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Design Guide: Key Measurements You Need to Know When Decorating Your Home

January 8, 2016

On Monday I’ll be outlining my full list of blog goals for 2016 and one of them is to develop a series called Design Guide. I wrote the first Design Guide series last year, all about sectional sofas. I’ve been so surprised at the response this blog post and pin has gotten and just how many people are struggling with sectional sofa decorating. I receive emails weekly (4 this week alone) from people who’ve found the blog post and want additional decorating tips for their sectional.

The Design Guide series will fulfill my desire to share my design knowledge with you so that you can decorate your home with confidence. If there is a design topic you’d like me to write about just leave me a comment below.

Today’s post is the first installment of the Design Guide series for 2016 and it’s all about the key measurements you need to know when decorating. Before you jump into the guide, let me say that while these measurements are ideal in most situations, they won’t work in others. Every home is different and every design layout and plan requires some adjustments so keep that in mind as you read through the guide. Your home needs to work for you and your family so make adjustments where they are needed, so they will work for your decor.

FURNITURE PLACEMENT

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DINING ROOM FURNITURE:

♦ Allow 36″ – 48″ of space between the back of each dining chair and the wall or furniture behind it to so chairs can be pulled in and out with ease.

♦ The distance between the top of the table and the chair seat should be about 12″. To determine the best seat height for your table, take the height of your table and subtract 12 inches. Example: A 30″ high dining table (standard height) works best with chairs with a seat height of 18″ (30″-12=18″).

♦ For comfortable dining chairs, look for chairs with a seat depth of between 16″ and 18″.

♦ For rectangular dining tables, allow a minimum of 24″-28″ of table length per person and keep in mind the width of the chair seat may impact the space needed for each place setting at a table.

LIVING ROOM FURNITURE:

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♦ 18″ is the ideal distance you want between the couch and the coffee table.

♦ Walkways between furniture and walls should be at minimum 36″ to allow for easy movement in all directions.

♦ The ideal amount of space you should allow between two chairs placed side by side in the living room is 42″. A standard size side table will easily fit between the two chair.

♦ The height difference between an end of table and the top of a sofa arm should be 1-2″.

ARTWORK

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♦ When hanging artwork over a sofa or another piece of furniture, leave 5″- 9″ of space between the top of the sofa/furniture and the bottom of the art. You want to have some separation between the two elements.

♦ When hanging an art grouping above a sofa or piece of furniture, the grouping should be approximately 2/3 the width of the furniture below it. Your goal is for the artwork to be balanced (not too large or too small) with the element below it.

♦ For a single piece of art, the center of the image should be at 56″ – 60″ from the floor, which places the middle of art at eye level. Naturally if the entire family is extra tall or short, you can and should adjust the art so it feels comfortable for viewing.

♦ When hanging multiple pieces of artwork in a stacked layout above a piece of furniture, handle the art as if it was a single, larger piece. The space between the top and bottom piece of artwork should fall at 56″ to 60″.

♦ For symmetrical gallery wall displays, hang wall decor pieces about 2-3″ apart. For asymmetrical and artistic layouts, arrange the wall decor so it’s pleasing to you. Keep in mind you want the overall arrangement to feel balanced top to bottom and left to right.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

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♦ It’s always a good idea to hang drapery rods as high as possible above window casing/trim which will make your room and windows feel taller and more expansive. A good rule of thumb for the average window is to mount the rods 5″ to 10″ above the trim.

♦ The trend today is for window treatments to skim the floor. Letting your drapes puddle on the floor is matter of preference and tends to look best in more formal environments.

♦ To give the impression of wider windows extend the drapery rod 6″ to 12″ beyond the window casing not counting the length of a finial is you are using one.

♦ Many people hang curtain panels for decorative purposes only. If you want your drapes to be functional, your panels should be 2 to 3 times the width of the window. You can have custom drapes made in the appropriate width or you can hang multiple off the shelf panels together to achieve your desired width.

LIGHTING & CEILING FANS

LIGHTING OVER A TABLE:

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♦ The bottom of the chandelier should hang between 30″ – 34″ above the surface of the table for ceilings that are between 8′ and 9′ high. Higher ceilings will require the light fixture to be hung higher, approximately 3″ for every additional foot of ceiling height.

