I hate to break it to you, but designers don’t follow a secret rule book. There are no hard and fast laws governing what we do. We are creative types by nature and love to imagine, dream and explore, following our intuition. That said, there are some rough principles that guide us to ensure a great result every time. They are just tried and true things that work. And these aren’t tricks or skills that take years to master. Anyone can do them from day one. Consider this a foundation for developing your own quirky, creative, rule-breaking intuition.
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So many clients with young kids and pets want cool stuff, but they can’t figure out to do it without worrying that they’ll ruin everything. In the case pictured, solutions included upholstering with rustic leather and outdoor fabrics. The results are a balance of rough-hewn and sophisticated styles, a harmonious compromise that pleases both partners.
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Architect David Marlatt has a love-hate relationship with the sun. He’s always looking to capture its natural light for the homes he designs, but at the same time trying to block — or sometimes harness — all its heat.
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I have compiled a list of habits I’ve observed in the decorating and design world. Habits that I believe need to be broken. Many of these may have begun as good intentions — but we all know where that path leads! I’ve assembled 12 of those habits here. I’ve struggled with each and every one of them personally and feel I have come out on the other side a better designer for it. Although each lesson is valuable, in the hierarchy of habits to be broken, there is none more important than No. 12.
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TWIST on Tradition: Freshen up a favorite display—or create a fabulous new focal point—by mixing traditional accents with updated pieces in unexpected colors, materials, and motifs. Fresh, neutral accents add a layer of texture to any space without feeling cluttered, like this pierced, tapered jar with a finial-topped lid.
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Decorating your nursery — especially for your first child — might be the most personal home decor project you take on. You’re building a nest to protect and soothe the little one you’ve been dreaming of, so of course you’ll want to create the coziest, most peaceful environment possible. But you may also want the room to grow along with your child. That’s why I love the idea of a nursery accent wall. It creates a cheerful, soft focal point and provides an anchor wall for a big-kid bed in a few years. And if your little one outgrows the design, you have to change only one wall, which cuts down on project time and expense.
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The kitchen is so often the center of home activity, and it’s even more so when there are kids around. But setting up a space that can handle everything from homework and play dough to family dinner takes a little thinking. Here are 12 ideas for designing and organizing your kitchen to make it the bustling but not chaotic (at least most of the time) hub of family life you want it to be.
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While this home resembles the kind of Greek revival townhouse that lined the streets of New Orleans 150 years ago, it was actually built in 2004. “I went out of my way to make it as convincing as possible,” says the homeowner. The home’s interior leavens period reverence with contemporary brio, for a look that’s constantly evolving.
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What Goes With Floral Upholstery? …Everything! It happened — you fell in love. And the object of your affection (while utterly charming at first) now seems too loud, too wild, too … something. What to do? If you’re thinking of your love life, we can’t help you. But if your troubles are caused by hard-to-match floral upholstery, these options for decorating around it should make life a little easier:
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