decorating myths

  • You can have only one metallic tone in a room. A look at the faucet display at your local home improvement center will demonstrate that silver and gold tones can be mixed. You can even combine different brushed nickel with shiny gold.
  • You can’t mix floral fabrics and plaids. Many fabric companies now offer coordinates of florals and plaids in the same color pallet and designed to be used together.
  • You should pick one style and stick with it. Today’s interior styles reflect an eclectic mix of influences. Not only can you switch up your style from room to room, but within a room as well. Whether you prefer a casual or a more formal approach to furnishing your home, the contrast of different styles enlivens the space.
  • Furnishings should be placed symmetrically. Just as your furnishings don’t have to match, the left side of the room doesn’t have to match the right. An asymmetrical arrangement can create interest and emphasize a focal point. An asymmetrical arrangement lends a room a more casual air.
  • Books belong on bookshelves. Books are a great way to add color and interest to a room. The idea of a coffee table book deserves some updating. Stacks of books can be used to elevate a lamp or a plant in a table top arrangement. If you are feeling adventurous, you can stack several oversized books to the side of a chair to serve as an end table. When you use a bookcase, not every book has to be standing on end; try laying some flat and place decorative accessories on top.

    5 decorating rules you can break:

  • “Don’t paint a small room a dark color.” A deep, rich color in a small room can be a great way to enhance and embrace a feeling of coziness.
  • “Don’t mix your woods.” According to the old school of thought, every wood tone in a room should match with the same finish. A more casual and eclectic approach is to mix things up, even with two finishes, like black and antique oak, on the same piece.
  • “Don’t leave your windows bare.” It’s okay to have naked windows, just so long as you don’t stand naked in front of them. You can keep an open airy feeling in your room and highlight the view by keeping your window dressings to a minimum, or by forgetting them altogether.
  • “Match your nightstands.” Nightstands are not socks, and they don’t necessarily have to match each other. You can personalize your bedroom to match the personalities of you and your partner by using different nightstands on each side of the bed.
  • “Don’t put a big piece of furniture in a small room.” Putting a large cabinet in a small room can create the illusion that it is a built-in part of the architecture.