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Design Guide: The Art Of Layering Area Rugs

October 30, 2019

Design Guide: Layering Rugs by ConfettiStyle

Layering rugs is something you see a lot in room designs. Layered rugs add warmth, dimension and texture and can help to define seating areas. A beautiful patterned rug can look amazing when placed atop wall-to-wall carpeting (or a larger area rug).

Here are the rules of thumb to follow when layering rugs along with some PROS and CONS to consider.

Decorating with Rugs

RULES OF THUMB:

Layering works best when a pattern is placed over a solid or subtle patterned rug or a natural fiber rug.
Allow a minimum of 18″ to 24″ of wall-to-wall carpet to be exposed underneath an accent rug. The solid rug will act as a frame for the patterned rug.
In large rooms, multiple rugs can be layered to define different seating areas or furniture groupings.
To avoid bunching and rippling, the bottom rug should have a pile of 1/2″ or less.
In most cases, using a carpet-to-carpet pad will ensure that the layering rug stays in place and doesn’t crawl. RugPadUSA is my favorite source for high-quality pads for all types of flooring.

Layering rugs, like layering clothes, adds texture, color, and dimension. The effect is “calm and warm,” says interior designer Suzanne Rheinstein, owner of Hollyhock, a Los Angeles home store.

Design Guide: Layering Rugs by ConfettiStyle

PROS OF LAYERING:

In large rooms, layered rugs can help to physically and visually warm up the space.
In high traffic areas or main living spaces, layering a rug over light colored wall-to-wall carpeting can be a great way to protect it from spills and stains.
Layered rugs can cushion hard surface floors like concrete or tile.
Rugs are a great way to create a focal point within large open rooms. Positioning rugs at an angle can also be used to direct traffic flow within a room.
Use rugs to add a pop of pattern and color to help bring a room to life.
Layering rugs can save your money. Rather than splurge on a large oriental, use a solid colored sisal or jute as the under layer and add a smaller version of the patterned rug on top. You’ll still get the benefit of the design without the added cost.
Layering a patterned rug over carpeingt is a great design solution for someone renting a home or apartment with less than perfect wall-to-wall carpet.

“I like the warm, deep-comfort look of smaller rugs laid right on top of wall-to-wall carpet. The smaller rug could be a bigger-scale pattern…or a needlepoint, or a beautiful Oriental,” said Billy Baldwin (1903-1984), in Billy Baldwin Decorates (1972).

Bedroom Decor

CONS OF LAYERING:

Layering over higher pile carpet can cause the top rug to buckle and create a trip hazard. If you want to decorate with a plush rug like a shag, use it as the top layering rug.
Layering multiple patterns together can create that “I ran out of rug” look if not done correctly! The trick…use different patterns in a similar scale and lay rugs at different angles.

Design Guide: Layering Rugs by ConfettiStyle

When done right, layered rugs can look great. In the right situation, decorating with multiple rugs is a good way to add style and personality to your decor. What do you think of this design trend?

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Design Guide: Mixing Metal Finishes In The Kitchen

October 18, 2017

Have you noticed that more and more kitchen designs are incorporating a mix of finishes in their hardware? Gone are the days of hardware, lighting and appliances all being one finish like brushed nickel or oil rubbed bronze. Today it’s an eclectic mix of design details that bring a space to life.

When you’re planning your kitchen hardware selections, think of if like you would jewelry to an outfit. The style of hardware + the finishes you use all help to complete the look of your kitchen decor. Combining silver, gold, brass, or iron is also a great strategy for adding visual interest and depth to the kitchen or any space in your home.

