Interior design may stay in your home, but it does have a connection to fashion, according to New York interior designer TC Chou, the founder of Design Determination.
Interior design may stay in your home, but it does have a connection to fashion, according to New York interior designer TC Chou, the founder of Design Determination.
In fact, when he starts working with a client to help design (or redesign) their home, he starts in their closet. “Everybody has their favorite color, so we usually get color inspiration from their closet first, and then also textures,” said Chou.
“Some people love designs that are more refined and more structured, and this can be told through fashion,” he said. “That’s where they express themselves the most.”
As he likes to say, you can tell what kind of client he is dealing with by their selection of glossy finishes, curtains and bedding.
“What we can look at is the overall closet, like the color scheme,” said Chou, who has seen everything from neutral beige and brown closets (for those who love quiet luxury) to brighter, textured closets (for maximalists).
“I’m seeing that quiet luxury is really in right now, a lot of neutrals, a lot of earth tones, you know, almost like canvas style, and with textured fabrics,” he said.
Each client has a certain style they head out into the world in, but that same tone and style can be brought into their homes. “Whether it’s curtains or tablecloths or even smaller details, everyone can express their own personal style in their home,” said Chou.
Chou designs with a five to 10 years lifespan—with a focus on accessories. “I encourage my client to explore, because it doesn’t matter how they express themselves, ultimately, they go back to what style they really love.”
It makes sense our taste in fashion helps define our homes, which extend throughout our living space. Chou’s style is defined by his inquisitive nature. “To fully understand my clientele, I follow their lifestyle,” he said.
“Private residential interior design really allows me to see who they are—I get to know their favorite color and sense of fashion. And sometimes, I can use that to translate it into interior design.
