Home Goods Style Score Quiz

I found this great little quiz over on How About Orange and thought I’d give it a try.  It’s for the Home Goods chain of stores, and was developed by Deborah Needleman, formerly of Domino, now of favourite, WSJ.Magazine.  You can take the quiz here and then come on back and tell me how you did!

I am a GLAMOUROUS CLASSIC!

You have a refined sensibility with an appreciation for history and tradition in your furniture and your rooms. You value beauty and craftsmanship. You are visually sensitive and understand how symmetry and a balanced layout give order to a room. But you definitely like to shake things up with some unabashed luxury and glamour to keep things from getting boring. You go for rich materials like velvets, one-of-a-kind objects, lady-like touches, glimmering accessories, and a sense of old-Hollywood romance that makes your home dramatic and elegant.

You value creativity. You are stylish and fun loving, and can be an inspiration to others. You have a natural sense of drama, and you know you have to be willing to take risks—whether with colors, finishes, furniture choices, or ideas—for your home to stand out. Your home can be happy and lively and the place all of your friends want to be.

Funnily, this is pretty spot on!  I call my style Rough Luxe, since I do like the finer things in life, but I also like things like my steel kitchen counter/desk and my 30 drawer steel shoe holder.1. Your Design Challenge: ORGANIZE: The front hall sets the mood for your entire home. Consider how to accommodate all the room's functions as beautifully as possible. At the very least you need a console, and if you're short on storage, consider a dresser. Outfit the surface with nice trays and bowls for mail, keys and sunglasses. Keep a trash can for immediately tossing the junk mail. Closet-door or wall hooks encourage coat and bag hanging rather than dumping. It's nice to have a chair or bench for changing shoes, a mirror for last-minute lipstick checks, and a lamp or sconces for warm light.

This is a big issue for me, and I am really trying to conquer it in the new house. Although my shoe box is relegated to the mud room, I really want it in the front, so I can store my shoes as soon as I walk in the door! In the winter, I also store gloves/scarves in it, so it’s very practical.

2. Your Happy Place: Choose a color or two that harmonizes with the tableware you already own, and collect things like linens, glasses, dessert plates, or platters in those hues. This is a fantastic way to liven up a plain, white table setting. And if you can, set the table the night before a dinner party, so you can really take pleasure in tending to the details.

My china is blue and white, so it’s fun that my Happy Colours fit that range of colours.  I also have some of my china in plain white, so it would work with other blue and white china. I’ve been using hot pink napkins lately and that looks fantastic. 3. Be Party-Ready All the Time! Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.
I just got an amazing strawberry-scented Slatkin candle and I also bought one from Williams-Sonoma in their fabulous pink grapefruit scent.

Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, stock up on some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.I never, ever, ever, use overhead lights. Ever. I love table lamps, and candles. My sister gave me three lanterns with candles, and I’ve hung them on hooks out in the back yard. I also have some beautiful candlesticks that I use, too.

Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!
Now that I am entertaining again, I always try and have the essentials on hand. Whether it’s a box of Triscuits and some cheese, or just chips, I am trying to be prepared to have company at all times. A lot of people have been stopping in to see the new house, so it’s good to do this!

Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.
Ha! Before I had a jar of mayo in the fridge, I had champagne and white wine!  I do have a nice silver ice bucket and a gorgeous silver water pitcher. I have beautiful William Yeoward glasses, so they’re always stunning to use for guests. These are my Happy Home colours:This is pretty interesting, since the bottom center colour is basically what I’ve painted the living room and one of the bedrooms, and the top left colour, a sort of periwinkle is one of my favourites!

Take a moment to take the quiz, and let me know what it says about you!