Hi friends. It’s time for our monthly style report with Cindy and Sarah. On this Signature Style, we ask- does your wardrobe reflect your home, and does your home looks like your favorites clothes?
The home and your closet are more similar than you realize, and thinking about what your ‘style’ is can help you make better choices for both of them!
Only just in the past years have come to realize I have a casual California style and the home does too. Doing our remodel helped me better focus on what I really like and what my own style is.
When we were remodeling this home three years ago, my wish list had open spaces, big windows, natural materials, and skylights. Colorwise, I wanted shades of white and beiges, neutrals and soft grey and blues with black accents.
I opted for things with texture to warm it all up and make this open home feel inviting and cozy. I dreamed of beautiful wood floors, soft wool rugs, big couches, cozy throws and pillows in nubby fabrics. So it would not look too bland, I wanted to add touches of black and different woods, brass, and stone, which are slightly masculine elements.
I also like graphic art. I love plants and trees, rattan and bamboo and baskets. Other elements in the mix are my vintage glasses and dishes found and handed down, my books, a black steel table, vintage textiles and throws.
I made this all work by keeping the color palette to neutrals with black accents and a little blues and soft greys to keep it cohesive and calm, with so many different elements.
My wardrobe, begins with jeans and many white shirts, and in the house- my white couch and wood floors are the same sort of base
I wear mostly neutral colors with blue shirts, and black, but mostly solids. I wear silver jewelry most of the time.
Does my wardrobe and my house seem alike? I think so..
A few photos that illustrate the point that I am sort of wearing my house!
Think about your home and your closet in relation. This can help you see what your style is and- maybe you’d love your home more, if it felt like your closet?
This can also help you can choose clothes that feel more you, if they reflect your home style.
The bar is probably my most glitzy part of the house with it’s mirrored backsplash. It’s sort of my silver jewelry.
The rest could be called casual Californian I suppose, and the same for my clothes..
Going back to our thought process…If you have a classic house that’s preppy and east coast traditional, you will probably appreciate the classics like Ralph Lauren and plaid jackets. If you adore monograms and anything navy, green, cable knits and stripes, you will like the same look in your home. People who are in the art world dress very creatively..and their homes always look the part. Try and think of your home as another extension of you, and it can be much more fun and an outlet for your personal passions.
Recognizing your style will help you solidify your vision of how you want to live and dress.
It can give you a lot more confidence in what you choose as you know if something is you when you shop or isn’t. You know what is your look or your vibe, if you will.
Once you recognize your home and personal style…
- Think about things in your house and wardrobe you can discard, as they don’t or never have felt like you.
- Consider making a wish list of what kind of feel you want for your home and what things you might do like paint, wallpaper, add plants, move furniture around, or items to buy or save for get to that look.
- Make an inspiration board for your own enjoyment and to keep yourself on track when shopping and building the home and closet that is perfect for you.
A few things from my California home and closet and similar styles.. Links on photos or description below..
Headlands Pendant Light, Alamere rug -on sale now, Beaufort tray, jeans, cream jacket, herringbone throw, marble lamp, chunky throw, beachcomber placemats, textured pot/utinsel holder (in my case), white cotton shirt, willow wall art, silver branch bangle, cobble hill pillow (on sale), cable knit sweater.
Do you think your home and wardrobe are similar in style? Do you love one more than the other or think one needs more attention? Let me know your thoughts..
…And don’t forget to pop over to see what Cindy and Sarah have today about our homes and wardrobes reflecting each other..
Thanks for being here!
Kim
October’s Signature Style was our new season wishlists and if you missed it read it here.
If you want to save this post you can pin this graphic below on Pinterest, where you can follow me for more ideas.
