For many of us, 2018 was a doozy, but we here at Brit + Co are ready to hit refresh in 2019! Follow our Hit Refresh series through January and February for new ideas, hacks, and skills that will help you achieve (and maintain!) those New Year’s resolutions.
One of our favorite things about the start of a new year is making resolutions. But instead of zeroing in on our gym goals or work habits, we’re focusing on a different area: our homes. For inspo, we reached out to the pros from online design platform Homepolish to hear what 2019 decrees they’re making for their inner sanctums. From taking more design risks to embracing ancient Japanese wisdom, here’s what they said.
1. Get inspired by Ikebana. “My decor resolution for 2019 is to study and practice Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. This past year, I began to explore New York’s flower market and met several great suppliers of exotic flowers, branches, and sculptural tropical leaves. In 2019 I plan to visit a few times each month and begin creating arrangements for my home and design projects. The process of arranging natural elements is both artistic and meditative. Hopefully, this new practice will lead to a more relaxed and beautiful 2019.”-Homepolish Interior Designer Ashlie Broderic
2. Go bold with window treatments. “My New Year’s Resolution is to use bolder window treatments in my designs. Typically, I use soft and clean-lined drapery to finish off a room. Instead, I want to introduce textures and color with window treatments just like a piece of art. ” -Homepolish Interior Designer Larisa Barton
3. Go local. “I love working with local makers, so my resolution would be to involve them even more in my projects. Working with local makers makes customization options endless, and communication is a breeze. I also love having the ability to visit a piece in the midst of fabrication to guarantee a perfect end result.” -Homepolish Interior Designer Amy Courtney
4. Dial up the color. “Fewer all-white painted rooms. I love white rooms, but I want to do more with colors or other neutrals.” -Homepolish Interior Designer Crystal Sinclair
5. Let go of perfection. “My 2019 design resolution is to embrace Wabi Sabi, which is the Japanese idea of accepting imperfections and impermanence. Symmetry and order make my brain happy (I’m a bit of a perfectionist), but I want to start using imperfect vintage furniture pieces, handmade ceramics, asymmetrical furniture layouts, and color combinations that are unusual. Coincidently, letting go of the idea of perfection is my personal resolution as well!” -Homepolish Interior Designer Tina Rich
6. Ditch the conventional kitchen wisdom. “My New Year’s resolution is to swap white subway tile for large format stone for a more high-impact design, and trade white cabinets for soft neutrals like cool grays and light taupes — these hues give the space a more custom feel.” -Homepolish Interior Designer Kevin Clark
What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Let us know on Twitter @BritandCo.
(Images via Amy Bartlam and Sean Litchfield for Homepolish)