Shop with us at our newly renovated storefront located at 23 2nd Ave. in Huntingdon, Tennessee!

Do you have a space in your home that is starting to feel boring, cluttered, outdated or uninspiring? Are you wanting to redefine a room in your home, but unsure of where to begin? 

These top 5 design tips will help you get started! Soon you will be on your way to a beautifully curated space.  It is difficult to create in spaces that don’t feel joyful and inspiring. Improve your surroundings, and you are sure to improve your mood, your productivity, and your well-being. It’s scientifically proven!

I know it can be so overwhelming when you have several spaces you want to revamp... It can be difficult to get started when you don’t know WHERE to start. So I am here to help! I have completed countless interior styling projects over the past 5 years. I always find myself asking the same questions and following a similar framework. When beginning any design project, these are the steps and questions I ask myself. I hope you find them helpful! 

• Start by identifying “MUST USE” furniture or decor pieces. 

Everyone has that one piece that must somehow be incorporated into a project. Whether it be your grandmother’s China cabinet, your dad’s old desk, or that favorite painting you found at an estate sale. It is important to start planning your space by FIRST mapping out which pieces MUST be used in that particular space. This will help you plan out other colors, textures, finishes, furniture pieces and art to use in that room. You can begin sourcing other items once you know what you have and what you don’t have. Once you have identified what you have, then make a list of what you need! It’s that simple. 

• Decide on an overall direction, style, or “vibe” you want the room to have. 

Do you want the room to feel airy and light? Or are you going for a dark, moody vibe? Do you want it to feel masculine or more feminine? Are you a midcentury modern fan with a passion for clean lines, or are you drawn to more traditional looks? 

This is normally when I start a Pinterest board or a mood board. Some designers say not to seek out Pinterest because it can confuse you. I personally love to look at inspiration photos because I am such a visual person. So, skip this step if design books or Pinterest overwhelm you! But It’s important to have a roadmap of where you want to go. If you have an idea in mind, type your idea into Pinterest and use it as a search engine. For example, if you want a room to have a vintage sports theme, type in “vintage sports bedroom” into Pinterest. If you want your room to have green trim, type in “rooms with green trim” into Pinterest. From there, pin what you like. This part is so fun! There is no pressure, and you can just collect pictures that pique your interest. This step just helps you get clear on where you actually want your project to go. It is helpful to look back at these mood boards throughout your project.  I would never suggest just copying a room you find online, but instead take certain elements from a design you like and then make it your own by adding pieces that are meaningful to you. Put your own twist on it!

• You do not have to land on just one style. Don’t be afraid to mix different styles! 

Mixing different styles can be difficult to achieve, but it is so rewarding when a room comes together and flows with unique and personalized items. Just because you have a midcentury couch does not mean that every single element in the room needs to be midcentury. Here is a list of different “styles” you can look into so you can nail down which one fits your personality best. I would say that overall, my style is eclectic with a heavy dose of midcentury influence. In the end, you want your room to feel cohesive. But cohesive does not have to mean boring. Have fun with it!! This is YOUR home. You want it to reflect YOU. No one else. 

Midcentury modern -sleek lines, geometric shapes, furniture that is low to the ground

Minimal- simple, airy, clean lines, and monochromatic 

Industrial- inspired by warehouses and factories. Often using exposed brick, metals and wood

Eclectic -various styles, periods and places 

Boho- free-spirited aesthetic with an emphasis on organic elements and nature

Art deco- mirrored glass, geometric forms, marble 

Shabby chic -delicate pastel hues, chippy paint, lace and florals 

Maximalist -mixed prints, bold colors, tons of personality 

Farmhouse -wood elements, weaved baskets and white tones. simple, warm and cozy 

Traditional -darker wooden elements, timeless art and décor, decorative doors, ornamental fireplaces, subtle stripes and florals 

Coastal -pastel colors, wicker, rattan, organic textures 

French Country- European elegance with rustic elements, antique accents, soothing hues 

Southwestern- lots of leather, potted succulents or cacti, desert color palette, Spanish textiles 

Transitional – bridge the gap between modern and traditional. Pair classic elements with modern lines. 

Rustic- a lot of exposed wood, textured fabrics, rust 

Modern Farmhouse- A lot of black, white, and wood. Uses midcentury pieces with rustic pieces

Hollywood Regency- crystal chandeliers, ornate gilded mirrors 

• DO NOT buy everything from one big name store. Do not. 

I know it can be tempting to go to one of those large furniture showrooms and just buy a whole matching suite and be done with it. Please do not do this. Your space will feel lifeless, will lack personality, and will be, well... boring! It is important to take the time to source meaningful items that you actually love. Go to an antique store and buy that vintage tennis racket because you loved tennis growing up. Or grab that old wicker fishing basket because it reminds you of your grandfather. Buy the items that have a story. Buy the items that catch your eye. Buy the items that spark a memory or a favorite pastime. Check your storage areas for old furniture that belonged to your Nana. Rummage through your old boxes of cards, letters and notebooks to see if there is anything meaningful that you can frame. The idea is not to just fill the space. You want to fill your space with functional, meaningful things. Take your time. Your home will have a more "collected" feel if you actually take the time to collect items you love over time. My motto is: IF YOU LOVE IT, BUY IT...you will find a place for it.

• If nothing else, update lighting and paint. 

My NUMBER ONE design tip is this: if you upgrade paint and lighting, it will totally transform your space. Most of my clients are wanting to modernize their spaces. If the paint seems outdated, I promise that you will not regret spending the time and money to change it. Same with lighting. I know lighting can be intimidating, but it is my pet peeve when I see people revamp a whole room but leave the old, outdated fixture. It sticks out like a sore thumb! Upgrade that light or that fan to something sleek and more modern. Again, don’t be afraid to add a modern fixture into a traditional room. And lastly, do not buy the light bulbs that give off blue light. This will ruin ANY space, in my opinion. You want to always buy the warmer option. Warm lights have lower color temperatures, and therefore appear more yellow, while cool lights have higher color temperatures, and appear blue. Always choose the one that says, “warm white” or even “soft white.” Make sure they match!

I hope you all find this helpful. I could write about this topic all day long, so there will be more to come in the future!