Kim, this is such a great post with lots to think about. Your personal and interior styles are one in the same … I never really thought about it that way. Now I’m going to have to evaluation my situation. Uh oh. Your style may be casual California, but I also find it elevated, chic. You’re an endless source of inspiration to me … both home and wardrobe. Love your look and ideas always. xo
I know we don’t really think about our homes and clothes being of the same style, but they are! Thank you for saying that – you are very sweet. I love your home and I do think you dress very much like it… You have a pretty and preppy feel I really love. It also has a coastal feel. the feeling is mutual! xoxo
Oh my! Yes… we are either home or wardrobe focused.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 (I’m stepping back from my wardrobe atm). Love your space and style Kim. It’s just so Zen 🙏🏻
Sarah so true and I am thinking about the home now with the holidays coming! Thank you and enjoyed seeing yours so much! Australian style with a collected British feel a bit! xx
Palm Springs IN Northern California!
THAT IS YOUR HOUSE!
FUNNY HOW WE DO DRESS LIKE OUR HOMES!
JUST LIKE DOGS LOOK LIKE THEIR OWNERS……………………!!
A M A Z I N G!
XOX
Now if i could just relocate it for the winter there!! I know I was thinking about you- very operatic and beautiful clothes and home. Annie also dresses so much like her home..Classics and a lot of white and black..Actually you all do! xo
Now that we think about it, the favorite items/parts of my home that I love the most- do mirror my closet favorites. For example I love velvet and leather, and one of the favorite pieces on my home is a comfy distressed leather love seat with a vintage velvet cushion and throw pillows – I actually designed my entire living room around that particular chair! I also love bees, I have them in places through my house – I also love my French bee jewelry. And I’m contrast, the rooms I’m not as thrilled with in my home, do not represent my style. All things to think about – in a big way! And accessories are so important, and can make a room that’s not exactly one’s style – more personalized and cozy. Fun post!
xx
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com
Suzanne, Sounds like a pretty mix of textures! Isn’t that funny the room you like the least is not your style? I do agree the accessories can change that too! Like your bee things! xo
You’ve really made me think Kim and honestly I’ve never reflected on the connection before …
but yes, you’re right I can definitely see a similarity.
I have very few bright colours in my wardrobe and I find whenever I’m tempted they’re not an item I reach for regularly. I definitely prefer more neutral, muted colours with denim, black and navy and when I look around my home … absolutely no brights!! Although when I see other people rooms that are a mix of jewel colours I absolutely love them!
I occasionally add a pop of colour to an outfit but not really at home. Although at the moment there is an area with lots of brights, where the toys are lol but even then, they’re stored in baskets in muted colours.
The fact that I really love colours in others homes makes me wonder if I just “play it safe”’Same with my wardrobe lol Then I think about my favourite hotel rooms and they’re always the ones with simple good quality white linens , wooden floors etc
I guess that I’m going to be thinking about this for a while … 😊
I’ve enjoyed this post so much Kim … you continually inspire me xxxx
Rosemary I love how you dress in neutrals and love denim, black and navy aldo. You are like me, I see rooms with many colors and think they are the most gorgeous things. I have the same thoughts.. Would I be better in red and brights? Yet the things that look so good to me are the softer tones! Aw thank you. xo
My mom always described her decorating style as “Early Halloween”…which still makes me laugh. I live with 3 males so I am restrained somewhat. Everything I choose comes back to whether they will like it although my husband claims he has not had input on a single thing except a couch purchase. They are in my head though but I guess It’s pretty close to what I would choose anyway EXCEPT that we have dogs. So many things I would really want or have around I just can’t. Like light area rugs and gobs of pillows. My couches and chairs are slip covered in duck cloth or are bomb proof leather…not complaining as I like both materials but my options are limited when it comes to furniture. I tried pillows …it’s the same when you have little kids they are always on the floor! But I am thankful I am not burdened with the dad chair or recliners or man caves. So yes house goals are similar to wardrobe goals …simple, modern, neutral and casual.
Ha! I love that. What a cool mom. Jackie I had the same- three men in the house plus cats. Maybe not as destructive as dogs, but they have their issues too. The way I got through the young years was a Pottery Barn white duck couch that I washed often! (Finally sold it after the remodel at a yard sale for like $200 after 14 years! That thing was a tank.) I love the trend of big furry faux throws because those things are like armor over the couch…no food or pet mess can penetrate them! Leather sounds pretty hardy too. I also escaped the lazy boy/man cave and glad for that! I like your mantra- simple, modern and neutral!
xx
Kim—I really enjoyed this blogpost. It is funny how often one’s home decor /wardrobe style are similar. Love your home and your cool, California style of dressing, too.
