With a well-designed room it is all about the details. When decorating your home focusing on the details can create an ideal interior. I thought about what makes a well-designed room after receiving my belated birthday gift to myself, a coach hand bag. I love the packaging – the bow, the box and bright  pink interior…

What I like about my coach bag…

The classic style – it goes with most everything. It’s shape and style is timeless

The design is a tote that allows me easy access to get what I want out makes the most of the bag and is the right fit for my shoulder.

The little surprise of the color inside- love that feature!

What I like about a well-dressed room

A classic look – to me the most timeless classic designer out there is Barbara Barry. I like that her rooms are refined and use classic colors and styles that could fit with most decor.

Using the space at its maximum is best served like this  breakfast area that uses all the wall space for seating and storage..

Photo from Decor Pad

The little details like this bookcase – adding color to the back really draws your eye into the room…

photo from Elle Decor
Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos DC Home

Happy Decorating!

Karen

I thought I would have a little fun today and use the color trends of 2012 to show which palette suits  the design personalities from our quiz…

A Trendy personality would embrace the color of the year from Pantone…
Tangerine Tango

photo from pantone.com

Using this bold color with accents in the room really can bring it into style for 2012 like this study from designer Cristi Holcombe

Sentimental types are more Traditional, sticking with colors that are warm and neutral. Sherwin Williams Neutrals palette is the perfect blend for this type of design personality

Photo from Sherwin Williams

Adding a few modern accents can freshen up a more traditional room
Photo from House Beautiful designer Barry Dixon

Free-Spirited would use a great mix. Like Eclectic Elegance -
Color palette from Benjamin Moore

Photo from Benjaminmoore.com

Using two or three items in the latest color trends, will create an update and give balance with a more eclectic space
Photo from House Beautiful designer Jonathan Berger

Classic would love the more refined palette like this one from Farrow and Ball

Photo from farrow and ball.com

Keeping it simple and clean is what any classic would do but this year using the classic look with a dark and light contrast is a definite do…

photo from Tiffany Eastman Interiors

Take our free quiz to find out more details on your design personality style just on the right of the page.

Happy Decorating!

Karen

New Year Resolutions… You always have good intentions to start off the New Year with a plan, like decorating your home but you seem to never quite get it completed… Here is my take on it. Set your goals small especially when decorating your home. We all want it done now, fast and finished. But by taking time on creating a space and not the whole house is a win-win situation. Stop apologizing and turn on those lights! If you are constantly apologizing and sit in the dark, it is a sign that it is time to start the process of redoing that room.

5 reasons I hear homeowners say why they never quite finish that decorating project…

1

Fear of making a mistake that you will have to live with it. I want you to look at your house right now and find the things you like… (No looking at the wrong) go on do it and I bet your mindset will change to – I can do this.

2

I just don’t know if I have the money? Set a budget, then write out what you want in the room. Go online and price items you may like, not necessarily ones that create the design. This is so you can just get an idea of the cost… Then add it up and see if the budget side matches the want side. If you are okay, then this isn’t an excuse. If it is over budget rethink. Some pieces may have to stay until you have the funds to buy what you want. Other options would be, using your own photos as artwork, painting the coffee table a color, adding new throw pillows and changing the paint color.

3

I am not sure where to start? If there is a piece you know you want to keep or you find a rug or piece of furniture you just have to have… There is your starting point.

Liberty Rug  - Photo from Horchow

4

My family will just mess it up anyway so what’s the point. Then bring the outdoors in if you have a Marker Person/s in your life. Think about the room as your outdoor oasis. Start by looking at outdoor furnishings and stain resistant materials. Design casual but add color and pattern to create a real energy that makes you happy.

5

Color makes me nervous. Take a deep breath and start off with a little color. Golden tans or a taupe brown can be a start. If you like white walls then have fun with art and accessories. It is a good way to start introducing color in your life. I promise once you start you won’t be able to go back….

Photo from House Beautiful

Happy Decorating!

Karen

Check out my eBook–bundle the Decorating Details System for more tips and strategies for decorating your homeat www.karendavisdesignonline.com/decorating-ebook-bundle/

Game Rooms or play areas are overlooked I find quite often. They become the “oh since that doesn’t work in our family room I will just put it in the game room”. Why not sell the items that aren’t working or repurpose. There is nothing like some new fabric or paint to refresh an old item. If you do sell it you can use the cash to decorate the room! They can be just a small space in your home to a very large basement whatever the size or function it is used for it still needs some TLC like the rest of your house.

Here are some great ideas for you to think about…

This play area from Designer Traci Zeller is great example of making room for Mommy a nice chair and ottoman is tucked away in the corner so Mommy can keep a close eye. Leather a great fabric for durablity. The choice of color is bright and playful as well as just room to play.

In this space the ceiling slopes and creates a very low part of the room. Clever use for the little one, notice the scale of the chairs so they don’t over power.

photos from www.nurserynotations.com

Again finding small tucked away areas can create a great area for kids if you don’t have the space for a game room.

This is using color to its fullest… Game rooms are the best place to let the color in! Painting the entire room one color really works with a very long space it brings you in and the contrast of orange is perfect. Love the way the seating at the computer is set. My kids always like to sit together when they are on the computer and the two built-in window seats are a great way to make the most of the space giving them an alone area too.

Love this girl’s playroom contrast of pink with green and black with white, photos always create great artwork…

photo from bungalow insanity

Fun seating is a must. Sectionals and very casual furniture with fabrics that will hold up the wear and tear is definitely needed in any of these high traffic areas.  A carpet binded rug great for stain resistance but still not rough so kids can get on their hand and knees.

And my absolute favorite for artwork is framing you child’s own… This is really clever scanning them to small images, love it!

idea and photo from http://yourdecoratinghotline.com/display-kids-art/

When you really use it as a game room like these pool table photos… I always recommend swivel and barstools for around pool table areas.  But have fun with the color like this to make the table feel more in style and not outdated…

photo from  designer liz caan

If your table isn’t allowing the chairs to fit, utilize windows if you have them or corners for seating if you don’t. Set up a pub table and chairs if there is room to really add to the atmosphere. Framing sports jersey is another great art alternative.

Then there is a more grown up version like this one from Candice Olson. The space is used to its fullest with maximum seating. Built-in’s are always best, they fit the space they are also good for the resell of your home.

Happy Decorating!

Karen