♦ Height–the higher the ceiling, the taller the chandelier. The rule of thumb is 2.5-3 inches for each foot of ceiling height. A standard 8-foot ceiling will accommodate a chandelier that is 20-24 inches in height.

♦ Diameter–add the height and the width of the room space together. Treat that sum as inches, and you have the suggested diameter of the chandelier for that room. For example, if the room is 20-feet by 18-feet, the sum is 38 feet. The approximate diameter of the chandelier should be 38 inches.

LIGHTING IN AN OPEN AREA:

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♦A chandelier should be hung in the center of a foyer or entryway.

♦If your foyer has a window above the door, the chandelier should be centered in the window so that it can be seen from the outside of the home.

♦If an entryway is two stories tall, the chandelier shouldn’t hang below the second floor.

♦ A fixture hung in an open space like a foyer should hang approximately 7′ above the floor.

LIGHTING IN THE KITCHEN:

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♦ The standard distance between a kitchen island and a pendant light (top of counter to bottom of light fixture) is 30 to 36 inches. Adjust the height to ensure the view across the island is not obstructed.

CEILING FANS:

♦ To determine the fan size that’s most appropriate for your space (fans are sized by the number of inches that their blades span), first determine the square feet of your room by multiplying the room’s length by its width. Then use these suggested guidelines:

For rooms up to 75 sq ft, choose a 29″ – 36″ fan
For room 76 to 144 sq ft, choose a 36″ – 42″ fan
For rooms 145 to 225 sq ft, choose a 44″- 48″ fan
For rooms 225 to 400 sq ft, choose a 48″- 54″ fan
For rooms over 400 sq ft, choose a fan that is 54″ or larger
For large great rooms, a fan as large as 72″ may be appropriate
If the room is over 400 sq ft, consider using two fans

RUGS

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♦ Rugs under a dining room table should be at least 24-30″ wider and longer than the table, allowing the back legs of the chairs to stay on the rug even when the chairs are pushed out.

Here’s an easy guide to follow:

♦ Area rugs under a bed should extend at least 18-24″ beyond each side of the bed. Also note you can place runners at each side of the bed as an alternative to a full area rug and runners can be placed along the side or at the foot of the bed.

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♦ For standard size living, family there should be between 12″ – 24″ of bare floor between the edges of the area rug and the walls of the room. Smaller rooms should have between 6″-10″ of bare floor exposed.

♦ In living and family rooms, the rug should be larger enough so that the front legs of furniture sit on the rug.

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OTHER MEASUREMENTS YOU NEED TO KNOW:

♦ Allow 20″ to 28″ inches for leg clearance below a desk and the seat height of the chair should be 14″-18″ with your feet flat on the floor.

♦ Bookshelves that are used to hold books, including oversized art books should have depth of at least 15″.

♦ For optimal viewing, size your TV based on its distance from the sofa. To get the minimum screen size in inches, divide the viewing distance by 3; for the maximum, divide by 1.5. Already have a TV? Use these guidelines to position your couch. Aim for a 15- to 20-degree viewing angle to the center of the screen.

♦ Always measure your rooms, ceiling height and doorways before you go shopping for furniture to ensure pieces will fit through doors and in their planned space.

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These measurements will get your started on a solid design plan for your home.

Design Services

SERVICES AVAILABLE

ConfettiStyle Interiors is a boutique interior design firm located in Norcross, GA offering Residential Interior Design as well as Seasonal, Christmas and Special Occasion decorating.

How We Work: We offer several levels of design services, so every client has options in creating the home of their dreams.

DESIGN CONSULTATION

During the in-home design consultation, we will walk through your home, answer your design questions and provide specific design recommendations for each space. A design consultation is perfect for the homeowner who’s looking for a value-packed design service and is willing to execute the design on their own.

Here are some examples of what we can discuss during your consultation:

Interior Design and Decoration
Space Planning
Furniture, Accessories, Lighting
Fabrics
Window Treatments
Rugs and Flooring
Paint Colors
Materials and Finish Selections

Upon completion of the design consultation, you will receive a personalized document complete with meeting notes, instructions on how to achieve your desired look and a retail resource list to aid in shopping. Note: A Design Consultation does not include the development of detailed designs boards/design plans or to-the-trade only product resources.

