How to find your design style

Melanie Lewis

Lives in New York, works in visual merchandising at Diptyque

Mel Lewis has a personal style that is both relaxed and thoughtful, and this is also reflected in her home which is full of timeless decor and interesting things arranged in way that feels spontaneous yet artful. A proponent of buying less, she shares some of the tricks she’s learned for styling your home in an intuitive way that is unique to you, taking your time and seeing the things you already have in a new light.

Do it when it feels right

You can’t force the creative process, but try to do it on a day with good sunlight.

“When it comes to your home it will always be a work in progress don’t expect to be finished with a room and move onto the next. You should always be looking around and getting inspiration to bring things into your home. During the holiday with the bow craze I added bows to the scones in my bedroom and I have yet to take them down. It added an extra layer into the room that just feels cozy, I’ll remove them when it feels right not just because the trend is over.”

The Rule of 3

Identify three areas with great visibility and rotate new elements, such as pottery and ceramics, in an out.

“In my home when I bring some new decor element in that I love I know I have 3 places that get great visibility so I normally place it there and rotate things out. One area for me is my coffee table. I have a flower arrangement, a  shallow hand crafted bowl that I keep matches in and a candle that is always burning when I’m home. The rule of 3 is golden to making sure the space feels organic and not forced.”

Switch it up with the seasons

“Growing up on the east coast we always swapped out the linens in our home per season. Now with central air conditioning I don’t necessarily need to but it still is a great way to reset my home 4 times a year. A color story goes a long way in making a home feel like your own and not just a beige space. Lean into conscious consumption, but don’t underestimate a decorative pillow or throw blankets effect on a room to change the mood from winter to spring. I just swapped mine out to green as I’m over winter and needed some freshness back.”

Go with the flow

Let’s be honest, we don’t need anything we just want it, so let things come naturally and take your time.

“I never go into stores needing one specific item, that is one way to be let down. Let’s be honest, we don’t need anything, we just want it. Let things come naturally and take your time. The fun is in the ever changing space, not how quick you got there.”