Today’s furniture reflects society’s desire to “stay put” with deeper, more comfortable seats, extra long lengths, and lots of pillows.  Even those who prefer the traditional styling of a wing chair, will find wider, better-shaped chairs with cushioned backs among today’s choices.

Of course, in these days that spawned the term, “couch potato”, it’s important to provide the appropriate “couch”!  The home furnishings industry is making generously proportioned furniture designed to envelop, comfort and relax weary bodies.  Oversized sofas and sectionals with extra cushions that feel like down – without need the care of down – truly fit the bill.

Need a place to put up your feet?  A club chair – or chair and a half with ottoman afford just the right comfort to rest those weary bones at the end of the day.  And in the bedroom, a chaise lounge, beautifully upholstered in a chenille burn out fabric, will truly provide a pampered feeling for all who recline there.

The comfort and security of today’s sumptuous furniture offers an antidote to today’s high tech, fast paced society.

And summer!  What a wonderful season filled with cool breezes, warm sunshine and glistening water.  Summer’s soft colors make us feel happy and peaceful.  If you have a room that seems just a little too wintry and dark, now may be the perfect time to add some summer sparkle and life!

Soft opal blues, pale greens, buttery yellows, lilacs and dusty pinks all represent some of summer’s most soothing colors.  Floral and watercolor patterns also capture the tenderness of summer’s touch.  These patterns and color schemes can be found in elegant area rugs, artwork, beautiful fabrics, and even wall coverings. 

Light and airy décor is the key to creating this special “sunny” atmosphere in your home.  And remember, by carefully blending these gentle colors, patterns and textures, you can make any room as fresh and inviting as summer itself!

When working with color, I suggest you select the color for the largest areas of the room – primarily the walls and floors.  Then, think about providing your room with a bit more design flair, by adding a second color to one wall – calling it out in a dramatic and fashion forward way.  By adding some drama to an accent wall, you can also use this color to enhance other elements in your room’s décor such as accessories, draperies, furniture fabric, lamp shades…even artwork. 

 When properly planned, careful color selection for each room in your home, will help give your rooms their own distinctive character and personality.  Don’t be afraid to be creative with color! 

First of all, consider selecting furniture that is scaled to your room size.  Smaller scaled furniture can make a small room seem a great deal larger.  In a living room, for example, you may want to choose the cozy look of coordinating love seats instead of a larger sofa and chair combination.  Staying away from coffee tables and opting for a glass topped tables are good options to consider because the eye continues to travel through a glass surface giving your room a more spacious feeling.

 Since pale, softer colors tend to recede, the lighter the wall and floor colors, the larger a room will seem.  However if your room features a lot of natural light, you could actually be a bit more adventuresome with your color choices – and add a little more drama to your walls.  Traditionally it’s common in smaller rooms to paint ceilings lighter shades than the walls.   This actually helps to give the impression of visually taller walls or a higher ceiling.    

One of the many benefits of smaller rooms, is that you will always feel cozy and comfortable!  So take a few of these ideas into consideration when you create the inviting, warm and expansive look you want in your own small space!

Rather than copying someone else’s design, pursue your own design passion with confidence and gusto!  What are your personal interests?  Your culture?  Your talents?  Your loves?  Your hobbies?  Favorite places?

Once you’ve taken your own personal inventory, it will become much easier to design a plan that showcases YOU in the most beautiful of ways!

Is traveling the world one of your passions?  Then consider incorporating special mementos from your travel into your décor.

 Have a flair for the dramatic?  Love glitz?  Then by all means add some drama, sparkle and shine to your home!

Do Mother Nature’s various color palettes inspire you? 

 Hobbies?  Talents?  Why not showcase them!

GROUP COLLECTIONS TOGETHER FOR MORE VISUAL IMPACT!

 MAKE USE OF CANDLES AND VOTIVES.  THEY WILL ALWAYS LOOK BETTER IF GROUPED IN ODD NUMBERS.

 IF YOU ACCESSORIZE WITH GREENERY, INCLUDE ORNAMENTS AND OTHER SMALLER ACCENTS.  REMEMBER TO ADD A FEW TALL OBJECTS TO PROVIDE VISUAL BALANCE TO YOUR ARRANGEMENT.

 TRY USING WHITE LIGHTS ON TREES IN FORMAL AREAS, AND COLORED LIGHTS FOR FUN!

 BIRDCAGES AND TOPIARIES ARE POPULAR HOLIDAY ITEMS – ALONG WITH CORNUCOPIAS FILLED WITH FRUIT-ESPECIALLY LEMONS, LIMES AND ORANGES –  OR ORNAMENTS ARRANGED TO SPILL OUT.   A GREAT CENTERPIECE IDEA!

And, once you’re done with all your holiday decorating, sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty you’ve created for all to share AND enjoy!

 The ambiance of fall brings with it a variety of exciting color schemes plucked from nature.  Color inspiration abounds during the fall months – golden yellows, burnt oranges, pumpkin spice, cranberry reds and forest greens all mirror the beauty of the season.  So, how do you go about giving your home a fall face lift?  Here are a few ideas to help you give your home a quick fall update!

 QUICK AND SIMPLE!  AUTUMN ACCESSORIZING!   Adding fall accessories to your home’s overall design is certainly one of the quickest, easiest, and least expensive ways to give your home with a fall appeal.