Here are the do’s and dont’s of mixing metals to achieve the best results:

The Art Of Mixing Metals In The Kitchen

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This stainless steel backsplash makes a powerful focal point. image source: Traditional Home

Along with mixing metals, I also love the look of wood combine with granite or stone. image source: House Beautiful

A pretty patterned floor offset with a mix of finishes makes for a stunning statement. image source: Becki Owens

These brass pendant lights create a dynamic focal point against white cabinets and walls. image source: Elizabeth Lawson Design

How stunning is this copper range hood? Copper is a great alternative to brass especially if you want a rustic chic look. image source: Artofrain

It’s taken me a few years to warm up to mixed metal finishes but now I’m a convert. I’ve grown to love the look and I’m planning to incorporate different finishes into my own kitchen decor.

Design Guide: 5 Rules of Space Planning

May 15, 2017

Have you ever struggled with creating the best furniture layout for your home? Well, you’re not alone. So many people struggle with how to arrange their furniture so that it looks good and works with the way the family lives.

In my latest Design Guide post, I’m sharing the 5 Rules of Space Planning. These are the rules and guidelines you’ll want to use to create a pleasing arrangement for your furniture and decor.

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Don’t Hug The Walls

One of the most common mistakes people make when decorating their homes is to push all the furniture to the walls. The thought is that by keeping the center of the room open, the room will feel larger. I hate to burst the bubble but the opposite it true. When you push all the furniture against at the walls, a room actually feels disconnected and unwelcoming. Make better use of the space and create a cozy vibe by arranging furniture within the room instead of against it.

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Create A Layout With Function In Mind

A truly great space is one that functions well for you and your family. Before you begin decorating, analyze how you plan to live in and use the room so that you can arrange the furniture and decor to support that. As you being space planning, think about how each area of a room and each furniture piece will be used.

Caitlin Creer Interiors

Create Pathways In and Out

You’ll want about 30 inches to 36 inches of walkway between pieces.This is what you need to be comfortable, without knocking into furniture and bumping into walls. Any type of furniture with doors or drawers also needs three feet of space to open properly. And keep in mind how you access a seating area within a room. Where possible you want to have more than one way to enter and exit.

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Create Conversation Areas

There is nothing less intimate than a gathering of people within a room and them having to yell to have a conversation. Arrange furniture so there are cozy groupings where conversations can easily happen and people can easily engage with each other. There should be no more than 10 feet and no less than 3 feet between people seated around the room to optimize intimate conversation and everyone’s personal space.

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Create Balance

An easy way to create balance within a room is to find the center point of the space. In some cases, this isn’t necessarily the middle of the room but most of the time it will be. Generally, this is where the coffee table or center table should sit. Arrange furniture around the center point to create a good flow and visually pleasing balance within the room. If your home has a very long, or very large living room, consider having two center points with two separate furniture groupings.

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These guidelines will help you get started with space planning but you should adjust your decorating according to your own tastes and preferences. Use these rules to get started, but don’t be afraid to break them and go with your instincts if something feels right to you.

For more helpful decorating tips, read Key Measurement to Know When Decorating Your Home!

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Design Guide: 10 Components To A Beautiful Home

March 16, 2017

Every designer you ask will have a list of key components they think are essential to the design and function of a beautiful home. And while my list may differ from others, I think all designers would agree that each of the items on my list contributes in one way or another to how a home looks and feels.

#1 A STYLE BLUEPRINT

I meet clients all the time that don’t have a good handle (or vision) of their design style. They know if they like an item or not but they can articulate clearly the overall look for a room or the mood they want a room to have. Once you define your design style you’ll be able to envision the decor of your home, down to the details.

Defining your style encompasses many different elements, from the colors and materials you like to the style of furniture and accessories that appeal to you. And don’t worry, defining your style doesn’t happen over night. Your style can change throughout the years just like you do.

One of the ways that I have my clients convey their style to me is by going through design magazines and tagging anything that appeals to them. Then I have them jot down a word or two telling me what they like about the image they tagged. The word ‘cozy’ on a room photo with warm colors may convey the colors they like. The word ‘clean’ may be associated with a room that is streamline and clutter free which tells me a lot about how they want to a room to look and feel. Once you have a stack of tagged images you can look through them and begin to see the common threads in the design style that appeals to you.