Carol thanks so much! I bet your wardrobe and home style connect too.
You’re very consistent in your home and wardrobe style, Kim. I am not because of…the husband. When we met and joined forces rather late in life, we had to meld our households and treasures and he has strong attachments and opinions. It has probably been one of the most challenging parts of our relationship. He likes Asian, modern and neutrals with black and red accents. I am kind of girly with French antiques, a collection of beaded purses and my favorite color is lavender. Somehow we muddle through joined by our love of art, but it is not easy and sometimes I do not feel in alignment with parts of my own home. I’m sure the same is true for him. Sigh!
Penelope, Interesting to be married and you both have firm sensibilities about what is appealing to you! I can see how it takes some to make that work. Good thing you both love art! I guess I’m slightly fortunate as Max has zero interest in the choices in the house. Can also be slightly annoying sometimes..
Yup, it kind of surprised me to find he had such firm opinions on home decor. Luckily I have managed to avoid leather recliners until…..shortly. New digs have an area he has claimed as a
“ man cave “ with giant TV and the chairs. You would not be able to infer much about my wardrobe from that room! Ah well, I’d rather have a happy relationship even if it means a man cave.
Hi Kim, Like so many have commented, this really made me do some thinking to see if it is true of my home and clothes. I couldn’t really put my finger on the commonality but when you mentioned “preppy”, I think that would be me. My home is much more traditional in most spaces incorporating warm colors. However, I usually dress in many neutrals but love the blazer/jeans/loafer look. I also like to do what Cindy mentioned in her post which is to amp up outfits with fun earrings, bracelets or other accessories.
Thanks for food for thought. I’m going to keep looking into this idea~
Wren, I love the preppy blazer/jean/loafer thing! I bet it looks fantastic on you. I think most popped have warm color in the homes cool as they are cozy. I was worried about that with a lot of white..I try and warm it up with a warm white and lots of creams.
Cindy’ post was so great with all her accessories .. she does that at home too.
xo
Yes! I DO dress like my home: whites, creams, tans, chestnut, and black! Neutral, neutral, neutral! Question: the textured pot utensil holder, is it the SMALL size? Pots are my “go to” decorative item, the more unique the better–they have so many uses! THANKS!
Erica, Love those colors and chestnut! What a gorgeous hue. I linked to the size I have if you click on the photo and the size is small! I love pots to add unique touches too. xo
Yes – I guess they are similar.
Hmmm….Classic with lots of antiques, more busy than minimal, more color than neutral, lots of blue. The exact opposite of you!!
🤣 But I use orange in my home, which I would never wear. And I wear a lot of black and white and gray and bright color, which I don’t use much in decorating, other than black for accents.
I probably would use more white and gray (I did in my remodeled master bath), because it feels more fresh, but that would start a cascading effect that would require a complete redo of most of my house and that’s not in the cards at this time. I am always redoing things, but they have to match my orientals and artwork and linen white walls/trim, because I’m not in a position to replace all of that.
It feels like I am naturally trying to assimilate the two, though, in the last few years. I am adding more color to the house, and adding more neutrals to my wardrobe.
A very interesting concept.
Gray, I hear you once you start changing up your home, you do realize they all relate to each other.. and it does sort of set off a domino effect! Your home sounds eclectic and beautiful!
Kim
First of all you know I absolutely adore your home and your personal style. I am not sure if you dress like your home though. In the pictures you have shown ….yes, but I do see you in those darling block print dresses in the Summer! You and I share a love of texture as well. Great post! Your blog just keeps getting better and better!
Cindy the feeling is mutual! I do love graphics though- and some block prints in my bedroom.. We do love texture! I’m attracted to anything with a touchable feeling or look. xo
I’m an avid reader of yours – and this is the best one yet! Thank you as always for showing your beautiful home and clothing pieces. Do you have a source pls to the skirt you are wearing in one photo – it looks like a silk “leopard” print? You are holding a black clutch with black top lol. Love this look for upcoming holidays! Thank you.
