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Olivia Harvey
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Tag: team: style
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I Tried the “60/40 Rule” to Lay Out a Room, and I’d Absolutely Use It Again
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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.Decorating a room can be a daunting task, whether you’re starting from scratch or you just want to spruce up a space that’s already in progress. That’s why I love a good shortcut or design rule to follow, which is not to say that I never go rogue when pulling a room together. For me, it’s more about having just a little bit of design help — think a principle or a place to start from that makes the process just a little bit easier.
So when I set out to design the small sunroom in my newish house, which I use as a home office, I was a bit stumped. It’s not a large area, but it’s completely open to the living room, and its three other walls are essentially covered in windows. I’d need a desk in there, but what other furniture could or should fit? Questions like this ran through my mind, and I wasn’t sure where to begin. So I decided to take it back to basics: I’d use the “60/40” rule to lay out and furnish the space, and honestly, it provided such a helpful benchmark, I’d 10/10 use it again!
Chances are you’ve heard of the “60/40 rule” by one of its other names: the golden ratio, the golden number, or the golden mean. It’s technically a mathematical sequence (~1:1.618) that occurs in nature, from proportions in humans and plants to the spirals of seashells. The ratio is said to be visually pleasing to the eye, so it’s also pursued in architecture, art, and other crafts. Turns out it’s also something that can be used for interiors, too, especially when it comes to layout. And if you’re wondering how 1:1.618 became “60/40,” well, again, even designers love a shortcut. Plus, 60/40 is much easier to visualize and remember.
So how did I put this rule into practice? The “60/40 rule” here comes down to furniture and floor space. Instead of overstuffing a room with pieces or going way too minimal, you should aim for about 60% of the room to be filled with furniture and 40% of it to be clear to give your eye a visual break from stuff. This breakdown actually helped me hone in on the right desk. I had set up the one I used in my last apartment, which was modern and fairly minimal, as it had occupied a small nook in my bedroom (see above). And it just felt, well, a little too small in the tiny sunroom, even when paired with a more substantial desk chair. The rug was a bit too small as well.
I searched for a desk that’d be a bit bigger and offer more storage, since I knew I couldn’t really bring much else into the space, like a file cabinet for example, and still have it look balanced from the 60/40 perspective. Ultimately, I found an amazing vintage desk that was larger and just has more presence, paired it with a more delicate chair, and I’m much happier with the result. To hit the 60/40 ratio, I added in a few plants in stands and on a pedestal, as well as a side table, and I’ve called it a day in terms of furniture (though I would like a built in-bench at some point for strategic storage). And I brought in a rug that just fits a bit better in the room, too. The irregular lines of the faux hide I had in there just didn’t fill the space enough.
What’s amazing is you can use this breakdown for other surfaces, too. Not sure how big to go with your gallery wall? The “60/40 rule” can help you out. For an arrangement that looks full but not overly so, pick pieces that, when considered altogether, won’t cover more than 60% of a given wall.
The ratio can help with the breakdown of items on tabletops and shelves, too. It can be, again, as simple as not filling more than 60% of a tabletop with items so you have what feels like appropriate breathing room. Or you can think of the 60/40 rule as a way to balance out the individual items in a tableau. In this scenario, you’d want to reserve 60% of a coffee table’s top, say, for an anchor piece like a decorative tray, and then 40% of it for a couple of smaller decorative accessories, like a small stack of books and a candle. Of course, these pieces don’t have to fill the entire 60% and 40% of the surface, respectively; it’s more about proportions here — the idea that your larger pieces should command up to two-thirds of a surface and then the smaller ones are reserved for that remaining one-third.
So the next time you’re struggling with a decorating project — and laying out a room or surface in particular — remember the 60/40 rule. It’s a great place to start if you want to create a sense of balance in a room.
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: I Tried the “60/40 Rule” to Lay Out a Room, and I’d Absolutely Use It Again
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Danielle Blundell
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We Gave Two Interior Designers $50 to Shop at HomeGoods— Here’s Everything They’d Buy
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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.It’s a well-established fact that HomeGoods is a go-to spot to get unmatched deals on everything from home decor to kitchen tools and furniture. But don’t let the rock-bottom prices fool you — while HomeGoods may not be the first store that comes to mind for high-end interior design, that isn’t necessarily the case among professional interior designers.
