Decorating Guides
Feel Free to Break Some Decorating Rules
Ditch the dogma about color, style and matching, and watch your rooms come alive
One of the primary things I learned while working with interior design clients over four decades is that our mothers seriously warped us — about decorating at least. So many of us get totally tied in knots when it comes to designing our homes. "I absolutely love that piece, but it's way too big for my room." "My UPS man says those colors don't match." "My new lamp has to be brass, because my coffee table is brass."
Rules, rules, rules. They can take all the joy out of what should be a really fun, inspiring and even spur-of-the-moment process. So how do we know which rules to follow and which rules to break? Here I'll set the record straight regarding the guidelines for color, style and mixing, and will suggest which to pay attention to and which to ignore.
Rules, rules, rules. They can take all the joy out of what should be a really fun, inspiring and even spur-of-the-moment process. So how do we know which rules to follow and which rules to break? Here I'll set the record straight regarding the guidelines for color, style and mixing, and will suggest which to pay attention to and which to ignore.
Speaking of ceilings, I am often asked what the rule is about painting ceilings. Guess what? There is no rule.
If you want to give your room a soaring ceiling, paint it a color much lighter than the walls. If you are doing the paint yourself and, like me, cannot paint a clean line for love or money, paint your walls and ceiling the same color. That will give your room a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Even if your ceilings are low, decide which feeling you want in the room and paint your ceiling accordingly.
If you want to give your room a soaring ceiling, paint it a color much lighter than the walls. If you are doing the paint yourself and, like me, cannot paint a clean line for love or money, paint your walls and ceiling the same color. That will give your room a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Even if your ceilings are low, decide which feeling you want in the room and paint your ceiling accordingly.
I wish I had a nickel for every time a client told me that the colors needed to match. Where did this rule come from? It certainly didn't come from observing nature. Have you ever pondered all the pinks, reds, oranges and purples in a single rose? Or the myriad shades of green present on a spring morning?
I blame this rule on our moms and the 1950s, when dyed-to-match shoes were all the rage. The verve of the room shown here comes from its unmatched — and hence, wonderfully organic — color scheme.
I blame this rule on our moms and the 1950s, when dyed-to-match shoes were all the rage. The verve of the room shown here comes from its unmatched — and hence, wonderfully organic — color scheme.
Wait a minute; what about the rules of the color wheel? I gotta be honest: Primary colors, secondary colors and tertiary colors make my head swim. Talk about taking all the fun out of decorating!
Here's the deal: The color wheel was developed in the 18th century by painters, for painters. It was never meant to apply to using color in our homes.
Design heresy? Yes. But consider this: Studied rooms, where the palette was chosen nose-to-color-wheel, almost always feel ... studied. Rooms like the one shown here take a much freer, more organic approach, using color the way we see it in nature. Just look at the bit of the flower arrangement we can see. Revel in that natural approach to color!
We never worry whether the bright lime green of new needles on an evergreen tree works with the darker gray-green of the older foliage. We never declare it anathema because a warm color is mixed with a cool one. If you want a rule for how to work with color, simply take notes from nature.
Here's the deal: The color wheel was developed in the 18th century by painters, for painters. It was never meant to apply to using color in our homes.
Design heresy? Yes. But consider this: Studied rooms, where the palette was chosen nose-to-color-wheel, almost always feel ... studied. Rooms like the one shown here take a much freer, more organic approach, using color the way we see it in nature. Just look at the bit of the flower arrangement we can see. Revel in that natural approach to color!
We never worry whether the bright lime green of new needles on an evergreen tree works with the darker gray-green of the older foliage. We never declare it anathema because a warm color is mixed with a cool one. If you want a rule for how to work with color, simply take notes from nature.
One more word about the color wheel before I crawl off this particular high horse. Look at the comfy chocolate color of this nursery's walls. Isn't it yummy? But did you know that brown does not even appear on the color wheel? Enough said.
Moving on to the rules pertaining to style. How often have you been told that if you use two sofas in a room, they must be identical? If this were true, it would make it very difficult for those of us who love to shop thrift and consignment stores.
Fortunately, you may consign this rule to the "Ignore Me" folder. If you want to take the mixed-sofa approach, check out this room for the keys to success. Although the sofas differ in both style and color, other important elements tie them together. Look at the colors in the carpet and that fabulous Italian advertising poster, and see how they are repeated in the sofas. Next look at the throw pillows, each of which features the color from the opposing sofa.
The room holds together beautifully and has the added perk of doubling the chances of family and guests' finding a seat that will comfortably fit them.
Fortunately, you may consign this rule to the "Ignore Me" folder. If you want to take the mixed-sofa approach, check out this room for the keys to success. Although the sofas differ in both style and color, other important elements tie them together. Look at the colors in the carpet and that fabulous Italian advertising poster, and see how they are repeated in the sofas. Next look at the throw pillows, each of which features the color from the opposing sofa.
The room holds together beautifully and has the added perk of doubling the chances of family and guests' finding a seat that will comfortably fit them.
I came across a design blog the other day that asserted the widespread belief that you must retain a consistent style in your room's furnishings to achieve a good design. Honestly, I have never done well with the word "must," especially when it comes to how we do our homes.
