Art is Infinitely Curious

MSN and fashion fragrance guru Thierry Mugler from Paris asked me to write a piece about art and exposure on their new platform womanity.com.  I titled it “Art is Infinitely Curious”.  It’s translated into 7 languages.  Read and share it at:

www.womanityglobal.us

My 7 Design Tips

Glo, a leading msn lifestyle site for women covering the best in style, beauty, & living, asked me to share with their living section my secret tips for design. Voila!

1. Look at the object, not the author

Keeping your space free from trendy designers can be very liberating and will help make your home look different from everyone else’s. Try to acquire a taste that is free from trends or names. You will discover that soon you won’t need a brand to see what’s great. While name brands are easy fallbacks, you should go out on a limb with some lesser known finds from stores that you happen to stumble upon.

2. Consider vintage

I love design furniture from the ’50s. Some of those pieces can really stand alone in a room. Look at the date of an object because it may tell you a lot about its value and provide a centerpiece around which to build a room.

3. House first, design second

Design definitely depends on the type of house you’re in, so use that as your starting point.  Look at the unique aspects of the house to guide you. Limits in design or art can be the secret for creativity.  If the house is tiny, work with that and focus on pieces of a petite nature rather than trying to camouflage the limited space.

4. Don’t be afraid of empty space

An empty space can be more meaningful than the object. Treat the space well and realize that you don’t have to fill it completely. For example, a striking chair or large bed with a unique headboard may not require additional accessories or accents in a room.

5. Think different

When looking for furniture or rethinking a space, challenge yourself and see a room from different angles.  What if a bedroom was not a bedroom, what if the most important areas were not the one one might think of.

6. Less is more

It’s true in life and in design. You don’t want your house to be a showroom that is packed with every accent and furnishing. Instead, recognize when you’ve gone overboard and don’t be afraid to pull back or move pieces out of a room to “let it breathe.”

7. Add contrast to each room

Instead of sticking to one style throughout the house, embrace a more eclectic look in each room depending on the function. Throw a modern chair into a vintage mix;  mixing styles like raw, industrial spaces with soft accents is very chic. But beware: Don’t have too many strong design pieces because your eye won’t be able to rest on one.

Full Interview via Glo.msn.com