From Moodboard to Real Life Room

I am all about a moodboard as you well know. I nearly never work on a project for either myself, or a client, without one and I even offer the service of creating one on your behalf to guide you through your own decorating journey. Today I will attempt to explain exactly how to translate your inspirational pics into an actual room makeover…

So you have followed my advice and stock piled magazines tear sheets, spent hours online, pinned a tonne of inspirational pins, refined your selection and created an amazing moodboard. How then do you translate all your room ideas from said moodboard to real life room? Sometimes its really quite obvious and other times not so much. To begin with you need to study each individual image, break down each element and identify exactly what you love about the picture in the first place. Its all about making lists….

Step 1 – Drill into the Specifics

Is it the colours, patterns, texture or lighting? Is it the decor, the architecture or the vibe? Make yourself a written list of the visual ideas. For example, my current list would read: raw timber, stone, linen, faux fur, grey, blue and brown with black accents, geometric pattern, distressed paint, soft pools of light, textured ceramics, indoor plants, comfortable and cosy.

Step 2 – Decide How to Add your Inspiration

To incorporate my inspiration I then make a second list of ideas; timber wall panels, stone indoor garden pots, linen curtains, faux fur throw, grey wall paint, blue upholstery, geometric cushions, distressed painted side table, black floor and table lamps, textured ceramic vases or vessels and oversized, pillowy seating.

Step 3 – Execute your Plan

Make a third list to take shopping then roll up your sleeves, clean out, paint if required, rearrange, style, stand back and smile!!

Now its worth noting that things don’t always go to plan 🙁 You cant afford the side table you dreamed of, the oversized, pillowy sofa and artwork ate up all your budget and the vases and vessels will have to wait. Doesn’t matter! Paint something second hand, wait to add your ceramics and grab a fleece blanket to substitute for your faux throw in the short term. It will happen in time. Your moodboard ensures you stay within your boundaries and prevents you wasting money on things that don’t fit in with your dream design.

See! Don’t get overwhelmed, take it one step at a time and have fun! A little bit of hard work for a huge amount of satisfaction. You’ll be so proud of yourself I promise 😉