Okay this series is way overdue. Here are some ways to think outside the box!

1. HAVE AN OFFICE THAT INSPIRES YOUR CREATIVITY

Perhaps the best way to feel creative in your work space is to not follow any of the unnecessary “design rules” you’ve heard. Have mismatched chairs & sofas, no matching finishes, lay carpets on carpets. Perhaps this is the best way to open up your thinking?

Interior design Ruthie Summers

2. USE TWO DIFFERENT FABRICS ON YOUR DINING ROOM CHAIRS

This can often be done with great effect. Sometimes it’s the perfect approach to tone down a pattern you love, or sometimes it’s just for fun.

Interior design Katie Ridder

3. ADD SLEEPING SPACES IN WEIRD NOOKS

Create a dreamy and fun sleeping wall in an odd shaped ceiling space.

4. YES IT’S OKAY, PUT THE BED UP AGAINST THE WINDOW

Sometimes there is no perfect wall to put your bed up against so don’t worry about it, just put it up against the window.  How about that natural reading light?

5. DO CLASSIC WITH A TWIST!

Just because you like classic interiors doesn’t mean there’s no room to play. Lacquer the front door in a classic hue, use a classic wallpaper in a punchy color, and mix in some animal print.

6. USE A WALLPAPER THAT TRICKS THE EYE

Life can be too serious so why not?

Interior design: Kelly Wearstler

7. PILE ON THE TEXTURES!

Sometimes the play with texture is all the character you need.

Interior Design Katie Ridder

8. DECORATE WITH EVERYTHING YOU LOVE

Dark walls- Check, patterns-Check, bright colors-Check, animal prints-Check, painted ceiling-Check, vintage suitcases-Check, shells-Check.

9. LEAVE YOUR TROUBLES AT THE FRONT DOOR!

There is no better way to come home than to something that lift your spirits. So re think “normal” and create something that shifts your mind from worrying to enjoyment the second you enter!

10. SAY NO TO BORING DESKS!

Get rid of that plain old wood desk. Live a little, write your to-do lists on an awe inspiring desk.

Have a great week!

This is way overdue…. today’s top ten ways to think outside the box!

1. DON’T STOP WITH THE DOOR!

Don’t stop with painting the front door a fun color. Why not add a curtain? Your life is your stage right?

image-house of honey

2. LIVE ON THE WILD SIDE!

Choose an overwhelming amount of animal print for your interiors. Why? Because it looks COOL and how can animals go out of style?  Large, small, walls, floor, any surface and any animal print works.

image-Veranda magazine – interior design-Peter Dunham

image unknown

Diane von Furstenburg

image Harper’s Bazaar – interiors:Hutton Wilkinson

3. ADD YOUR OWN ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS.

Living in a rental or a home lacking architectural interest?  No need to fret..paint your own. Even the smallest place becomes your palace.

Image Lonny magazine

4. WEIRD OPPOSITES ATTRACTS

Think of two materials that you’ve never seen together, then mix them. Faux fur on rattan furniture, delicate flower print on dark masculine wood pieces…Think up the most extreme opposites and mix them. The result might be dreamy.

image: Lonny Magazine

5. LIGHT YOUR WORLD THE WAY YOU WANT TO

Build your own chandelier. Perhaps some branches from your own yard perhaps?

image: splendid willow blog

6. GIVE YOUR WALLS A JOB

What do you do with odd shaped walls? Make them work for you!

image unknown

7.PAINT YOUR OWN HALLWAY

Who needs wallpaper? Paint it the way you want it. Perhaps you need to release some creative energy somewhere? Nothing leaves a first impression more than your entry way…

interior design: Danika Herrick

8. OVER USE YOUR FAVORITE COLOR

Do you love a color? Use it anywhere you want it, and don’t apply rules as to where.

image Harper’s Bazaar interiors design: Hutton Wilkinson

9. LIVE IN THE BIG WORLD!

Play with scale!  Drastically change the size of your patterns and see how it alters your life perspective. Perhaps you feel happier, smaller, thinner, grander this way? You never know until you try!

image unknown

10. LIVE YOUR DREAM!

Forget what people think. Live your own dream life. Mysterious woman of mystery? Beach Barbie? Go for it!

Diane von Furstenburg master bedroom in NYC.

interior design: Jonathan Adler