Design Tips
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 [...]
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-Hanging a Chandelier
Q: What is the correct height for hanging a chandelier?
A: If you’re hanging the chandelier over a table, aim for 30 to 34 inches over the tabletop for an eight-foot ceiling. If your ceiling is higher than eight feet, mount the chandelier an additional three inches higher for each foot of ceiling.
If the chandelier isn’t [...]
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 [...]
Design Tip-area rugs
Q: What portion of the room should an area rug cover?
A: What you don’t want is an area rug that comes right under the legs of all the furniture and then stops. Go bigger, as this will make the room itself appear larger. Pay attention to air vents and thoroughfares when you measure for a [...]
