Beyond the Pinterest Board: How to Actually Find Your Style
So, you’re ready to pull the trigger on some furniture, but you’re staring at a blank floor plan with a mild sense of dread. You’ve got the Pinterest boards. You’ve saved half of Instagram. You know what you like, but you have absolutely no idea how to make it all work together in your four walls. The fear of it not "looking like the picture" is real.
Interior Designer: YSG Studio, Photographer: Anson Smart
Well, hi. You’ve come to the right place.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of "Chunky vs. Leggy" (yes, that’s a real thing), we need to take a massive step back. We need to figure out who you actually are and how you actually live. I’m going to be honest: I’m a little tired of seeing carbon-copy homes. You have your own history, your own travel stories, and your own weird daily rituals. Why make your house look like a showroom that could belong to anyone? It’s time to dig deeper. A curated, personal space is always going to be more satisfying than just saying, "I’ll have what she’s having." And please, for the love of design, do not ask AI to style your home. That is officially "basic". You’re better than a computer-generated mood board. Your home deserves a soul, not an algorithm.
The Deep Dive (Grab a Pen)
Ask yourself these questions. And yes, I mean all of them:
Where do I love to travel, and what is it about that specific hotel, city or place that sticks with me?
How did those places make me feel? (Calm? Inspired? Electric?)
What colours am I naturally drawn to in fashion or art?
Is there a piece of furniture I’ve seen at a friend’s place that I couldn't stop thinking about? Why?
What are the daily rituals that keep me sane? (The morning coffee spot? The evening wind-down?)
How do I want to feel in my home?
Is there a place that ever made me feel really calm and safe?
What inspires me? [people, places, things]
What style / aesthetic am I really drawn to? Why?
Connecting the Dots
Once you’ve answered these, read them back. You’ll start to see your own "design fingerprint" emerge.
For example: Maybe you’re obsessed with Italy. You love the blend of a modern chair against an old, textured wall. You fell in love with a marble plinth in a hotel lobby. You feel best when you’re looking at nature etc. Suddenly, you realise that mixing three different types of marble isn't "crazy", it’s your vibe. Combining a vintage timber table with sleek chairs isn't a mistake, it’s like the Italian villa you stayed at.
Bonus points: I recommend creating a physical mood board. Cut things out. Tape them up. Visualising the places you love to visit with textures and furniture you like next to each other helps the "click" happen much faster.
Let’s Get Technical
Now that you have a direction, we have to talk technicals. Put down the catalog and pick up the tape measure. It doesn’t matter how beautiful that sofa is, if it blocks the walkway or shrinks the room, it’s a disaster. Measure twice, buy once.
The Secret Sauce: Chunky vs. Leggy
Once the layout is set, here is the unofficial rule designers have used for centuries to find balance:
If every piece of furniture in your room has thin, spindly legs, the space feels like it’s floating away. If every piece is a solid block sitting flat on the floor, the room feels heavy and stagnant.
The goal is to find a happy mix of the two.
Chunky: Think slipcovered sofas, plinth coffee tables, or solid stone side tables.
Leggy: Think fine-framed armchairs, floating consoles, or delicate floor lamps.
There’s no perfect ratio, but a room needs both to feel "resolved." Here are some great examples that show the perfect balance of chunky and leggy.
Interior Designer: Arnet and Pyke, Photographer: Anson Smart
Interior Designer: YSG Studio, Photographer: Prue Ruscoe
Interior Designer: Flack Studio, Photographer: Anson Smart
Interior Designer: Flack Studio, Photographer: Anson Smart
Go Forth and Be Bold
I hope this gives you the nudge you need to step away from the "save" button and start making some braver choices. Look for inspiration in old films, nature, or your favourite gallery, not just an app.
Most importantly; get out into the world! Hit up your local second-hand markets, scour vintage shops, and keep your eyes open. You never know what you’re going to stumble across in a dusty corner. It is so much more satisfying to own a piece that has a history and a soul than to fill your home with mass-produced "fast furniture" from IKEA or Kmart. Give me a weathered timber stool with a story any day over something flat-packed and anonymous. Don’t limit yourself to what's easy, look for the things that actually mean something to you. And hey, if you’re still feeling overwhelmed by the options, drop me an email. I’m a trained interior designer, and I’d love to help you curate your space and tell your story.
Big love, Romolo x
