I remember a client telling me once that she loved purple. We were doing a bathroom for her and I kept presenting some duller versions of purple, fearful of the look coming off too “Barney the Dinosaur” or the color looking too immature.

When we were at a tile showroom one day, I happened to glance at her as she reached down and pulled her wallet out of her bag.

It was purple. So were her toenails. And her shirt.

Hmmm. I thought, maybe I should just listen to my client and give her what she obviously loves. Purple!

That taught me a lesson. If you are having trouble identifying a style or color scheme that you identify with so that you can make purchases for filling out your home, go take a peek into your closet.

What’s there? What colors, textures and styles have you selected to wear? Do you have a bright, colorful wardrobe? Is it dark and moody? Is it neutral, casual and high contrast, like mine?

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On a design tour with the Design Hounds in LA, a few years ago. This pretty much sums up what I like to wear. Linen shirt, knit black pants, long silk scarf, silver jewelry. — On a design tour with the Design Hounds in LA, some years ago. This pretty much sums up what I like to wear. Linen shirt, knit black pants, long silk scarf, silver jewelry.

What’s in my closet?

My closet is full of black, white, a few bold accents, natural textures like linen and woven fabrics, and neutral leathers. I have a few random colors, but they are solid usually, I don’t wear many patterns, unless it is in a scarf.

I prefer silver jewelry, rings with big, odd stones and chunky natural bracelets that I buy from artists. I still have silver earrings I bought about 30 years ago in a Santa Fe art gallery that I wear almost every day.

I have silk scarves I’ve had for many years. They don’t wear out, and they are the artistic flair of what I wear. I’ll buy about one or two a year for something new.

The basics, the black and white, they get renewed more often. Although, I’m not a clotheshorse by any stretch of the imagination.

I like casual comfortable clothes, you won’t ever find me wearing something tight or too dressed up. I definitely no longer wear high heels.

(To be honest, a few people have said I remind them of Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa. I definitely love a collared white or blue shirt.)

Surprise! That happens to be the style of my home’s interiors too.

My house is painted all white with black/brown doors. I have light neutral European oak floors and textural rugs. I have some dark wood furniture and light upholstery.

I have a few leather chairs, some light linen upholstery, wicker breakfast chairs. I have textural black and neutral striped wool ottomans that are the centerpiece of my living room.

My entry hall foyer with white walls, dark doors and furniture, seagrass rug and white oak floors. Carla Aston, Designer | Miro Dvorscak, Photographer

My custom made ottomans give us so much flexibility at the center of my seating group in the living room. I love how they look on the seagrass rug and how, when I rotate them, the stripes in the Ralph Lauren fabric can make a different pattern. — My custom made ottomans give us so much flexibility at the center of my seating group in the living room. I love how, when I rotate them, the stripes in the Ralph Lauren fabric can make a different pattern.

My fireplace mantel with some treasured objects collected over the years. I’d still love to replace the slate surround with the dark, more solid limestone tiles I have left over from my kitchen remodel that are stacked in my garage. Maybe someday I’ll get around to it, after all this confinement at home! :-) — My fireplace mantel with some treasured objects collected over the years. I’d still love to replace the slate surround with the dark, more solid limestone tiles I have left over from my kitchen remodel that are stacked in my garage. Maybe someday I’ll get around to it!

There’s a touch of color, in my kitchen. I love a bold blue accent. I have blue dishes and glassware and blue cushions in my chairs. There are blue mudcloth pillows in my living room.