Mix safari style (think hide rugs, Campaign furniture, and African mud-cloth pillows) with glam metallic accents, abstract art, and modern animal prints for a fresh take on the life exotic.

High-shine metallic accents. Large-scale artwork. Sheepskin pillows. The pieces in this room have a major glam factor on their own, but take a chance and place a few of them together for a chic, adventurous and totally fresh look.

As a designer who typically charges an hourly rate for design services, I tell my clients to do their homework before meeting with me. I give them a checklist of what they should consider before I arrive, asking them to think about what they want, what they need and what they can afford. If they think about these things before they meet with me, it saves us time — and saves them money.

There’s nothing wrong with plain white or wood cabinets, but if you’ve been looking for something with more zest and presence, these nine ideas can help. Running the gamut from elegant (stained glass) and green (reclaimed wood) to pure fun (pink), these creative cabinet designs will hopefully inspire you.

Choose a Theme: Sticking with a single, unifying motif in a foyer is a highly original way to introduce guests to your style from the minute they walk in the door. Since most entries are on the smaller side, they’re ideal candidates for an impactful, patterned wallpaper moment.