2009-11-03
D is for: Decorating
Written by: Kira Coplin
Plush beds covered in Egyptian cotton, custom-designed furniture, and walls hung with expensive artwork, a celebrity’s home oozes with exquisiteness.
Not everyone has an eye for design. Sure it’d be nice to have Kelly Wearstler on speed dial or to enlist Jonathan Adler to come give your living room a facelift but if you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck hiring an interior decorator isn’t an option.
It’s important that your home be your source of comfort and peace. Away from the stress and cares of your daily life, it should be a place that relaxes, rejuvenates and inspires you.
The good news is that by becoming your own tastemaker, you too can get Hollywood glam décor.
*Know what you want. Maybe your taste is classic mid-century style inspired by Charles Eames, or maybe it's Hollywood Regency chic a la Dorothy Draper.
*Take Inventory. Grabbing a pen and a pad of paper, sit down in the room you wish to makeover. Start off by asking yourself the following questions:
-How does it feel to be in this room?
-Does this look and feel like the kind of room that would belong to me? If not, why?
-Is there anything missing?
-Is there anything that bothers me about this room? What’s not working?
-What would make this room cozier/more stylish/more contemporary/etc?
-How can I add my personality to this room?
Jot down your thoughts as they come to you when observing a room and remember, how you ‘feel’ inside a particular space is just as important as the way it looks visually. It doesn’t matter how decadent or chic a room looks if you’re not comfortable in it. Make it yours! Tip: Framed photos of your favorite memories and people quickly add personal touches while scented candles make rooms feel more ‘homey.’
*Make a List. Once you have your thoughts d own on paper you can start making a list of ideas that will help direct you. Maybe it’s just a matter of rearranging the furniture or adding a few accent pieces - regardless of what comes to mind write it down. There’s a reason you’re thinking whatever it is!
*Be patient: Actress Amy Smart spent several months refreshing the dream home she purchased in the Hollywood Hills. “This house always had character,” Smart said, “but I also wanted it to have a presence in the way it was decorated.” Remember, it takes time to find the perfect pieces for your pad. It took Smart a year-and-a-half to find a table for her kitchen at an antiques shop in Santa Monica, and she even had the help of a designer! Troll flea markets and garage sales in your area or keep checking Craigslist.com eventually you’ll find the piece you’ve been looking for at a price you can afford.
*Original Art. Can’t afford Vik Muniz or Sam Samore? Create your own photography series with your own images. Print digital photos on glossy or matte paper in sepia tones, a few identical (and inexpensive!) frames from somewhere like Ikea, and hang them along your wall side-by-side in rows. There are websites, such as Coloredgevisual.com that will scale your images for you according to your wall too.
*Still stuck? Enlist a Stylish Girlfriend to Help Out! Turning her new home into the kind of sophisticated retreat she had in mind wasn’t as easy as Rashida Jones thought. “Starting out, I had nothing, and I made mistakes,” the actress says. Coming to the actress’ rescue was her good friend and neighbor decorator Kate Fine.
*No Money Makeover Moves You Can Start Today:
-Feng Shui your space by moving around the crap you already have!
-Clear the clutter...you know the rules...if you don't wear it, throw it out! If you don't use it...trash it. If it's an eye sore...well, go figure.
Photo Credit: Design Within Reach
Not everyone has an eye for design. Sure it’d be nice to have Kelly Wearstler on speed dial or to enlist Jonathan Adler to come give your living room a facelift but if you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck hiring an interior decorator isn’t an option.
It’s important that your home be your source of comfort and peace. Away from the stress and cares of your daily life, it should be a place that relaxes, rejuvenates and inspires you.
The good news is that by becoming your own tastemaker, you too can get Hollywood glam décor.
*Know what you want. Maybe your taste is classic mid-century style inspired by Charles Eames, or maybe it's Hollywood Regency chic a la Dorothy Draper.
*Take Inventory. Grabbing a pen and a pad of paper, sit down in the room you wish to makeover. Start off by asking yourself the following questions:
-How does it feel to be in this room?
-Does this look and feel like the kind of room that would belong to me? If not, why?
-Is there anything missing?
-Is there anything that bothers me about this room? What’s not working?
-What would make this room cozier/more stylish/more contemporary/etc?
-How can I add my personality to this room?
Jot down your thoughts as they come to you when observing a room and remember, how you ‘feel’ inside a particular space is just as important as the way it looks visually. It doesn’t matter how decadent or chic a room looks if you’re not comfortable in it. Make it yours! Tip: Framed photos of your favorite memories and people quickly add personal touches while scented candles make rooms feel more ‘homey.’
*Make a List. Once you have your thoughts d own on paper you can start making a list of ideas that will help direct you. Maybe it’s just a matter of rearranging the furniture or adding a few accent pieces - regardless of what comes to mind write it down. There’s a reason you’re thinking whatever it is!
*Be patient: Actress Amy Smart spent several months refreshing the dream home she purchased in the Hollywood Hills. “This house always had character,” Smart said, “but I also wanted it to have a presence in the way it was decorated.” Remember, it takes time to find the perfect pieces for your pad. It took Smart a year-and-a-half to find a table for her kitchen at an antiques shop in Santa Monica, and she even had the help of a designer! Troll flea markets and garage sales in your area or keep checking Craigslist.com eventually you’ll find the piece you’ve been looking for at a price you can afford.
*Original Art. Can’t afford Vik Muniz or Sam Samore? Create your own photography series with your own images. Print digital photos on glossy or matte paper in sepia tones, a few identical (and inexpensive!) frames from somewhere like Ikea, and hang them along your wall side-by-side in rows. There are websites, such as Coloredgevisual.com that will scale your images for you according to your wall too.
*Still stuck? Enlist a Stylish Girlfriend to Help Out! Turning her new home into the kind of sophisticated retreat she had in mind wasn’t as easy as Rashida Jones thought. “Starting out, I had nothing, and I made mistakes,” the actress says. Coming to the actress’ rescue was her good friend and neighbor decorator Kate Fine.
*No Money Makeover Moves You Can Start Today:
-Feng Shui your space by moving around the crap you already have!
-Clear the clutter...you know the rules...if you don't wear it, throw it out! If you don't use it...trash it. If it's an eye sore...well, go figure.
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