Design Dump: Design by the Numbers

Do you read Design Dump?  You should.  Interior designer Autumn Clemons is super stylish but also budget minded, and not afraid to share her sources.  She also has a great sense of humor, and I am a big fan of her "Buy this, not that" series.  Check out this transformation:

Before: a standard dining room



After: a fabulous library!


Hard to believe it's the same space, right?  Amazing how the dark color actually makes this room feel twice as big.  Ready for some advice from Autumn, "by the numbers"?




Decorating really is not an exact science, but remembering a few simple ratios, and numbers, the task can seem a little less daunting. Take these for instance:

1/2

when hanging a curtain rod above a window, try to make sure that it is at least 1/2 way between the top of the window casing and the ceiling or crown molding. doing this makes the windows appear taller. I often install rods within just an inch or two of the molding.

2

Consider adding a pair of items in a room to help create balance. Usually, the first thing that comes to mind is a pair of lamps, but also consider adding a pair of chairs, mirrors, or even larger pieces of furniture like bookcases.

In this room, several pairs of items including lamps, chairs and oversize mirrors help create balance.

1 can equal 3, 4, 6 or even 12

If you have one large piece of art that you would like to display, consider splitting it up and putting it in multiple frames. doing this not only makes the piece feel more prominent, but also keeps framing costs down.

(images: 1,2,3)

thanks so much to heather for having me today! happy decorating!

-autumn clemons

Go visit Autumn on her blog, and say hello!  Thanks for visiting, Autumn.

The rest of you: don't forget to enter the silvercocoon jewelry giveaway.  It ends tonight at midnight, central time.  Winner announced tomorrow.  See you then!

Design Rules from Danielle Oakey

I'm so happy to have my blogroll back on the blog!  I took it down when one of the links was causing google to tell people not to come to my blog, but that's all cleared up.  While it was down, I missed some of my usual reads, but also discovered some great new ones.  Check it out.

A long-standing blog on my roll is Danielle Oakey Interiors.  Danielle is a young designer in Utah, mom to preschooler Emory, and works magic in her own home on a student budget (her husband is in med school).  How cute it Emory's room? (And Emory, for that matter?)

So when I decided to bring back my 3 design rules series from the summer, Danielle was the perfect place to begin.  I'm so glad she's visiting today!

Hi, I am Danielle from Danielle Oakey Interiors.

I am happy to be here sharing a couple of my top design rules.

1. Spend money on textiles.

Designer fabrics can transform a space.

You may only need a couple gorgeous throw pillows to update an entire room.

{image via Lonny}

2. Don't be afraid to take risks.

If you love it, go for it.

Taking risks can be scary but the payoff is big.

{image via Lonny}

3. Combine cool and warm colors in every space.

It is really important for every room to have a good balance of warm and cool colors.

This is one of the first things I consider when designing a space.

{image via Lonny}

Oh, and my number one rule is, don't be afraid to break the rules!

Have I confused you yet?

Thank so much for having me Heather!

xoxo,

Danielle

Now I'm thinking through my own home, wondering if I have enough cool colors around the place.  It's always so fun to hear top rules from fellow bloggers and designers.  Autumn from Design Dump will visit us next.  And if you missed it this summer, check out Carol from The Design Pages, Anne-Marie from 10 Rooms, and Elizabeth from Modern 24/7.

Come on back on Monday, too, for a giveaway you won't want to miss!

Guest Post: Three Design Rule from The Design Pages

Let me just say, I am LOVING having these fabulous guest posters take over my space for a few days.  Do you know The Design Pages?  Well, I've got Carol here today.  Carol is a designer and blogger in Vancouver, B.C., and in addition to her excellent, self-deprecating sense of humor, I'm a fan of her DIY projects, which range from this charming striped dresser to make-your-own subway art, to her latest and greatest, a ball of twine light fixture.  I kid you not: check it out here.  Also, she has an astounding number of comments on most of her posts, so Love Your Spacers, please show her the love she has grown accustomed to, and comment away.  One of my original requests to by guests was to share design rules, inspired as I was by House Beautiful's recent "Design By Number" feature. I love that Carol took this piece of it to heart.



I am so envious of you Heather while you're vacationing in NYC but happy to be asked to fill your boots at the same time:)

I love the idea of discussing how numbers affect design because we don't necessarily think about it but it exists in all our rooms.  Here's what I mean...

