Okay, we all can't be Martha Stewart and you may find yourself one of the millions of people that would love to decorate their new home or redecorate an existing one but do not have a clue oon where to start. If this sounds familiar this blog post is just for you!
So where to start? This is a good question and one that many people don't think about. How many times have you been out shopping and see something you like buy it with the intention of incorporating it into your decor or may be its the inspiration piece you've been looking for to help you decorate only to return it to the store days later or put it in the closet because it didn't look like you thought? I've been there, done that and have the bills to prove it. I believe one of the biggest problems with decorating is we're all afraid of what if it doesn't turn out the way I wanted it to, or what if I mess it up? Well…what if? I've messed things up in my home on the first attempt but got it right eventually and my home is still standing. (Note: this doesn't mean knocking down support walls.)
Before any job I ask clients a series of questions, what they like, what their partner likes, their dislikes and have them look through magazines and catalogs for ideas. Many times if you stop trying so hard things around your home will be the inspiration you need. I also like to get the paint sample sheets and write down how the colors make me feel, kind of like a journal. By simply looking at what I wrote over time I knew I would never decorate with pink, it's just not me. I have pink shirts & sweaters but that's the extent of it. I had a client once that said she hated blue did not want anything that resembled blue as it made her feel cold and all she wanted was to be somewhere else where the climate was warm and she could feel the sand between her feet. Guess what color her bedroom was decorated with? Yes, blue! See as much as she hated blue drinking glasses, dishes, bath towels etc she kept mentioning how she loved the beach the serene colors and everything else associated with the ocean. Upon entering her new bedroom retreat she just stood there motionless, frozen like (which made me nervous for a second or two) and after what seemed like an eternity she said "I feel like I am standing in a five star hotel suite in the tropics and not my bedroom". I took everything she said to heart, her hatred for the color blue but the love of the ocean and everything associated with it. The color scheme was soft shades of blue, tan and white. You may say to yourself you hate red, yellow or green but with the help of a journal or communicating what makes you feel your best you may find that shades of those colors suit you best.
If you have bland walls but hate painting or your husband has a fit, consider painting one wall – let it be a day or two to see how the color changes your rooms decor in the day, afternoon and evening. If it works bring in accent pieces, candle holders, wall art a new accent table. Next look at your rugs do they enhance the changes you've made in your room? If not, consider a new rug for the room. Rugs often times are the inspiration for decor style choices and have a huge impact on your room by drawing your eyes from the floor to every area of your room.
As I get older I love wall decor, more and more. This doesn't mean I want my walls covered I just want to blend different textures and materials together and I like the eclectic or personal feelings my wall groupings bring to the room. Formal rooms look great with paintings and tapestres paired with wall sconces. Traditional – modern bring various elements to the room such as the popular wall writings, one word plaques, picture frame collages, clocks grouped together.
I like to use multi-functional pieces for my accessories. I like pretty bowls that can also be used to hold a candle or other decorative item – this way I can use it all the time and not just as a serving piece.
If you are thinking about redecorating a room in your house but you just aren't sure your idea will work I strongly suggest writing things down, look in magazines and don't forget those items you have around your home you would never part with but you just don't know what to do with it – incorporate it! One last thing pertaining to placement of decor pieces start using masking tape to mark your floor and walls and then look at it, sleep on it and see if it works for you.
Have a decorating dilemma? Don't know where to start? Ask a question for some free advice. May be you have the next best decorating secret share with us I'd love to hear!! Until the next time…
Source: Berri Rannells