ONE FOOT OUT of the DESIGN BOX

There are a few factors that make it uncomfortable for people to change their interior design. The biggest one seems to be the fear of making the wrong decision — wondering if the changes will look right, stay in style longer than a minute, and go with the other belongings of a home. These fears keep many people from changing their home's look and feel. Another hindrance to moving forward is simply not knowing where to start. People get stuck in the past. When they try to move forward on their own, the uncomfortableness keeps them from attaining the wow factor because they don't get both feet out of the box.

Sandi and Rick Samson were in this predicament. They wanted a few updates — a bit more color added in, a slight shift in style, and a flare of class for their Fargo home. There are several ways to add spice to your existing decor without breaking the bank or building an addition, all while still claiming an updated design.

In the Samson's dining room, wallpaper on one wall and a big pop of color in the art helped to complete the wow factor. We took down the outdated window treatments and left the clean lines of shades, which allowed the wallpaper to make its statement. We added a neutral area rug under the table so as not to fight with the colorful rug used in the living room.

The color pop of reddish-orange is mirrored on the other side of the room. This balances the open floor plan and continues popping the desired color, giving the home a warm and inviting feel.

Expert Design Tips

To Update Your Home

• Choose your inspiration piece for the first room you're working on

• Pull a main color scheme from it that you love

• Make sure those colors are repeated throughout the rest of your home

• Only keep the decor that you LOVE

• Arrange like things together (collectibles, metals etc.)

• Face the largest piece of furniture toward the focal point

• Create an ambiance using lighting (task, accent, general)

• Layer, layer, layer your accessories with lamps, plants etc.

At the lake they still love their wildlife pictures and accessories, yet wanted the same kind of updates without eliminating the cherished wildlife tchotchkes. Normally people don't think of marrying wildlife art with a floral rug. That's design thinking outside of the box! We added a light blue floral rug to pop color and compliment the darker wildlife pictures in the large open living area. We wanted the foyer to have a huge wow factor since it serves as the first welcoming space for family and friends. Size alone doesn't create an inviting atmosphere. It's what you do with the size that creates the impact. We took the large foyer and made it grand by adding in a complimentary solid blue area rug, a sofa table which hosts the bear lamp, art that exudes color, and a chair that adds an eclectic feel to the room as well as being functional.

Try stepping both feet out of the design box when wanting a change, large or small.

"I wanted color, a classy kind of look and a change to my current traditional style,” says Sandi Samson. “I just didn't know how to do it — get the look and feel I wanted. You guys helped me step the other foot out of the design box. You gave Rick and I the wow factor in both places." [ aw ]