In our last post (which you can read here) I told you the Top 2 Rules of Interior Design are
#1 – There are no rules!
#2 – Rules are meant to be broken
Before we move on to the last 3 rules, I had promised to tell you why, if there are no rules, designers on TV and in magazines are always telling you that there are. So here goes…
Because even if they use the word “rule” what they really mean is “tip, trick, key, secret, etc…” They are merely suggestions of what might work in your space. It’s possible that they have their own personal rules. Maybe it’s their “signature” style or something they always do. But I tell you what,
I cringe every time I hear a designer use the word “always” (which implies “rule”) because I just don’t believe it’s true.
For example, I recently heard a designer on TV say that you should “always have live plants in your room.” Now I’m not arguing about whether live plants are a good thing or a bad thing. I’m just saying that they are not a “must” an “always” or a “rule”. The reason they’re not is because you can have a successful room without them. You can also include them and your room still be an epic failure!
And while live plants do make for great photos they are often not very practical in a real life, everyday scenario. Those pretty, green things demand attention! So, while I agree that using live plants is a good “tip” for achieving maximum visual impact, I do not agree that you ALWAYS have to use that tip to create a successful room. Therefore, it’s not a RULE…and if you think it is, then just remember that rules are meant to be broken!
Now that we’ve cleared that up, here are the remaining 3 “rules” to round out the Top 5:
Rule #3: The closest thing you’ll get to a rule is a Principle of Design.
I will list and discuss these Principles in more depth in my next post.
Rule #4: The MOST important Principle of Design is BALANCE.
After we’ve defined all of the Principles, I’ll give you my take as to why “Balance” is the most important.
Rule #5 – The design of your space is always about you!
Yes I said, “always.” So I gave in and added a real, “always” rule. I just broke Rule #1, but hey – that’s OK, because I was just following Rule #2!
Seriously though, I hope you’re getting the point that in design there are certainly things you can and should do in your space, and I fully intend to address them through this blog. I just don’t want you getting too hung up on them!
Don’t go buy something black solely because you once heard someone say that “every room should have something black in it.”
Although I admit that I do like that tip – remember – it’s just a tip! Until next time!
REV-Up! -Kim