I walked through a home sale this week. I was initially struck by how beautifully the house was decorated, right down to the minutest detail. On second glance I thought I was walking through an Ethan Allen show home.  Every piece in every room was gorgeous in its own right – but where was the homeowner’s personality?  Where is that personal mark that really makes a house “a home”?

Most of us can’t afford to fill our homes with “high end” furnishings and you know what? – if I could afford it – I wouldn’t! I want my home to feel warm and welcoming and uniquely me!  Isn’t that what decorating is all about?

Putting a personal stamp on your home isn’t that hard!  My bottom line is “Mix it up”!  Purchase one or two higher end pieces that you really love.  Select complimentary pieces that you are drawn to – a vintage table, a pair of lamps – you get the idea!  Add a variety of textures, wood tones, new & vintage items, along with pop of an unexpected color and before you know it you’ve created a home you can really live in!

I love how decorating has evolved in the 21^st century.  Popular furniture has the sleek lines of the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Less is often more.  But what is different about today’s decorating trends?  It’s the often playful but environmentally conscience mix of the old with the new. It’s mixing East with West, it’s methodically mismatching.  In short, it’s modern eclectic.

In my opinion, redecorating does NOT mean getting rid of everything!  If you are updating a space and want to create a more modern style but still want to keep some of your favorite pieces, feel free.  The basic tenets of decorating will still apply – scale, proportion and balance.  Start by selecting updated furniture (dining room table, sofa or sectional) – be sure the scale will work with the pieces you want to keep in the room.  Don’t be afraid to experiment – most stores today allow returns without question.  Adding reclaimed or salvaged furniture is a great way to go green and update the look of your space.

 Color is often the common denominator that pulls an eclectic space together.  I generally recommend neutral colors and add 2 or 3 brighter colors that pull the room together.  For example, if you are using mismatched dining room chairs, paint them all the same color or cover the chairs with the same fabric. 

Pulling off the modern eclectic look is really all about reflecting your own style and confidence. Use decorating basics, mix it up with some fun choices and you will create a new space that is uniquely you!

I love Christmas – I’ve always loved Christmas!  I couldn’t wait to put up my 1^st Christmas tree in my 1^st apartment after college!  It wasn’t very big, but my favorite symbol of   the Season was standing in my little living room!  It’s the smell of evergreens that I enjoy so much – that and all the lights and ornaments that create the bejeweled king of the holidays! 

I use a lot of evergreens to decorate during the season – especially outdoors.  It is remarkable what you can create with evergreens, holly & boxwoods.  You can create gorgeous window swags, lamp post & mail box swags and beautiful arrangements in urns, planters and large outdoor pots.  Use floral foam and soak it in water so that your arrangements will last during the season. When creating any of these outdoor decorations remember to start with the largest and sturdiest branches (blue spruce, holly) and slowly fill in with small and softer greenery (pine, boxwood, arborvitaes).  Holly branches with berries add color as do variegated boxwoods, but so do pinecones and simple small ornaments or red ribbons. 

Creating a welcoming exterior for the Holidays is as easy as pie!  Look around your yard – you’ll probably have everything you need to create beautiful arrangement – all you’ll need is some floral foam & your imagination!

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

How frustrating is it to dine at a long table and try to have a conversation with someone sitting a few people away?   It’s just not happening!  Enter the round dining table!  It is an excellent conversation area where everyone can be the center of conversation! Beyond the ease of conversation, a round table is so functional – the shape accommodates both large and small parties. 

Round and oval dining table are space efficient too!   If you think you don’t have any space for a dining table in a small living space – think again.  Many round tables are drop leafs so when you are not using it, drop the leaves and you have a small rectangular table that can fit easily against a wall. 

So you’d like to host a dinner party and you don’t have a round table – how about DIY?  Find a small table base (maybe an outside table or pedestal side table) and add a round glass or plywood top (be sure to anchor it) and cover with a table cloth and voila – a charming and warm dining area is ready for the party!

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

As we feel the fall’s first chill, my mind goes immediately to a cozy fire in the family room.  Nothing is more mesmerizing than those flickering flames.  But how do we decorate around our fireplace?  My thoughts are that “less is definitely more”!  Don’t clutter the mantel with large collections of pictures or collectables all surrounding a large picture or mirror.  It is so easy to do because a mantel gives the appearance of a shelve and what’s the harm in adding just one more item on that shelf?  Decorating is really about accenting a beautiful feature, so most often less will always be more.  Here are some quick tips for decorating your mantel – Start with one large piece of art or mirror; which anchors the mantel; it can rest on top of the mantel or be hung very close to the mantel.  That piece does not have to be centered, especially if you’d like to add a few more decorative features.  Once you have your anchor, step back and see if you like the simplicity of it.  If you feel it needs a little more, add small accents – small vases or plants that will co-ordinate with the anchor piece.

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

Lighten & Brighten and then add Interest

So many home owners want to update their homes and are just not sure where to start. And in today’s economy they don’t want to spend a fortune to make those changes.  I say, it is relatively simply & inexpensive – Lighten & Brighten and then add Interest!  One of the most important parts of decorating is using the right paint color on your walls.  It is remarkable how much the color of a room can transform the tone and feel of the space.  Plus, it is the most inexpensive way to change the look of your space.   Now, check out your windows.  Allowing nature light to flow into a room is must in my book!  Use airy window treatments, such as muslin or raw silk panels.  They allow light to flow and create elegance.  Window Cornices are another great option.  Cornices open up a window to light and add interest with unique fabrics and styles. Let’s add a little more interest.  The easiest & most inexpensive way is to add pillows.  Use a variety of sizes, shapes, textures and colors.  But pillows will not complete the finished look.  Using interesting accent furnishings, adding wall art, lamps & ambient lighting and greenery will finally complete the transformation! 

 EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

How unique are lamps today?  I’ve just fallen in love with all the lighting choices.  I often blog about how accent pieces can create your “one of a kind” space and adding lamps are certainly no exception.  Regardless of the style of the room you’ve created, spice it up with some original lighting.  Don’t dismiss table and floor lamps because your room has plenty of recessed lighting.  Using ambient lights, for example, will direct the eye.  It is soft, indirect lighting that will illuminate the space and create an inviting glow.  So what are the latest looks?  Lamps and shades are big, small, colorful and amazingly unique.  They are made out of cork, woven wire, and silhouetted with photos.  Artisan lamps are bejeweled, chain linked, ceramic, glass and made from reclaimed materials!  Today’s lamps are like pieces of art, so no matter what your style – there is truly a unique lamp for everyone!

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

Have you noticed what’s happened to the old coffee table?  For the most part, the classic walnut or maple rectangular or oval tables are gone.  Home owners today are opting for unique and eye popping pieces that can become the center of the living or family room.   What a great opportunity to express your individual taste!  Even if your decorating style leans toward traditional or transitional, a “one of a kind” coffee table will have your friends and family talking as soon as they walk into your room.  Simple colorful cubes or garden stools are functional both as a table and additional seating. And they’ll also create sparks of color!  Unique bases with glass tops are another great option.  And always a favorite, the upholstered bench – just don’t forget the tray to place drinks and snacks!

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!

EASYdesigns – interior design made easy!