topic Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED in Home

BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

Oznell — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 20:30:43 GMT

Over the years, as an interior design fan, I've read tons of design tips and principles. Some I heed, some I ignore. But there's usually something that hits right on target for each person wanting to create a customized, pleasing home environment.

What's the best counsel you've ever received, for you? How have you applied it in your space?

I LOVE so many objects--- candlesticks, vases, prints and paintings, ginger jars, water pitchers, on and on. Yet, I don't like a too "busy" look in rooms.

So the tips that help me the most have to do with dealing with accessories. Here's the advice that hits me hardest:

"Have fewer, but BIGGER accessories that you love, to reduce visual clutter. Try to limit trinkets, or objects smaller than a cantaloupe."

Wish I could remember who made that cantaloupe remark! It's helped so much!

Of course I have treasures, and a few heirlooms I'll always love and display, regardless of size. And any small items I tend to corral in my one, glass-fronted curio cabinet, or on a tray with larger objects.

I make far fewer decor acquisitions these days, but have mostly stuck to 'bigger than canteloupe'. Last year found a 14 inch and 12 inch Broyhill vase, and a large pitcher:

Fewer but bigger items really works for me. I have a few bins in the basement, and rotate things in and out, which also really helps.

I pruned my "blue and white" collection, down to one huge vintage ginger jar, and one large pitcher. Also purged some of my small glass votives, in favor of my old large Irish cut crystal hurricane. Even a tiny tea light burning in it looks sparkly and magical. (I do keep a few small votives too, to tuck around, but prefer the one larger for impact.)

For me, the "large" principle also works for wall art and mirrors. Having a few large, impactful prints or paintings, reads as more serene on my walls, than lots of little items.

Anyway, I'm interested in what are the most useful "principle" others of you who love to decorate have found to work for you?

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

Sooner — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 20:45:47 GMT

Groups of three

Pay attention to texture

Don't try to match wood that doesn't really match because it will "look like you just missed."

Bigger pieces of furniture rather than a lot of little fiddly ones

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

SoX — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 21:43:07 GMT

"Add a touch of black to anchor a room ... " I've always subscribed to this piece of advice from an interior designer friend.

It can be as simple as the matting or frame of a painting, a small vase or bowl. It gives the eyes a place to rest ...

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

pupwhipped — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 22:59:26 GMT

Alas, after forty years of collecting, I fear I have far too many cantaloupes...and I love them one and all and cannot part. Needless to say I need to start shopping for watermelons. Ha! Better yet, stop shopping all together!

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

kaydee50 — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 21:09:19 GMT

I was told once that as long as I love each item, it will all go together. Eclectic, I guess.

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

Q4u — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 21:13:48 GMT

As an ex-antique dealer I have always bought items that I've loved, most I've turned around and resold.... my forte' being furniture, American/English primitive and European/American graniteware/enamelware.... and some I've kept and even now many years later I'll go by a piece and think to myself "I'm SO glad I bought that!!"

I've personally combined my love of primitive antiques and some pieces of practical made-now pieces and love the farmhouse look I've created. I don't have much in the way of cantalopes, but would add them when I've fallen in love. The best advice I've ever received has been to buy what I love.... it's worked for me.

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

Brisky — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 21:21:48 GMT

I buy what I love... prints and painting are very much, my thing.I am not influenced by modern or abstract art. I love the old masters. I love a more traditional home. I guess I like casual but traditional.
Does that make sense?....🙂

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

PA Mom-mom — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 22:01:57 GMT

@Oznell I don't know if this apropos, but my SIL suggested we widen the archway between the dining room and the living room to expand our dining area to accommodate more than 24 people. It was the best advice ever! Also, outlets on every wall in the basement.

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

stevieb — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 22:28:50 GMT

@Oznell Off the top of my head there are a few that come to mind. If I thought about it, I'm guessing there are more but... First, if you love it you will find a place for it... Second, every room needs a bit of black... And finally, used properly and combined well, many colors can work as a neutral and related, many colors can work together that you'd never think could...

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

FastDogWalker2 — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 22:47:50 GMT

Float the furniture when possible - don't press everything up against the walls.

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

Kitlynn — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 23:00:38 GMT

Always have one item in the room that doesn't really belong but that you love. It can be any size. This keeps a room from looking like it is just styled and will let a little bit or a lot of your own personality come through.

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

Oznell — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 23:01:23 GMT

These are great-- many that you all have mentioned are faves of mine, too....

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

on the bay — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 23:14:02 GMT

I've never had any decorating advice but I just put what I love where I love it.

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

Desertdi — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 23:19:16 GMT

Select only colors you look good wearing

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

Oznell — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 23:20:54 GMT

Ha, ha, @pupwhipped , I'm in something of the same boat, having a lifetime of little treasures and heirlooms with which I'd never, never part! But as far as newer acquisitions that I've made myself, the "larger is better for me" rule is one that has paid off. It's not hard and fast; there are always exceptions. And, admittedly, for variety and interest, it's fun to mix our smaller things with larger.

Grouping the smaller things in one "massed" effect also helps with reducing visual clutter too, I think.

Probably my most treasured item is a family heirloom miniature (2 or 2 1/2 inches?) Wesleyan hymnal, published in 1799. It's so cute and well-preserved. Sometimes I perch an equally small pewter measure on top of it, using the tiny book as a "lift", or put a miniature Toby jug on top, giving it a little more prominence than it would normally have....

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

godi — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:29:33 GMT

I agree with all the things posted here. I definitely heard them a time or two. The one thing my SIL told me and I never thought of it she said to put hooks on the back of the bathroom doors for robes. I lived in my first house 21 years and it never enetered my mind. When we moved to our new home we had her arrange everything flow was huge for her and the hooks. And no chair should be lonely. What she meant by that is put a lamp or another chair with it. I saw the difference when she showed me that in my den. I was amazed. She never ceases to amaze me with the way she SEES a room. Great topic here @Oznell

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

homedecor1 — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:54:11 GMT

Less is More! (and boy I'm down to the nitty gritty on furniture pieces, knick knacks & more)

Clutter makes rooms look small

Pick a larger statement piece vs. several small pieces

Nuetral colors

Pick "timeless" pieces not "trends"

Group things in 3s

6 months ago I started a home remodel and shocked coming to the finish line how much "wasted" money & stuff I had😮🙄

Not many things went back into the rooms and my closets are finally becoming manageable.

It's freeing🙂🙂🙂

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

jannabelle1 — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:58:59 GMT

Less is better than more

Choose furniture that is sized to compliment the size of the room

Arrange decor in groups of 3

Every wall does not need to be decorated

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

Bhvbum — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 01:14:35 GMT

I followed my own advice, I never bought wall to wall carpet, only oriental rugs as could afford them. And that's what I've done from the smallest rug that was only about 24 x 36" to room size rugs and runners. It paid off because we never bought wall-to-wall carpet, so we took the rugs with us every time we moved.

Also they go with everything, and every decor from antique to modern.

A great investment.

Re: BEST DECORATING ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED

spiderw — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 01:46:37 GMT

I love antiques and that came from my mother who collected many pieces . At one point she stopped because the breakfront was full and space scarce. She said not to overdo as much as you love to collect. Also loving old furniture pieces, I often chose looks over comfort and my sister would comment about that. She would say you don't want a museum you want comfort . She was right .

I do love those museum looking pieces but I did change in that I made sure the furniture was comfortable more so.