Edition 2: The 2 walls you didn't know existed

Everyone considers how to decorate the walls, but have you ever thought about your floor and ceiling as another wall?? In this edition of The Design Edit, our monthly newsletter, we’re looking up and down at the details that matter most in a room!

Having the right rug is just as important as a good furniture arrangement. Rugs are one of the biggest things that I see people get wrong all the time. With that in mind, I decided it was time for Laying it Down: A Guide to Rug Selection and Placement.

Deciding between fibers (wool, jute, polypropylene, cotton, etc) is the first thing you should think about. Believe it or not, the type of fiber will affect the way the rug looks (soft and cozy, natural, structured, etc) so in order to make sure you’re picking the right style for your space it’s important to start there. Other things to consider are the color, pattern, and size. Knowing these things allows you to narrow down your search so you can eliminate the millions of options that aren’t going to be right for you, and focus on the ones that meet your needs. Remember, rugs are a really important part of a room design for a million reasons from functionality, to layering, to making a beautiful statement. It’s important to get this decision right!

We’ve officially hit the holiday season, and I bet your inboxes and Pinterest/Instagram feeds are just as full as mine with holiday recipes, decorating tips, and more! If you’re looking to be on trend this year, ditch the sparkles and embrace the natural organic vibe.

This season is all about how to tastefully add details in your home for a bit of drama, a bit of luxury, and most of all a lot of natural textures. Let’s call this “The Cozy Luxe Holiday Vibe”.

Here are some of my favorite ways to spruce up your space for the Holidays!

1. Candles: I love a good smokey candle! You can’t go wrong with one of these - Smoked Birch, Smoked Bourbon, or Smoked Pumpkin.

2. Pillows & a Fur Throw: A cozy channeled faux fur throw like this one (in multiple colors!) paired with a set of these sheepskin throw pillows will add warmth and a pop of holiday to your room.

3. Tabletop Accessories: This pine wreath used as a candle holder easily transitions from Fall to Winter. Consider white berries over red this year, from stems for vases to garlands, this twist on a classic holly berry is a crowd pleaser. This flocked velvet tree is a classy way to add a traditional detail to your mantel while adding that element of luxe.

Want more tips on how to create a cozy Autumn bedroom? Read more in our hot off the press blog!

Holiday Trend Alert: Fur Pillows.
They are both cozy and luxurious!

Lighting is something I’ve been focused on a lot lately, and it’s one of those things that is complex and will totally transform a space once done correctly. I like to think of lighting as the jewelry of the home. It adds that sparkle and makes a tasteful statement. There’s a lot to consider like the types of bulbs (2700-3000k bulbs give you a warm natural light), the placement, the type (hardwired vs plug-in), among other things. Here are the tips you must know when picking out new lights.

1. The right scale. Whether you’re looking at lamps for a side table, or a new chandelier, or pendants over your island - getting the right size is super important. My opinion - bigger is better!

   • Table lamps should be 20” high at a minimum. I like 24” better!

   • Ditch the fan and replace it with a Chandelier. This will instantly add luxe to your space. Chandeliers in living rooms should be scaled to the room. If you have high ceilings, make sure your fixture is long. If you’re room is large, look for a larger diameter.

   • Go bold and look for an Island pendant that’s 18” diameter or more!

2. The right height. Knowing what’s the right height to hang your new lighting is always a challenge. Here are my go-to dimensions.

   • Chandeliers that you walk under should have 84” between the bottom of the fixture and the floor. This gives you enough space to walk under it, but keeps it low enough that it still feels like it’s a part of the room.

   • Pendants over islands should have 34-40” between the bottom of the fixture and the top of the counter.

   • Chandeliers over dining tables should have 64” between the bottom of the fixture and the floor. This is the perfect height to leave space for your table, conversation with the person across from you, and still light up the surface.

   • Sconces should be placed around eye level. A general rule is between 60-72” off the floor to the center of the light source. I recommend 62” for bathrooms where you place a sconce on each side of the mirror.

3. The right style. Consistency is key here… and that doesn’t mean buy the entire collection. Lighting throughout your home needs to have a cohesive style. If you are going for a cleaner, modern look - make sure all your lights have that look. The same goes for midcentury, or traditional, etc. Here are some things that help with consistency.

   • Choose the same finish for your fixtures.

   • Mix and match collections, but find the detail that ties them together (balls, round vs square bars, etc).

   • Consider the style of your furniture and choose lighting that fits that style.