Crafting the Narrative: Why Every Interior Design Project Tells a Story
A Tampa Bay Living Magazine Feature
The art of storytelling is a universal human tendency that transcends time and culture. Communicating through stories is one of people’s most powerful abilities as humans. Modern culture and society depend on narratives, which are everywhere. And the tools people use to tell compelling stories vary from person to person, particularly in interior design.
Creating a narrative that encapsulates a home and its owner’s individuality is equally important in interior design projects. By doing so, homeowners can evoke a mood, set the tone and create an immersive atmosphere that captivates, inspires and expresses their individuality. According to experts, many residents in Tampa and St. Pete are incorporating this narrative design trend into their homes.
“When you walk into a space, whether you’re conscious of it or not, there’s already a narrative that’s unfolding. A room tells you a story. It gives you clues about somebody’s life. It evokes emotion,” said Audra Samnotra, a Tampa interior designer and owner of Social Swan Decor, in an interview with Tampa Bay Living Magazine. “Design is moving away from the all-neutral look where whites, beiges and light grays dominate. Color, character and pattern are popular with my clients this year. There’s a desire to show a point of view and create a unique narrative in the home.”
One of the main reasons why building a narrative in the home is prevalent in Tampa and St. Pete is because it allows homeowners to express their individuality. With many cookie-cutter homes and generic interior design trends, people want ways to stand out and showcase their personalities. Building a narrative within the home allows people to incorporate their interests, hobbies and experiences into their décor.
Another reason why this trend is on the rise in Tampa and St. Pete is because it creates comfort and nostalgia. Many homeowners find comfort in surrounding themselves with items that hold sentimental value or remind them of happy memories. To that end, homeowners can create a familiar and welcoming space by incorporating family heirlooms, vintage finds and travel souvenirs in their homes.
Creating meaningful and engaging spaces that tell a personal story
By incorporating storytelling techniques, interior designers can create spaces that are aesthetically pleasing, meaningful and engaging for the people who use them. Experts say there are various ways homeowners can create a personal design narrative reflected in different areas of the home. For example, a home office may be designed to reflect the owner’s love of travel, with map-covered wallpaper and vintage globes on display.
Some people have heirlooms passed down to them that can be used as focal points in a space. For instance, homeowners can display family heirlooms in particular areas, such as an entryway, bedroom or dining room. Furthermore, showcasing family photos or personal artwork can add personality to homeowners’ designs. However, according to experts, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach, which gives homeowners many creative options when embarking on their design journeys.
“I think a story can be reflected in many ways, such as your hobbies, or maybe you love to travel. Or maybe it’s where you’re from, which is somewhere halfway across the world, or it’s something that you love to do. There are so many different narratives that can be woven into design,” said Samnotra.
Building a design narrative starts with self-representation
Experts recommend homeowners start with a theme and consider what they want their home to represent about themselves. Are they world travelers? Nature lovers? Vintage enthusiasts? Use this theme as a starting point for décor.
Another way to build a narrative within the home is by creating a focal point. This could be a piece of artwork, an original piece of furniture or even a statement wall. The focal point should draw the eye and set the tone for the rest of the space.
Another critical aspect of building a narrative within the home is considering the space flow. How furniture and décor are arranged can significantly affect how the space feels and functions. Experts say it’s imperative to consider how people move through the room while creating inviting and functional areas.
From concept to design execution: why it matters
Accurate design execution results in engaging and meaningful experiences for homeowners, according to experts. To achieve this, any design project should translate the concept into reality. In addition to visuals, accurate execution allows homeowners to fully experience their spaces through sounds, smells and touch. This creates a multisensory storytelling experience.
Interior designers bring concepts together to complete the story
Creating a narrative in home interior design may seem like a high hurdle. However, experts say that partnering with interior designers helps to create more seamless design experiences and bring concepts to life. This ensures homeowners’ narratives and visions are captured in the final design.
“A designer is going to pull together a bunch of different elements. They’re going to source. They’re going to find old pieces and new pieces. You want a sense of the past and a nod to the future and added depth, so you rely on a designer to curate and bring these things together so that your space looks beautiful and cozy but also reflects you,” said Samnotra.
With a clear vision, well-chosen color palettes, well-placed accessories and respectful functionality, homeowners can ultimately create spaces that tell their own stories while also capturing visitors’ interest.
