If you're like most people, you find yourself attracted to many different looks and styles. One day you may be drawn to the clean, Zen-like simplicity of the new modern designs; the next you're in love with a rustic lodge look. Sound familiar? This can make decorating your home a real challenge.You're not alone.

Most professional interior designers have the same problem. But like you, we have to strip away everyone else's concept of what our homes should look like and go with our gut.
I have found that the most difficult projects are those with input from too many people.
While your partner's opinion is important, don't rely too much on well-meaning advice from too many others. Your children, relatives and neighbors might have good intentions but can often add to confusion.

Finding your style has nothing to do with money or trends and has everything to do with confidence and conviction. The first lesson in decorating is that interior design is an art and not a science. The fear and the insecurity that you may experience is likely because of the preconception of "perfection" that design magazines provide. The rooms that look "perfect" may, in reality, have come about by accident and over many years. Don't be in too big a hurry to find your style. Your personality is continually growing and changing. So should your rooms.

I find that very few of my projects begin totally from scratch. There are usually a few "givens" I need to work with that provide clues about style I can build around. Here's an easy experiment: Walk through your house and put a sticky note on everything you don't like. Don't think about what it cost or where you got it, just whether you like it. Then take a good look at the items you really do like and ask yourself why. You should be able to see a pattern. You might find you like things with little color, straight lines and high contrast. Or, you may find you're drawn to curvy shapes, bright colors and lots of pattern. Then, do the same with your wardrobe. Are your closets full of mainly solids in tailored and structured designs or are there colorful and casual garments hanging there? What items of clothing don't you like? As in your wardrobe, your decorating style needs to reflect who you are,
not somebody's idea of a false lifestyle.