If you’re decorating a new home or redoing a space, resist that click-happy impulse to fill shopping carts with a load of stuff you may not need. (Sorry Amazon). A skilled room planner knows that restraint is necessary for a clean arrangement that leaves more room for design creativity.
The main room in our Laguna Beach home is multifunctional while delivering on a modern take of the British West Indies style.
Begin by identifying the space’s needs. Will it invite regular gatherings that will negate a white sofa that’s vulnerable to stains? Is it a hybrid office, dining and entertaining area, where that massive coffee table could multitask a variety of functions? Once you settle on the purpose, assess your existing pieces that will work toward the room’s goals. If you are in need of furnishings, or want to relegate current belongings to your local Facebook marketplace for something new, choose an aesthetic and start designing.
Select a Style
For our Laguna Beach home, I channeled a modern version of British West Indies design, derived from when colonists came to the tropics with their Victorian belongings and pulled in local resources and colors suited for the climate.
A hybrid ottoman and coffee table is utilitarian and styled.
When to Splurge
With some stealthy online searches that were keyword heavy, I found a fabulous rattan set from an outfitter in Bali that had a painfully long wait time and some freight issues that turned me off a future in the export business. The wait was worth it, as the sofa, chair and ottoman’s craftsmanship and style has proved to be trend-resistant. Even with the risk of online shopping where I scrutinized the images and asked questions about the materials, when something is made well, it’s worth the expense.
Visiting favorite decor sites not only introduces you to compelling pieces that could be the foundation of your design, it also familiarizes you with the latest designs, allowing you to become your own interior designer. Select simple styles that are well made for a justifiable splurge. Oftentimes, I have bought an important piece at a lower price and came to regret the choice. A cracked leg, lumpy cushions–life is too short for the fear of sitting down on a possible explosion. For more uncertain additions that are trendy, test out with a less expensive model.
Style Selects
Choose classic, simple designs for anchor pieces and make your decorative statement through accessories. Neutral colors and universal pieces allow you to be creative through accents. Experiment with color, textiles and interchangeable furnishings that may push your normal comfort level but can result in an “oh wow” design moment.
A convergence of patterns share a color scheme to create a designed look through textiles.
Resources:
Cushion fabric: Robert Allen
Custom Pillows: Etsy
