Style watch: Jane Seymour

Television's Dr. Quinn has turned house doctor. In her new book, Making Yourself At Home (2007, DK Publishing [Pearson Group Canada], $50), award-winning actress Jane Seymour proves she's nothing if not multi-talented. Photographed at Coral Canyon, her beachfront home in Mailbu, Jane's approach to interior design proves both practical and affordable - breezy tips on building vignettes with an emphasis on personal style. We sat down with Jane to discuss simplicity, sources of inspiration and achieving style for less.

Style at Home: It's clear from your book that you draw inspiration for your interiors from simple, everyday sources, finding beauty in the garden, the ocean, your art and your children. Do we tend to overcomplicate our approach to interior design?
Jane Seymour: The point I'm making in the book is that wherever you live in the world, you should look at what it is that inspires you. You may live in a bedsit in the big city, but if you dream of the ocean, there's no reason why you can't bring elements of the ocean into your environment. I embrace what's out, and bring it in – the palms, the koi fish, the flowers, the mountains and the ocean – I bring elements of the natural world into the decor, and they also inspire my home collection.

S@H: How does a room take shape from that source of inspiration?
JS: People know how to dress, and it's a similar process when dressing a home. We dress according to our needs, what we find comfortable, what makes us looks good, what colour reflects well with our skin, and then we accessorize. I'm saying, do the same thing with your house. Start with neutrals, buy good quality if you can: things that are timeless and well made so that if you change your mind, you can always re-cover it.


Image from Making Yourself at Home, copyright 2007 DK Publishing / Jane Seymour