Message Boards

I would love to find someone to help me to decorate my home. I have lived there 16 years and still have not really decorated due to family illnesses and time. I don't even know where to start. I have a few paint colors in mind but am afraid to take the first step. Do you paint ceilings lighter and walls darker? I just want to get started but am very apprehensive.

Welcome. Your decorating fear is not uncommon, but putting things off because you are fearful of the outcome will leave you in limbo and you won't live completely content in your spaces. That would be a shame. Keep in mind these things....

~Paint and fabric bring the most bang for the buck.

~A print can become the springboard for your entire public (or private) space scheme tho not every color or feel needs to carry over.

~Take color cues from new or existing prints especially BEFORE you buy paint and paint walls. Even a favorite painting prominently featured in a space can serve as a scheme and/or feel guide.

~Your favorite colors can come from reviewing your wardrobe choices.

~Factor in built ins, flooring coloration, and the all important natural and artifical lighting of your spaces before you opt for a wall color and it's hue value. Keep contrast in mind as walls should remain a backdrop to your furnishings.

~Once a color is pulled from that all important print, try some samples on a test board and live with it over the course of several days/nights to see how the varied lighting conditions impact it and reveals it's undertones before commiting to it for your space.

~Take decorating clues from things like MODEL HOME TOURS, DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE TOURS, RETAIL DISPLAYS, FRIENDS/FAMILY/COWORKERS/NEIGHBORS HOMES YOU'VE ADMIRED, DECORATING MAGAZINES/BOOKS, THE WEB SITES and TV SHOWS THAT SHOWCASE INTERIOR DESIGN AND TIPS.

~Don't be afraid to express your unique personality, likes, passions, travels in your spaces as they should reflect you vs. a carbon copy of another's space.

~Take the decorating slowly w/ careful planning and thought. Project onto adjoining spaces as you address your first space so that there's a degree of "flow" in color in your public spaces. Keep in mind that private spaces (bedrooms and baths) can be treated independantly from your public space scheme.

~Keep a file of samples and create story boards of the elements of design you wish to feature in each space. These samples can be things like paint chips, carpet fibers, upholstery swatches,
stain samples, tile pcs. flooring samples, pics of furniture pieces, pics of room layouts, accessory pics, etc.

RE. painting ceilings lighter and walls darker, there is not set in stone rule of thumb as this decision has several factors that impact your options. For instance, if the ceilings are higher than 8', painting them a darker color or hue value of the walls will visually lower them for a cozier feel. Another example might be to paint the walls and ceiling the same color in the case of a light to medium value which visually elevates a room. Again, lighting plays a huge role too and whether the wall color value enhances your furnishings vs. overpowers or diminishes them.

Know that if you can post pics of the first space you wish to address, your board friends here will be more than happy to assist/guide in your decision making process. At the very least, ideas that are posed might spark and idea you would not have otherwise considered.

To save money, patience and perseverance are key. Don't be afraid to make what you preceive as mistakes as that's how you learn. Living with something for a while that you might first regard as a mistake may turn into a blessing in disguise so again...patience is essential. Don't be afraid to think outside the box as this is where you may discover a hidden like that you originally thought not to your taste. Keep in mind it's YOU that has to be satisfied and pleased with your choices in your personal spaces.

Live my Christoper Lowel's motto, WHERE THERE'S FEAR, THERE'S NO CREATIVITY and tap into your creative side that's long been supressed. Have FUN with the process. I wouldn't be surprised if you discovered a hidden talent and new gained confidence re. decorating.

Maggie, I agree with just about everything Froo Froo said. It's certainly not uncommon to be scared to make that first move! I see clients like this all the time and sometimes it takes quite abit of reassuring to figuratively talk them down out of the "fear tree".

You might consider bringing in a design professional for just a consultation. I have no way of knowing what they go for where you live, but here a 2-hour initial consulation will run about $125-150. That's a LOT of time to discuss ideas, get some back up on your own ideas and reassurance you are headed in the right direction - or suggestions that may keep you from making costly mistakes. Your design professional should leave you with a plan of action so you'll be confident in what the next steps are according to your priorities. If you like this person and feel you can work well with them, you may even want to ask for help in shopping/arrangements/flooring, etc. Sometimes we will either split our Designer Discount with you or even give you the whole thing which can save you a lot of money - probably close to what the professional fees are.

Good luck!