LGBT

Is your office a complete mess, and could use a magic, organization fairy to come by wave her magic wand, and BLAM, it’s all gorgeous, high end, and svelte?

Perhaps you are using chairs as makeshift storage areas, or worse, temporary shelves?

Maybe you just want a fresh, and new overall design, because you are in the mood?

Fear not! In this hot topic, I discuss the ins, outs, dos and don’ts of good interior design. And, guess what? I make it easy! What’s that you say? You don’t know a silk from a chartreuse, or an Eames chair from an easy-chair? No problem! Take a deep breath! By the time you are through reading, you should walk away with some great tips to help your personal space be your best space.

First, color is of utmost importance. Color can make a room feel lively, dead, boring, or exciting. Don’t worry if you haven’t had color theory. Look to the world around you. If you want natural colors, look at some photography that you love of nature, and steal that color palette. Want something for the kids? See what colors are in their favorite cartoons. Notice how, usually, the colors of the main characters are the brightest, and aren’t used anywhere else in the show? There’s a reason for that. When you walk into a Starbucks, there’s a reason why that green, iconic logo is the only thing of that color in the store.

So, pick three or four colors, and then list them in the order of importance to you.

You’re best bet is to shy away from clashing color palettes. How would that scary vampire movie look with bright blues and flashy neons used in the production design? Immediately, you would get a mood change.

If there’s a particular time period in history that you enjoy, find some artwork, or photographs from then, and develop a palette that way. I would, again, find work that focus’s around a particular theme, because, artistically, the design of that theme should be well thought out, in terms of it’s message. And, usually, the more popular the message, the better the design, because it has stood the test of time.

Once you have decided on a winning color palette, it’s then time to choose some more of the formal elements. You can always start by going through your favorite interior design store catalog, and see what those designers have done. Ah! You see a gorgeous space that mixes neo-classical elements with arts and crafts? Or, 1950s retro with Victorian, and it all works? Why? Usually, it’s because color is tying things together.

So, go nuts! Look at several different kinds of chairs, beds, tables, lamps, paint colors, etc… If you have the money, try Macys, Armani Casa, and the like. If you have perhaps lesser means, than explore places such as *IKEA. And, in any case, go to garage sales of all kinds! Make the process fun! By the way, art, in and of itself, is difficult enough as it is. If you don’t make it fun, it can overwhelm you. Sometimes, don’t think. Just do! Go with your gut, because it is usually right!

Use your camera. Go to places and take pictures of different items from several angles. Then, group the pictures into an array on your table, and see if that faded purple lamp actually does go well with that spotted brown couch.

Inspiration can come from many different places! I find it driving down the street, going to theme parks, walking my dog, the beach, etc… And, let me tell you – brilliant ideas that have changed my life have come to me while I was in the shower. It’s crazy, but it works.

So, now you have purchased a bunch of gems, and you have no idea what to do with it all you say? Think of your room in terms of a grid that makes sense. Remember the cartoon? Put whatever you feel is your most prominent piece in the center of the room, or somewhere where you want it to be seen. Ideally, this is also your first color. Try and create a sense of drama. Maybe your bathroom towels match your kitchen rug. That’s totally cool. The more you can extend out your color space into the whole house, the more it will feel like a solid design approach.

At this point, I would certainly choose one color to tie the place together with. Whatever it is, dot it throughout. A pillow. A table runner. A lamp. A lightbulb. This could be your secondary color.

Your third and fourth colors could be plants, candles, rocks, etc.. Your finishers.

Try and place these kinds of items in the center of your tables.

Another helpful hint. Please, please, please, make this your own. Take my advice, and turn it on it’s head. Add to it. Embellish it. I am here to merely provide a solid base and grounding.

Hopefully, when you’ve finished, you will have a gorgeous space fit for the likes of the highest end!

*IKEA is a one stop shop. Period. Everything you could ever imagine that is available for a home is there, from ceiling to floor. It all works together, to a degree, and the place is a ton of fun. Granted, it may not be the highest end stuff on the planet, but, it fulfills nearly every conceivable design need, plus, plus, plus.