Design Tips

Five Interior Design “Rules” That are Meant to be Broken

For anyone new to the interior design world, it can be easy to stay loyal to the conservative “rules” of design. There’s nothing wrong with sticking with a traditional look, however, bending and even breaking rules allows you to express yourself through the decor of your home. At the end of the day, interior design is all about being able to find pieces you love and incorporate them into your home. Focus on this, and by the end of this article you will be ready to mix your brass and chrome kitchen finishes and layer prints like a pro.

1. Mixing metals. Just because you have stainless steel appliances in your kitchen, doesn’t mean you should be scared of mixing metals. There is nothing wrong with pairing chrome sink hardware with stainless steel appliances. This adds a cool modern vibe and can take your kitchen to the next level.

2. Don’t place big furniture in a small room. It may seem a little odd to place big furniture in a tiny room, but having extra small furniture in a small room won’t make your space feel larger. I suggest incorporating one or two bigger pieces like a large sofa and a large accent mirror. A large sofa is comfy and inviting while an oversized accent mirror reflects light and gives the illusion of a bigger, more open space.

3. Hang your art. This is a rule that should definitely be broken! Leaning art against a wall or layering it on a floating shelf is a great way to bring a bohemian vibe into your space! It can be very chic—you just have to trust in your vision! Take it a step further and bring in unique statues or other forms of standing art.

4. Don’t paint the ceiling. This is one tip I break in almost every project. I love painted or wallpapered ceilings because it makes any space feel bold and stylish. If you go for a print, choose one what matches the scale of the room. Since adding color or texture to the ceiling is already a bold statement, I suggest sticking to a simple color or soft pattern to keep the room from getting too busy.

5. Furniture styles should always match. Having a completely matching furniture set is a thing of the past! Forgetting this rule gives you the ultimate flexibility when buying furniture. Go ahead, mix a traditional dining table with funky, modern chairs! The key here is to make sure your furniture still has some common ground. Your furniture can all be a similar shape or you can tie them together with identical throw pillows or a beautiful table runner.

How to

Transitioning Your Home from Summer to Fall

Summer is coming to and end, and we are all preparing to reorganize our schedules with the return of school, fall sports, our favorite lattes and cooler weather. It’s no coincidence that we want to carry that mentality into our home decor.

Fall is the perfect time of year to embrace warm colors and fun earthy textures. If you know me, you know I’m a planner, so I love to start thinking about fall as early as possible! Read on for some of my best tips on how to transition your home from summer into fall.

Color. Luckily, we have mother nature to thank for bringing so many wonderful colors and inspiration to us in the fall season. I love decorating during this time of year because it is filled with so many yellows, oranges, and reds that are guaranteed to make any space feel cozier. Using warm-toned throw pillows will instantly warm up any chair or sofa in your home. If you’re on the bold-side, try out a pair of accent chairs in a shade of red! But remember, “warm” colors aren’t the only way to get that sought after fall look! You can always dare to be different by adding bold metallics or animal prints.

Texture and Layers. Simple additions such as adding throw blankets or layered area rugs are great ways to make the transition into fall without making any drastic changes. Experimenting with texture and layers also gives you the opportunity to add warmth without totally changing your color scheme.

“Try not to go overboard with these small changes, this way you can easily remove or change out accessories until you reach a perfect balance for your home.”

Incorporate nature in your decor. Don’t be afraid to bring the outside in. Decorate with pumpkins, leaves, acorns, gourds and other natural fall elements. These type of pieces are sure to capture that autumn feeling that we’re all going for, plus they won’t break the bank.

Transition your favorite outdoor space. Don’t totally neglect your porch or patio just because summer is coming to a close! You can easily replace your summer cushions and pillows for fall. Also, keep your patio feeling extra cozy by adding a durable and long lasting throw blanket on your furniture. Lastly for all you porch-dwellers out there, there is nothing more classically fall than a gorgeous fall wreath.