“$50 at HomeGoods can go a long way in transforming your space,” says Ayten Nadeau, founder and interior designer at i-Ten Designs. Keeping Nadeau’s declaration in mind, we put her and fellow interior designer and design consultant Amanda Foster up to the task of deciding what they’d buy at HomeGoods within a $50 budget.
“By carefully selecting these items, you’ll create a stylish, cohesive look that feels like a million bucks — all without breaking the bank,” Nadeau says. Check out their picks below — keep in mind that inventory and pricing differ at each store, so your basket might look a little bit different!
A trip to HomeGoods should always include a visit to the candle section, which is where some of the best deals can be found. “Imagine walking through your front door to the warm, inviting scent of a high-quality soy candle,” Nadeau says. “These beauties come in stunning containers and usually cost less than $8 each. Talk about instant ambience!” Aroma and lighting are some of the most frequently neglected aspects of home decor, and a few carefully selected candles can make a big impact on the look and feel of your space.
Everybody loves houseplants, but if you are looking for a more low maintenance way to liven up your space, faux greenery from HomeGoods is your friend. “Add a dash of nature to those shadowy nooks and crannies,” Nadeau suggests. “Faux plants in chic vases are perfect for brightening up darker kitchen corners, bookshelves, or bathrooms. They cost $9 or less for small ones.”
Foster’s next pick? “A geometric wall mirror that’ll not only reflect your fabulous self but also add a touch of modern flair to your space.” Even a small mirror can add depth and dimension to a room and make it seem larger than it is, which is a powerful trick for cozy homes.
“Imagine the angles, the shapes, and the way it catches the light — this mirror is a true work of art that’ll elevate any room to new heights of coolness,” Foster says.
Decanters abound at HomeGoods, and they are an easy and affordable way to make any room feel more sophisticated and cohesive.
“Elevate your everyday essentials with stylish glass soap dispensers,” Nadeau says. “Whether it’s for your kitchen or bathroom, glass dispensers can make even the humblest soap feel luxurious. Say goodbye to tacky packaging!”
For just $10 or less, this quick swap is one that professional interior designers consider a nonnegotiable.
Just because HomeGoods is budget-friendly doesn’t mean the quality isn’t on par with luxury retailers, so don’t underestimate the essentials.
“I have a confession: I stock up on hand towels here for myself and my clients. You simply can’t beat the prices,” Nadeau shares. “Investing in a couple of high-quality hand towels for about $8 to $10 each can make any powder room feel like a five-star hotel.”
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: We Gave Two Designers $50 — Here’s What They’d Buy at HomeGoods
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Nina Derwin
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This IKEA Shoe Rack Is the Secret to My Living Room Transformation
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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.Over the last three years, I’ve been slowly redesigning my home with my husband. Our living room was one of the first rooms we decided to tackle and somehow one of the hardest to decorate — four walls, 190 square feet, but inexplicably complicated for me to wrap my head around. With three large windows on the wall facing the sofa, we ultimately opted for a TV-less room to make the space feel joyful, inspiring, and cozy, like when you walk into your favorite bookstore that you never want to leave.
After picking a color palette, choosing the major furniture pieces, and thrifting a beautiful vintage painting, there was still one lingering problem: the big blank wall to the left of the sofa. I’m always quick to come up with solutions for others when they’re stumped in their space but in my own home? That’s a whole other story. Luckily, I remembered my friend Cristina Cleveland, a fellow interior designer, has a foolproof solution for maximizing large empty wall space: floor-to-ceiling shelving using IKEA’s ELVARLI shoe rack.
“They’re perfect for anyone who’s working on developing their personal style because you can restyle them over and over as your style evolves — without making more permanent changes like holes or paint on the walls,” says Cleveland of the ELVARLI. She credits this IKEA hack to her friend Hanah, a graphic designer originally looking to display her collection of typeface and design books.
I wanted to achieve that lived-in bookstore/museum gift shop look in my home without spending thousands of dollars on the shelves themselves. (I’d rather save my money for bookshelf wealth treasures.) So I used IKEA’s ELVARLI planner to customize my configuration, and, between measurements and layout, it took me less than 20 minutes to decide on the whole thing. You can choose whether you want angled or flat shelves, and fine-tune their placement for a totally bespoke piece, but IKEA also sells ready-made ELVARLI systems in standard sizes/configurations.
