| When designing an interior there are 3 things I always | | | | items in terms of shape, color, texture or finish will |
| avoid and you can, too. Here are the dilemmas and | | | | offer a more pleasing design. But please be |
| the solutions. | | | | careful...remember the "3~5~7 Rule". Items look best |
| 3 Things to Avoid | | | | when they are grouped in odd numbers. |
| 1 - Avoid cluttering every horizontal surface in your | | | | 2 - The general rule is that artwork should be hung at |
| home with "stuff". Too many photos or accessories | | | | eyelevel. Whose eyelevel? I'm just 5'1" but you may |
| on one table, mantle, or shelf will devalue the | | | | be 6'2". So a rule of thumb was developed that |
| presence of each item, plus you'll have a difficult time | | | | accepts the average height of humans is |
| dusting! | | | | approximately 5'7". Use the horizontal midline of the |
| 2 - Hanging artwork too high on the wall will likely | | | | picture and hang at this height, then use your best |
| make the majority of people crane their necks to | | | | judgment to adjust the height for the picture |
| see the work. Also, when seated, pictures placed too | | | | depending on what is also around it, such as tables, |
| high are lost in the clouds; again you're straining to | | | | sofa, or other artwork. |
| see. | | | | 3 - Floating some pieces of furniture in the room can |
| 3 - Putting all the furniture in the room against walls | | | | offer interesting space planning. Pulling two chairs |
| makes it look like a waiting room in a doctor's office. | | | | angle out from the wall with a table between creates |
| It's more difficult to create conversation areas since | | | | a surface for a lamp and accessories. Moving the |
| you'll have to "talk" across the room. | | | | sofa from the wall may create a better traffic flow |
| 3 Things to Do | | | | behind the sofa instead of in front of it, especially if |
| 1 - Edit your choices when it comes to accessorizing. | | | | your entertainment wall is opposite the sofa. If there |
| Sometimes the most effective use of an accessory | | | | is room you may be able to place a sofa table behind |
| can be as a single element. Also, grouping similar | | | | to accommodate lamps, books or plants. |