Dos & Don'ts of Decorating

Don’t stop believing ... or dreaming! Resident designer Jaime Senard shares herinsider tips for turning your wildest design dreams into a tangible reality.

What’s the secret to designing the perfect home for you? YOU! That’s right, your dream home starts at home, with your own inspirations. I am a huge believer in designing a home that is not only functional and beautiful but also makes you eternally happy. It’s not home without you in it, and it certainly isn’t your dream home without a collection of spaces that reflect your imagination.

DO: Be conscious of the scope of your space.

DON’T: Push all the furniture to the walls.

A good rule of thumb is that all of the furniture in your room should be able to fit on the rug. Bigger is always better when it comes to a rug, so go big, or go home! An undersized rug results in a room that feels smaller than it really is and furniture that looks cluttered and uncoordinated. To that end, don’t forget about proper spacing. While you don’t want to crowd your pieces (or your guests for that matter), you also don’t want to position your furniture against the walls. Centralize to create a more conversational and intimate feel.

DO: Embrace the bold and the beautiful.

DON’T: Forget to bring textures into the mix.

When it comes to the smaller rooms and spaces in your home, don’t shy from dark colors or wallpaper prints—be bold! Believe it or not, a foyer or powder room is the perfect space to infuse those fun textures and bold colors you’ve been drooling over on your Pinterest board. And if you’re working with a simple color palette, throw textures into the mix. Soft, woven, fluffy, leather ... the options are endless.

PRO TIP: If you’re working on a budget, pick and choose where you splurge. Start with good upholstery or a strong statement piece. A little can go a long way!

PRO TIPUtilize texture and color via area rugs, pillows, artwork, draperies and accessories. You would be surprised at how much extra character a few throw pillows can bring to your space.

DO: Splurge on new finds.

DON’T: Break the bank in one fell swoop.

OK, OK. We’re all guilty of splurging on that ‘gotta have it ... absolutely can’t live without it ... head over heels in love with it’ find. And you should! But it doesn’t have to completely derail your budget. Mix your new favorite find with your older pieces. The result will be an eclectic feel that is true to you.