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Alisa Connely

I am so excited to equip you, and starting at Step 1, How to Discover your Interior Design Style. You need to learn what this is first because every other decorating decision will stem from this. We will be running through, in detail, what the 8 Main Interior Design Styles are today and how to recognize which one, or two, you fall into.

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I am so excited to equip you, and starting at Step 1, How to Discover your Interior Design Style. You need to learn what this is first because every other decorating decision will stem from this. We will be running through, in detail, what the 8 Main Interior Design Styles are today and how to recognize which one, or two, you fall into.

Step 2, you will quickly learn how to EASILY choose a color scheme for your decor and accessory items that you will decorate with, including how many colors and neutrals to use, and how to make sure that they match what colors and neutrals are already in the room you are decorating within.

Step 3, You will learn 3 different formulas that I use in my design business everyday.

-The first formula will be for Decorating every type of Fireplace Mantle, (including long, narrow, and short mantles) and how to repeat that same formula for a Console Table, Single Shelving and above Kitchen Cabinets and Hutches. Symmetrically and Asymmetrically. 

-The second formula will be for decorating any type of Shelving unit, Bookcase, or Built-In for a well balanced, beautiful design that can be easily and systematically repeated no matter how many shelves or units you may have.

-The third formula will be for any type of coffee table you may have (Fabric Ottomans and Bunching Tables included) using 5 key items and how to repeat that same formula for a kitchen or dining room table, an end table, or night stand.

Once you learn these formulas, I will show you how to disperse color throughout each design using my special method, The Zig-Zag technique.

Step 4 is the MOST exciting step. You will learn exactly WHAT items to use on every one of these surfaces for YOUR particular Design Style. You will know exactly what items to look for when you go out shopping, so there will be no more guessing when you are at the store.

Each of these will be accompanied with activity worksheets so that you can easily sketch out exactly how you want each surface to look like, with what items you want. There will also be a section on those activity worksheets to add in what colors and neutrals you want your items to be.

I can't wait to go along this journey with you.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You will learn what your unique interior design style is, as we run through the 8 major design styles being used now.
  • You will learn what colors & neutrals to use within your unique design style, and how many to use of each
  • You will learn my unique formulas for decorating fireplace mantles, bookcases, all shelving, coffee tables, console tables, above kitchen cabinets and more!
  • You will learn how to disperse color throughout your decor and accesssories with a special technique i use in every design i do
  • You will learn, in detail, what items to use for each interior design style for everything you will learn to decorate.

Syllabus

Course Introduction
Welcome!
Course Content Overview
Introduce Yourself!
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides formulas and techniques applicable to various surfaces, such as fireplace mantles, coffee tables, and shelving units, which can be easily adapted to different spaces
Explores eight major interior design styles, which helps learners identify their unique preferences and apply them effectively in their own homes
Teaches a special zig-zag technique for dispersing color throughout decor and accessories, which can add a professional touch to any interior design project
Includes activity worksheets to sketch out designs and color schemes, which allows learners to visualize and plan their decorating projects effectively
Focuses on selecting specific items for each design style, which eliminates guesswork and streamlines the shopping process for decor and accessories

