If you haven't checked out the August issue of Domino magazine yet, you need to get this must-read for home-decor junkies. This month, the mag takes a break from its usual coverage of trends and shopping to bring us insider secrets and sources from some of the country's best decorators.
One fun feature is where Domino asked its panel of decorators for their all-time decorating don'ts, which the editors then rounded up into a handy top 10 list. I totally agree with most of the points — though I don't get why diagonal sofas are such a no-no. Check it out and tell me what you think.
- Overdoing it. Stuffing too much of a good thing into a room can feel stifling, like a Victorian B&B.
- Art hung too high. Avoid neck cricks: Center the piece at eye level.
- Curtain hardware hung too low. This crowds the window. Instead, mount the rod up high to let in the light and allow the window to breathe.
- Imposing a style that doesn't belong. In planning an overall look, consider your home's architecture and environment. Santa Fe style usually works best in Santa Fe.
- Too bright overhead lighting. It's usually unflattering. Better to have four 25w lamps than a single 100w ceiling fixture.
- Matching every fabric in a room. Just like when you put together an outfit, you want at least one unexpected element.
- Pairs of everything. Duos are not necessarily bad by definition, but beware the Noah's Ark look.
- Monotony of scale. Mix it up! A balance of big and small, tall and short accessories brings a room to life.
- Beds or sofas on a diagonal. A decorator trick you shouldn't try at home—it makes too much of a statement.
- Decorating for someone else's life. You eat takeout every night and have two huge dogs: Is a white-carpeted formal dining room really the way to go?
For the rest of the tips, read more
Forzieri
Burberry
Bunny Hug
#2- art hung too high is a major pet peeve of mine. Little tiny pictures on a great big wall also drives my bonkers... and the combo puts me over the edge.
1My Husband hung all of our pictures too high when we were moving in. He thought he was being helpful and when I came home from work I had to move everything down a couple of inches.
2I think the only one I may go overkill on is the Asian theme. We have lots of pictures and whatnot around the house. It's still not bad, atleast not in my opinion.
3I learned #10 the hard way when my cat threw up all over the flokati rug I spent lots of money on. Those things are not easy to clean.
4Great tips. Meanwhile I think I have to subscribe to Domino. I already have Blueprint
5
6I agree!
7White carpet is never a good idea.
8i agree with a few of those but not all
9Some of those are really obvious to me like the room in all one pattern. I really don't see anything wrong with a sofa or bed on the diagonal if your room can handle it. Also I happen to really like pairs of things. Not everything has to be a pair but I hate having two completely different dressers or tables in one room. It's annoying.
10What ruins the vibe of a well intentioned decorated home? Emotional clutter and useless junk. Even if it is within scheme and theme, it remains an open sore on the body of a house.
11NO-NO: Matching wallpaper and bed linens - think floral chintz bed & breakfast. A bedroom shouldn't look like Laura Ashley barfed in it. And just say no to tacky silk flowers too!
12also think i will be needing to subscribe to Dominoe. Helpful tips for decorating the new house.
13Domino, eh? I am moving into my new place in just over a week and was going to take this weekend to paint it, looks like I should pick up a copy of this mag first though!
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