Do's & Dont's

DO lay wood floor perpendicular to the entryway door While there is no hard and fast rule for laying wood floors, the placement of the door, and even the pitch of the ceiling are important aspects to consider. In general, if the floor is laid parallel to the front of the house it creates a more welcoming and cozy feeling — it feels more like a home. Alternatively, if wood flooring is run from the front door toward the back of the house, it can create a bowling alley effect when you walk into the room.  

DO buy longer drapes and have them hemmed Many people don’t realize how accessible it is to have curtains hemmed. The current curtain trend is to hover curtain panels ¼” above the floor. On a 8’ tall wall, 84” curtains typically only allow for the rod to be installed about 2” above a standard- height window opening. Instead of purchasing 84” panels, buy 95” panels and have them hemmed to your ideal length. It’s as simple as searching for “alterations near me”, and reading reviews to find your preferred tailor. We have found this to be a very affordable way to get a perfect high-end custom look.  

DON’T avoid mixing metals Mixing metals is one of our favorite design tips. Depending on the size of the space being redesigned, we often incorporate two to three metal tones. Mixing metals makes a room feel more layered, providing additional depth and warmth, and allows for the design to have greater longevity — even if one metal goes out of style, you still have another in your space. So if you’re open to this idea, we recommend breaking up the metal finishes by function: for example, in a Kitchen, we might specify Polished Nickel for the plumbing and cabinet hardware, while selecting Brass lighting fixtures and accessories, and finishing with Black door knobs and circulation elements (like stair railing) as a consistent throughout the house. 

DON’T limit yourselfEvery so often, we encounter clients who want to “play it safe” or “keep things timeless.” Now, don’t get us wrong—we are all about creating spaces that stand the test of time! And we are strong believers that doing so doesn’t have to come at the expense of a creative design or the infusion of one’s personal style. Peel and stick wallpaper, colorful or textured accents—like rugs, pillows, or drapes—paint, and even certain lighting, are all easily refreshable elements that can add depth, character, and interest. So remember, don’t limit what your space can become by only focusing on the future and not embracing the present.