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Reviews summary

Systematic home decorating guide

According to learners, this course provides a practical and easy-to-follow system for decorating key areas in your home. Many appreciate the unique formulas for arranging items on mantles, bookcases, and coffee tables, finding them highly applicable and a great way to overcome decorating paralysis. Students also found the sections on identifying design style and choosing color schemes helpful. While primarily aimed at beginners, some learners noted it offers a solid foundation, although a few felt it could delve deeper into broader design principles beyond the specific formulas.
Helps find your personal aesthetic.
"Understanding the different design styles helped me narrow down what I actually like and want in my home."
"The section on discovering your style was a great starting point for everything else in the course and my decorating journey."
"I always felt confused by different styles, but this module made it much clearer how to identify mine."
"Loved learning about the 8 main design styles and how to see which ones resonate with me."
Content is easy to grasp.
"The instructor explains everything very clearly, making potentially complex ideas simple and actionable."
"The lessons were well-paced and easy to digest, not overwhelming at all."
"I appreciated how straightforward and easy to understand the instructions and examples were."
"Very well-organized and the content flows logically from one step to the next."
Excellent for those just starting.
"This course is perfect for someone like me who has no idea where to start with decorating and feels completely lost."
"If you're a total beginner, the step-by-step approach is incredibly helpful and breaks everything down simply."
"I had zero design knowledge and this course gave me the confidence to start tackling decorating projects in my home."
"A great introduction to interior decorating principles specifically for home owners."
Provides easy, applicable systems.
"The formulas for styling mantles and bookshelves are brilliant! So easy to follow and implement in my own home."
"I finally feel like I have a system for decorating my coffee table. It made it so much less overwhelming and I love the result."
"Using the formulas helped me achieve a balanced look on my console table quickly and confidently."
"This course gives you actual formulas you can use, not just abstract concepts. Very helpful."
Limited to specific decor tasks.
"While the formulas are great for styling, the course doesn't cover broader design principles like room layout or lighting plans."
"I was hoping for more general design theory beyond just styling small surfaces like tables and shelves."
"It's very specific to decorative items and arrangements on certain pieces of furniture, not overall room design strategies."
"Good for quick wins on surfaces, but not a comprehensive interior design course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Interior Decorating: An A-Z System For Your Home with these activities:
Review Color Theory Basics
Reviewing color theory basics will help you better understand the color scheme selection process taught in the course.
Browse courses on Color Theory
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos on color theory fundamentals.
  • Create a color wheel and label primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.
  • Experiment with different color combinations and note their effects.
Read 'Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave'
Reading this book will help you further refine your understanding of different interior design styles and how to implement them.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts and ideas.
  • Identify elements that resonate with your personal style.
  • Brainstorm how to incorporate these elements into your home decor.
Design a Mood Board for a Room
Creating a mood board will allow you to visualize your design ideas and experiment with different color schemes and decor items.
Show steps
  • Choose a room in your home to focus on.
  • Gather images, fabrics, and other materials that inspire you.
  • Arrange these elements on a board to create a visual representation of your design.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Document Your Home Decorating Journey
Documenting your decorating journey will help you track your progress, reflect on your design choices, and share your experiences with others.
Show steps
  • Take before and after photos of your decorating projects.
  • Write blog posts or create social media content about your design process.
  • Share your tips and insights with other aspiring decorators.
Read 'Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves'
Reading this book will provide you with additional tips and techniques for styling your home decor.
Show steps
  • Read the book and pay attention to the styling formulas and techniques.
  • Experiment with different arrangements in your own home.
  • Take photos of your styled spaces and share them with others.
Create a Room Redesign Plan
Creating a detailed room redesign plan will help you apply the course concepts and create a cohesive and functional space.
Show steps
  • Choose a room in your home to redesign.
  • Measure the room and create a floor plan.
  • Select a color scheme, furniture, and decor items based on your chosen design style.
  • Create a budget and timeline for your project.
Volunteer to Help Decorate a Local Charity Event
Volunteering will give you practical experience in applying your decorating skills and making a positive impact on your community.
Show steps
  • Research local charities that host events.
  • Contact the organization and offer your decorating services.
  • Collaborate with the event organizers to create a visually appealing space.

