While there are no strict rules when it comes to interior design, there are a few guidelines we like to follow in order to create a harmonious home. For today’s Good to Know, we’re sharing our simple solutions to common design dilemmas and we’ll be answering some of the questions you submitted to us last week on Instagram. PS there’s no need to feel bad if you’re making any of these “mistakes”, we’ve been there, our only hope is to help suggest solutions for anyone who may be looking.

A common dilemma is knowing the “right” size to use for artwork, rugs, lighting and accessories. Selecting the right art and hanging it in your home is, in itself an art form. A general guideline is to have the piece or pieces take up one to two-thirds of the space they are occupying. More often than not, people tend to go too small, don't be afraid to go a little bigger (guideline source). Also, make sure your art is hung at a height that feels right for your space. Hanging a piece so the vertical is center 60” from the ground is a good starting point, but each piece and space is going to vary, so we recommend starting there and then decide if your piece needs to be higher or lower. For rugs in a family or living room, make sure it‘s large enough so your bed, sofa, and chairs can have at least the front feet sitting on the rug. If you have a rug you love but it’s too small, you could try layering it with a larger jute rug to make it work. We did this in the Dutch Fields family room and we loved how it turned out. With lighting, it’s ideal to have a variety of heights and sizes throughout a room so nothing is at the same eye level. Don’t forget to use table and floor lamps, sconces and ceiling fixtures along with your can lighting to add that variation and finished look. As a general rule for accessories, keep in mind that not every inch of a shelf or wall needs to be filled—sometimes white space is just as valuable as filled space. Editing is important.

Designing with neutrals is quite popular but can come across flat and boring without the right mix. Be sure to incorporate a variety of materials and textures through fabrics, rugs, window treatments and other finishes. We like to use neutral linens, jute, metal finishes, natural wood tones and soft velvets and mohairs to create a cohesive and interesting look.

Another mistake we see often is window treatments that are hung too low and tight to the window (or none hung at all). Window treatments help soften a space while also providing privacy. Hanging your rod higher than the window will elongate the wall and help make your space appear larger and taller.

Design Q&A

Last week on our Instagram stories we asked for design questions to help solve any dilemmas other people were experiencing in hopes of helping others with a similar issue.

Question: Should island pendants match the hardware?

“Oftentimes we do match them—it’s a must but I do think you should be matching two elements in your kitchen: either the hardware the pendants or the faucet and the hardware. There’s always an exception to the rule, but just stick to two metal finishes in your kitchen.” Marianne Brown

Question: If I use a polished nickel faucet in the kitchen, can I do brass or black hardware?

“Yes absolutely! I would recommend brass with your polished nickel faucet. With black hardware, I would suggest doing a brass faucet.” Marianne Brown

Question: How would you describe your design style? I love it by the way.

“The quick and easy answer for my own style is Historic Modern. I like to blend those two elements in almost everything that we do. Thoughtful, timeless design and character are always our jam. We want it to reflect who you are in an aesthetically pleasing way. Homes are so boring without character—pretty is just not interesting enough for us.” Marianne Brown

Question: Is crown moulding out dated?

“This is an interesting question because crown moulding will never be outdated—for a certain style of home, it just makes sense to have it.” Marianne Brown

Question: What do I do in my entry that is too small to have furniture?

“Consider what you can do for wall treatments: new paint, wallpaper or millwork. Add artwork and/or mirrors—mirrors can make a room feel larger. Don’t forget to add an interesting light fixture. Add baskets for things to collect as you’re coming and going out of the house, vintage umbrella stand, any little accessory that will reflect the style you want in your home.” Marcie Busath

Question: How big should a light fixture (chandelier or pendant) be in an entryway that is 6.2” wide?

“I use the rule of thirds—so 1/3 of 6 feet is 2 feet. A light fixture that is 24” wide will fill the space plenty. Depending on how tall the ceiling is will also change the scale. The scale of a room is its width but also its height. If it’s tall, the room could handle an even larger light (longer than it is wide). But in general, just remember the rule of thirds.” Marianne Brown

Question: Tips for mixing metals?

“Never more than 3 metals in a room—usually 2 metals and then a texture: like black and brass and then wood (on the mirror) or something like that. Read our two GTK posts dedicated to mixing metals here and here” Marianne Brown

Question: What to do with a $1,000 decor budget?

“There are a lot of things you could do with $1,000. You could run to Target and get a bunch of things, but that’s not necessarily what we would recommend. We always try to take a more collected approach when it comes to home decor. Find some pieces at Target that you love, but also go look at your local vintage and antique shops, small boutiques. Etsy is also a great resource for one-of-a-kind pieces. Don’t fill space, just to fill space. Invest in pieces you really love. We love to plug vintage decor for the small business support and for the environmental impact that using all new creates. It’s always a great consideration to reuse and give something a new life.” Marcie Busath

Question: Outdoor lighting…black or oil rubbed bronze? House is dark blue.

“On the outside, we almost always go with oiled rubbed bronze. It has a softer feel to it, it’s a little more timeless and is less harsh than black.” Marianne Brown