by Sophie Bynam, Interior Architectural Designer
Most people think the hardest part of designing a home is coming up with ideas. The truth? The hardest part is having too many.
By the time people come to me, they’ve usually got a folder bursting with Pinterest pins, screenshots from Instagram, and pages ripped from LivingEtc. Beautiful things…but together? Chaos. Hundreds of images that don’t connect, and a client who’s overwhelmed and unsure where to start.
My job? To cut through all of that and uncover one clear, cohesive style — a style that’s been hiding in plain sight the whole time.
Start with One Thing
I never begin with, “What’s your style?” That question makes most people freeze. It’s too big, too abstract, and sends you straight back into overwhelm!
Instead, I say:
“Show me just one thing you love.”
It could be a velvet armchair, a painting from your travels, a cushion you can’t stop stroking, or even your favourite coffee mug. That one thing is the shortcut to your real style.
Why does this work? Because it’s the art of the edit. It strips away the confusion and trend-chasing and brings it back to something personal and real.
- It reduces anxiety. Choosing one item feels safe and easy.
- It creates an emotional connection. That piece usually has a story — and stories make homes feel alive.
- It simplifies every decision. Once you have that anchor, you just ask: Does this work with the thing I love?
The Mantelpiece Story
One client moved into a house that felt bland and uninspiring. There wasn’t much she loved, except for one thing: a rare piece of timber she’d sourced locally and used as a mantelpiece.
That piece of wood set the tone for the entire living space. We pulled its warmth and texture through the paint colours, fabrics, and furniture finishes. Suddenly, her home went from “generic” to something deeply personal. And it all started with one object.
Digging Deeper
Once I’ve got that first clue, I start asking why it resonates, is it the pop of colour? The warmth of the material? The way it feels cosy, elegant, or bold?
This is where most people get stuck. You know you like something but struggle to explain why. That’s when I draw on the psychology of design and become a translator between feelings and style.
Client says: “I want everything neutral.”
I translate: “You’re worried about making a mistake — we can build confidence through texture, not colour.
Client shows: Leopard print clothing they love.
I translate: “You’re drawn to organic patterns and warm earth tones.”
Look Beyond Words
People don’t always tell you everything — but their clothes, accessories, and even phone case give them away. I’ve learned that people often dress the way they’d decorate. It’s a big clue.
If I see bold patterns in their wardrobe, I know they can handle statement prints at home. If their jewellery is minimal, I lean towards cleaner lines and a softer palette.
Refining & Editing
Once I’ve gathered all the clues, I present a carefully edited set of options — like a spectrum. At one end, there’s a safe choice; at the other, something bold or unexpected.
Most clients land somewhere in the middle, but I think it’s important to nudge people out of their comfort zone.
“Start bold and you can always pull back. Start safe and it’ll end up invisible.”
Finding Your Style
Even if you think you don’t have a style, you do. It’s in your favourite scarf, your go-to jumper, the mug you reach for every morning, your job is just to take a step back and reflect. Or if you're really struggling, talk to me - my job isn’t to impose a look on you — it’s to uncover what you already love, and expand it into a home that feels unmistakably yours.
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