Firstly,i'll choose a color palette carefully. When selecting background colors for flooring, walls, window treatments and large pieces of furniture, i will think "long-term." Meaning,i'll select colors that will not go out of style in a few years, and that i won't get tired of quickly. Think of colors that stand the test of time. Neutrals and earth tones are safe and blend beautifully with a wide range of bright or muted colors. Tones like whites, beiges, golds, tans, browns, rusts have been in vogue for years and stand the test of time. It is expensive to replace large items (floors, sofas, wall and window treatments) so they should have colors that will last and durable through trends and time.
Secondly,i feel that layering will add warmth to a room. If a room appears cold, adding layers of fabric can turn up the "heat." For instance, add a rug, add cloths to the tops of tables, and add accessories that have texture. This way, the room will gain instant warmth. I can also use beautiful placements under lamps, or textured coasters on top of tables.
Thirdly,i'll use lighting wisely. Lighting should be arranged to form a triangle, so i'll thus, use this as a guide when placing lamps. Also, the lamp or sconce lighting provides more warmth and mood than overhead lighting ,although spot lighting can be attractive when showing off art. Lamp shades that are slightly tan or yellow cast a warm glow, to add mood and sophistication.
Forthly,i'll pull those sofas out from the wall! Sofas have attractive backs, and look great with a sofa table behind them. i'll then experiment my home by pulling my sofas out to create a decorator look. Then i'll put two sofas in a "V" formation with tables behind them. Or arrange them so that they are parallel to each other,then lay a rug under them to define a conversation area.
Fifthly,i'll arrange collections together. As i collect something, such as dolls or paperweights, i put them in the same location. They will attract attention and look more artistically interesting if they are together, rather than spread out throughout a home. For example, if i have bookshelves surrounding a fireplace, this would be a good place for a specialized collection of statues or attractive dolls.
Next, i'll have an element of surprise. Rooms gain life when a bold statement is made. If a room is contemporary, highlight it with a bold antique. Or put an animal statue under a grand piano to add that special element of surprise.
Thinking "angles." means that even one piece of furniture, such as a special chair or table, can add interest to a room if it is placed at an angle. Imagine a room where sofas and tables were arranged in a linear pattern and off to the corner a TV entertainment center is angled. What fun!
Then,i'll consider buffet lamps.i'll add warmth and sophistication to my dining room with tall, slender buffet lamps on each side. These lamps can be found at department or discount stores. The selections with yellow or mica shades add a sense of warmth and welcome to the dining room.
i'll also hang art at eye level. A common mistake is to hang pieces of art too high. Therefore, i will hang at eye level (or below in some cases) so that the pieces can be appreciated and can be a part of the room's decor. Also, as i have groupings of art, i will arrange them first on the floor, experimenting with different arrangements, before hanging on the wall.
Last but not least, monotone decors appear spacious. imagine walking into a home and feel that the rooms are spacious and seem to flow together, the design includes the usage a monotone palette with color accents. White walls, a white sofa, white or glass coffee tables can be delightfully accented with color pillows and accessories. Warm monotones would use the earth tones, such as browns and tans.
yes, that's all about it. my perfect home being warm and inviting. =)