Guest post repeated

Hi - several peeps let me know that the pics in my guest post over at Love Your Space were not showing up, so I am repeating the blog post here. Heather asked me to post on 3 Design Rules to Live By.  Let me start by saying that I don't believe in most design rules, so the mottoes I live by mostly encourage you to follow the beat of your own drum. If we all followed the same rules we would all have the same houses - boring!

1. Opposites Attract

When I am choosing a new piece for a space I ask myself what material, style, texture, color or era of design the surrounding pieces are in - and I pick the exact opposite. For example, the console in this picture is sort of Louis XVI, very ornate, carved and antique. It has tons of texture and history. The art leaning on it is super contemporary and clean - only black and white with a hard geometric pattern. Opposites that look great together!

2. Inject something humorous and unexpected

The disco ball in this gorgeous living room is totally unexpected, a little bit playful, and absolutely perfect.

3. Do your own work

There is nothing better than creating a one of a kind piece of art for your space. Also, you get the best deals on furniture that needs to be painted, reupholstered, or reworked. You can save money and have something that no one else has. All you need is time and creativity. In this photo of my sofa, I did the painting myself inspired by an artist that I loved. Slapping paint on a canvas is easy and fun, or it can be as simple as changing the knobs on a chest. Have you SEEN Danika's Ikea chest redo? You can't even tell what it was before!

In the end, there are no rules and you are the only one living with your things. Make them represent who you are. It is better to live with nothing than live with things that make you sad or don't work for your life. And decorating is always supposed to be fun. If it is stressful, you're not doing it right. :) Find a friend to help you or just take a break for a while.

Happy decorating!

E