BY ERICA FINAMORE
Occasionally you have to! For example, in a bedroom that can’t otherwise fit your bed. Designer Orlando Soria (@mrorlandosoria) has a smart trick: “I tend to like a spindle headboard so light can still travel through.” He framed these windows with velvet shades that feel like an extension of the bed.
Holy trapezoid! “We chose to vault the ceiling, and that created a dramatic angle,” says interior designer Shannon Eddings (@shannoneddingsinteriors) of this sitting room. To emphasize the unusual shape, she went with a wallpaper that’s more like a mural. The mismatched chairs, end tables, and lamps add to the asymmetrical look and somehow bring cohesion.
We call balderdash. Painting your baseboards and molding a surprising color is a good way to get a nottoo-major pop of personality. This dining room by home decor expert Alexandra Gater (@alexandragater) features a bright pink baseboard. “It creates a striking statement and allows me to have fun with color—without painting the entire space bright magenta.” Consider using an accent color from elsewhere in the room.
Go. For. It. Blogger and designer Jenni Yolo (@ispydiy) wanted to do something special in the foyer of this Victorian house to distinguish it from the adjacent rooms. “Painting the diamond pattern makes the entry feel so grand, and it gives an impactful first impression when you walk into the home,” she says.
Can you count all the patterns in this bedroom? We spot seven! Maximalist designer Elizabeth Hay (@elizabethhaydesign) took a more-is-more approach and totally nailed it by keeping patterns in the same color families but varying the sizes. See: the wallpaper and headboard. “The different scales mean the patterns don’t fight each other despite the boldness of the colors,” she says.
Many people are afraid to put darker colors on their walls, thinking it will make a small room feel even smaller. But if you have good natural light in the space, a deep shade can feel warm and welcoming, says designer and writer Arlyn Hernandez (@arlynhernandez). “This room was a light-filled pass-through space, but with the darker gray, it’s cozy, and it really feels like its own room,” she says. Go all in on moody paint and bring in light-colored furniture and decor. Because, balance!
PREVIOUS SPREAD: COURTESY OF SARA LIGORRIA-TRAM P. OPPOSITE PAGE: COURTESY OF MOLLY CULVER. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY OF CARLA ANTONIO, DESIGN COURTESY OF ALEXANDRA GATER; COURTESY OF ALECIA NEO OF NEON STUDIO/ELIZABETH HAY DESIGN; COURTESY OF JENNI YOLO