Have you looked at the latest House Beautiful. I got it right before I left for my cruise and it was the perfect companion while I sat on the beach. This issue gave some great designer advice. Here are a few of my favorites tips.
A bigger bed makes your room look bigger.
I love the dresser in this room.
Leave cabinets open. An open armoire is more interesting than a closed one. Let people into your secret world.
I adore this image. It helps if you have a fun punch of color on the inside of your armoire.
Dark walls do the opposite of what you’d expect: They make a small room feel bigger.
I actually really like dark walls. I know they can be really really scary but this is the best way to add drama and depth to your your room.
The fastest way to make over sliding closet doors is to wallpaper them, like Melissa Warner did to turn a bedroom into her office.
You know I love wallpaper. I think adding wallpaper to doors is a really unique idea.
Large collections need order.
I agree with this advice whole-heartedly. Not only do large collections need order but so do small collections and BTW isn’t this bed amazing!
Use a rug instead of a bath mat. It was made to withstand a lot more wear than the occasional wet foot.
Oh my goodness. This image is taking my breath away. Perfection.
White works. You’ll never get tired of a white room
Just like you shouldn’t be scared of dark walls you shouldn’t be scared of white walls either!
Layer your lighting. Four lamps are better than two. You need ambient light for mood and direct light for reading.
I am a big believer in layering your lighting. If I could afford I would have sconces and table lamps all over my home. Lighting makes such an impact in a room.
Tuck your throws. Keep throws under control. Fold them lengthwise, then in half, then tuck them into cushions.
I thought this was great advice. I never really know what to do with my throws. Sometimes I like the thrown on look but this tucked throw looks so nice.
Kick your traditional coffee table to the curb. The most versatile coffee table you’ll ever own is an ottoman topped with a tray.
I totally agree with this. An ottoman is my favorite coffee table.
Gold is Gorgeous. Gold is back in a big way. A few accents will warm up a room, like this classic living room designed by Kirsten Fitzgibbons and Kelli Ford.
I love gold! Gold isn’t just for traditional rooms. You can mix it with modern pieces like that graphic art on the back wall.
Leather Lasts. The most indestructible fabric for dining chairs is leather or vinyl. Especially if you want white.
I love this room. The leather chairs are so cool with the textured woven backs.
Switch up your seating. Mix up the seating at your dining table. You wouldn’t have eight identical chairs in your living area.
I love a bench instead of chairs at a dining table.
Don’t forge the closet! Love your closets. Paint them, paper them, hang pictures in them to inspire you. And definitely light them.
Oh I love the idea of hanging pictures in your closet ecspecially ones that are really personal. Only you ever see your closet so it gives you a chance to display something really special.
Refinish Vintage Finds. Don’t be afraid to paint a vintage piece.
Yes,yes, yes. Paint your old furniture. It gives it a whole new life.
To see more tips that I didn’t cover check out this article on House Beautiful.com.
all images via House Beautiful
I love your blog!! This is a great post! I haven't seen the most recent House Beautiful…sounds like one to hang onto for years to come. Thanks for the advice.
Great tips, things I've never even thought of before!!! Thanks so much for sharing Kirsten.
Jxx
p.s. glad you had a great cruise!
I'm moving into that bathroom with the blue rug. BLISS!
Awesome advice – thanks for haring!
I love the bathroom! I've had my eye on that ceramic garden stool and never thought to use it in the bathroom, hhmmm.
Have a great day!
xx
great tips. thanks for sharing. love the personal pics in the closet so much that i'm off to find a spot in my closet for some.
I was just reading this issue in bed last night. I loved all the advice. If I wasn't so tired I would have ran downstairs to tuck my throws into the couch as described, it looks so neat and tidy.
Great inspiration pics! I love House Beautiful, I surf their website often. I am really loving Canadian House & Home too:) Have a great day!
You posted the best of the new House Beautiful.
So many wonderful rooms in this issue.
OK>>> Have a fabulous cruise. Come back well rested. (or, am I a dope and you have already gone on your cruise and you are now back posting again??)
mb from Dallas
Great suggestions…beautiful images!
I got my HB last week and devoured it. The only one of the tips I didn't agree with was the white walls. I painted my living room of my first home a warm white and by the time we were ready to move, I soooo wanted a change.
Wow! Great Post, Kirsten. Thanks for sharing. I love lists! (Not to mention those example pictures for each tip. Delicious.)
i love the pictures you selected for each section of advice. it really makes things come alive for me!
thanks!
I think I just passed out from the photo with the round dinning table and the black armoire open. Seriously everything I tried to read after that was a blur!!! Must come back later when I've collected myself!! 😉
Cool re-cap, design magazines are the best! I am so excited I found your blog I can't wait to add it to my daily read!!
i loved this issue! welcome back. hope you had a great vacation. pam
I loved your post and your blog.. and i had so many thoughts to add that i dont knw from where to start.. well i read the whole article but its more fun adding thought here with u.. I dont knw abt the bigger bed thing.. i am living in a reallly small room n dont use a bed.. but i love love love the dresser.. :)ahd what an awesome idea abt the armoire.. there is absolutely no way i am going to deviate from my love of dark walls and dark walls make room bigger!!! what a myth busted!! :)and i would use that pretty little rug anywhere.. 🙂 and the wall effect behind the throws pic is jsut AWESOME dont you think.. love the coffee table ottoman and already goign for a gold accented mirror for my room to add that glitter.. thankyou for heping me choose the dining chairs and the switching idea jsut seem to add to the fun.. and well hmmm yes my closet has been neglected for long but not anymore thankyou for rekindling some closet love.. 🙂 enjoyed reading abt everything alot and your thoughts on them.. 🙂 have a wonderful inspirational day..
Glad you're back! So many great pics in this issue. I'm loving the converted bedroom to office – so creative. And, that table skirt….love them!
This was a really fantastic post – so clear, direct and helpful. I'm swooning over the first image – the colors, the layers and textures = divine!
Great tips! I'm actually going to go grab last months House Beautiful and sit down with it again so I can see it thru your eyes!
Toma
I just finished looking through that issue and loved it all. Thanks for sharing with us the tips… Hope you are having or have had a great cruise.
Where did you venture too?
Great tip, great rooms, great blog!
yes, they got it all completely right!
Thank you for all these great tips.
Does anyone know where I can find a similar piece of art as the graphic print in the room designed by Kirsten Fitzgibbons and Kelli Ford? Please!!!!
Thank you.
oooh. lots of cute things!