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Design Ideas
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Don’t pick your paint color first. It’s tempting to pick a color and paint before moving into a new home, but if you can’t find rugs and fabric to match, it could cost you. Custom paint colors cost the same as standard paint colors, while custom colored rugs, though beautiful, can cost 10’s of thousands of dollars. |
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Don’t settle for less than you want. If you like the feel of down, don’t settle for a basic foam cushion in your sofa. The difference in price spread over the 10-20 years you might own it, is about $50 a year. You’ll spend more than that on coffee this month and you’ll be happier with your purchase longer. |
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Don’t create too many focal points. Just like the cast of a play your room should have a star, maybe two and a supporting cast. If every piece in your room is a star, they will compete for attention. |
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Don’t sweat the small stuff. Small stuff means the accessories, lamps, and pillows. Think of these the way you think about jewelry and a nice outfit, they can be expensive, but they make all the difference in the look. Budget 30% of the furniture cost for accessories and there should be a couple of “stars” and a “supporting cast” here too. |
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Don’t be afraid of color. Color can conjure a mood, or an emotion, or drama. Your favorite color should be somewhere in your home. Is there one special blouse that the color makes your eyes sparkle or your skin luminous? What would bedding of the same color do for you? Hmmm? |
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Don’t shop after you buy. Design is not a science, there may be 10 right answers for your room and every week there are new options being produced. After you have decided on a solution stop looking, it will just cause you to question your decisions. Instead relax and look forward to the install date or if you must shop, start the next room. |
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Do buy home décor magazines. These are a great to inspire your room. They are filled with unusual ideas, unlike the furniture showrooms that are mostly filled with conventional ideas, because these sell more frequently. |
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Do dare to dream. Give yourself an imaginary fortune to spend on your room, what would you choose? When your done, you’ll probably realize what you want isn’t that extravagant at all. |
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Do plan ahead. Designing a beautiful room takes time. Custom upholstery could take up to 12 weeks or more and that Italian dining table could be 16-22 weeks. You begin planning a wedding at least a year in advance and it lasts for one day, while your living room may last for 20 years. |
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Do your homework. If you need a sofa bring your room dimensions or at least the wall length. There’s no use falling in love with a sofa that doesn’t fit. Also consider things such as budget constraints, color choices, and existing pieces. Bring photos of your room and a floor plan if you can. |
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