Career center

Learners who complete Interior Decorating: An A-Z System For Your Home will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Interior Design Consultant
An interior design consultant provides expert advice on interior design. This course is very relevant for an interior design consultant, as it gives the information needed to provide clients with helpful advice. The consultant can provide informed opinions about design styles, color schemes and surface decoration, all of which are touched upon in this course. The course's structure, from discovering design style to implementing decoration techniques, may be valuable for a consultant tasked with guiding clients through the design process. The course's systematic framework can assist the consultant in structuring their advice.
Freelance Decorator
A freelance decorator works independently to create and implement interior designs for clients. This course may be very useful to a freelance decorator because it provides a solid foundation in interior decorating techniques. The course teaches how to discover one's design style, choose color schemes, and decorate surfaces using formulas. It also offers specific guidance for different design styles, helping a freelance decorator cater to different client preferences. The comprehensive nature of the course, from identifying styles to selecting decor items, may be particularly beneficial for someone starting a freelance decorating business.
Interior designer
An interior designer creates functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing spaces. This course may be particularly helpful to an aspiring interior designer because it offers a step-by-step system for decorating. The course covers how to discover one's design style, choose color schemes, and decorate various surfaces, such as fireplace mantles, bookshelves, and coffee tables. It also teaches specific formulas and techniques for arranging items and dispersing color, providing practical skills applicable to interior design work. The course's focus on different design styles and the appropriate items to use for each further helps an interior designer in their career.
Home Stager
A home stager prepares homes for sale by enhancing their appeal to potential buyers. This course provides a useful foundation for a home stager, as it discusses different interior design styles and methods for decorating various surfaces, such as fireplace mantles and coffee tables. The course teaches techniques for choosing color schemes and dispersing color throughout a space, which are important skills for home staging. The detailed guidance on selecting items for different design styles also helps ensure a cohesive look. A home stager will benefit from the course's systematic approach to interior decorating when staging homes for the market.
Event Decorator
An event decorator designs and implements the visual aspects of events, such as weddings and parties. This course may be valuable for an event decorator because it provides a systematic approach to decorating spaces. The course teaches how to choose color schemes, decorate various surfaces with formulas, and disperse color throughout the decor, all of which are valuable skills for planning attractive event spaces. Given that event themes often draw from established design styles, the course's focus on identifying items from different design styles is especially useful. This course will helps an event decorator approach the decorations of an event in a systematic and successful way.
Stylist
A stylist is responsible for the visual style and appearance of projects, whether for photoshoots, editorials, or other creative outputs. This course may be valuable to a stylist because it introduces the concept of various design styles and how they are best brought to life with a mix of color choices and objects. The course teaches formulas for arranging objects that may apply to a wide range of stylist jobs, whether in interior design, fashion, or product photography. The systematic approach to decorating detailed in this course will help a stylist approach design projects in a considered manner. This course will assist a stylist in making informed choices about style, color, and items according to each project.
Visual Merchandiser
A visual merchandiser designs and arranges product displays to attract customers and promote sales. The systematic approach to interior decorating provided in this course may be helpful for visual merchandisers. The course teaches how to choose color schemes and to disperse colors throughout merchandise displays, which are important skills for this role. This course also teaches formulas and techniques for arranging items on surfaces like shelves and tables, and teaches awareness of several design styles, which may help a visual merchandiser create visually appealing displays. The detailed guidance on selecting items for different design styles may also be helpful.
Design Educator
A design educator teaches design principles and techniques in an academic setting or workshop. This course may be very helpful to a design educator who seeks to use the course’s systems to explain interior design to their students. The detailed steps that the course uses for discovering design styles, choosing colors, and decorating surfaces may translate well into a teaching curriculum. The course’s focus on specific formulas for decoration may serve as a framework for design education. A design educator may benefit from this course to learn a step-by-step, systematic approach to home decoration that can be used in the classroom.
Set Designer
A set designer creates the visual environment for theater, film, or television productions. This course may be helpful for a set designer as it provides a foundational understanding of interior design principles and techniques. The course teaches how to choose color schemes and to decorate surfaces that are common in set design, such as mantles and shelves. The information on various design styles will also help set designers create period-appropriate or genre-specific sets. Though set design is distinct, a set designer can use the skills shown in the course to understand how different styles, colors, and items can create an atmosphere on stage or screen.
Home Organization Specialist
A home organization specialist helps clients declutter and organize their homes, often with an eye toward aesthetics. The systematic methods for decorating and arrangement that are taught in this course may provide useful skills for a home organization specialist. The course teaches specific formulas for decorating surfaces, and it gives an understanding of different design styles that may be valuable when creating visually appealing and functional storage solutions. The understanding of color schemes and item selection can assist a home organization specialist in improving the client's space. The course may help the specialist create organized spaces that are also aesthetically pleasing.
Furniture Retail Associate
A furniture retail associate assists customers in selecting furniture and home decor items. This course may be useful to a retail associate because it provides a deeper understanding of different interior design styles. The course’s descriptions of different styles and the items that are used in them enables the retail associate to provide informed guidance to customers. The skills taught in this course, regarding color choices and arrangement of items, allows a furniture retail associate to assist customers in making choices that align with their desired design style. The course might help a retail associate to better understand customer needs and preferences.
Blogger
A blogger creates and shares content on a specific topic, such as design, style, or lifestyle. This course may be useful to a blogger by providing content and insight into interior design. The blogger can use the specific methods and systems of the course to provide their readers with practical decorating advice. The course’s detailed description of different design styles and how to use decor and color to bring each style to life may serve as a basis for a blog that focuses on interior decoration. The course’s structure and systematic approach may help a blogger create informative and engaging content.
Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent assists clients in buying, selling, and renting properties. While the core focus of real estate is property transactions, this course may be useful for a real estate agent in a number of ways. An agent may benefit from the course's approach to interior design. An understanding of how different design styles work, and how color and items combine to make a space, might enable the agent to give advice to clients looking to purchase, sell, or rent properties. The course may also increase their ability to advise sellers on how to stage their homes for better market appeal. A real estate agent's awareness of interior design allows them to add value to their services.
Architectural Designer
An architectural designer creates detailed plans and specifications for buildings. This course may be useful to an architectural designer, although it is not directly related to architecture. An architectural designer would learn interior design principles that may help them consider how people will use the space they create. The course’s specific methods for decorating different surfaces and using color will help the architect understand the experience of a space, beyond its functionality and floor plan. An architectural designer may wish to take this course to learn to create compelling and well-designed interior spaces. This course might give them useful insight into how interior design principles apply to the building's user experience.
Photographer
A photographer captures images across a variety of subjects, including interiors, real estate, and still life. While this is not a direct fit, the principles of design and composition taught in this course will benefit a photographer when capturing visual content. Understanding how different design styles are created, how colors work together, and how objects are arranged will improve a photographer's ability to stage photoshoots and capture compelling images. This course is useful for a photographer who is interested in learning how interior design principles relate to visual presentation. The detailed formulas for surface decoration may improve a photographer's ability to style photos.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Interior Decorating: An A-Z System For Your Home.
Focuses on the art of styling and arranging decor items to create visually appealing spaces. It provides practical tips and formulas for styling shelves, coffee tables, and other surfaces. This book directly complements the course's formulas for decorating various surfaces and provides additional insights into achieving a polished and professional look.
Provides a comprehensive guide to understanding your personal style and translating it into your home decor. It covers various design styles and offers practical tips for creating cohesive and inviting spaces. This book expands on the course's exploration of design styles and provides visual inspiration for applying the learned formulas.

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