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Fear of making mistakes and wasting money often stands between dreams and reality in home decorating.

You can get past the angst with knowledge — not so much about decorating but about yourself. Like the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion who helped Dorothy find her way, you have to use your brain, trust your heart and show a little courage to arrive at your decorating style.

“There is nothing better than the feeling of having a home that speaks to you,” says Jessica McKay, owner of Birdhouse Interior Design Consulting in Omaha. “Not everyone can hire a decorator, but with a little guidance, your home can come to look pretty good.”

The process of finding your style is as basic as trusting your instincts and incorporating what you love into your rooms.

“Nobody is so boring or one-dimensional that they only like one style,” McKay says. “That's why layering all aspects of your personality is important in design. I wouldn't call myself modern, contemporary or traditional. I like all three, so I layer all three styles into my décor.”

The variety will set your home apart from your neighbor's.

“It might not make sense at the beginning when you are buying a vintage armchair and a contemporary couch, but if you love them both, you can make them work,” McKay says.

Large spaces can be particularly daunting. The trick is to think in sections and design accordingly. For example, you might start by creating a conversation area around a fireplace. Or working a dining table into a corner of the room.

McKay encourages browsing websites (Houzz.com and Decorpad.com are favorites), blogs and magazines. Look for furniture styles and room arrangements that convey a vibe you like. Put tearsheets and printouts in a scrapbook or binder, along with paint chips and other decorating samples. Take note of pieces you own and love.

“Heirlooms tell me that history matters and a client might enjoy a blend of old and new to make their space unique,” McKay says. “A home can feel lived in and personal that way.”

You also can join a decorating club or attend an informal design workshop to solicit ideas and validate your instincts.

Earlier this year, McKay introduced an informal “Design and Wine” series at her north downtown studio. While the evening sessions have a learning component, they're mostly conversation-driven. Participants share random dilemmas and ask questions.

Chapin Sellin came away from a recent session with the confidence to improve the flow of her early 1900s home in the Field Club neighborhood. “I had furniture I thought would work but I didn't know how to put it together,” she recalls.

The first step was to unify the small spaces. She picked a palette of light blues and smoky grays. She incorporated area rugs and artwork, including a locally commissioned mixed-media piece, for added interest and dimension.

For Diane Fucinaro, a McKay client, an antique trestle table that belonged to her grandmother became the focal point for a wall. Vintage-inspired accents and funky wall elements give the grouping a contemporary feel.

“I had a lot of things that I wanted to keep, and I never felt that Jessica wanted me to get rid of any of it,” says Fucinaro. “She was able to respect what we had and add her own punch. But this is very much our house. It looks like us.”

“Heirlooms tell me that history matters and a client might enjoy a blend of old and new to make their space unique. A home can feel lived in and personal that way.”

Source: Jessica McKay, owner of Birdhouse Interior Design Consulting