In terms of the installation process, on a scale of 1 to rip-my-hair-out-level-10 frustration, I’d rate this a 4 for mild headache. You do need another person to help you align the side posts, but once you figure out the spacing and where those go, adding the shelves and racks is fairly simple. The whole process took about three hours.
A few other things really stood out to me about the ELVARLI setup: For one, you don’t need to make any holes in your walls like you would with normal shelves. The posts screw into the ceiling for extra support. I also adored the ELVARLI’s versatility. It moonlights as a room divider, bookshelf, wardrobe, you name it! My friend even used hers to carve out a dining room in her open-concept layout.
As for me, I couldn’t be any happier with the transformation. I had been racking (no pun intended!) my brain to find potential solutions, and nothing came close to this price point. For under $500, I was able to transform my blank living room wall from bland to beautiful with a customized shelving module.
The white ELVARLI system also provided me with the blank canvas I needed to add my favorite books and tchotchkes, and I can’t wait to keep playing around with the styling. Plus, as someone whose home has lower ceilings, the floor-to-ceiling look really does help make the space feel more grand.
If you had told me that my new favorite living room investment would be a set of IKEA shoe racks, I would have laughed, but don’t knock it until you try it!
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: This IKEA Shoe Rack Is the Secret to My Living Room Transformation
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Daniela Araya
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The Things I Always Look for at Estate Sales (They’re Totally Worth Buying)
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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.Thrift stores are often the go-to destination for vintage or unique home decor pieces and one-of-a-kind wardrobe finds. Depending on where you live, however, you might be competing against a lot of shoppers with similar shopping goals and your local secondhand shops might at times feel picked over. If that sounds familiar, it might be time to set your sights on estate sales instead.
Estate sales offer the unique opportunity to shop the contents of a person’s entire home, from pantry shelves to walk-in closets and everything in between. As you make your plans to visit the next estate sale in your area, be sure to keep an eye out for these items that experts say always make the best secondhand buys.
For truly original fashion items, estate styles reign supreme. “You can sometimes find some amazing pieces hidden in the back of a closet,” says Alexandra von Gymnich-Scully, interior designer and owner of Rustic Rooster Interiors. The clothing you typically find at Goodwill or other thrift stores are items previous owners wanted to part with, but oftentimes the clothing and shoes found at estate sales are pieces that they held onto for life, and for good reason.
“Whether you’re setting up your first place or looking for more specialized cooking tools, estate sales are a great way to build out your kitchen,” says Andi Jenkins, a vintage reseller and interior stylist. Kitchenware is a great find because it can easily be cleaned and disinfected to get it looking good as new. “Plates, utensils, and other kitchenware are usually the leftovers at the end of the sale, so if you want to score a bundle deal for your home, shop the last day of the sale for the best price,” Jenkins says.
At estate sales, everything is on sale — even things you might not notice at first, like lamps, light fixtures, and other hardware. “Test the light before you purchase it,” advises von Gynmich-Scully. “If it works, score! If it is something you love, but doesn’t work, you can always have it rewired.”
“Shopping estate sales is one of the best ways to buy affordable original artwork,” says Jenkins. “Shoppers can score signed, framed pieces at a fraction of what they would cost at a gallery. Just make sure you do a little research before purchasing any high-end pieces at prices that are too good to be true because; you may accidentally buy a dupe or print, rather than an original.”
“Some of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry can be found at estate sales,” says von Gymnich-Scully. If you’re interested in purchasing fine jewelry secondhand, be sure to research items of interest in advance to ensure you’re not overpaying. High-level items often have signature markings or engravings that can shed some light on what type of jewelry you’re buying and when it was originally made.
“Whether you need a new dresser, bed frame, or dining table, estate sales are the best way to buy high-quality furniture pieces at an affordable price,” Jenkins says. “And if the homeowner had good taste, shoppers may even be able to score valuable antiques or mid-century furniture pieces — you just have to make sure to get to the sale early enough to beat the vintage dealers.”
Want to start playing a new sport? Look no further than estate sales for the best prices on otherwise expensive equipment. “It’s always fun to pick up a new sport without breaking the bank,” says von Gymnich-Scully. “Start used, then you can always splurge later if you become pro.”
“Typically I would never advise someone to buy used toiletries — however, designer perfume is the exception,” explains Jenkins. “Fragrances can be very expensive and estate sale shoppers can usually find lots of partially full bottles at estate sales. You just need to do a couple spritzes to make sure the scent hasn’t deteriorated. There’s even a big secondhand market for used perfume on eBay in case anyone is looking for a new category for resale.”
