Some might say that
this is the mantra to my life… Rules are made to be broken. This is
especially true when it comes to decorating.
Here are a few decorating rules that I love to defy, and how you can make these tips work in your own home:
1. Rule to Break:
Everything Must Match
Who says molding
always has to be white, bedroom furniture always needs to match and fabrics and patterns always need to coordinate exactly?
Paint wainscoting or
oversize trim with colors.
Textiles and
furnishings need not match wall color.
Mix it up with your
furniture styles and finishes, don’t play it safe… forget about that Rooms to
Go look!
2. Rule to Break: Ceilings Should
be White
Don't ignore what's
above your head, remember your rooms has five walls.
It’s easy to paint the ceiling the same color as the walls. Try this design
trick in a small bedroom or a powder room, because it will make the space feel
cozy.
Keep walls white or a light color, and allow the ceiling (or fifth wall) to get
all the color.
3. Rule to Break: All Finishes
Must be the Same
All of your hardware
does not have to match. The layered, 'collected-over-time' effect that different hardware finishes bring to a room can be amazing. Take a tour of a local Builders’ Open Houses, even with their
warehouse full of hardware selections, the house's faucets might not match the
towel bars, might not match the lighting fixtures, might not match the mirror
frames... The same goes with the kitchen. Notice that the hardware and lighting might even match in the numerous hallways.
4. Rule to Break: Always Rely on Neutrals
Although neutral
colors are a go-to for most designers, they don't always work for every space in the home. My favorite place to break this rule is in the children’s rooms, where paint
becomes an inexpensive tool to accommodate an ever-evolving taste.
Kitchens are another
great area to express creativity with a few ‘out-of-the-box’ colors.
5. Rule to Break: Don't Use Dark
Colors in a Small Space
Although some design
books will eschew dark colors in small spaces, the opposite is true. Dark colors make the
space feel more intimate, cozy, not necessarily small. And when the natural light changes through the
windows, it presents a wonderful dramatic element to dark colors.
Give heavier shades a
shot in the bedroom; a young child's room (better for naptime); or dining
areas for more dramatic evening.
But remember... Stay away from spaces
where you typically need light, like a home office.
Now, do you feel like you could Break a Few Rules?
