furniture placement – Secretary of the Interior: Decorating Blog

Outdated Decorating Rules

There are no hard-fast interior decorating rules. Yet, many of the things that your mother learned are now outdated.

I’m often asked abut my top decorating tips. It’s about time I wrote them down! Tip#1: Plan. Of course, I do believe in the serendipitous thrill of finding something great at a flea market, while on vacation, or when you go to Home Goods to buy sheets and come home with a lamp, but in… Continue reading Top Ten Decorating Tips

The Creativity Gene

Does everyone have the “creativity gene?” The answer is yes! With confidence and motivation, creativity can be learned and enhanced – just as a budding athlete or musician commits to training and practice to improve their ability. There is an art and science to creativity. Think of right brain and left brain to better understand… Continue reading The Creativity Gene

Life is Too Short For Ugly

I am often asked, “What are some of the golden rules of decorating?” Here is my favorite; the title of this column comes from a quote from interior designer David Fuller, “Design because life is too short for ugly.” Over the years, I have collected some quotes from famous decorators and authors and blogger to… Continue reading Life is Too Short For Ugly

How to Decorate around a TV

Ah, that ubiquitous – to some, unsightly – big black box in your living or family room. Guys love them. Women want to hide them – or at least make them less obvious. How do you decorate around the TV? It comes down to whether you want it to be the focal point in the room… Continue reading How to Decorate around a TV

Home Staging in a Seller’s Market

Even in a low-inventory real estate market, home staging is key to stand out from the competition and to sell faster and for more money.

The Cure for Design Paralysis

Do you suffer from design paralysis? Take this quiz to find out and discover the remedy. True or false: When every color in a room has equal weight, there is no cohesion or flow. To successfully layer fabric patterns, mix pattern scales from small to extra-large. To create a comfortable conversation group in the living room, seating should be… Continue reading The Cure for Design Paralysis