5 ingredients to create a well-dressed room
When I’m scrolling through Pinterest or a magazine, I love features that show you how to pull together a fabulous outfit. I think it’s in my DNA: My parents owned a clothing store in my hometown of Atchison, Kan. When I was little, may parents let me steam clothes and make the bows for gift-wrapped packages. When I was old enough, I finally got to hit the sales floor and start helping customers create outfits that looked sensational. I loved every minute of it. And today I’m lucky to still be doing work I love, now helping friends and customers create a welldressed home. Just as you need a few key pieces to make a great outfit, I’ve found there are five essential ingredients of a well-dressed room: Wall color that sets the mood. Wall color sets the tone for your entire space, creating the ambience. Right now, we are seeing a trend toward both light, bright wall colors and deep, rich shades. White and cream — timeless classics — are showing up big. We are also seeing lots of our customers gravitating toward subtle shades of their favorite colors, like pale blues. On the other end of the spectrum, moody colors like moss green, dark teal and navy are also making a splash, as is statementmaking wallpaper. When selecting a color scheme for your room, don’t forget your ceiling. One of my favorite looks right now is to paint the ceiling a clear, rich color, then leave the walls white or cream. Interesting light fixtures. No longer are light fixtures just functional additions to a room. Today’s lamps and fixtures are so striking they can be the star of the show. No doubt, well-chosen lighting can completely change a room.
Light fixtures are one of those areas where you get what you pay for. When you invest in great lamps, chandeliers and pendants, it shows. If your spaces have lackluster lighting, I would encourage you to begin upgrading and get the best lights your budget will allow. You’ll be happy in the end because the lighting will take your space to the next level. A mix of fabrics. You can find decorating fabrics that allow you to get a big look for a minimal investment. If you are on a budget when decorating your spaces, this is where you can cut corners without sacrificing the look of your room.
One tip is to pick a modest fabric for your bedding, drapes or upholstered furniture, perhaps a solid or a subtle pattern, then give it a great story with an interesting trim or contrasting welt. Or, invest in a small amount of one killer fabric and use it to make a pillow for your sofa or bed, then fill in with others that are made from less expensive fabrics. When picking the fabrics for your home, try using a variety of patterns, colors and textures. Arresting artwork. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when they invest in decorating their homes is to fill a room with great furnishings, then leave the walls blank. Artwork is absolutely essential for a well-decorated room, so refuse to allow yourself to be paralyzed when picking and hanging art. When I select art, I purchase pieces I love that speak to me and lift my heart, then find a way to work them into my decor. Be confident, be choosy and get artwork that shares a glimpse of your personality. Something personal. As much as we all love to look at dreamy decor in magazines, no one should live in a room that looks like it’s been downloaded from a catalog. Every space in your home should reflect your unique personality. I like to weave in treasures from my travels, snapshots of special moments and those I love, gifts from people who mean the world to me. Add a touch of whimsy when you can, like taking that odd clay sculpture your child or grandkid made in art class, putting it on a cake plate and topping it with a glass cloche to give it the stage it deserves. Every time you walk past it, I bet it will make you smile!
Don’t let your room remain static, once you have decorated it. I believe good design evolves, and rooms should change to reflect the seasons, your interests and life stages. And above all else, have fun! Distributed by Tribune Content Agency