As an interior designer I’m spilling the beans and giving away my secrets to decorating like a pro. A journey inside my process, my intuitive mind, hope it doesn’t scare you too much, wink.

I create Soulscapes,  a curated collection of eye candy that reflects how I feel or want to feel.  They can be amusing or light-hearted, to magical or zen and anywhere in between.  I get lots of great feedback on them.  If you have not experienced my Soulscapes, hop on over here to check them out.

My Soulscape Collections are visual interpretations of how I feel and what is inspiring me au current. The Unfurl + Awaken Collective was created on the dawn of spring after much of the nation suffered a brutally cold winter.

I felt ready to claw out of my cocoon, unfurl my soul and awaken to the possibilities, hopefulness, and anticipation of the new season. Personally, I believe the new year should officially begin in April because it feels like a time for fresh starts and new goals.

 The first image I discovered that spoke to me in the Unfurl + Awaken Collective was the boy splashing in the seafoam green lagoon. Fantasizing about the up coming      Spring Break and sun on my bare shoulders, splashing in cool refreshing water inspired the minty green color for the Unfurl + Awaken palette. I soon found myself   searching for other images for the collection.

 If you are a DIY decorator, you have probably heard the phrase, “Find or use an inspiration piece to decorate your room around.”  I understand that like most people you  probably think,” Yeah, how do I do that?”

My Soulscape Collections are created and published to help you do just that. I’m going to show you how I use the Soulscapes as a tool in my design process, in my own home, as well as in my client’s homes. The Unfurl + Awaken Collective exudes exactly how I wanted to feel which was renewed, refreshed, hopeful, and excited for the new season.

I  break down how to take an idea, a piece of inspiration, be it a seashell, vintage toy, wine label, or leaf and translate your inspiration into multiple interpretations which can be incorporated into a decorated room.

Inspiration +  Interpretation  = Individual Style

The Unfurl + Awaken Collective consist of sixteen images to create its Soulscape.  To simplify the process I will use just one image from the collective to use in multiple Design Soulutions of various lifestyles and rooms.

Today, to be mindful of your time, we will interpret one photo image for one room. Mini Design Soulution  No. 1 is what will be accomplished in this article.

Secrets to decorating like a pro tip #1: Surround yourself with inspiration

I chose the bird from the Unfurl + Awaken Collective to use as the inspiration piece for a room design. Selecting the photo of the bird as inspiration affords many interpretations and is a universal image. My focus on the bird is the unique texture and the breath taking natural beauty of this creature.

 Secrets to decorating like a pro tip #2: Find unique accessories

The Juju Headress is one of my favorite home decor accessories.  This one is natural, but they are usually dyed in vibrant colors.  This choice is a bit literal and obvious but there is nothing mundane about the fabulous juju headdress handmade in Camroon from chicken feathers.

Secrets to decorating like a pro tip #3: Have fun with functional elements

  Domesticated birds typically live in birdhouses.  So I selected this gilded birdcage pendant light to be a functional and pretty translation of our beautiful bird.

Secrets to decorating like a pro tip #4: Texture, texture, texture

The soft  texture of the  velvet sofa is mimetic of the bird’s feathers and the sofa’s amber color is a nod to the markings on the breast of the bird.

Secrets to decorating like a pro tip #5: Repetition

A modern interpretation of our inspirational bird is the turquoise feather motif throw pillow.  The turquoise with the amber backdrop of the sofa just makes both pieces sing.

Secrets to decorating like a pro tip #6: Add whimsy

You won’t trip over this  silver leaf tree stump  in the Enchanted Forest, but this side table is a whimsical translation of our inspirational bird sitting in the tree.

Ta da..the finished Mini Design Soulution with the links to all of these fabulous design pieces below.

Cameroon JuJu hat//Birdcage Light//Silver leaf end table//Sofa//Pillow

Hopefully, following along with my design process you have learned more than a few secrets to decorating like a pro and these tips will aid you in your own home decorating endeavors, or at least inspire you to new interpretations of your own inspiration pieces.

You may say, “But Elle, This room is so luxe and glam-y, what do I do if I love the inspirational piece but I live with a bunch of Tasmanian Devils elementary schoolers and need a more family friendly style?”

Hold your horses sista, I got you covered.

My next article will use the SAME inspirational bird photograph to show you how I translate it into a different decorative style for you.

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So don’t miss the next Design Soulution.  Sign up here to receive email updates of more Design Soulutions  interpreted and incorporated into various rooms and be inspired to create a home that speaks to your soul.