This can be a enjoyable piece I wrote for Cup of Jo to advertise my e book earlier than it got here out. Naturally (and to nobody’s shock), I overwrote it. Ha. So that is the prolonged model with a bunch of gorgeous photographs from the e book. Get pleasure from!
After years of documenting my design tasks on the web for the world to observe, criticize, and hopefully get pleasure from, in 2018 I discovered myself as soon as once more crying within the bathe (as working mothers do), extraordinarily annoyed with the house renovation/transforming course of. I needed so badly that there was a e book full of gorgeous rooms and actual life anecdotes to assist educate and assist me by means of this inevitably very hectic course of. I used to be so sick of feeling dumb, being mansplained by my contractor, and doubting my each determination. I had a lot of the knowledge and had been writing about it for years on the weblog, however I wished all of it (plus extra) to be in ONE BOOK. I pitched the e book the following day and 4 brief (!!) years later it’s right here now, on the earth. Whereas the world modified dramatically since that tearful bathe day (2020 was like, “HA I’ll offer you one thing to cry about”) the knowledge on this e book has develop into even increasingly related as so many individuals, trapped indoors, wished to make their properties a bit bit higher. The New Design Guidelines, is a guidebook by means of the renovation and ornament course of, from my perspective, with my private errors and anecdotes and full of 330 pages of beautiful photographs from 28 totally different artistic properties in each fashion. It’s filled with every little thing from “kitchen design guidelines”, “rest room makes to keep away from”, “how excessive must you actually dangle artwork” to “how do you make a builder grade dwelling have attraction?” My purpose was to assist folks study the principles of design to allow them to creatively break them, thus making a selection, not a mistake. In order that’s my pitch for the e book and it’s not only for these of us privileged sufficient to have the ability to rework – it’s for individuals who love to brighten, fashion, or DIY (or simply stare at fairly photographs like what you’ll see on this put up). I hope you get pleasure from and extra importantly study one thing that can assist you in your subsequent design challenge and shed much less bathe tears 🙂
Keep away from “Builder Grade” The whole lot (Right here’s How To Add Some Attraction)
You’re NOT alone in the event you reside in a builder-grade home. Have hope that there are methods so as to add the attraction that is likely to be lacking. This kitchen by Corre Marie (which I don’t suppose was builder-grade), reveals nice examples of what you would to do add attraction with easy supplies and a few high-impact selections. The strains of it are easy – U-shaped shaker cabinetry with butcher block high, painted in a daring colour that packs an enormous punch (and is completely doable to do in an inexpensive manner). The subway tile is inexpensive and traditional however provides a lot old-world character. The shelf brackets, pendants, and rug are design parts which are simple methods to swap out for extra one-of-a-kind vintage items like these. Heck, how she hung a portray and leaned that mirror on the tile creates a lot curiosity. And curiosity = attraction, even whether it is added after the home is constructed.
Keep away from The “Too Small Rug”
The “too small rug” is such a standard mistake to make – you aren’t alone. But it surely’s very noticeable and may throw off the entire room. On this lounge, Dee Murphy not solely adopted the principles (by having a minimum of the entrance two legs of all of the furnishings on the rug) however she layered the classic rug OVER an easier sisal rug to floor the dialog space much more. Good transfer. We wrote extra about lounge guidelines right here and I additionally did a brilliant dated however nonetheless enjoyable video about rug measurement right here.
Don’t Chase Each Pattern When It Comes To Everlasting Finishes
You may completely nonetheless observe new trendy design concepts and produce them into your own home, however it’s most secure to do what Ben Mendansky did with the sunshine fixtures right here. Y’all, he ombre’d the yellow from mild to darkish. Sure, take dangers! Simply be actually, actually cautious leaning exhausting into developments in your everlasting finishes like tile, flooring, home windows, or architectural particulars. Should you really feel nervous as I usually do, then take into consideration taking your dangers in lighting, furnishings, and decor (parts that don’t require demo and hiring out to alter).
Don’t Have Too A lot Furnishings, Even If You Have The Area
It’s simple to muddle up an area (I used to have hoarding tendencies so I get it) however do not forget that there’s something actually beautiful about adverse house and having much less. YES, you need sufficient furnishings for an area to perform and to seat everybody correctly, however a room like Rosa Beltran‘s beautiful den has sufficient with the couch – and having much less actually confirmed off the opposite parts she DID have – i.e. that unimaginable floral sample and that herringbone brick ground.
