Defining your home's aesthetic through words

Natalie Tredgett, an interior designer, advises homeowners to begin room projects with a list of words rather than images (Natalie Tredgett). Tredgett developed a method called the Aesthetic Identity Edit, which uses a one-minute questionnaire to extract descriptive terms like 'warm' or 'abundant' from a client's instincts. This process forces an editorial discipline where every piece of furniture or layout choice is measured against these core words, and items that do not align are removed.

Tredgett argues that starting with images leads to copying someone else's style, while starting with words allows the images to choose themselves. This approach ensures the final space reflects the inhabitant's character and experiences. Tredgett maintains that editing is the most important skill for a designer, as it creates a personal, characterful home that feels authentic to the person living there.