Choosing Furniture to Highlight Your Signature Style

There are so many options available when furnishing your master suite, it can be a little overwhelming. How does the modern homeowner know where to begin? First consider practical matters: furniture budget, intended use of each piece, special needs (kids, pets, bad backs), room size, existing components and colors, and required textile care and maintenance. Whew! Figure all of that out and it's on to the fun part - choosing furniture that expresses your personal style. The following guidelines certainly aren't foolproof, but basing your home decorating scheme on your musical preferences can be pretty expressive.

So, what's on your changer?

If you feel like a Rock Star…
your style is Eclectic.
Themes: new bohemian, the energy of downtown New York, a manor house made fresh with rock n' roll , aristocratic punk, runway fashion
Palette: deep jewel tones (purple, hunter green, red, burgundy), black, bright gold accents
Textiles: classic English tartans and paisley, leopard, zebra, tiger, rich velvets, fringe, exotic crocodile, both smooth and distressed leathers
Frames: classic, neoclassic, and gothic mahogany frames made edgy with black leather upholstery, mixed fabrics on the same piece (distressed leather tufted frame + dark velvet seat cushions), large nailhead trim
Sample Find: low and deep English-arm sofa in wine jacquard with to-the-floor fringe and antique brass nail trim

If you feel like a Classics Buff…
your style is Traditional.
Themes: garden, romance of English countryside, timeworn, faded elegance, Parisian garret apartment, refined luxury, Louis XIV, lavish femininity, meticulous fashion, conventional London carriage house
Palette: Taupe, cream, pale blue, champagne, subdued gold, delicate pink, soft green and sea foam, palest jewel tones
Textiles: finely drawn florals, embroidery, delicate lace, airy linens, couture details
Frames: Edwardian influence, acanthus leaf details, marble tops, neoclassical elements, brass hardware, mahogany, honeyed pine
Sample Find: Empire sofa in robin's egg blue linen with scroll arms and turned mahogany legs on casters

If you feel like a Jazz Man…
your style is Contemporary.
Themes: cocktail culture, updated art deco, sleek, urbane, minimalist, romantic refinement, Hollywood glamour, luxurious femininity with modern clarity, drama, 1940's film, penthouse, modern sophistication, understated elegance
Palette: black with shots of bold color, white, black and white, camel, charcoal, metallic silver touches
Textiles: perforated leather, solid satin and shimmering silks, houndstooth checks, pinstripes, spectator details, menswear fabrics
Frames: clean lines, sleek finishes, chrome hardware, glass and leather, circular tables, high tech materials including carbon fiber and polished steel, black oak, lacquer
Sample Find: grey flannel square-formed sofa with broad arms, block feet, and crisp box cushions

If you feel like a Country Singer…
your style is Casual.
Themes: soft and mellow, rugged country, coastal cottage, vibrant spirit, Old World style, quiet refuge
Palette: indigo, muted red, , stucco and stone, natural hues, muted spice tones
Textiles: espadrille stripes, bandana paisleys, block prints, ticking, stripes, tattersals, wool cable knits, shearling, suede, serapes and Navajo rugs, hand tooled leather
Frames: iron, well-aged wood, rush
Sample Find: peeled rattan woven sofa with hemp upholstery and striped loose back cushions