 
A minimalist approach to decorating is perfectly suited for a bedroom. Clutter is a huge source of stress, removing clutter from your bedroom creates a stress free environment and a peaceful retreat. This bedroom has maximum style and can be achieved with minimal work. Start with a neutral, solid, quilted bedspread and shams. Add just a few accent pillows in flanking pairs, with one long rectangular pillow in front, and you have just the right amount of symmetry and balance, key to a minimal approach. Tailored grommet top drapery panels flank each side of the window creating just enough softness. By using the colorful floral pattern minimally in the room, on just the drapery panels and the back pillow shams, you add just enough punch of color without overpowering the room. The bed is complete with a solid purple foot covering, that breaks the neutral mass of the bedspread. This look can easily be achieved with the use of a textured throw or a beautiful thin blanket. Be careful not to overdress the bed keep the amount of pillows to a select few. Good minimalist decorating is anything but boring, with just the right amount of interesting details it can be the decorating solution you have been dreaming of.
Tall windows need not be intimidating when deciding on that perfect window treatment. Consider an elevated approach to your window design, bringing your eye up into the room and accenting the architectural aspect of the windows. Most windows used in tall ceiling rooms have a top portion and a lower portion, or some structural division between the top and bottom of the window. Often, the lower portion of the window is the only section which would require a functional window treatment, like these Silhouette shades, allowing privacy and light control. The upper portion is usually left open, as there is no need for privacy that high, and it allows the natural light to shine in.
 A floral drapery panel hangs from the top of the window in just the corner, this softens the hard architectural edge of the windows and visually creates one window from two separate windows. The panel is strategically gathered at the division between the upper and lower window. A covered board in an accent fabric allows a swag to be attached with covered buttons. The french pick up swag is lined and corded with the same solid fabric used on the buttons. By wrapping the swag from one window to the next, you soften the turn. By mixing a floral, a small print and solid fabric, of the same hues, you create a cohesive window treatment that has great visual impact. So don’t let those tall corner windows overwhelm you, by following these simple cues, you can take your windows to new heights.
This room would have been very plain without the just right amount of color to create a beautiful living space. The drapery panels use a elegant striped gold and red toned fabric, which puddles to the floor creating a look that is daring and stylish. The panels are kept narrow, as not to overpower but enhance the room. The drapes are then finished with a topper in the solid red that matches the stripe. The unique pointed shape of valance allows for the window treatment to be cleverly trimmed, at just the bottom edge, with a color coordinating trim and a tassel for just the right finishing touch. An accent rolled pillow used on the chair pulls your eye into the room, using just a touch of red. So go ahead give yourself permission to be creative, to add that touch of color that transforms a room from lack luster to a magnificent space. Create a home that speaks to you, seduces your emotions and warms your heart.
Large patterned fabrics are best suited for simple window treatment styles. The busier the style, the harder it is to consistently have the pattern repeat match and the more fabric required to achieve the style. This inverted box pleat valance offers a clean tailored style which allows the fabric to become the emphasis of this window covering. Note how perfectly the fabric pattern has been matched. When selecting a fabric with a large pattern how do you know how big of a repeat there is? The vertical repeat is found vertically on the fabric. You start from one point of the pattern design then move vertically down the fabric until that same point is found. The distance between the two is the vertical pattern repeat. This information is critical when sewing two widths of the fabric together. The same principle can be used to determine the horizontal repeat of a fabric, only moving horizontally across the fabric from one edge to the other. Knowing the repeat of a fabric is important when selecting your fabric for your project. The repeat helps to determine the amount of yardage needed to create a valance, drapery panel or upholster your furniture. The larger the repeat the more fabric needed, because it will take more fabric to match the pattern at every seam. A smaller repeat, often found on smaller print fabrics, will require less fabric. Large scale fabrics have a dramatic look, as pictured in this office, but will usually be more costly. So take the time to choose a variety of fabrics, using different size patterns and repeats to get the most impact for your money.
Craving a change for your room? Pillows are an easy solution to an updated look. These are a few design tricks to help you have pillows that pow. Consider the number, odd numbers always work best, so opt for one three or five rather than a pair. Or group the pillows into odd numbers, like shown on the sofa below, or when using them on a sectional. Pillow size is important, usually an 18 inch up to 25 inch pillow works best on sofas and offer enough area to show a print pattern or a graphic motif. Size is determined by the scale of the sofa. Adding visual interest can also be achieved by combing shapes, perhaps a round with a square.
A small rectangular or tube shape pillow is perfect for the size an accent chair. Use a limited amount of colors, repeating the color palette within the pillows and the room. Note how the geometric design used on the accent pillow compliments the color and pattern of the banding used on the drapery panels.
Fabric texture is also key, for this transitional look you would use a crisp, clean tightly woven fabrics. You want to have the pillows compliment the room rather than compete with it. What the pillow is filled with is also important. Most designers prefer a down filled or feather and down filled pillows. Although, these are usually the priciest pillows they offer a look of richness and comfort not achieved with the stiffer foam pillows. By layering a combination of colors, textures, patterns and shapes on your accent pillows you can give your room a instant make over.
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by Susan Dorbeck