Remember the days of Z. Cavaricci pants, leg warmers, head bands, huge shoulder pads and teased hair?  Go ahead and admit it, any of us who lived in this era sported one of these comical fashion choices at some point in the 80’s.  These short-lived trends clearly didn’t stand the test of time, and our current closets have been re-invented many times since.  The interior design of your home should be thought out in a similar way.  So, assuming you’re not a hoarder, here are four tips on what not to do, unless you want to hate your home in about five years tops…..

1. LET YOUR INTERIOR DESIGNER DO ALL THE TALKING
One of the most important parts of our business is communication.  Imagine going in to your hair stylist and coming out with a mullet because he/she just knew this look would be good on you.  You have to remember that this is YOUR home and YOU will be living in it.  Talk to your designer in detail about what kind of environment you would love to live in, your daily activities, and how you will function in the space.  I don’t care what you say, no matter how experienced or how fancy your hired high end interior designer is, we are not mind readers and we are not psychic.  YOU have to speak up and do some of the talking.

2. PLUCK YOUR LOOK FROM A DESIGN MAGAZINE
If you want to see a showroom, then go to a furniture store.  Referencing a design magazine definitely helps with inspiration, but use it as a tool, not your bible.  No one wants the drapes that match the bedding, that match the chairs, which match the throw pillows.  Adding in your own personal warm touches will help your home feel designed, and not just decorated.

3. LISTEN TO “THEM”
Peer pressure is a thing of the past.  We are all adults here.  Listening to what some people think is “cool” or “in”, could be a disaster in no time.  Please reference the photos in this post and then come talk to me.  Trends change just about as fast as electronics do.  The bones (as we like to call it) of your home should be timeless.  Now, I’m not saying to be super boring, but you can easily spark up the place with artwork, or a few pops of color in accessories and throw pillows, which can be easily swapped out for a total transformation down the road (without having to break the bank, or do any major demolition).

4. THINK OF YOUR HOME AS A WORK OF ART
The days of having formal living spaces are over.  People want to enjoy their home in a more casual setting.  Who wants that room that no one is allowed to walk into? That’s the equivalent of having a sofa that is covered in plastic.  The interior of your home has to reflect your own vision, and be comfortable at the same time.

So, by all means, choose to spend your money not listening to the four tips above. But if you do, something tells me we’ll be hearing from you sooner rather than later. 😉