7 DESIGNER TIPS FOR THE COMMON HOMEOWNER
#1: CLEAR THE CLUTTER! Purge before your reno. Stow stuff you must keep, but keep it out of sight. That way you can imagine your new look. The first step is always to envision what you want.
#2: GO WITH THE FLOW! Set sightlines in your home. Stand in different prime locations such as the front entrance or the middle of the kitchen, and plan to eliminate "things" that block the flow of energy in your home. Things could mean furniture or even a wall!
#3: TAKE IT ONE AREA AT A TIME. Once the project has started, your home will find itself in disarray; to avoid being overwhelmed just take it one step at a time, one room at a time, one project at a time.
#4: PRACTICE DIPLOMACY WITH TRADESPEOPLE. Be diplomatic! It will pay off when you need the tradespeople to revisit for deficiencies or particular touch-ups. It could even bring your bill down.
#5: REPEAT ELEMENTS. Rather than being suddenly jolted by a totally different look in each room, repeat a theme, harmonize your paint colors, keep all the knobs silver, etc., for a cohesive, pulled-together look.
#6: BUT MIX IT UP! "Matching pieces" are a bit passe. Blend disparate objects to create an alluring setting. This is where your personal style gets to shine. Avoid a catalogue-perfect look.
#7: BLING THE UNEXPECTED! Try a chandelier in the kitchen, an antique in the bathroom, a painting in the garden. Make your home uniquely, beautifully yours.
