Quote for the Year!

"...the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our attitude and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington

And Always Use Something White!

Design Basics-Easier said than done!!! Beginning a new home improvement project is often overwhelming, but if you follow some simple design rules you can be on your way to a successful project. My friend and fellow Villager, Linda Miller, made a rhyme for her interior design student:

Dark and Light
Dull and Bright
And always use something white!

The last line has never been more evident than this year. The hottest looks feature strong prints using one strong color and white. White gives your eye and brain a chance to rest before it moves on to the color and shape next to it. The same trick applies to matting art work, painting a wall or choosing fabric: The composition is best when you give your eyes a rest.

The following are some other basic rules, which of course are made to be broken!

1. Choose a color scheme and stick to it. As you move through your house keep
at least one color consistent to create continuity.
2. Use these colors in decreasing amounts - Lightest colors can be used in the
greatest amount; the most intense colors should be used in the smallest
amounts. Try to stick with 3 colors. This seems so very simple, but
editing your ideas is SOOOO very difficult. It will be impossible to use
all of your great ideas in one house!
3. Keep patterns to a minimum! Every furniture piece, every window and door
create patterns of their own, so also do paintings and accessories. Adding
prints to fabrics makes another layer of pattern, so if you are new to this
keep the prints to 2 per room.

All of these rules can be followed by the oldest design rule of all "When in doubt, leave it out"

Susan L. Weaver, NCIDQ# 010659