Decorating Advice?

One of our fellow bloggers is redecorating her home from scratch and is looking for decorating advice. Hmmmm....I'm no decorating expert that's for sure, but I guess I do have an opinion on the way I like to decorate my own home. First of all, I do think that there is a right and wrong way to decorate, and I bite my tongue as I say that - ha! Sooooo, I've been thinking about this and here is my own personal opinion on the subject - and a very humble opinion at that. But that's what my blog is for right? To express my opinion? HA! So here goes....

I believe that you should start with all of your "main" items, you know the long-term more expensive items, like your bedroom set, your dining room set, and more expensive "anchor" pieces I like to call....and select timeless, classic, traditional pieces of furniture. I look at my own home, and I like to pick furniture that I believe will still look great 10 years from when I purchased it. I think that "traditional" style is a classic. You can then make it more formal or casual by the pieces you bring in to accessorize your space. For example....I have cherry queene anne style furniture in my dining room, I also love the french country look, so I can change my room just by adding toile pillows to my arm chairs, or plaid and toile drapery to the windows...and there you have the french country look in that room. But my "anchor" pieces remain in tact...you see what I mean?

So, I did some browsing for pieces that I think are "classic" and would all work well in the same home...even though some are wood pieces mixed with painted pieces, and a little country flair and cottage charm, but essentially "traditional." I can picture all of these pieces under the same roof, and they would complement each other nicely. And last but not least, choose pieces you "LOVE" that you are attracted too, but make sure they complement your anchor pieces, and you can't go wrong. And my pet peeve - steer clear of "trendy" pieces when it comes to your anchor pieces.

So in summary, choose classic pieces for your more expensive ticket items "anchors" and add your own flair whether it be country, cottage charm, etc...in your accessories. And one more very important thing to remember - LIGHTING - lamps...lamps....lamps.... there is something about lamp lighting that makes a space inviting. I do not care for overhead lighting and especially flourescent lighting, so I have lots and lots of lamps; for example in my basement, I NEVER turn on the overhead lighting, I just do not like how it makes me feel. And I'm not a fan of "torch" lamps (you know the kind that send the light up to the ceiling), I think that lighting going up to the ceiling is harsh in a room, so I am careful on what type of lamps I put in my rooms. Sooooo, that's my personal take on decorating....

Make it your own by picking a color scheme that is dear to your heart and that reflects your own personality.