A HOME of Your Own

This issue of Style at Home has me thinking a lot about decorating your home in a deeply personal way. What I love about the homes in this issue is that the homeowners and designers collaborated to create really unique spaces, using colour and pattern to bring out the personalities of the people that live there. Rebecca Hay, who designed the fabulous room on our cover (for the story, see page 54), sums it up perfectly: “Adding playful bits of personality is what lets a home become your life story.” What a beautiful idea!

I also love how we explore how to design a functional family home that works for all ages, from babies to busy parents. Calgary designers Reena Sotropa and Alanna Dunn did exactly that by creating custom storage solutions and reconsidering room usage to suit a young family, switching the dining room to a playroom while the kids are young (page 80). Oh, and did I mention the home also features a sophisticated yet livable decor that suits adult tastes and embraces kids’ need for play? That’s smart.

Speaking of smart, home tech is rapidly changing how we live. I am amazed by the new products that bring ease, luxury and even beauty home – whether it’s a tap you can talk to or a TV that flips to go vertical so you can check your social accounts and then go back to movie screen viewing. It’s all about customization – making your home work for you.

In a time when life seems partially on hold, it’s reassuring to embrace progress, whether that be exciting new home products or simply decorating in a way that suits you and only you. That’s good advice on how to make a house your home.