Hi Ann, Aww thank you! The skirt is a bias cut skirt from Cloth & Stone- and from a few seasons back! It’s one of my favorites… Would be great for the holidays..I don’t see it online anywhere anymore, but did find this similar bias cute skirt at Quince for $59 and it’s silk.
https://rstyle.me/+yzn1jF9OAUnDPlqJTYJ4fw
x Kim
Oh I really love this idea! I would say that my ideal home decor and my ideal wardrobe definitely go together! But honestly? I have a lot of discordant pieces in both right now. Maybe a inspo board would help!!
Dawn, Would be a fun exercise to see if your fashion favorites can translate to your home? Love boards! x
Hi Kim-I love the idea of comparing our home styles to our closet styles. Both of mine are currently called ‘MESS’ with how busy the fall has been!
We are doing a small kitchen makeover and I’m needing to choose the backsplash tile. I know I want a white subway, but I see yours and it almost looks like a 3D effect, or hand-scraped hardwood floors. Do they have a ‘texture’ to them? I like it and want to find it.
We’re in a bit of a NorCal cold snap (yay!). Keep warm.
Janet, I get you.. Sometimes my home is nuts and a disaster when I’ve been busy..
So my subway tile has a sort of organic undulation feel to it! I love the look. The tile is by AKDO and it from their Origin Series in Origin Birch White Matte. The tiles are 2 1/2 x 10 1/2..
I bought them at All Natural Stone in San Jose, if you are nearby!
I know I am loving the cold weather and wearing a coat I love the cozy season.
Hope this helps you with the tile!
I love this post!! I sometimes think I dress like my house-but I think dressing the house is easier
( because it always stays the same size!! Haha) my home definitely has alot of pattern- but when I think back to my summer clothing choices, this year, I did pick alot of pattern and color. I love texture and linen, jean and cotton. A lot like my slipcovered furniture. As usual- I get lots of great fashion ideas from you. I’ve bought several things that you’ve talked about and I also love anything from Cloth and Stone. I love your home also. We were building at just about the same time, so a lot of our design looks similar! Thanks again
Martha! So true and our house can wear the same things for a lot longer! Martha, I think we have very similar taste too. I agree love Cloth & Stone. Yes maybe because we were remodeling the same year our homes are a lot alike too! I adore your home and your kitchen is amazing..Thank you so nice from you with the dream home! xo
Hi Kim!
I noticed in one of your pictures that you had on a pair of navy loafers. I have been on the hunt for a pair that I like, but haven’t found anything that I am in love with. Could you share the brand of yours? Thanks so much!!
Hi Kelly! The blue sued driving loafers? Those are about 5 years old from Tory Burch, but I did see these driving shoes that look very similar from Cole Haan…
https://rstyle.me/+6y6ck5CwwPI_B1GcvoE26A
And this is the latest from Tory in blue suede loafers..
https://rstyle.me/+OEK45-QclD042XVY5me4CA
Hope that helps! I love mine and wear them with a lot.
I’m going to try the Cole Haan ones, they are perfect. Thanks so much for helping me find them!
Sure! I hope they work out. They really look cute. I am considering a pair too.
Kim,
This is such an interesting post. I never thought about dressing like my house but in the past I have heard that when you are renovating to look in your closest for color inspiration.
My house is traditional, collected with new and old pieces, lots of books, and although I am drawn to vintage art I love modern colorful pieces as well.
I concur with all of the comments about, your wardrobe and house and you too are all beautiful!
I will see you tomorrow as we meander!
Hi Kim! I came here for your Christmas post and got sidetracked. Your blog looks so pretty and I absolutely LOVE your home and style. Please come and do my whole house over, now that I’ve finished renovating it I’m over it and want to move into yours LOL. However I definitely do dress like my house style, I love a good pair of jeans and white button down shirt with fun jewelry and my whole house is blue and white and driftwood-tones with bits of metallic here and there and sometimes a little color. This is such a great post! Also I’m obsessed with your mirrored bar backsplash and need to see more of that!!
Lisa, You are too kind. Thanks so much. I would love to see your remodel. It sounds like my style…Love jeans and driftwood! I must see what you have been sharing. xo