And when arranging your accessories, always remember to group your objects in odd number configurations for more visual interest.  Here are a few GREAT fall accessorizing tips:

• As the leaves fall, so do tree branches.  A fallen tree branch, complete with twigs and even a bird nest as a simple and festive addition to your existing drapery rod.
• Colored leaves, pumpkins, dried corn raffia and gourds are a mainstay centerpiece grouping for your dining table especially when displayed in a ceramic cornucopia.

• Dried flowers – especially hydrangeas make a dramatic statement when displayed in a creative holder – perhaps an old tin watering can.  Even a hollowed out pumpkin would add even more fall flair to your arrangement.
• Decorative pillows is shades of plucked from nature are sure to add a touch of autumn to your home.

• Give your lamps a new look, by adding lampshades in hues of ochre, and auburn. 

If a fall face lift for your home is something you desire, remember to keep it fresh and keep it simple.  Often times a few small changes can go a really long way to achieving the look you desire.  Select two or three tips and trends that best fit your personal style and let them take center stage.  It’s so true that when redecorating, one simple focal point can make quite a design and style statement!

MAKE IT MINE!  Uniqueness and personalization of design have never been more popular or trendy.  Today’s homeowners yearn for room decorations that speak to them – not their neighbors or friends.  From custom designed window treatments to upholstered headboards, homeowners are choosing fabrics and furniture styles that inspire them and them alone!

METAL REFLECTION!  Beautifully designed and crafted mirrors continue to set the “reflective” stage in any room.  And when you add even more reflection in your room by adding a variety of metals – chrome lamp bases, silver shades, pewter picture frames, brass and gold accessories, the rooms of tomorrow come alive with light and excitement.

COLORS…Gray, navy, and green abound, as do nature’s neutrals.  Then add a smattering of pop colors – hot pinks, cheerful tangerine, regal purples, and cheerful yellows, and you have all the color ingredients necessary to create a room design that appeals to YOU!

IT’S THAT 70’S SHOW!  We seem to be in the midst of a modern revival, ala the 70’s!  Clean furniture lines – tufted leather – glass and chrome furniture – the cleaner the line, the better!  Retro looks have never been easier, or more fun to create!

THINK:  DESIGN JEWELRY!  With the overall desire to “make it mine”, adding details to furniture and window treatments, is hot! Hot!! Hot!!!    Think nail head trims on furniture; think crystal jewels on tufted headboards and benches; think top stitching on upholstered furniture cushions.  What a great way to personalize your style!

Hang artwork at eye level.    In a living room pictures should be hung so that people sitting in the room may view them while seated.  A large picture behind the sofa may end up being as little as four inches from the top of the sofa and it often looks best when displayed alone because it serves as the room’s focal point.

Effective artwork groupings. Smaller pictures become more effective when grouped together as opposed to being scattered all over the wall.  Balance and spacing are important when arranging artwork.  Pieces should be of similar visual weight as nearby furniture.  A rule of thumb is that the space between two pictures should be less than the width of a single picture.

Proportion is key.   As in all decorating, a sense of proportion is essential in placing artwork.  The size of the wall and the size of the furniture beneath are important factors.  A large painting in a heavy frame would look top heavy over a small, delicate piece of furniture.  And conversely, a single small print will look lost over a heavy piece of furniture. 

 Hang artwork right – the first time!  If you’re apprehensive about hammering nails into your walls, cut pieces of paper into the size of your pictures.  You can even mark the placement of the hooks using this technique.  Then arrange them by taping them on the wall until you are happy with the results.  Once you are satisfied, mark where the hooks will go with a pencil, going right through the paper, and proceed to hang your artwork.

And while that’s the biggest part of your overall dining room plan, it’s far from all.  It’s important to provide for the comfort of your guests, and the convenience of you, the host and/or hostess.  I have found that there is usually a big problem unique to this room!  Any ideas what that might be?  To me, as a decorator, it’s  keeping the overall décor of this room warm and inviting despite all the inevitable wood that usually ends up taking center stage.   Providing a successful mix of wood dining room pieces, along with window treatments, area rugs and lighting  takes careful consideration and planning.

Chairs alone are a far from simple choice.  Massive ones tend to take up too much space and will overpower a small dining room.  Well-designed chairs that are stylish and comfortable are a must.   Also, it’s a great design idea and creates wonderful visual interest when you mix upholstered slipper chairs with wood toned chairs. 

Fine dining tables come in all shaped and sizes.  Naturally, the size you select should fit both the room and your family, and, ideally, be designed for easy expansion.  Round and oval dining room tables provide for an ease of conversation that most of my clients find very appealing.  Also, expandable tables, with drop leaves, built-in extensions, board inserts, and the like are all extremely practical.  Today’s designs take up little “closed” space, and can instantly be enlarged when guests are expected.

It’s also extremely easy and convenient to have silverware, linens, and serving pieces stored right in the room.  A sideboard, chest or armoire will not only give you the storage you require, but will provide another gorgeous decorative element.

 And let’s not forget your dining room windows!  If your design style tends to lean toward the traditional, then draping your windows in luxurious side panels or even an elegant swag and jabot treatment, will help provide this room with another great focal point.

Whether you’re hosting a Sunday brunch for 6 or a midnight snack for 20, versatility and comfort should guide you toward the best furniture and design plan to ensure that you and your guests are dining in style!