Whether you’re a brand-new collector or a seasoned pro, estate sales are the perfect place to invest in new china. “Buying your china used can save you tons of money,” says von Gymnich-Scully. “Sometimes you just need a few pieces that you want from a collection. Estate sales have some great one-piece wonders!”
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Nina Derwin
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The Best Color to Paint Your Ceiling, According to a Real Estate Agent
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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.Whether you’re looking to sell your home or you’d just like to brighten it up, you may be wondering which color (or more realistically, which shade of white) to paint your ceilings. It can be a mind-boggling question — especially if you have a hard time telling the difference between cloud white and decorator’s white — so I talked to a few experts to help you figure out how to decide whether to paint your ceilings, and which color will work best in your home. Here, Seattle real estate agent Katie Melton and her client, recent homebuyer and avid home decorator Jenna Somers, offer their advice.
Should you paint your ceilings?
A fresh coat of paint never hurt anyone, but how should you decide if it’s worth painting right now? Somers shared a few factors she considers when evaluating her ceilings.
Lastly, consider your motivation for painting your ceiling. If you’re doing it because it makes you happy, great! But Melton cautions against seeing that fresh coat of paint as a strategy to get a bigger payoff when you sell later on. “It’s more something that should be on your list of things to do to prepare for selling,” she says. Your ceiling may need another coat of paint after five years anyway.
One note to keep in mind, though — if you’re working with a popcorn ceiling, Melton says that it’ll be expensive to safely remove and redo, so ask your agent for guidance and trusted vendors.
What color should I paint my ceiling?
While there’s no one shade of white that’s better than the rest, Melton suggests sticking to a flat or matte finish rather than a shiny gloss.
Where you live may influence your decision, too. “Here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s dark nine months out of the year, so most people are going to paint their ceilings white to brighten up the room,” Melton says.
Somers favors warm whites over cooler whites, which she says can feel too clinical and uninviting in a home.
Still, what if you’re tired of white and you’re ready to take some risks? Melton shared some handy guidelines to help you create the ceiling of your dreams without going overboard.
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Candace Ramirez
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The $2 Limited-Edition IKEA Find You’ll Use Every Single Night
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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.IKEA announced this week that it’s teaming up with Dutch design studio Raw Color, co-founded by Daniera ter Haar and Christoph Brach, on an 18-piece furniture and decor line. Deemed the TESAMMANS collection, it spans lamp shades, textiles, glassware, mugs, storage essentials, and more, all decked out in a variety of eye-catching hues. In fact, the limited-edition series operates under the tagline of “color the everyday,” applying 15 total tones to materials like metal, cotton, and stoneware.
Of course, IKEA’s no stranger to brightly-decorated designs, but what sets this crossover apart from the rest is its use of particularly unexpected color and pattern pairings. Think: saturated shades mixed with more muted tones, plus graphic pillow covers and throw blankets with multiple (seemingly conflicting!) prints and motifs.
The TESAMMANS line hit IKEA stores on April 1. Highlights include a fun metal hanging decoration, playful carafes, and a unique tri-colored table lamp with “stacked” cone-shaped shades. I also love the compact wheeled cart (arguably the prime example of syncing surprising color combos), which looks straight out of a HAY catalog and gives a typically utilitarian storage unit a vibrant edge.
“With TESAMMANS, we want to inspire people to express themselves and bring joy to their everyday lives,” says Maria O’Brian, Creative Leader at IKEA of Sweden, in a press release. “It’s a collaboration that enables people to add unique design pieces and create colorful spaces to reflect their personality. Raw Color’s unique creative approach has inspired and challenged us to work with colors in new ways.”
IKEA and Raw Color’s TESAMMANS line is shockingly affordable, too, priced from $3 to $250. The pieces also pair especially well with IKEA’s existing product range, like the minimalist JÄTTEBO modular sofa pictured above. That said, they’re ultimately designed to live in tandem with and enhance your existing home scheme. Keep an eye out for the full TESAMMANS collection come April, which officially proves that color is back in a big way for interior design this year.
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: IKEA’s New Collab Has the Absolute Prettiest & Most Colorful Finds (Starting at $3!)
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Blair Donovan
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