Author Archive
Design Tip-Creating Warmth
Q: I have a small bedroom with putty colored walls and poor natural light. What are some ways I can make it warm and cozy?
A: First, use lots of white (white sheets, white furniture, white lampshades) and make sure it’s consistent. If it’s just here and there, it will look sloppy and you’ll lose [...]
Design Tip-Artwork vs. Furniture
Q: What is the correct size proportion for artwork vs. the furniture it’s over (i.e. a painting above a chair)?
A: Ideally, you want the art to be about two-thirds the size of the furniture it’s above, keeping in mind the artwork size can be collective, as in a collection rather than just one piece. [...]
Design Tip-High Ceilings
Q: In rooms with high ceilings, how do I deal with all that wall space?
A: Paint the ceiling. Whatever color you have on the walls, change it a hue by adding white to the paint, and then use the new color to paint the ceiling. This brings the ceiling down and makes the space seem [...]
Design Tip-Decorating a Rental Home
Q: For those of us who rent houses, any suggestions on inexpensive ways to spruce up or personalize a house? I’m looking for ideas that are not permanent, but still make the place feel like home.
A: Invest in something you love, but that you can take with you when you leave your rental. Art is [...]
Be on the lookout…
Be sure to pick up the March 2010 issue of Southern Living Magazine. Muffie’s design of a southern porch will featured. She will also be in a special issue of Southern Accents on The Best Southern Rooms.
Design Tip-Updating a bathroom
Q: How do I make the 1960s green tile in my bathroom look like it belongs in 2010?
Make everything else modern by painting the ceiling and walls white. Remove all the old fixtures and replace them with something updated and hip. If it’s a full bath, get a white shower curtain and decorate it with [...]
Design Tip-Updating a room
Q: There are so many rooms in my house in need of updating. Where do I begin?
Whether it’s a cluttered mudroom or a stressful office, start with what drives you most crazy and fix that. You’ll feel better, more motivated, and able to move on to the rest of your house. If you’re hesitant about [...]
Design Tip-Furniture Finishes
Q: Do furniture finishes have to match? For example, I have a dark, almost mahogany coffee table, and a much lighter wood dining table.
A: No, there’s no need to worry about variations in finishes. You don’t want the space to look like a furniture showroom, do you? The different finishes add interest to a [...]
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Look Hue’s done it again
We are so excited because we finally received Kelly Wearstler’s new book Hue. It’s absolutely amazing. It seems like everything she touches turns to gold. We have always admired her daring use of color and we’re glad to see it all in one place.
Click here to read Kelly’s recent interview in ELLE DECOR.
