I can’t emphasize enough how important it is not to get hung up on perfection when doing a room. I’ve just had a rash of people I’ve worked with that have been so obsessed with everything matching within an inch of it’s life that the room lacks personality and a sense of style. It feels contrived and without soul – and no matter how often I told people to relax their ideas about “design rules” – they couldn’t free themselves to look at more interesting and attractive options.
It is so important to have fun decorating your home. After all, it’s a reflection of you – warts and all. Introduce something unexpected into the space. Move out of your comfort zone and try something that speaks to you even if you don’t think it should fit. You may love it – but you’ll never know unless you try it. What’s the worst that can happen? You may have to return something to a store. Relax and try things you may not normally do – Like:
1) Put a little black into every room
2) Put a little animal print somewhere – could be a pillow, lampshade, ottoman – whatever. It puts a modern day twist on the most traditional of rooms.
3) Don’t be afraid to mix finishes – that means metals as well as woods. Put satin nickel with an oil-rubbed bronze. Put light woods with dark and everything in between. Additions like this make the room appear like they’ve been accumulated over time. Not picked out of a catalogue. Live with things for a few days before you make a decision.
4) Try different kinds of window treatments that you typically think should only work in certain spaces. This means hard blinds as well as fabric treatments.
Have fun, mix it up and put something in a room you’d never consider before. It may be the final touch to a terrific and interesting space.
Lyn Webb said,
November 4, 2009 at 10:13 pm
My philosophy exactly. Perfection is so boring. FYI….my office is right next to Josh’s and he told me about your blog. I will definitely check in more often.
lyn