Make It Yours . . .

It's easy to get confused about the "right" way to decorate, especially if you subscribe to a variety of decorating magazines. One will tell you to keep to a simple color and pattern design or the room will be overwhelmed, while another will suggest mixing and matching pretty much anything under the sun. (Have you seen the "exuberant" work of William Diamond?)

So rather than paying attention to what "they" are saying, perhaps you should pay attention to . . . yourself. And rather than looking at the glossy photos and wondering how to do that, start with looking around at your own home and deciding what you really like, and what you really don't.

Then start with getting rid of what you don't like, What you do like can (almost) always be incorporated, even if the color/style/overall design of the room changes.

I'm an excellent example of this. I was a huge lover of antiques, particularly Victorian. (I know, I know, but I used to live in a Victorian house.) When I lost that love (and left the house), I still had a few pieces I wanted to keep, but without keeping the overall Victorian look and feel. So I used a few simple techniques that I now recommend for my clients:

• Repeat something about the piece(s) you love in other pieces in the room. It could be color, shape, line, fabric . . . something that makes it feel like things "go" together, even if they are from completely different eras. (The 4-poster bed on the right fits right in with modern tables with similar turned legs and contemporary bedding.)
• Use it in a new way, something perhaps a bit unexpected. (In my case, a dining room buffet became a bedroom dresser, with a few minor alterations.)
• Pair it with something au courant. (My gorgeous-to-me split-pedestal dining table is now paired with parsons chairs in a lovely soft beige.)
• Give it an instant upgrade with a coat of paint, modern fabric, a simpler frame, new hardware. (New upholstery give the spindle chairs above an updated look.)

Simple changes like these won't mar the pieces you love, but will help give them a "new" look that will work as your tastes and styles change.

It's All About the Undertones

In working with clients on color selection, when I ask a client if there is a color they really don't like they may say something like "green". Really? If you've ever looked at a color deck, you'll see there are an awful lot of greens. And my bet is that there are a few of them they really do like.

Because it's not really about the color, but it's about the undertones or the color behind the color. And oh, the places those undertones can take a color!

If this is a bit confusing for you as well, start with whites. In Benjamin Moore's off-white collection (really whites with different undertones), there are 140 tones. That's a lot of shades of white! 

But it's all in the undertones . . . 

Simply White

Let's compare three whites and I think you'll see what I mean. Start with Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year, Simply White. It's close to a pure white, but against the white background of the blog, a bit of a yellow undertone shows through.

Owl Gray

The next white is actually called Owl Gray. Yes, the name gives part of it away, but it's not just gray you see as an undertone but a bit of green as well. 

Chantilly Lace

And the final white is Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace. A crisp white with a - can you see it? - touch of an icy blue-green.

It should start to become apparent (yes, I understand monitors may be creating a bit of havoc) that undertones are an important consideration when selecting colors for our homes. Fan decks can be very helpful because they are ordered by undertones. (The greens go to the blue-greens then to the blues for example.) Or just put a color next to another color to see if they "go together". If they do, it's probably because they share undertones. If you begin paying careful attention, before you know it, all of your color choices will be the right ones!

It's a Small World After All

That's not entirely true . . . but how do you explain the interest in the Tiny House Movement? (Yes, there really is a movement.) I think people are fascinated by the idea of living in a very small space, maybe even one you can take with you. While most people I know aren't ready to make that jump yet, I am working with a lot of people who are down-sizing. And that has it's own set of issues.

As someone who did this a couple of years ago, I understand the difficulties of living in a smaller space. There's less storage, less space for furniture, fewer rooms . . . but for me it's been well worth it as I learn that less really is more. I like having less to clean and maintain, less "stuff" around me to worry about, and the new house really does feel cozy rather than small.

But there are a few things I've learned that I thought I would share with those who are going through or are considering going through a similar transition.

First, furnishings need to be flexible. That means the sofa/loveseat combo is probably not a good idea. If  you still want a sofa, go smaller and have chairs instead of a loveseat. Or forego the sofa and simply have chairs surrounding a round coffee table. Two pairs of chairs or all four matching keeps the arrangement from looking too random. (And the mirrors help expand the space.)

HGTV

Get creative with seating options. Rather than a coffee table, what about an ottoman. Or have poufs or small stools available. A plus is if they can be stored under another piece of furniture (console table? coffee table?) or used in place of a side table until needed.

Midwest Living

Banquettes and benches make great space-saving seating options in the dining room. And if you haven't seen some of the great storage options available under beds, you're missing out! While there are lots of creative ideas for putting things under a bed, there are also some wonderful beds that have built-in storage underneath - and I'm not talking platform beds!

Then keep a few "rules" in mind to make space feel larger. Use one area large area rug (8x10) to ground the seating, and keep all other rugs out. Hang larger artwork pieces rather than groupings, especially of smaller pictures. Keep window treatments minimal. Use one large accessory rather than a few smaller ones. And while you may not be ready for a tiny house, before you know it, you'll be loving living small!

You've Got This

One of the most difficult aspects of working with my clients is seeing how some of them struggle to feel comfortable in their own homes. And the reason is usually because they think they don't know how to "decorate". It seems that with our design "rules" and shelter magazines, we've intimidated people so they are afraid of doing something wrong. So they do nothing at all.

I understand when people have rooms that just don't quite seem right and they can't figure out why not. There are some things that do go a long way towards making rooms warm and inviting. But that's different from not doing anything because you're afraid to do the wrong thing.

