What's Your Style?

Last week I had a long "to do" list.  I had lots of client orders to place, two big presentations, a new client meeting, and my son's 11th Birthday party.   Somehow it all gets done.  My new client meeting was really interesting and it inspired this post.  These clients have recently relocated to the Boston area from Colorado.  They have a brand new home and they were looking for a departure from the "lodge" look in their previous home.  The problem was trying to communicate what they were looking for to me.  This happens an awful lot.  I've designed an exercise to help decipher what a client's "style" may be.

I first start by having them go through tear sheets.  I have tons of shelter magazine pages I've filed by room in every style imaginable.  The only criteria for me is they have to be great rooms.  As part of the process, I ask them to go through them quickly and set aside pictures that speak to them.  It may be a single element, a color palette, or the room in its totality.  After they go through them, we go over their "like" pile.  I ask the what and whys of each page.  It is amazing how quickly consistency shows up. 

The next step is to show them various chair styles.  I want to know what furniture style they are partial to. Here is the chart I show them.

 

Next I show them my fabric chart.  It has different categories that helps me determine if they like traditional, transitional, modern, or ethnic looks.

 

I also want to determine what wood and metal finishes they prefer.

 
Lastly, we talk about color palettes.  Do they like neutrals, brights, warm tones, cool tones?

   

 

 
It is amazing how much info I garner and how quickly clarity is gleaned.  So, if you take the test and leave it in a comment I'll give you my analysis.   Since this is truly a metamorphosis, I'll be joining Met Monday at BNOTP. 
 

Comments

[Dream Mom]

Oh how fun! I typically am quite traditional however whenever I take any quizzes, I am all over the board.

First the easy choices:

Furniture: First chair.
Metal: Gold.
Color Palette: Neutral

Now the hard ones:
Fabric: Not sure. None spoke to me. I typically prefer a neutral damask though. Don't care for any leather.

Wood: Hmm...Love white painted pine for doors and moldings. For cabinets, I've had maple and loved them. I do love high gloss dark walnut floors though and kitchens with cream or white cabinets.

[Erin]

Oh I hope I am not too late to join in the fun!

For Chairs:
The first one. Hands down.

Fabrics:
The stripes, the 2nd and 3rd down.

Wood: First

Metal finishes: Bronze, silver

Color pallettes: Tinged neutrals and gatherings

[Kristin@Bouelvard Interior Design]

Dream Mom has chosen the most consistant tradtitional choices. Choosing a damask fabric is classic and feminine. I would say you are Classic Feminine Traditional.
Erin, has also chosen consistant traditional choices. However, choosing the coastal stripes and the darker wood makes her choices different from DM. The Blue and Green color choices in fabric and palette read nature or coastal. I would classify Erin as Traditional Coastal.

[Dream Mom]

Thanks!

[Lisa@DestinationSeaborn]

What a great exercise! Thanks for sharing this! Here's my list:

Chair: top row, middle
Fabric: first column, bottom; brown/white geometric
Wood: Walnut? Appears next to black
Metal: Silver (1st), Bronze (2nd), then Brass; whatever works with the design
Colors: Ambiance

Have a good weekend! Lisa

[Kristin@Bouelvard Interior Design]

Lisa, you have chosen consistent transitional catagories. The chair and silver metal with a darker wood tone and Ambiance color palette connote a bit of glam. I would call you Transitional Glam.

[JoEllen]

I hope it's not too lat to play!
I like the style of thegreen chair on the bottom row in the middle. For faaabrics I was drawn to the toile. For wood tones I prefer the first or 5th (next to last). I usually like warm to dark wood. The finishes- I guess I like the silver best. The paint colors are hard . #1 is ambience and #2 is split between tinged neutrals and gatherings

[Kristin@Bouelvard Interior Design]

JoEllen, your choices indicate a definate traditional slant with the chair and fabric selections. Toile is so very French and paired with darker woods is a bit more formal. I would call you Dressy French Traditional.

[Paula Grace]

Hey, I just read Kisa's Destination Seaborn. Wow, you made quite an impact and helped define her style. Brava! Your comment was also wonderful. You're such a nice girl :)
Paula Grace ~

[Debbie]

I'd like a go at it if not too late:
Chair: first one top row
Fabric: Stripes
Wood: 4th one
Metal: Bronze
Paint: Ambiance

[Kristin@Bouelvard Interior Design]

Debbie's chair choice is traditonal and the stripes a classic. The lighter wood and bronze metal choice are also traditonal but lean casual. I would call you Traditional Classic Casual.