Remember when
the trend was to use vinyl covers to keep furniture
clean? They worked — until someone poked a hole in
them. (OK, it was me but it was an accident.)
THE 60-30-10 RULE
HGTV.com lists the top 10 tips for
adding color to your space. The classic 60-30-10 rule is
my favorite. The site explains it like this: When
decorating any room, divide the colors into percentages
as follows.
— 60 percent should be a dominant
color, unifying the palette.(Think the walls.)
— 30 percent should be a secondary
color, providing visual interest. (Think the
upholstery.)
— 10 percent should be an accent
color, adding that little bit of sparkle. (Think the
accent pieces.)
STYLE A LA CINDY CRAWFORD
If anyone knows how quickly trends
come and go, it's supermodel Cindy Crawford. So it's
only logical a classic beauty like her would stick
mainly to timeless pieces in her new home-furnishings
collection, Cindy Crawford Style. Available at JCPenney
and JCP.com, the line includes elegant and stylish
designs in bedding, bath, decorative accessories, window
treatments, accent furniture and lighting. From accent
tables and wine racks to dinnerware and flatware, you'll
find something for every room. Other pieces include
serving trays, candle holders, shower curtains and bath
rugs. Then there are the textured throws, which can be
used to cover furniture to keep it clean. Or do you
prefer 1980s vinyl?
ELLE DECOR TURNS 20
Elle Decor is now 20 and to celebrate,
editor in chief Margaret Russell and the other editors
of the magazine have released "Style and Substance:
The Best of Elle Decor" ($45, Filipacchi
Publishing) — a compilation of the hundreds of spaces
that have been featured during the past two decades.
They include the homes of celebs such
as Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Sarah Jessica Parker. Of
them all, "the most memorable rooms are confident
rooms that not only exemplify good taste, they reflect
the owner's personality," Russell said. Because
"classic never goes out of style," she
suggests investing in sofas, armchairs, cocktail tables
— the furniture that anchors your room — that are as
tailored and low-key as possible for those on a budget.
Use inexpensive accessories to add trend-oriented color
or pattern. For more ideas, see the book.
