Decluttering and simple tweaks are the keys to a home styled your way
Michelle Menzell performs makeovers of all sizes and can help with practical and affordable guidance.
A passion for eclectic styling and a desire to help people declutter their homes and create a space they love was the impetus for Michelle Menzell to start her business, Styled Your Way.
“I have always been creative and I absolutely love creating beautiful and unique living spaces,” Michelle said. “It occurred to me that a lot of modern design is very minimalist and repetitive, and while that works for some, many people collect and like to have sentimental touches in their home. I think where they sometimes get lost is in knowing how to combine and arrange the old with the new to design a truly unique space.”
Michelle studied interior design and two years ago, launched Styled Your Way. “I have found that Australians tend to be quite ‘fad-ish’ and inclined to pretty much toss out everything on a regular basis to start again,” said Michelle. “But with clever decluttering, upcycling and adding select new pieces, you can create a look and feel that is uniquely yours. At the same time you can honour pieces that are important to you as well as refreshing your home with simple tweaks like colour, grouping of ornaments or rearrangement of furniture.”
A lot of people baulk at engaging a designer because they fear it will be financially out of reach.
“I have structured my bespoke packages so that they are very affordable,” Michelle said. “This is necessary because every situation is so unique. At the moment, the Hamptons look is really popular and like most people, I have found that any design element with the word ‘Hamptons’ in it, comes with a hefty price tag. Over the years, I have discovered some wonderful online sources of homewares that are half the price, as well as local shops where I have been able to find some really special pieces.
“Teaching people where it is important to spend more money is an important part of my service,” explained Michelle. “For example, I might recommend that they invest more into light fittings or tiles than soft furnishings because cheap fixtures and fittings will make expensive furniture or homewares look cheap.”
Michelle has helped clients in a variety of circumstances achieve their interior design goals. From decluttering, to make overs of all sizes, and staging properties for sale, Michelle can help with practical and affordable guidance.
“Staging properties for sale is really fun and exciting,” she said. “Decluttering is so important here, and we have had some amazing results by utilising linen, furnishings and homewares that the client already has, arranging them in different ways and adding fresh flowers or potted plants with quite spectacular results. It is a simple way to maximise and showcase your home in it’s best light and is more likely to attract people who are happy to pay more for it.
“Whatever the situation, working with my clients to create something special is enormously rewarding,” said Michelle. “To my way of thinking, style is not a display of wealth but an expression of imagination. I like to think that I can show clients how to unlock their own creativity and together, we have a lot of fun making their home beautiful and a unique expression of who they are.”