In reality, when all of the furniture in a room is the same style, the aura created tends to be sterile and uninteresting. Compare that to this dining room, which makes me want to come in, sit down and have a glass of wine. (Not that it takes much to elicit that response from me!) The table is casual contemporary, the host chairs are midcentury, and the side chairs are woven and wonderfully worn. The distinctly country corner cabinet completes this very interesting and welcoming room. Flush the consistent-style rule down the drain.
In reality, when all of the furniture in a room is the same style, the aura created tends to be sterile and uninteresting. Compare that to this dining room, which makes me want to come in, sit down and have a glass of wine. (Not that it takes much to elicit that response from me!) The table is casual contemporary, the host chairs are midcentury, and the side chairs are woven and wonderfully worn. The distinctly country corner cabinet completes this very interesting and welcoming room. Flush the consistent-style rule down the drain.
The style of your interior decoration should be the same as the style of your home's architecture? Uh, no. This fabulous home — which makes me dream of Tuscany and stone farmhouses — is made fresh and inviting with its decidedly contemporary table and chairs.
Let me be clear: There would be nothing wrong with decorating a home like this with rustic antiques and 18th-century-style upholstery. But do you have to? Absolutely not.
Let me be clear: There would be nothing wrong with decorating a home like this with rustic antiques and 18th-century-style upholstery. But do you have to? Absolutely not.
In the interest of full disclosure, you should know that mixing it up is my favorite design rule, and one that must not be broken. Uh-oh, there's that word — "must."
Let me amend that. Mixing styles, colors, patterns, textures, finishes, scales and even shapes is an excellent way to give your home warmth, interest and a confident, welcoming feel. Take the mix of fabrics, colors and patterns in this room. The fabrics seemingly have little to do with one another, but the overall effect is magical.
So what makes it work? The grayish geometric wallpaper nods to the pattern on the gray and white pillow. The soft blue wall behind the sofa repeats itself in a marvelously unmatchy way on the center throw pillow. Even though the warm pumpkin color of the sofa does not appear again, it invites you in and is the focal point of the room — at least from this angle. Note that all the patterns in this room are geometric or linear, giving the space a clean, contemporary feel.
Let me amend that. Mixing styles, colors, patterns, textures, finishes, scales and even shapes is an excellent way to give your home warmth, interest and a confident, welcoming feel. Take the mix of fabrics, colors and patterns in this room. The fabrics seemingly have little to do with one another, but the overall effect is magical.
So what makes it work? The grayish geometric wallpaper nods to the pattern on the gray and white pillow. The soft blue wall behind the sofa repeats itself in a marvelously unmatchy way on the center throw pillow. Even though the warm pumpkin color of the sofa does not appear again, it invites you in and is the focal point of the room — at least from this angle. Note that all the patterns in this room are geometric or linear, giving the space a clean, contemporary feel.
So I am saying that mixing is a good thing, right? Absolutely — and not just in style. Consider mixing your metal finishes, too.
This room, although done in a neutral palette, has great interest because of its mixed metals. The opulent gilded mirror over the mantel has a different finish than the equally ornate console, and the chandelier boasts yet another tone, as does the circular side table and the legs on the contemporary upholstered pieces.
Try this exercise: In your mind's eye, change all those pieces to the same finish. Can you feel what happens to this room? So here's a good rule: Mix your metals.
See how to mix metal finishes in the kitchen and bathroom.
This room, although done in a neutral palette, has great interest because of its mixed metals. The opulent gilded mirror over the mantel has a different finish than the equally ornate console, and the chandelier boasts yet another tone, as does the circular side table and the legs on the contemporary upholstered pieces.
Try this exercise: In your mind's eye, change all those pieces to the same finish. Can you feel what happens to this room? So here's a good rule: Mix your metals.
See how to mix metal finishes in the kitchen and bathroom.
This room illustrates a helpful guideline (I am resisting the word "rule") regarding mixing fabrics and patterns. Do you see the linear fabric on the curtains, the animal print on the ottoman and the leafy floral on the sofa? Did you notice that they are all in the same color family? This is a classic approach to mixing fabrics that works beautifully in this room. It's also a good starting point for people who are leery of mixing patterns but want to give it a try.
For me this room's touch of genius is the completely unexpected and "wholly other" use of pink and gold on the throw pillows.
For me this room's touch of genius is the completely unexpected and "wholly other" use of pink and gold on the throw pillows.
There are lots more "rules" to address, but for now let me end with the precept I honor over all others: If you love it, we can make it work. After all, shouldn't our homes tell our stories, mirror our tastes and evoke delightful memories? Never accept the dictum that everything must match.
This room gets my imagination running. Was there a piece they couldn't part with that drove the design? Perhaps it was those midcentury chairs, or the terrific blackboard, or the old but fabulous table. Or maybe it was all of the above!
One thing is certain: This owner did a sterling job of making great design out of a conglomerate of loved pieces. Kudos!
More: Lessons in Living Comfortably: Embrace the Scratches and Dents
This room gets my imagination running. Was there a piece they couldn't part with that drove the design? Perhaps it was those midcentury chairs, or the terrific blackboard, or the old but fabulous table. Or maybe it was all of the above!
One thing is certain: This owner did a sterling job of making great design out of a conglomerate of loved pieces. Kudos!
More: Lessons in Living Comfortably: Embrace the Scratches and Dents
Visualize this room painted cream and feel the glow drain from it. While you are at it, notice how the contrast between the dark wall and light ceiling creates a wonderful feeling of height.