We’re always sad to see the holidays go and still have further cold months ahead. Thankfully, we can turn to our favorite interior designers and stylists to glean winter decoration inspiration to help us make it through the winter. This month, we had the opportunity to sit down with Stylist Jen Paul. We were lucky enough to work with Jen on our last photoshoot and had to ask her expert advice for decorating our home during the chilly months. You can follow her on Instagram at @_jenpaul to learn more about her.
Q: Give us a brief background about yourself and how you got your start in styling?
Jen: My name is Jen Paul and I’m a prop and interior stylist. I started styling about 6 years ago when I realized that being a stylist is a real job! I love bringing together my love for visual arts & design, with my love for collaboration with other creatives (like photographers, videographers, creative directors, artists, etc.). I’m most comfortable using my hands to create and physically change the spaces around me. And I love how different my projects can be from day-to-day. It makes my work much more exciting.
Q: How do you work with clients now?
Jen: I’m most often hired by a business or a producer to style homes or sets for a photo shoot or video. I also work with homeowners to help style their homes and create a quick refresh to their space without doing a full remodel of their home.
Q: What are a few key pieces anyone should have for styling their home?
Jen: Styling your home should be unique and personal to you. When speaking of key pieces everyone should have, I would say make sure you use items that bring you joy. Maybe it’s a vase you found on a favorite vacation, a blanket that belonged to your grandmother, or a coffee table book about one of your passions. Collect beautiful and meaningful pieces over time that make you happy. This will help create a space that makes you feel great and is uniquely you.
Q: What are your tips for styling a space without making it feel cluttered?
Jen: If you want a space that doesn’t feel cluttered, edit. Take the time to look around your space and only keep items displayed that add to the feel and style of the room. Be intentional about the items you use. If you’re someone who has lots of beautiful items, instead of trying to display them all at once, just pick a few you want to really shine, and rotate the others into your space when you need a refresh. Also, make sure everything in your space has a place. A space will quickly feel cluttered as items begin to gather on a console or side table because they don’t have a place to be put away.
Q: Tips for refreshing your space on a budget?
Jen: The easiest and cheapest way to refresh a space is by bringing in something from the outside. I love to forage greens and branches from outside and place them in a vase. Even in the winter when you don’t see a lot of green, you can find lovely bare branches to display inside. Or if foraging isn't your thing, buy fresh flowers. Greens always make a space feel fresh.
Q: What are 5 Winter Decorating Tips anyone could use in their home to help it feel cozier during these cold months ahead?
Jen:
- Light a Candle. I love to end every day with a lit candle during the winter. It makes the darker evenings a little more enjoyable.
- Gather soft and cozy blankets in a basket near your seating. It feels so good to get cozy in the winter.
- Add heavier layers and texture to your space. This could be switching out your linen pillows for velvet or adding a thicker wool throw to your bed.
- Bring the outdoors in by adding branches or other natural elements to your home, like walnuts or unique pine cones to a bowl.
- Bring a richer color palette to your space by using deeper tones in your decor items. Bring in colors like burgundy, inky blue, and deep green.
Q: In your opinion, what are the fundamentals of designing a space that everyone should know?
Jen: Start with a plan. People sometimes skip the planning and just buy things at the store they like. If you want everything to come together cohesively and if you want to be intentional with the items you purchase, you need to start with a plan and a vision for the space. Then do the shopping!
Q: If someone wanted to work with you, what would be the best way to contact you or find out more about you?
Jen: You can find me on Instagram @_jenpaul. I love connecting with new friends and helping others create a space they love. Also if you're interested in what my day-to-day looks like, I love to share behind the scenes of my projects in my stories.