Helping Clients Discover Their Style
One of the most rewarding, and nuanced, aspects of interior design is helping clients uncover their personal style. Most arrive with a handful of inspiration images, a wish list of functional fixes or a Pinterest board that swings wildly from one aesthetic to another. Our job isn’t just to interpret those visuals – it’s to turn them into a story that actually feels like them!
Start With How They Live, Not Just What They Like
Style isn’t about slapping a label on a home, like modern, traditional or eclectic. It’s about what makes someone feel at ease and inspired in their space. That feeling becomes the foundation for every design choice that follows.
When a client says they love minimalism, what they often mean is they love calm and order. When they say cozy, that could mean they’re craving warmth, texture and memory. Asking how they actually use their home and how they want to feel in their space reveals far more than adjectives ever could. I like to start with the basics, like…
● Where do they spend their mornings?
● How do they unwind at night?
● Which space just isn’t working and how could it improve?
The answers uncover what they value, how they want to feel and what their home needs to support that life – sometimes in ways they didn’t even realize.
Create Visual Conversations
Mood boards and inspiration decks are a must, but the magic happens when clients react. I love showing contrasting spaces, like a bold, eclectic living room with statement pieces versus a neutral, layered room full of soft textures and asking, “What draws you in? What pushes you away?”
The words they use – cozy, tailored, vintage, whimsical, clean, etc. – reveal a lot about what they’re drawn to and why. They also highlight little contradictions, like a client might love a sculptural chair but confess they’d never actually sit in it. Spotting these moments early helps bridge the gap between aspiration and reality, resulting in a space that’s not only beautiful but genuinely livable.
Edit, Then Refine
Once patterns emerge, refinement is key! Clients often drift toward trends because they look pretty, not because they truly fit their life. When helping clients, our job is to separate fleeting inspiration from what genuinely resonates.
I like to define a project’s “north star” – a phrase that captures its essence. For example: refined warmth for a family that entertains. Every choice (color, material, furniture piece, etc.) is measured against that north star. Think of it as a compass to guide each design decision.
Balance Intuition With Structure
Design is a dance between listening and guiding. Early on, listening builds trust, and later, gentle direction builds confidence. When a client hesitates, I like to remind them that we’re not trying to replicate a magazine spread, we’re creating a home that reflects them.
Presenting curated options (like two three schemes that vary in mood and palette but stay true to the project’s essence) gives clients the space to make confident, empowered choices without feeling overwhelmed. Their style becomes tangible, and it helps us design a finished space that is uniquely theirs and speaks to their own personal style.
Celebrate Evolution
Style isn’t static. As clients’ lives change, their homes should, too! Setting that expectation upfront allows room for growth and experimentation. A well-designed home should feel cohesive but never frozen in time. It’s always evolving… just like us!
When we see interior design as a journey of self-discovery rather than just furnishing a space, we do more than create beautiful spaces. We help clients uncover who they are and how they want to live. Great design isn’t just seen – it’s felt. Every home we create reflects the life happening inside it, and there’s nothing more inspiring than watching it come alive.
—Amy Courtney is founder of Fairfield, Conn.-based Amy Courtney Design
