theconnectionsnj.com HOME & DESIGN PAGE 32 ’m often asked about “design secrets” ~ the rules designers know and consistently follow that are unknown to the general public. At the risk of putting myself and my cohorts out of business, I’ve decided to share a few of my triedand-true secrets! Combining Styles~ As a general rule, allow one style to be predominant and add a piece or two of something unexpected. For example, in a minimalist room with cleanlined furniture, add a beautiful antique sideboard or chest, a classic oriental rug, or an abstract piece of art. The accent piece will be showcased and add interest to the rest of the room. Blending Colors~ The same theory works with paints. Stick to a neutral palette on walls and upholstered pieces, then select no more than two other colors to add interest. Lamps, artwork, and toss pillows can be easy, affordable ways to add color and interest. The Rule of Three~ An odd number of items will create more interest than an even number. Equal, even placements of similar objects can feel static and formal. Arrangements that are slightly off balance seem more natural and create more interest by being unexpected and fresh. Focal Points~ Beautiful tile applied over a cooktop in a kitchen backsplash, a stunning rug in an entryway, an outside view through an expanse of windows…all of these become the center of attention, with all the other elements in the room supporting that singular point of drama or interest. Neutral Palettes~ Most clients don’t redecorate often. If you want to make choices that you’ll be happy to live with in the long term, using soft, livable colors simply makes sense. Serene, restful, and easy to style, neutral shades create a natural flow and help unify space. Warm grays, beiges, off-whites, and creamy tones are perfect. Even a soft sage green or a gentle rustic brown can be neutral depending on the room it’s used in. Proportion is Important~ Much of the furniture on the market today is massively oversized. The sectional that looks magnificent on the 12,000 square foot showroom floor will undoubtedly look much larger in your living room! Measure, measure, measure before you order anything. That includes doorways and staircases. Extra deep upholstered seating commonly measures wider than the doorway it will need to fit through to get into your room or home. Exercise caution or work with a professional. Restraint is Key~ Too much of anything is just too much, unless of course, we’re considering a library! Think of walls covered in art, rooms with too much furniture, or explosions of color. Rooms are more comfortable when they allow the eye to rest, the mind to relax. If you’re unsure if something is too much, remove a few elements and see if you miss them. Most homes benefit from simplification. Small Rooms~ I love to make powder rooms, mudrooms, and laundry rooms into little jewel spaces! Brighter paint colors, a beautifully patterned wall-covering, or a dramatic floor tile are perfect in smaller rooms that don’t need to be as cohesive with the rest of a home. Powder rooms can showcase an unusual vessel sink or an abstract-shaped mirror. Mudroom storage can be functional but kid-friendly and whimsical. Laundry rooms can pop with fresh color and prints. Have fun with these spaces! Gail Bicknell, Owner/ Designer Fair Street Interiors fairstreetinteriors.squarespace.com Tricks of the Trade By Gail Bicknell, ASID, CAPS HINTS HOME FOR THE I Small Rooms~ an unusual vessel sink or an abstract-shaped mir The Spruce Etsy square foot show room floor will un room! Measure, mea That includes door Extra deep uphol stered seating com Pinterest Fair Street Interiors Design for Interiors and Home Modifications Gail Bicknell, ASID, CAPS 908.334.1953 fairstreetinteriors.squarespace.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzA2NDY0