Published: laurelandwolf.com
You might be all set with your dream house. But say you haven’t honed your design chops yet. Say you can’t quite settle on a plan, no matter how many Pinterest boards you scour. And say your style, much like your blank-canvas house, is a work in progress. Enter astrology. Not only does your horoscope spill the beans about your personality—like your tendency to get cranky at the flick of an emotional switch, or your ability to face danger without batting an eyelash—it also speaks volumes about your aesthetics. To fuel your next home project, we’ve put together some suggestions, zodiac sign by zodiac sign, taking our cues from the stars.
Aquarius | January 20 – February 18
Don’t be fooled by the “aqua” in Aquarius. It is very much the element of air that’s attached to your zodiac sign. Translation: You gravitate toward higher spheres—the bright, free-flowing and even thought-provoking. Because of your constantly wandering mind, you need a design plan that’s both calming and reflective of your forward-thinking personality. Think: A modular sectional covered in soft blue linen, warm yellow hardwood floors, a fireplace that says cozy, but not too cozy. Large-leafed plants can also be sculptural while adding a dash of life to the space.
Pisces | February 19 – March 20
As a water sign, you often want to feel uninhibited, like a fish in a vast, vast ocean. Although we’re far from building dwellings underwater, you can recreate the openness of the sea with floor-to-ceiling windows sans drapes that blur the lines between the indoor and out. Even if your digs are on the smaller side of real estate, there’s a lot of space that can be achieved with picking the right colors. White or brown flooring always creates the illusion of space. Opt for pastel colors when you’re picking wall paint. Since Pisces’ are also a creative bunch, section off cozy corners for your creative pursuits.
Aries | March 21 – April 19
You’re a ball of fire. You have a natural instinct for leadership, and a tendency to go with your gut—which is why you’re more than willing to take risks with your interior design. Marry bold colors with spirited patterns. Take, for example, this palm frond wallpaper, which amps up the energy in any bland living room. Turn it up even more by throwing splashes of yellow—aka, one of the most vibrant primary colors—in pillow form. If you do it right, come fall or winter, your crib will be the go-to spot for a cold-weather escape.
Taurus | April 20 – May 20
You like being engulfed by beauty, and which is why indoor plants—tall fiddle-leaf fig trees or snake plants, to name a few—will work well for you. Because you are hyper aware of your senses, you can benefit from toying with different fabrics, textures and shapes. Take, the feathery-like fronds and bulbous trunk of a sago palm (if there are no pets romping around since these cycads are poisonous). The wood flooring, softened by a thick, fluffy shag rug you’ll want to sink your feet in. Trade in a more robust, stony floor-to-ceiling wall of a fireplace for a cushioned look.
Gemini | May 21 – June 20
As a Gemini, you’re pegged as the life of the party—and for good reason. You’re smart as a whip and have plenty of conversation topics at your disposal. Create a space that would accommodate guests when the hankering for a good chit-chat strikes. You need an inviting space—with a warm palette, a strategic arrangement of seating spots and a bookcase that shows off your knack for reading. Be aware of your fleeting interests. Because you change your mind quickly, don’t go with fast-moving vogues.
Cancer | June 21 – July 22
As a Cancer, you belong to a traditional bunch, meaning you place an emphasis on family and roots. A love for family gatherings calls for a comfortable and cozy residence. You’ll need a space that welcomes you, your kiddos (and perhaps even their kiddos)—a cocoon that wraps around you like a fuzzy blanket when it’s kind of gray and drab outside. Save that shelf space above the fireplace for your display of sentimental knick-knacks. Keep a hand-woven wool carpet underfoot. An array of knitted throws and pillows all do well to warm up a space. Also good ideas: A dark wood side table, a few indoor plants here and there, and a large, curved reading lamp that hunches over an armchair.
Leo | July 23 – August 22
Ruled by the sun, Leos have a penchant for the luxurious. You gravitate toward a den that stands out from the norm. Let a sumptuous upholstered leather couch take on a starring role in your living room. Contrast a dramatically dark dining room table with an otherwise white-walled interior. Allow for a towering sculpture (because, you’re the type that goes big and takes it all home) to elevate your digs to show-stopper levels. It is a sure-fire way to impress any guest that enters your royal lair.
Virgo | August 23 – September 22
You’re practical, with a let’s-get-down-to-business approach to your style. Opt for a quiet palette—shades of grey, taupe and white. Simplicity is key. You need a space that triumphs because of its functional appeal. Think: clean lines and a clutter-free living area. But just because you value function, doesn’t mean you’re an absolutely-no-frills kind of person. In fact, a little frill here and there, like showing off, instead of hiding, your ceiling pipes, can add a bit of industrial personality to your quarters.
Libra | September 23 – October 22
With you, it’s all about balance. You like a space where everything sort of, well, fits. Create a satisfying harmony by plucking hues from a large painting and curating your furniture pieces around that color scheme. Remember that balance can also be achieved through asymmetry, so don’t be afraid to let things look a little out of whack. As a Libra, there’s a special place for aesthetics in your heart. Since trend-spotting is your forte, go for carefully curated wares and fashion-forward finishes and furnishings.
Scorpio | October 23 – November 21
If there’s anything you’re known for as a Scorpio, it’s your passion. (That, and your raw sensuality). Scorpios hew to more fiery palettes—shades of red, emerald green or orange. And there’s no reason not to put those colors to work. Got a room with lots of windows and light? Try painting the ceiling a high-gloss metallic red. In the morning, the sunlight will soak the room with much-needed brightness. In the evenings, the dark color will give off the illusion of a lower ceiling, which immediately evokes a sense of intimacy. Don’t forget to let your fun side come out to play with gold accents and an eclectic mix of pieces that boast your confidence in your unusual style.
Sagittarius | November 22 – December 21
As a globe-trotting Sagittarius, you’re driven by your curiosity to explore. Which is why you do well surrounded by pieces that transport you to far-flung locations. Don’t be afraid of a stylistic and cultural mash-up and open up to juxtaposing pieces like Moroccan glass lanterns with southwestern-patterned poufs. Play up your whimsical side with a playful Moroccan tile floor that’ll help with all your Instagram shoe photography needs. Word to the wise: it’s easy to get carried away from trinkets from buzzy travel destinations, because there’s a fine line between a chic traveler’s haven and a cluttered home turf.
Capricorn | December 22 – January 1
The cliched saying “less is more” could not be truer in your case. As a Capricorn, you’re drawn to the understated. But just because your place is unfussy doesn’t mean you skimp on quality. In fact, the few pieces that make up your living space are chosen with calculate care and attention to craftsmanship. You are also sure-footed and bound to earth, and chances are, you’ll pick pieces that you’ll stick with for a while. Therefore, go for interesting over-the-bed or above-the-couch minimalist statements that you won’t get bored of quite so easily. Let large windows decorate your room with a view of an ever-changing foliage.
Mariam Makatsaria 