Why Not . . . Become Your Own Decorator?

In yesterday’s post This & That: No. 5, I recommended Susanna Salk’s recently released decor book Be Your Own Decorator: Taking Inspiration and Cues from Today’s Top Designers. With gorgeous images of rooms designed by top interior designers such as Mary McDonald, Nate Berkus, Kelly Wearstler, Charlotte Moss just to name a few, Susanna organizes her book as a suggestion. In other words, the images she has collected essentially beg the question, Why Not . . .? – use a bit of color, be aware of how furniture is arranged, or break a few decor rules and allow your books to be chaotically organized within a perfectly organized room.

So with her suggestions to consider when it comes to decorating a home, I began to make a list of my own tips that have served me well as I have over the years painted, remodeled or rearranged my apartments, houses, and various rooms.

Salk organizes her book into seven different chapters which focus on inspiring images in the following areas: color, mixing up styles, arrangement, balance, whimsy, accessorizing and rule-breaking.  With these chapters as the foundation for becoming your own decorator, below are a few more specific suggestions that I have found great success with as I continue to create my very own simply luxurious sanctuary:

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Laughter, Cheers and Debate

While the kitchen is becoming more and more the heart of the home, I can’t help but vote for the dining room table as being the place where relationships, of all types, can flourish.  A dining room table is where bursts of laughter can emerge, heated discussions and debates can arise, and the day’s events are shared.  Gathering around the dining room table cultivates an opportunity to look each other in the eyes and have genuine conversations.  Add a little wine, some savory food and no one will want to leave.  The dining room table is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to bring together friends for dinner parties, cocktail get-togethers and hopefully soon a few brunches.

I’ve gathered together a handful of dining rooms for this week’s Rooms of Inspiration that look as inviting for a grand time as they are fabulously designed.  Enjoy perusing through them all.  Out of curiosity, what would your ideal dining room include – round, square or oblong table, matching or mix and matched chairs, chandelier or simple lighting, bright colors or neutrals, table cloth or bare, bowls or flowers as centerpieces?  So many details to consider.  I look forward to hearing your ideas.  Have a lovely Tuesday!

 

 

Images: (1) Decor Pad (2) My Home Ideas (3) Decor Pad (4) Decor Pad (5) Elle Decor (6) House Beautiful (7) House Beautiful (8) House Beautiful (9) Elle Decor (10) So Haute (11) Whimsy by Victoria (12) Source (13) House Beautiful

A Chandelier Where?

I’ve been meaning to enter HGTV’s Dream Home Giveaway, but as I write this, I haven’t yet gotten around to it.  However, as I was walking away to exactly where I was on my treadmill, I watched the tour of this gorgeous home and one design idea caught my eye.  While we so often see chandeliers above beds, we don’t too often find them used as a replacement for sconces above the night stand. Original and creative idea. Here are a few photos.

 

However, the old standby is still quite breathtaking.

I’ve recently added a non-electric chandelier above my bed and am glad I took the risk.  What are some new ideas or risks you have tried in decorating your boudoir?

Images:(0) HGTV’s 2010 Dream Home Master Suite (1)Cottage Home Decorating (2) Country Living (3-7) DecorPad (8) Cottage Home Decorating (9) Shelter Pop (10) Courtesy of Dixcot Locations (11)

Chateau De Barres located in France’s Loire Valley (12) Simply Luxurious photo