Sharing living space can spell disaster when the people involved have diverging ideas about how that space should look and function.
California interior designer and television personality Phyllis Bowie specializes in demystifying decorating through no-nonsense concepts. What follows are her top five principles for merging conflicting ideas about what constitutes home.
Avoid the temptation to run out and buy new furniture after moving in to a new place.Look instead for new ways to use essential furniture from your previous digs.
Resign to live in the new place for at least two weeks before buying any other furnishings. That will allow the space to “talk to you” about its decorating needs and function.
Create a clutter free zone. Try to eliminate knickknacks and unnecessary belongings from at least one room, but go easy on yourself. This step can be overwhelming, so give yourself plenty of time.
Use the colors in a favorite belonging like a rug, pillow or throw to create a new color scheme. A piece of art, a favorite scarf, a leaf or a flower – all of them have hues that will resonate with you in a positive way. And, this way you can skip the color wheel and figure out that new look together.
Use your senses. Sight, smell and sound all play into selecting a room’s decor.
Develop “luxury conscientiousness.” Make sure every single thing that shares your space is something you love. This has nothing to do with money. Luxury is about how you feel and whether an item makes you feel good or even regal. Bowie believes luxury goods like Nana’s afghan, Grandpa’s old writing table, or Mother’s mirror, evoke positive emotion. Anything that doesn’t belongs elsewhere.
