Scale is one of the toughest elements to balance within in a space.  Some rooms are blessed with high ceilings and an airy, spacious feel - but if not, well placed window treatments can make all the difference! Even if the windows are low, I like to hang curtain panels very high, often hugging the ceiling  - this might sound unexpected, but the result adds instant height  and a luxe custom feel to the interior! The extra height of the curtains naturally draws your eye upwards and creates an elegant focal point. It also works beautifully with bamboo or roman shades. 

I love tips like these as they cost so little but can have such an impact!

{images via}

Designer Tip: Lighting Upgrades

One of my most oft used designer upgrades is to fix a room's lighting. So many rental spaces have harsh, florescent overhead lighting but with the right tweaks I feel that lovely lighting can really set the ambiance for the whole space. I always change out overhead fixtures if possible, and am sure to add lots of layers of softer lighting with floor and table lamps. I also find warm hued, frosted bulbs cast a much more inviting light than their cool, clear counterparts. Here are my top 3 tips for beautiful, welcoming lighting:

- Add a soft light source to 3 corners of a room if possible (in design school they suggest 8 light sources per room but I find that 4-6 is often plenty!)

- Incorporate lighting of various heights - a mix of table lamps, taller standing lamps and hanging fixtures create a layered feel.

- Try a pair - a pair of matched lamps flanking a piece of furniture or set on a large sideboard adds a great symmetry.

{images via}

Designer Tip: Leaning, Layered Art

Many of my design projects are in rental homes, and one of the quirks of building in Singapore is that light and fan switches are often placed high in very awkward and unusual places. Just where I would like to hang a large mirror or piece of art! My solution is to create a layered tabletop vignette of smaller, leaning pieces - adding texture and interest while keeping the switches accessible! Not only is this functional but I love the causal, collected look and the flexibility to change out pieces as you like. The key is to mix pieces of different heights and different mediums. I like to incorporate small framed artworks, mirrors and stretched canvases, as well one or two decorative vases or flora. 

Here is a little inspiration I have been gathering!

{images via}

Designer Tip: Rental Kitchen Upgrades

After years of living in rental apartments (and decorating quite as well!) I know that kitchens can be the hardest to make your own without engaging in heavy duty remodeling. No matter how basic the kitchen, here are a number of my favorite tips for creating a warm, beautiful space (and all can be accomplished in an afternoon or less!)

1} Paint a chalkboard accent wall. This is such a classic look and is as easy as painting a small wall - the black paint adds a lovely touch of drama and is so useful too! 

2} Add a runner. A small carpet adds warmth, personality and color to a kitchen and also feels nice underfoot (and conveniently hides the flooring if you don't love it!) Just be sure to pick an indoor-outdoor rug or a vintage piece works perfectly too - the worn character helps conceal stains

3} Switch out cabinet pulls and knobs. I cant tell you how quickly this makes a kitchen feel new! You can get pretty, classic knobs in brass or nickel at Ikea, online, or at the hardware store. Or try something different like these leather pulls above.

4} Add soft, task lighting. One of the worst offenders in a rental kitchen is usually the florescent overhead lighting! By adding an additional, softer light source like under-cabinet lighting or these swing arms from Ikea above you can create a whole different mood - one just right for cooking and chatting! 

5} Hang a large photo. Particularly in a tight or narrow kitchen, a large photo can really act as a window and bring in light. I find landscapes and cityscapes work especially well. 

6} Hang a temporary backsplash. A vibrant backsplash is a quick way to add pattern and texture to a bland kitchen. Temporary wall papers work perfectly! And yes, this is temp paper! Made specially for the kitchen it is even heat resistant and easy to clean.

{all images via}

Designer Tips: Accessorizing with Art

One my favorite styling tips is to add a few small additional pieces of art as a last layer of accessories. After all of the main pieces are installed, adding a couple of small framed pieces or canvases provides a luxe, collected look and lends interest to a lonely or plain spot - this works especially well on a bedside table! It's lovely to see a burst of color and design when one wakes up in the morning and you can easily change out these small pieces as you want. I adore this super easy styling tip - hope I have inspired you to give it a go! 

This last one is my very own bedside - a bit of art can brighten everything up! 

{all images via}

Designer Tip: Hanging Pendants

One of the best ways to create ambiance is a space is with a fresh take on lighting. Pendents are of course lovely hung in a tall entryway or over a kitchen island but what about hanging them someplace unexpected? I love to use pendants over desks, bedside tables, or in the corner of a sitting room. Hanging pendants are so space efficient, freeing up floor and table top space and add so much warmth and coziness. If you rent or don't want to hard wire for pendants, a plugged in fixture with a swaged cord can look great too! 

Here is a bit of my favorite inspiration. . .  

{all images via}

Designer Tips: Grown Up Dots

Lately dots have been making a major comeback! I love their playful spirit and they are perfect for layering with other patterns, and look especially lovely paired with florals, stripes or angular geometrics. But we have all seen dots look a bit juvenile, fussy or dated . . . here a few designer tips for how to give dots a grown up boost!  

{1} Go neutral - a subdued, sophisticated color palette helps keep dots looking modern. Grays, tans, browns, creams, indigos, and blacks all work - but be sure avoid pale pink!

{2} Play with Scale & Shape - oversized dots (like below) or free form or imperfect dots bring a fresh look.

{3} Mix up Your Patterns - we know dots look great with other patterns so be sure to incorporate a mix to create an updated feel!