Add personality to make the house your own

Purchasing a brand new spec home or model home can be exhilarating: it’s

spotless and you love its location, size and interior layout. But the very neutral fixtures, walls, floors, ceilings and windows that helped to sell you on the house now look bland and impersonal.

So how can you add uniqueness and personality to make the house your own signature statement of style and comfort?

Numerous small and reasonable upgrades can be made. Walls, for example, become a personal statement the minute you hang your favorite artwork on them. Since walls now are usually made of drywall and no longer are plastered in new houses, they easily can be papered, tiled or upholstered. Grass cloth wall covering immediately adds richness to a dwelling with its subtle texture. You also can cover walls with wood paneling or stacked wood boards to give them an aged look.

A neutral tone can be good for a backdrop in rooms. It enables you to add a mix of unmatched furnishings, made up of new and old pieces with a few real antiques, and create a personal and collected look for your interior décor.

Paint walls the colors you like and don’t be afraid to paint a small room a dark color; it will add drama and uniqueness. For instance, a powder room can be painted black with upgraded fixtures such as new drawer handles and lighting.

Another way to add a focal point is to install a decorative mirror or pretty sconces on top of a standard sheet mirror over a bathroom sink.

Painting white doors black or a bright color makes them look expensive and more interesting. The front door of a home also can be instantly changed by simply installing an unusual doorknocker.

If the carpeting that came with the house is bland, you can remove it and install wall-to-wall seagrass carpeting or hardwood flooring. You also can layer area rugs over carpeting to define an area such as a dining alcove or a sitting area in a large master bedroom.

Large living rooms or great rooms often seem cavernous in new houses.

Creating multiple seating areas fills up the large space in a more appealing and inviting way than merely placing furniture against walls. In addition, you can add artistic touches and statements by the way you display accessories. For instance, display a large, colorful urn on a stand or table and fill it with fresh flowers or branches that either echo the colors in the room or just add a pop of color.

Window treatment options are almost limitless. Natural window shades that are customized to fit windows, such as bamboo or thinner Japanese reeds, instantly add depth and texture to a room while also providing privacy and preventing glare. Outdoors, operable shutters or awnings add charm and individuality to the exterior of a house.

Whether your new home is brand new or is an older Florida ranch house that was remodeled, painting wood window frames can enliven a bland, colorless room.

Ceilings can be lined in wood beams or a metallic silver leaf paper or be

stenciled for interest and depth. Drama also can be created in older houses just by changing the cabinetry or bringing in large, dramatic accessories such as large mirrors and lighting fixtures.

Making your new dwelling uniquely yours, therefore, doesn’t have to break

the bank or involve a lot of time and legwork. It can be as simple as changing the doorknobs or the light fixtures. Small reasonable upgrades such as these will help your home to stylishly and beautifully reflect who you are and how you live.

Interior designer Mary Margaret Vasquez is owner of Casa V Interiors in Winter Park. She received a bachelor’s degree in interior design from Parson’s School of Design in New York City. Experienced in interior design, interior detailing and remodeling, she helps clients achieve the personalized and artistically comfortable homes they seek. Her website is casa-v-interiors.com