Hello!

Today I want to share with you some thoughts on one design dilemma that I am often asked about:

“Where in the world do I begin?!”

As far as the design process goes, I have a survey that I send to my clients to get an idea of their needs and preferences. One of the questions I ask is “Do you have an inspiration piece?”

Whether you are working with a new build or desire a room makeover, having an inspiration piece for your space is a great place to start. You may have a treasured work of art or a beloved piece of furniture that you want to design around. Even a pillow can serve as a jumping off point!

One of my favorite ways to begin a project is to choose a fabulous rug as inspiration! This will set the tone for the design style you want to express, your selection of furniture, and your color palette.

When working on plans for a dining room, I chose a rug from the Genesis collection (pictured above) to anchor the design of the contemporary space. The color palette for the room came from the artistic blend of soft neutrals and deep blues and browns found in the rug. The rich blue hues are picked up in the dining chairs and draperies. The silver tones are echoed in the furniture, lighting choices, and metallic wallpaper. The neutral colors are found in the wood finishes and on the walls. You can see that the rug pulls everything together in the concept board below.

In this mid century modern family room, I again used a rug as the starting point. When you have a bold patterned rug, your main upholstered pieces will usually be more neutral. In this case, colors from the rug are repeated in the pillow fabric and the teal blue and mustard colors are highlighted in the accent chair and ottoman. The darker browns are repeated in the bookcase and console table.

An area rug can create interest, warmth, coziness, and add texture to your space. Be sure to choose a rug that is the right size for your room. A common mistake is selecting a rug that is too small. This makes everything in the room appear off kilter. In general, choose the largest possible option for your space.

Hope you have a wonderful week! I would love to work with you to help make your design dreams come true!

Blessings,

Laura