So here are a few of my "rules" that anyone can implement. And immediately feel better about their homes.

1. If you don't love it or use it, lose it. Why keep things around you that aren't useful or don't make you smile when you see them?
2. If you do love it, showcase it, whatever it is. And no matter what anyone else says. That means putting it on display, hanging it on the wall, using it regularly and not just on special occasions.
3. Less is generally more, but only because we can really notice our things if there's not too much else around them. That doesn't mean getting rid of anything (unless you don't love it), but perhaps rotating your things. You'll really appreciate them so much more when you do see them. 
4. Don't pay attention to trends, unless there's one you happen to really love. I can't tell you how
   
   many times I hear things like "I really love green, but I know it's not a good color for a dining room". There are no decorating police. See Rule #2.

Of course there are tips and tricks that can really work to make our homes look and feel the way we like. And we don't always know what they are or how to use them. But start with these 4 "rules" and you'll be well on your way!

What About That Artwork?

I've been working with a client who wants to fall in love with her home. She and  her family have lived there for many years and she's never really been happy. It's a beautiful home . . . set in a beautiful rural location in southern Connecticut. Sounds like a fun project! But what has been interesting about the 7 hours I spent with her this week is that so far it's been about . . . artwork.

And what has been reinforced to me is . . . this doesn't have to be difficult. With a few "rules" everyone can surround themselves with the art they love - and make a huge change in how they feel about their homes.

Using children's artwork

As an example, one of the rooms we're working on is the basement "rec" room. It now has a pool table, comfortable seating, and will soon have a pub table and chairs. But what to do with all those walls?

We decided on a travel theme. She bought travel posters and artwork of beautiful travel destinations - or even just words. The room is fabulous. And here is "rule" #1: connect the artwork in each room in some way. While maybe a strict theme isn't necessary, the art should be similar in colors, frames, and/or subject matter. Another room we worked on is the entry. The art we hung in the entrance with very high ceilings is all artwork her college-aged daughter had done through the years. With different subject matters, we combined works with similar colors and done in the same medium, creating a unified look that makes the home owner smile every time she walks through the door.

Gallery in a Box from Pottery Barn

Our next room to tackle is the family room, where she wants a wall of family photos. Which brings us to "rule" #2: family photos, like collections of any sort, make a greater impact when displayed together. It doesn't have to be a wall, but consider within a bookcase or on a console table. (Save the mantel for large, eye-catching art.) 

Back to the photo wall - and rule #3: hang groupings close together. A good rule of thumb is 2" or the width of the mats (if there are mats). And if you have a lot of photos to hang (rule #4), use matching frames styles. Sizes can be different, but keep the style simple and the colors the same. 

There are a few more "rules" . . . but this is a good start. And if you make an error in placement? That's what spackle is for!

Is It Time for It to Go?

I saw a client from years ago at a meeting  yesterday. I didn't recognize her at first, so she reminded me that, when I worked with her on her home, I kept saying to her "Remember, less is more". And although I did remember  her then, that's something I say quite often to clients. It  makes a lot of sense with staging clients but I've found often clients who are staying in their homes have too much stuff. And while every home should reflect the people who live in it, sometimes it's hard to tell just who that is when there's too much going on.

Of course some of us like more things around us than others, which is fine. But I believe William Morris said it best when he said "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." And whether this

or this

is your style, that pretty much says it all - although I would like to take it a step further.

First, make sure you find it beautiful or useful now. If the last time you used it was 3 years ago but you might use it again in another 3 years, it's not useful. If you loved the crystal vase when it was given to you at your wedding years ago but now your tastes are different, it's no longer beautiful to you.

Make sure when you look at something, you feel happy. Sentiment is neither useful nor beautiful. Keeping the photos of your  honeymoon hanging on the wall now that you are divorced is not a good idea. Neither is keeping the still-beautiful-to-you lamp given to you by your ex-mother-in-law, who no longer speaks to you now that you're divorced. Unless of course all you see is the beauty of the lamp and feel no other emotions around it. (Be honest!)

And the best news? When you're done with loving it, there are probably plenty of people who will. Sell or give away* those things that still have life in them. Give someone else the opportunity to find them beautiful or useful.



*One of my favorite give-away places is Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. Not only do they take old furniture, accessories, building materials and things like old kitchen cabinets, but they pick up!

What To Do With That Mantel!

Just like the rest of the house, dismantling the mantel after the holidays leaves a big hole in my decorating scheme. I miss the warmth of the greenery, the glow of the lights and candles - and just the general fullness (is that a design term?) they bring to the living and family rooms. So when the decorations go, I'm looking for something that brings in the beauty of the winter without feeling stark or cold.

For me, that means less color but reflective surfaces, something that mimics the light from the sun coming off the snow. While I'm not a great fan of mirrors on the mantels, now might be the time to use one. And perhaps include something reminiscent of the bare tree branches.

HGTV

I stay away from a lot of color, other than the whites, silvers, grays, and perhaps icy blues of the winter landscape. And that includes any artwork. I'm fortunate to have a beautiful winter photo my husband took that looks stunning against the fieldstone of the of the living room fireplace. Appropriate greenery can be nice, such as evergreens (not the swags or trees of Christmas, but something that doesn't scream "holiday") or perhaps Narcissus or Amaryllis.

And, of course, a lit fire. What brings warmth to the house like the glow of the fireplace on a cold winter's night. Maybe I can wait just a little longer for spring.