Home Inspirations: There's no place like (a comfortable) home

Check out my latest Home Inspirations column in the Fort Myers News-Press for a list of quick and easy ways to love your home!

News-Press, September 25, 2010 by Wrenda Goodwyn

When it comes to interior decorating, there really are no rules. Well, I have one rule: It must be comfortable! But for the most part, anything goes as long as you love it. A few gentle guidelines will help you get to that point. Whether you have an empty nest or a house filled with family, an apartment condo or home, are upsizing or downsizing ... these suggestions work wherever you live.  

Dorothy said it best in the Wizard of Oz, “There is no place like home.”

And yours should be a place that you love.  If you are not quite feeling the love for your home, it may be time to shake things up a little.  Make a change. Redefine your style.  Correct decorating mistakes.  Decide on a design plan.

When it comes to interior decorating, there really are no rules.  Well, I have one rule:  It must be comfortable!  But for the most part, anything goes as long as you love it.  A few gentle guidelines will help you get to that point.

Whether you have an empty nest or a house filled with family, an apartment condo or home, are upsizing or downsizing…these suggestions work wherever you live: Have a plan before you leap in to a design project.   What is the end result you wish to achieve?  What is the budget?  What do you love in your home?  Not love?

The test: will you love it in five years? 

Before making a major purchase, ask yourself this question. 

Go classic.  Avoid trendy.  Furniture purchases should be like a Chanel suit:  timeless.

Declutter.  Less is more. No amount of design overcomes clutter.  Find a place for everything or delete it. You will feel much better.  Show off collections.   Group by subject or by color.  With photo collections, use the same color and type of frame.  You will be amazed at how terrific the photos look.  My favorite frame:  black or silver.  Small investment. Immediate result!

Use color for big impact.  Afraid of paint color?  Select from Benjamin Moore’s Off-White Colors. They are anything but white but will give your rooms an instant and inexpensive lift without a huge risk!  Always test paint colors and view in all light situations. Pop color into the room with fabric.

Bring nature indoors.  This is the easiest way to accessorize and plan a color scheme. For my own home and for my clients, I am constantly taking pictures of vignettes of color:  flowers, pots around a pool, a scene in a park, settings that draw me in and inspire me.  This helps to decide what mood you want to create: Playful. Whimsical.  Elegant.  Exotic. Cozy.  Sexy. Exciting.  A spring garden.  Summer.  Nature-inspired. 

I guess I do have another rule:  Stick close to nature and you cannot go wrong with color! 

Create a comfortable conversation area.  No matter what your decorating style, a U-shape is best. Spend as much as possible on a really good couch (you will never regret this one!).  Think in pairs with lamps and chairs.

Have a focal point.  Every designer tells you this.  It is true.  It may be a beautiful view, piece of artwork, collection, fireplace or an accent piece.  If you don’t have one, create one. A recent client did not have a focal point so I purchased a beautiful old fireplace mantle, arranged family photos and accent pieces and voila!  A focal point.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a southwest Florida interior decorator. She is a member of the Interior Design Society, an A.S.I.D. Industry Partner and the Interior Redecorators Network.  Her column appears in the Home & Garden section on the last Saturday of each month.  Contact her at 239-949-1808 or wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. Visit www.spectacularspaces.com or her blog at www.spectacularspaces.com/blog for decorating inspiration.