FULL INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE

Our full-service design services begin with an in-home design consultation. During your in-home meeting we will discuss the scope of your project, your goals, your budget, and shop your home for items to complete your space. We’ll ask questions to learn about your tastes, your lifestyle, and how you intend to use the space. We will take measurements and gather the necessary information that will assist us in developing a comprehensive and detailed design plan.

Once we’ve agreed on your project focus, we start developing a color scheme and sourcing fabrics, furniture, fixtures and materials. This is where it all comes together and every detail is considered. Throughout this step we may contact you at intervals to discuss different elements of the design. At the end of this phase, you will be presented with carefully edited selections that represent the best choices for your space.

Creating the design scheme is a time-consuming process and can require several weeks, depending on the scope of your project. Three to four weeks after the initial design consultation, we will meet to review your design plan in detail.

Your design plan will include (but is not limited to) the following:

Space Plan
Furniture Selections
Fabric Selections/Upholstery Needs
Paint Colors
Wall and Floor Coverings
Window Treatments–Fabrics and Styling including trims and hardware
Lighting Selections
Accessories and Decor
Inspiration Photos
Quotes and Pricing
Detailed timeline for development and installation

Before work or purchasing begins, you will receive a proposal that details the work to be done or items to be purchased along with all known associated costs. Once work begins, we manage the project and stay on top of the details until the final piece of your project is complete.

SPECIAL OCCASION & HOLIDAY DECOR

ConfettiStyle Interiors offers design and installation services for seasonal parties, Christmas décor and special occasions. Our special occasion decorating service includes a 1-hour design consultation to outline the specifics of the event and detail the décor needs and installation plan.

If items need to be purchased for the project, we will create a shopping list and purchase the items as part of Shopping Service hourly rate (see above).

SHOPPING SERVICE

With do-it-yourself decorating being so popular these days, ConfettiStyle Interiors offers a shopping assistance service to help clients purchase décor and furniture pieces for their home. If you are in need of a simple style refresh, we can do the shopping for you.

After your Design Consultation, we will generate a list of the items you need, shop for them and deliver them to your home.

TRAVEL/MILEAGE FEE:

A travel fee will be added to your invoice for clients living 10 miles or more outside Norcross, GA.

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?

For more popular Design Guides, click the title below:

Do’s and Don’ts Of Styling A Sectional Sofa

The Best White Paint Colors

Key Measurements You Need To Know When Decorating

Creating A Pillow Assortment For Your Sofa

Estate Sale Tips (and my latest finds)

February 6, 2019

I haven’t always loved shopping estate sales. In fact I really didn’t get into it until about 8 or 9 years ago. Prior to that, I thought the only thing you found at an estate sale was furniture and tools. Little did I know that estate sales are a treasure trove for all kinds of items including decor, tabletop items and vintage jewelry.

Several years ago I subscribed to EstateSales.net and their website changed the way I shop estate sales forever. EstateSales.net is national listing service were companies list upcoming sales. In addition to providing the when and where details, companies also give you a preview of the items in the sale. As a subscriber you can choose when to be notified about upcoming sales near you. And the sale listings include both in home and online auction sales.

Launching in 2002, EstateSales.net now gets over 30 million page views per month and is the best way to keep informed about sales in your area.

Beside the fact that you can find some amazing pieces at great price, there are several other reasons why I like shopping estate sales.

WHY I SHOP ESTATE SALES

Estate sales are a great source for vintage furniture. Just about every estate sale I attend has a drop-leaf table or two, upholstered ottomans as well as antique chairs and lighting. In most cases the pieces are good quality and just need a face lift with fabric, paint or refinishing.
I love a good bargain. Like I mentioned early, you can find some real treasures at rock bottom prices. If you’re furnishing your home or looking for items to re-sell, these sales are a great place to shop for both vintage and new pieces.
I’m looking for a DIY project. Every now and then I’m looking for a specific item to DIY for my home. Often times I can find the perfect piece that makes an ideal DIY project.
I’m inspired by home design. I love walking through homes and being inspired by different design and architectural details. Estate sales give me an opportunity to look at both old and new homes for design inspiration. In some cases, the homes are being torn down and some architectural elements might even be for sale.

