Style Is How You Live: What Personal Style Can Teach Us About Designing a Home

* Part 7 in an 8-part series based on the social media campaign, "Beyond the Closet - 12 Questions with Jennifer"

One of the living people I most admire is Diane von Furstenberg.

Yes, she's an extraordinary fashion designer and entrepreneur.

But what fascinates me more is the philosophy behind her work: independence, confidence, authenticity and the freedom to continually reinvent yourself.

It has made me think about the word style.

We usually associate style with clothes or interiors.

But I think style is something bigger.

Style is how you live.

Style Isn't the Same as Fashion

Fashion changes.

Style evolves.

There's an important difference.

The same is true in interior design.

You can reproduce every current design trend in your home and still end up with rooms that don't particularly feel like you.

Conversely, a home filled with objects accumulated over decades may feel incredibly stylish because every choice has conviction behind it.

Stop Designing for an Imaginary Person

One of the most liberating things you can do when designing your home is stop worrying about what you're “supposed” to like.

Maybe you love contemporary furniture and your grandmother's antique chest.

Use both.

Perhaps you prefer a dramatic closet but a relaxed living room.

Fine.

Maybe everyone on Instagram has open shelving and the thought of seeing everything you own makes you anxious.

Install doors.

Your home isn't an audition.

Confidence Creates Better Rooms

Personal style requires knowing yourself well enough to make choices based on how you actually live.

That's true in fashion, and it's especially true in storage design.

Do you want your handbags displayed or protected behind doors?

Do you find visual abundance inspiring or stressful?

Do you entertain formally or invite everyone into the kitchen?

There is no correct answer.

There is only the answer that works for you.

Thoughtful Design Isn't About Excess

This is another reason I admire von Furstenberg's approach.

Luxury and style don't require more for the sake of more.

They require intention.

Choose things because they're beautiful to you, useful to you or meaningful to you.

Let your home change as you change.

Keep what still tells your story.

Release what doesn't.

Because the most stylish home isn't necessarily the one that most accurately predicts next year's trends.

It's the one that couldn't possibly belong to anyone else.

* PS If you haven't read Diane von Furstenberg's autobiography, "The Woman I Wanted to Be," I highly recommend.  She reads the audio and her narration is delicious.