Don’t Strip Out Character In Classic Houses
For these of us fortunate sufficient to reside in older, classic properties, you is likely to be tempted to start out contemporary in case you are transforming (and also you won’t have the beautiful unique paneling that Victoria Sass did – fortunate girl). Perhaps some parts really feel actually primary (like a white brick hearth) or a bit awkward (like pointless broom closets or niches). However suppose HARD about eradicating them. Like folks, typically these awkward moments, age spots, and quirks are what you’ll come to like about your own home as a result of they’re distinctive to YOU. And demo-ing one thing previous and top quality only for the sake of “new” and “higher” is tough on the planet, so actually give it some thought earlier than you do 🙂
Know Your Fixtures Earlier than You Selected The Top Placement
Hopefully, you solely should study this as soon as (or in the event you learn the e book – keep away from this and different errors altogether). If you’re doing a bigger rework you is likely to be redoing {the electrical} and plumbing, and the brand new plan for what’s “contained in the partitions” occurs early on within the course of. You may suppose “two sconces there” and “a wall mount faucet right here” is sweet sufficient, however the specifics of the fixture usually will change the peak and placement. For example, if Christa Martin had not wished a vessel sink within the rest room above, then her wall mount taps would have been manner too excessive for an under-mount sink, or if she had wished sconces the place the stems curved up 10 inches then that junction field would have needed to transfer down (or the sconce modified). Even in the event you don’t have the precise specs, simply know the fashion of the fixture to get as shut as potential to keep away from breaking by means of contemporary drywall.
Don’t Grasp Curtains Too Excessive Off The Ground
Excessive water curtains could make a room look a bit foolish, however most large field shops solely inventory sure size readymade curtains (84″ is nearly ALWAYS too brief, FYI). At all times measurement up (90-96″ often works for 8-9′ ceilings) so it hangs lengthy sufficient to the touch or virtually contact the ground. You may dangle the rod close to the ceiling (or midway between window and ceiling like on this case, not on the high of the window), however all the time attempt to get as near the ground as you possibly can. We’ve got a enjoyable graph and extra photographs on this put up. Additionally, please be aware THERE IS A BUNNY ON THE BED!!!!!
Don’t Demo Your Room/Residence With out A Plan
That is only a normal warning that the transforming course of has numerous transferring components and is stuffed with delays which are out of your management. Should you don’t have a group in place, a reasonably stable plan, permits, and even supplies ordered earlier than you demo you may find yourself dwelling in development for a lot, for much longer. Typically your contractor must do exploratory work to determine what’s load-bearing, and so forth, however earlier than you make your own home or room completely unlivable, have your gamers in place and a normal plan. I’m in the course of a renovation proper now and belief me, your endurance will probably be tried time and again and over 🙂 On the finish of all of it, you may need a kitchen like this one by Christa Martin, however attempt to do as a lot prep work in the beginning as potential.
Differ The Artwork Configuration On Every Wall
This can be a nice styling tip/method that I’ve utilized in virtually each room (together with this one which my EHD group did in Atlanta). What you wish to keep away from is each wall having one related piece of artwork, hung on the identical peak. As an alternative take into consideration doing what we did right here – mixing a gallery wall, mirror, cabinets, leaning artwork, diptychs, or one large-scale piece of artwork. Even in the event you like a extra minimal easy design (which I do) you wish to differ the mediums or scale of the artwork so it doesn’t really feel redundant and to offer every bit its personal energy and second.
Don’t Overlook What You Might Already Have
I feel on this world of every little thing at our fingertips (whats up, web procuring) it’s tempting to do away with one thing previous and exchange it with the newer, youthful (and sure cheaper) model. However earlier than you do, take a look at your beforehand cherished items with new eyes. Should you love the form and magnificence however not the colour or cloth you would do what Sara Ruffin Costello did and reupholster a classic wingback in that insane assertion patterned cloth. If the above room tempts you a bit, know that the remainder of her unimaginable dwelling in New Orleans is peppered by means of the e book and knocks me down each time I see her creativity. That inexperienced paint, the ground tile, the door! She is unimaginable.
Pay attention, you’ll make errors within the renovation or ornament course of, all of us do. It’s a part of the artistic course of. However, I hope this e book will help you keep away from as many as potential and unleash your creativity. And in the event you love the kind of design data on this put up and if the photographs of those properties sparked pleasure in your design intestine, then I hope you’ll just like the e book as a result of It’s filled with 330 pages of it 🙂
Opening Picture Credit: Design by Corbett Tuck | Styled by Velinda Hellen, Erik Kenneth Staalberg, Emily Edith Bowser, and Julie Rose | Photograph by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
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