986