In the ever-changing world of Interior Design, some rules are made to be broken and others are tried and true.

I’ve put together ten of the most commonly asked questions by my clients and from people I meet who want to pick the brain of a professional interior designer. Most questions are fueled by a fear of doing the wrong thing or breaking the rules.

Being cautious could save a homeowner money and time from having to correct a decorating blunder. Many costly mistakes can be avoided with careful and strategic planning.

Let’s discuss five of the common questions homeowners ask.

Is it okay to place an area rug on top of carpet?
Yes. Sometimes a rug is needed to introduce personality to a conversation area, especially if more color and pattern is required to enhance the mood of a room or further define it. Just be sure to use the appropriate rug-to-carpet padding to prevent slipping. Sometimes double-sided carpet tape is needed to hold the edges down.

Is it okay to use different styles for window treatments in adjoining rooms?
Yes. A beautiful design can be achieved successfully when you pay careful attention to the mix of fabrics, pattern and the style of the treatment. The most important goal is for the rooms to relate to one another effortless. More often than not, this can be achieved by using the same fabric, color and style. Another benefit to keeping them similar is that it expands the perimeter of the room without chopping up the space. So there’s no right or wrong answer, just be mindful of what your objectives are.

Is it okay to have multiple wall colors in an open floor plan?
At best, two to three colors are usually the limit; otherwise, you lose the harmony that’s vital in large open floor plans. The key is where those colors are used and how they relate to one another. One of my tricks to maintaining harmony within a space while keeping it interesting is to balance the colors. For example, most floor plans have a dining room and living room that flank the foyer. Whatever the wall color is for the dining room, use it as an accent color for the living room and visa versa. Now you have an interesting space with a balance of color.

Is it okay to apply a faux finish in a space where there is a lot of moisture?
Yes, if you use the proper sealant or glazing product. For example, a decorative paint treatment is an affordable and creative alternative to tile for a kitchen backsplash. However, it must be treated with a sealant to prevent splashes and moisture from penetrating the paint. Sealants come in a matte or gloss finish. Choose the one that is appropriate for your design. Be sure to paint the electrical plates in the same design for seamless integration.

Is it okay to mix finishes in a room?
Yes, you can mix wood and metal finishes in the same room for a beautiful finished look. However, if you adopt a “less is more” approach, you should limit that blending technique. A blend of painted woods, darker and medium tone finishes work elegantly in an eclectic or traditional space. The same goes for metals. Oil-rubbed bronze, brushed nickel and antique gold can be used in artful ways when selective. I must say, you need a keen eye to detail to mix it effectively. If you prefer an uncomplicated contemporary or transitional space, then you are better off limiting the different tones to one or two.

Don’t let fear get the best of you or keep you from moving forward with your decorating project. With a little research and confidence, know that some rules can be broken and that others are created for a reason.

Hopefully one of your concerns was addressed here. In the next article, I’ll address five more nagging questions that may be just the answer you are looking for.

***
Penny Law is owner of PCL Interiors, a personalized studio specializing in residential design. Visit her Web site at www.pclinteriors.com.
 

Sign up for our Weekly Email Newsletter Email: For Email Marketing you can trust

Other Ways to Share Twitter Del.icio.us MySpace

Discussions and Submission Agreement