Defining the terms of home decor can help you choose what suits you

Traditional family room photo by david hugh bragdon

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Decorating styles have certainly changed with time. In the days when only a few interior styles were recognized, you could surely pin down a style that suited your taste. Traditional, modern or contemporary were your choices. Today when the question is asked, "what's your style," the answer may still be traditional or contemporary but most often it's "I don't know."

In today's world of ever-changing styles it's easy to be confused. Having a decorating identity crisis is normal. Style terms such as shabby chic or rustic modern, coastal and industrial could confuse anyone. These are newer more recent styles that have emerged in the design world in the last 10 to 15 years.

Traditional style today describes a more dressed-down look, more casual.

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Shabby chic is one style that has overtaken the decor world when decorating on a budget. This style was made popular by decorator Rachel Ashwell at a time in her life when she was starting over and wanted to create a comfortable home for her and her children; that meant decorating on a budget. Flea market finds of repurposed furnishings, painted tables, pictures and lamps all add charm to a room's look.

Rustic modern is a style that may turn historic designers over in their graves. A popular style mostly found in kitchen design, it's a combination of modern style paired with rustic furnishings. Salvage wood is used in cabinets or installed on an island base. Modern accessories, fine lines, mid-century furnishings such as bar stools with iron legs, combine to help create this look. Lighting with a contemporary feel and clean sparse walls would describe this decorating style.

Coastal style is easy-breezy. Whites, off whites, soft blues and greens make up this style, along with neutral slipcovers, and textured area rugs of sisal or seagrass. Add some painted or driftwood tables and completing this look is an easy one.

Industrial is a style prominent for city dwellers and loft lovers. It's found more often in old mill buildings transformed into loft living spaces. Exposed beams, high wood ceilings with wood floors and brick walls add warmth to these unique spaces. Iron support columns and vintage mill artifacts are a feature that can be found in most of these transformed buildings.

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Defining the terms of home decor can help you choose what suits you