Proper Scale is key to great design

So many times we shop online and we see just the right lamp, chair or ? We rush and buy it for fear it will not come our way again, only to discover once we get it home, its either too small for the space, or too big. This can be a big issue because you have to then send it back and usually that means paying shipping and handling. Here's a few things to consider when you order anything online.
Dimensions
I can't stress this enough but if you don't check out dimensions ahead of time you could be in for a lot of heartache and disappointment. Remember that great buy may very well be because the item you've fallen in love with was meant for a doll house. Just Kidding but you get my meaning. On the flip side, the size may not translate in photos either so it could be much larger than you anticipate, and may end up being the focal point over all other focal points and maybe that is not the objective.

Dimension X's ?
How many you buy of a certain item may also have to be factored in. Case and point, say you're like my friend and you're buying pendant lights, you check out the dimensions of the pendant and you say, we'll this isn't that bad and should be nice. Aha! Not so fast, now remember how many you need and times that by the dimensions and realize all together it could be too much, too large. On the flip side, if the lights are smaller than you'd like buying multiple ones may offset the individual size and may make sense once up. It's your call but its something to think about.

Still not sure?
The key thing to remember is you've got to decide what is the objective and function. Objective is ? Do you want this item to compliment existing decor or be the focal point? If its the focal point going a little larger or with more than one may be any effective way to establish the item(s) as a focal point in the space.  Function? Are you relying on these items to be functional? Does the item pull double duty and provide something in addition to being decorative or as a focal point? If the answer is yes, consider the role it plays in the space and make sure to prioritize what is most important to you. Is it more important that it provide a function than carefully consider its placement and make sure it is fully capable of being useful to you. Its not a good choice if it costs a lot and is basically an fancy bobble or space consuming, dust catching item.

If one is nice two is better...
You may hear designers on television say "don't be too matchy matchy." But if you're new to the whole decorating your home idea, say its your first home or you've never been very good at pulling together a look in a room, then "matchy matchy" can be your safest way to get a nice look without it coming across as too random, or eclectic. So if you find the scale is  right and you like it and you use it in your space, consider when purchasing if there are more than one style of the item in say different shapes, or styles or functions. If so carrying a theme through open spaces can make your room look pulled together, well thought out and cohesive. Don't listen to designers in every instance. They speak as if everyone has had their training and know all the tricks of the trade. For the individual that is just learning and experimenting, trust me, your money will be well spent to practice caution and better to be "matchy-matchy" than to look like you went crazy at a bunch of yard sales and brought back everything you found. You may like the random, eclectic effect but if you do it wrong, your home will just come off looking like an antique mall or yard sale on the inside. Stick to safe bets.

Whats the new trend heading our way in home design color? White!

We've seen the neutral wall shades come and go, we've seen beige, taupe, and grays galore...some will be here for some time yet, like gray, but the new kid on the block is the oldest yet, and we're seeing it popping up everywhere in home design. White walls are the new fad and there's good reason, white is a classic and classic design has real staying power.
Now for those that are mystified by this, well don't be. Years ago, every new home built back "in the day" was done in flat white paint on every wall. Builders left paint colors up to the home owner and many either left them white or painted them in the colors popular for the time.
Going all white might seem simple but there are things to consider if you choose to go this route:
If you're going to follow this trend here's things to consider, both positive and negative:

Pros:

White floods out small imperfections and even stains/marks
White will bring your colorful accessories out from hiding and let them take center stage.
Works with almost every color scheme and allows you the freedom to change design schemes often with no real painting needed
Ideal for zen styles
Gives small collections and design elements more importance because white offers no visual competition
Brightens dark spaces-especially if you use semi or high gloss paint which lets light bounce around the space via reflection


Cons:

White highlights big flaws and marks
White and eccentric tastes in color can work against each other.  White makes everything that has a color stand out but too many conflicting colors can cause the eye to jump around the space and leave  disconcerted feeling.
White makes clutter more prominent
White makes less attractive things stand out as well as attractive
Many think white lacks warmth. This is not true nearly as much as what you pair white with in colorful accessories etc. Stark contrasts can create a colder feel than warm colors and interesting textures.

Happy home deocrating!!