Tips of the Trade

[]- Always play around with different heights in space (on a table, in a bookcase, on walls,  with lights)- it adds depth and interest

[]- The simplest way to drastically reshape any room is to give it a fresh coat of paint or add a new piece of furniture.

[]- Dark walls do the opposite of what you'd expect: They make a small room feel bigger!

[]- Try to fill a room with items from different stores & time periods; this avoids a 'catalogue' feel and creates unique spaces

[]- There's no rule that a living room has to have a sofa, don't be afraid to think outside the box

[]- Mix up the seating at your dining table.  You wouldn't have eight identical chairs in a living room, right?

[]- The most critical thing to think about when designing a space is how it will be used - It's always the first question you should ask

[]- Reuse, Recycle, and don't forget to Refurbish! What's old can certainly be new again (and often for less money than buying something new!)

[]-  Always use color - the brighter the better! If this frightens you, take quantity into consideration

[]- When arranging furniture and art, leave space around special objects - this helps them stand out and gives them more aesthetic impact

[]- With open shelves (in a kitchen or on a bookcase), a colored background provides contrast and can highlight your objects

[]- Love your closets. Paint them, wallpaper them, hang pictures in them to inspire you, and definitely light them.

[]- One pair of pillows always looks skimpy. Use two pairs, in contrasting patterns, colors, and textures.



Check out my twitter - @residentconcept - for more tips!