Are you traditional or eclectic?

Every decorating style includes distinguishing elements: brass candlesticks and highboys, for instance, translate Colonial; curvaceous side chairs and wall-hung porcelain dishes speak to French provincial. If you’re searching for a style, compile a list of favorite rooms.

Maybe you like your grandmother’s kitchen or a friend’s library? What can you borrow from those rooms to forge your own perfect space? Finding a style that suits your lifestyle and setting doesn’t mean starting over so don’t panic.

Furnishings are recyclable; heirlooms blend. The rigid rules of the past are gone. Have the style you want your way. Familiarizing yourself with popular modes of decoration will jump-start those creative juices.