Now that you know why I like to shop estates sales, let me show you what I found on my last outing.

A couple of weekends ago Mr. Confetti and I stopped by an estate sale on the last day. Like most estate sales, the prices had been dropped and on this day everything was 75% off. All clothing and handbags were just $1.00.

The house was jammed packed, mostly decor, tabletop, apparel and jewelry. We arrived early and upon entering the house, I stayed on the main floor and Mr. Confetti headed to the basement. After about 30 minutes of shopping we met up in the living room to sort through out finds and decide what to keep.

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My Latest Estate Sale Finds…

I bought 8 of these gold-rimmed dinner plates for $1.00 each. There are no markings on the plates so I’ve been trying to find the style name and manufacturer. My gut tells me they are made by Noritake but I’m not sure. If you know anything about this plate design, let me know.

I’m always on the hunt for blue and white pottery and found a few pieces I love. The first was this double happiness ginger jar that was in perfect condition. I also found this shaped lidded dish which was just a few bucks.

This set of 7 brass napkin rings were wrapped up in a plastic bag and severely tarnished. A quick polish and their beauty was revealed.

One of the things I was most excited to find were these wood risers. I snagged each of them for just .75 cents each.

I couldn’t pass up these three small blue and white pieces. The blue and white flower frog will be a cute accent on a bathroom vanity or desk. And I imagine using the two small cups to hold jewelry or office supplies.

This brass tray was another amazing find. I immediately fell in love with the floral blossom design and bamboo style edging.

Mr. Confetti found this handled urn in the basement and it wasn’t until I got home that I noticed it was two-toned. I love the combination of silver and gold. The urn is a perfect for an orchid arrangement.

This brass container is a classic design and can be used for so many purposes.

I’m jazzed about the pieces I found at the sale. Some of these items are keepers and others will be going into my Etsy shop soon. If you’ve never been to an estate sale but are intrigued, I’ve listed a few shopping tips below that should help you.

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TIPS FOR SHOPPING ESTATE SALES

First day–to get the best stuff, plan to arrive early. Any trending or under-priced items will be the first pieces to go. The early bird definitely gets the worm at an estate sale.

Second/Third day–by the second day, the sale will be picked over and prices will most likely be slashed. The second or third day of the sale is typically the slowest which will give you a better opportunity to inspect items. You’ll also have a better chance at negotiating prices on these days.

Last day–this is when you’ll find your best bargains. Sellers are motivate to see everything go and will definitely be open to offers. You can even try to offer a bulk price for all the items you are interested in.

Grab and go–do a quick walk-thru of every room when you get to a sale and grab anything of interest. Once you have a pile, go through the items more throughly to determine what you’ll buy. When you find a furniture piece you like, pull the price ticket off and take it to the check out area so it will be held for you.

Look everywhere–check inside any open and accessible areas like closets, the garage and basements. Like items aren’t always grouped together so cover every inch of the house for treasures.

Ask about unmarked items–appliances, draperies and rugs may not be marked but are often available for sale if you ask.

Cash or Check–estate sale companies like when buyers have cash or write a check to avoid the added credit card processing fee. Make sure you have your checkbook and cash on hand when you go to a sale.

Know you measurements–if you’re shopping for furniture, have the key measurements of your home with you. You’ll want to make sure items will fit through doorways and in the spaces you have planned.

You buy it, you load it–most estate sales will not load furniture into your car. Make sure you have additional hands at the ready to help you load your purchases. You might be able to come back at a later time to pick your items up but there’s always the risk that an item getting damaged or mistakenly sold to someone else while you gone.

All sales are final–check the condition of everything before you buy it.

I hope you enjoyed today’s blog post. I’m headed to Scott Antique Market tomorrow to do some shopping for a client so follow along on Instagram. If you’re not familiar with the market, you can read about my previous shopping trips here.

For more tips on bargain shopping, read my post on 10 Tips For Shopping Flea Markets Like A Pro!

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.