1/  One is powerful and it's important to think about that one special thing in each room.  Maybe it's art, a beautiful rug, a chandelier or a statement piece of pottery but it all starts with 1.

2/ Symmetry is all about the number 2.  Most traditional rooms incorporate the number 2 but more and more we see 2 in contemporary settings as well.

3/  Most of us know the rule of accessorizing with odd numbers.  It's more interesting than even numbers and 3 is easy on the wallet.  Most importantly, 3 is a manageable number for pulling it all together and that's really all that matters, isn't it?

Heather, I can't wait to see all your photos and tales from your vacay.  Thank you again for inviting me to be part of your fabulous blog:)

[Images 1-4, House Beautiful; 5-6, decorpad]



All right people, I'll be back tomorrow, though my post will be late since I get in late night and hit the ground running.  I'm having a fabulous trip, with many thanks to my guest posters!  Oh, and of course you're running out of time to enter my Shabby Apple giveaway.  Go here for the deets.

Gust Post: Three Design Rules from Modern 24/7

I'm thrilled to have another guest blogger today, the lovely Elizabeth from Modern 24/7.  This girl has exquisite taste, runs a design showroom in New Orleans, and does a little design of her own--take a look here to check out one of my favorite nurseries of all time.  And she did it on a budget--a girl after my own heart.  Without further ado, Elizabeth.


Hi! E here from Modern 24/7. I am so jealous of Heather's trip to my old stomping grounds in NY! But while she is gone I will be happy to fill you in on three design rules that I 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

[via habituallychic.com]

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

[Unknown--if anyone has source info, please let us know!]

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

3. Do your own work

[via Elizabeth Sullivan Design]

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.

Thanks for having me, Heather! Have a great trip... Happy Decorating, everyone!

E

For more great ideas, go check out Elizabeth's blog, and don't miss her giveaway, going on now.  And while we're on the subject, make sure to enter my Shabby Apple giveaway for the chance to win an adorable dress--only two days left!

Tomorrow is my last day in NYC, with one more guest poster sharing three design rules she lives by.  Be sure to heck back!

Guest Post: Design Rules from 10 Rooms

Are you ready for the first in my little mini series, three design rules from three of my favorite bloggers?  I know I am.  First up, Anne Marie from 10 Rooms.  Anne-Marie is a color expert.  I swear, her post on choosing whites is a regular reference for me: you must check it out, here.  She's also a french speaker, a Canadian, the host to blog series "Crushing on Color," and the creator of one of my favorite blog banner out there.

Without further ado, I give you Anne-Marie.

First of all, thanks so much Heather, for having me over! 

I hope you are having a fantastic time in the Big Apple...

and I hope you'll share a little of your experience when you return so we can live vicariously through you :)

You've asked us for design rules, but since color is my thing,

 I thought perhaps I a few of my most basic color rules may be in order...

#1 The numero uno rule: work with the colors that you love.

This sounds simple, but so many people are living with color that they don't actually like.

You have to ask yourself: what color makes you happy? 

Does pink make your heart do double flips?

Just because pink is not a traditional choice for decor doesn't mean you should pass it up.

Your home doesn't have to please the neighbours, or magazine design editors, or your Mother-in-Law!

Just you and your family. So use what YOU love!

#2 Consider your space.

Your home's architecture sets a stage, and your home will shine when you embrace the architecture and make design choices that highlight the best features in your space, and enhance everything else....

Again, this sounds simple, but filling a terracotta tiled space with black leather doesn't transform it into the city loft you are dreaming of..

but a bit of city might be perfect...

or perhaps no city at all..

#3 Consider the atmosphere your color choices create..

Color is one of the simplest ways to create a "feel" in your home. 

We all know red is stimulating, 

and green rejuvenating, 

but what happens when we place a red sofa against a green wall?

sources 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

Complementary combinations of color are lively and create contrast, because they intensify each other.

You have to consider the effect the colors will have on each other, 

as well as how they make you feel individually,

 to best choose a harmonious color scheme 

with the right amount of visual stimulation for your space.

There's so much to think about when choosing color for your design.

I've been working with color for years and still learn new things all the time!

But these three considerations are the basics, and using them you're off to a really good start.

Thanks again for having me over, Heather,

and I'm looking forward to you heading over to 10 Rooms when I'm off adventuring :)

x Anne-Marie

Thank you Anne-Marie!  Can't wait to crush on color with you soon.  As for the rest of you, go visit Anne-Marie and tell her I sent you, and don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple Giveaway!

Heather

Photo Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7