 Design Rules!
As part of my past work experience, I worked at a furniture store. We sold traditional furnishings “with a twist.” Clients would ask, “What is the rule about mixing patterns or combining chair legs or…?” We salespeople often discouraged clients from following the rules too closely lest they end up with the look of a showroom. In our opinion, that matchy-matchy look was the kiss of death.
The truth is there are some rules, but you shouldn’t live in fear of them. Sometimes when you break the rules you create an interesting surprise that earns a second look. I think its best to be a little adventurous. Mix classic and antique, rough and smooth, expensive and cheap. Everything doesn’t have to be symmetrical. Asymmetrical balance has a beauty all its own. A collection of both old and new items offers a connection to the past while still including the fresh ideas of the future. Breaking a few rules creates a room that is timeless. That said, here are a few general design guidelines:
Go Slow
I’m a fan of building interiors over time. If you rush you’ll make mistakes You may make compromises. You may even buy the showroom arrangement for $999. that doesn’t reflect your personality. Start to think of each room as a work in progress. Plan the project in phases. Keep layering and allow room for growth.
Recently, this design technique has developed into something called “Slow Design”. Slow Design proponents are looking for quality over quantity. They prefer sustainable, artisan-made items over things that are mass produced. The environmental benefit is that holding out for quality insures that the pieces you buy will last.
Shake things up
I’ve also learned that expensive isn’t always best. Too much expensive décor can leave a space feeling like a museum. Don’t limit yourself to buying everything at one store. Look around at garage sales, flea markets and discount stores. The most interesting rooms have an array of items from different price ranges. If everything is too expensive the room feels cold.
Balance and Proportion are key
Make sure that the furniture you select is the same scale as other pieces in the room. Then make sure that they are the correct scale for the size of the room. Over-scaled and overstuffed sofas and chairs add a sense of grandeur to a large room. However they are overpowering in a smaller space. Too many small pieces clustered together can make a room appear cluttered. Try to assemble a comfortable and inviting room without an overabundance of furniture.
Trade secret: Consider how long you will stay in your current home before purchasing large scale furniture. Oversized pieces may not fit well in your next home.
Learn restraint
Don’t over accessorize. Too many objects can make a room feel cluttered and the meaningful items are lost in the clutter. Remember that less is more.
If you use multiple patterns on upholstered furniture, consider purchasing a solid rug. If you are using an Oriental rug, then choose a leather chair. This technique allows your eye a place to rest.
Be cautious about mixing metals like silver, gold and bronze. Keeping everything silver might appear boring. On the other hand, using every metal in one grouping can be too much. The trick with metal is to match the level of shininess.
Have an unwavering commitment to comfort
Let’s face it: comfort is key. Never buy something that doesn’t feel good in the store. You will regret it immediately. I discourage people from ordering upholstered pieces that they have not tested first. Seat depth is very important and very individual. The way that you connect to the back of a chair or how a sofa “hits you” is critical to your long-term comfort. I encourage people to buy the best quality they can afford. If you do, you will have this furniture for years to come. It’s a major investment, so test it carefully.
I once found a beautiful set of leather dining chairs. I sat on one of the chairs in the store and took it home on approval. When I got it home it was perfect for the table. I loved it’s unique design. But it wasn’t comfortable. I sat in it several times the next day trying to talk myself into it. Maybe it would be like a pair of shoes that I had to break in…. In the end I returned it. I didn’t want my guests to wish dinner would be over so that they could be free of our uncomfortable chairs.
Keep things moving
Decorating is a process and styles are ever changing. Shift things around to stay current. Add layers gradually. Rearrange until it works. Before you buy new, rearrange what you have. I do this frequently. I used to fool friends into thinking I had bought new furniture. Now they just ask if I’ve been rearranging again.
Start small by swapping a few tables around. Don’t get locked into specific labels like: this is a nightstand or this is a sofa table. I moved a nightstand next to the sofa in the family room and used a sofa table as a buffet. I moved an end table to the side entry where it would get more attention. Then I topped it with flowers to create a more welcoming entry. Once you start thinking about mixing things up, it becomes a lot of fun.
Admit your defeats
Don’t be afraid to experiment. It’s the best way to make your room unique But if you’ve made a poor choice, acknowledge it and then try to fix it. Try moving a poorly chosen chair into a different room. Try placing it next to different accessories. Or change the wall color behind it.
I had a client who had four mismatched chairs. She painted each a different tropical color. This technique made them look like a set even though they weren’t. Another idea might be to take mismatched items and paint or stain them all the same color. This creates a link between the pieces and makes them look coordinated. If tricks like these don‘t work, let it go.
Don’t hang onto things thinking that they are good enough. Everyone makes mistakes. Getting rid of something that doesn’t work will remove that frustration you feel every time you look at your mistake. Who knows, maybe your mistake can be someone else’s treasure. Think eBay!
Think Small. As an environmentalist I’m interested in creating spaces that are of good quality on a smaller scale. Sarah Susanka’s ideas in the Not So Big House have a lot of appeal. She recommends that people build smaller, well tailored homes instead of McMansions. She feels that these larger homes have no soul and were “designed to impress instead of nurture.” She encourages an attention to detail that makes a house feel like a home.
Get Fresh. Buy fresh flowers and fruits. Green plants and fresh flowers add a pop of color and bring a living dimension to a room. Purchasing them at a Farmers Market or grocery store keeps it affordable. Another trick to hold the cost down is to stick with one type of flower. Sunflowers look great by themselves. So do peonies and tulips. Even carnations look fabulous with stems cut short and crowded together in a tight ball, right above the lip of the vase. Next time you’re in the produce aisle, buy extra apples, lemons or limes. They look great in a bowl on the table. Artichokes are fun too.
Find a concept to build on. Many rooms are designed around a single object. It could be a rug or a piece of fabric or an amazing piece of art. Once you have this starting point, you have your cornerstone. Then it is just a matter of layering and coordinating everything else around that core piece.
Look for trends. If you notice a new color, style of pillow, or unusual lamp incorporate it into your décor. If this is done using smaller accessory items it won’t cost as much as changing major furniture pieces. These small changes will give an updated, current look for less. It is fun to keep your main furniture pieces neutral so that you can switch colors and textures with the seasons.
Personalize. Your home tells the story of who you are. In order for a house to feel like a home it needs the personal touches. There are many ways to do this. Display your collections or treasures from your travels. Enlarge pictures of your children and have them framed. Put items to use. Place the crocheted doily your Grandmother made on your nightstand. Use the china plates. Showcase items from nature, like leaves, shells or rocks. Use your favorite colors. And then your house will speak for you.
KAREN HENKE is a professional organizer and the owner of Come2Order. With a collection of 17 years work experience in design, space planning and organization, she now helps others come to order. |
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