If you have ever watched a home decorating show or perused a photo spread in a magazine and thought you could never achieve that look in your own home, it’s time to change your attitude — and your approach to decor.
Creating a professional-looking result at home is easier than you think, according to the Altamonte Springs design team of Ron Nowfel and Jessica Iaconis.
The two Robb & Stucky designers created three distinctively different looks using the same trio of furniture pieces: an understated transitional sofa in cream, a chair-and-ottoman set in a darker neutral tone and a streamlined coffee table. Their approach is straightforward and easy to duplicate, so if you’re ready for a change that doesn’t require a major furniture purchase, you can follow their techniques to achieve a brand-new look without a five-figure investment.
Do
– Set the tone from the floor up. “Typically, we pick an area rug and start with that,” designer Jessica Iaconis says. Choose a rug with a pattern and colors that you love, and use that as your base for decorating.
– Pick a color scheme of harmonizing hues. Using the rug as your color cue, choose several complementary shades to incorporate into the decor through accessories. You also may choose to further emphasize one of the colors by painting an accent wall in that hue. “Don’t be afraid of color, especially paint color,” designer Ron Nowfel advises. “Paint is the easiest way to get a different look in your home.”
– Choose a unified theme. While color provides variety, your theme should be singular. The rug you choose may inspire you to select a particular theme, whether it’s old-world traditional, exotic Asian or sleek Art Deco.
– Use accessories to define the look. Once you have chosen your theme, purchase accessories that convey the mood you wish to capture. Keep in mind your color palette so that the accessories can coexist with one another.
– Make art an integral part of the decor. This is one element that can stand on its own in any room, Nowfel says. “The thing about artwork is that it can blend in any style — contemporary or traditional. Like a good rug, good artwork will flow anywhere.” Thus, you can buy what you truly love, rather than purchasing a piece because it matches the decor. Adds Iaconis: “Don’t not buy something because you don’t think it fits; you can make it work. It’s a reflection of you and your space.”
– Mix textures. Add depth and visual complexity to your room by creatively blending a variety of textures. Combine smooth and shiny surfaces with those that have a rough, matte finish, for example, and add embellished pillows to seating areas to provide contrast to the upholstery.
– Set a budget. Nowfel and Iaconis achieved each of these three looks for under $3,000, plus the cost of the rug, which can add another $1,000 to $5,000 to the bottom line. Too rich for your blood? Decide how much you can spend, and then frequent flea markets, garage sales, resale shops and discount decor stores for affordable decorative accessories.
Don’t
– Over-theme a room. Keep it subtle. For example, if the look you’re after is Southwestern, say yes to Anasazi-inspired candlesticks and a Navaho throw, but a resounding no to steer-skull lamps with cowhide shades.
– Overwhelm with clutter. Pare down the accessories to an eye-pleasing minimum. A room busy with accessories is visually exhausting, not to mention a pain to dust. Keep it simple and understated, and maintain a sense of order by grouping pieces in sets of three wherever possible.
– Blow things out of proportion. Vary the height and size of pieces, but keep them proportionate. A case in point: A foot-tall vase surrounded by tiny enameled boxes looks discordant, but the same vase with two similarly sized objets d’art works beautifully. “Think of levels, like stair steps,” Nowfel says. “You don’t want your accessories to all be on the same level. The heights should be graduated.”
– Overmatch the accessories. Identical pairs of lamps, matching pillows and accessories all purchased from the same collection are big no-nos.
Overmatching yields a dull, unimaginative result — not exactly the look you’re striving to achieve when redecorating. Mix it up with a variety of decorative items, taking care to link them visually through your selected colors and theme.
– Race to the finish. Nowfel suggests not buying anything until your budget allows you to buy the right piece. “I see this mistake time and time again,” he says. “Don’t rush the room — don’t buy something just to fill the space.” The result will be a more thoughtful, richer look.
Avoid disaster
The do-it-yourself movement of the past decade has empowered countless home, condo and apartment dwellers to decorate their places themselves, but a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Avoid a decor disaster by following these simple techniques and using the photos for inspiration. Set a budget, take your time and use your chosen color palette and theme as a guide.
You’ll soon have a creatively decorated space that is uniquely your own.
Getting started
If you already have a neutral furniture grouping, you’re in luck. It’s easy to change looks when the main pieces don’t make a strong style statement of their own. For example, if the anchor piece in your living room is a Queen Anne sofa upholstered in Wedgwood blue jacquard satin, your styling options are severely limited: Don’t even try to inject a bold contemporary or wildly exotic feel to the room. Instead, stay true to the tone set by the sofa’s traditional lines.
But for those who have a solid base of neutral furnishings, it’s merely a matter of injecting fresh color and style to create an exciting new look. Use the Dos and Don’ts as a guide to achieve quick-change artistry of your own.
