From good design to GREAT Design

I wanted to share with you a few ways to make your house great!   Your home should be a place that you are proud of, a place that you can relax and enjoy life. As I always say it doesn't matter if you rent or own your home should reflect you and here is a list to help you do just that.

* Bring the outdoors in! Use plants and flowers inside. If you rent and cant plant them out in the yard have indoor flower boxes.

* Take pattern and embrace it - don't be scared to mix and match a pattern. Remember it adds depth, texture and visual stimulation.

*Contrast - build your room with layers. This way even if the whole room is white you have contrasting colors of white. Again gives you depth and interest in a room

* Small place or big use it all! be creative and look at spaces differently. Don't forget the stairway and halls are a great assets to a home

*Define your areas, open concept homes can be tricky. Use area rugs, furniture, screens or fabric panels to divide the space and give you more intimate areas in your layout.

*Keep the background simple, trendy purple couch? Keep it neutral and add the splashes with accessories

*Mix a lot. What I mean from this is, it is okay to mix a streamlined modern sofa with an antique coffee table. When you walk into a furniture store done buy the whole set, it can be too matchy matchy and may not reflect who you are.

*Play with scale. For example, have a blank wall? Try using a very large print and lean it up against the wall, resting on the floor. Adds a little drama and whimsy to your space. Mix and match heights and widths when dressing your shelves. You want to create visual interest to bring the eye to your possessions

*Remember kids appreciate good design too! Don't  leave the kids out. Let them help in the design process, specially important in their spaces. check out  this website for some great ideas to dress wall in a child's room or play room.   customizedwalls.com

*Honor the history. Many of us rent or buy homes with lots of character from years past. Take the historical architecture of a home and bring it to life again. Show off quirky angles and small niches.

Just making some little changes in your home can take it from a good design to a GREAT design.
Happy Designing