I make a huge effort to bring great design, style, and certain individual element into every aspect of my life from apparel and accessories that I wear, down to the pen that I carry in my handbag. The only area that I seem to repeatedly fail, however, is in the home; just because I have a great eye for fashion and beauty doesn’t mean I can translate it into interior design, and I certainly admit that I struggle with it, and in particular on cutting down the clutter and making my home more minimalist and chic.
The timing couldn’t be better, as I enter into a new phase of life with my husband, and we are in need of some changes and upgrades to our home, that I got some one-on-one time with TV personality and interior designer Genevieve Gorder (host of Dear Genevieve and HGTV Design Star) and HomeGoods this past week. HomeGoods and Genevieve had decked out a gorgeous loft in Manhattan, completely with pieces from the store, with the mindset of showing how to mix and match while incorporating whimsical and practical pieces, in a bevy of hot colors for the season (bright blues, yellows, moss green). Now THIS, I can definitely get behind!
As I walked through, room by room with Genevieve, there were a ton of pieces, from couches to coasters, that compelled me to head to the closest HomeGoods this weekend in search of these affordable pieces, and as a major plus, Genevieve was so inspiring and creative that I feel hopeful, instead of overwhelmed, with making little updates to my home that will make a huge difference! See above for my favorite pieces, available at HomeGoods, and below for tips and insights from the pro, Genevieve Gorder!
Don’t be afraid to use mirrors: let them reflect and bounce light to make a space feel larger!
Organizational, functional, storage solutions do exist: use little lacquer boxes, big chests, and artful stands to add an element of cool, but also functionality to hide all of your little doo-dads. Be sure to put things away, right away to maximize distracting clutter (i.e. dishes, cutlery), and remember to use as much vertical space as you can, making the most of under bed storage and building out shelving, seen and unseen, to maximize what you’ve got. And when you can’t put away any more…store the rest, donate it, or sell it!
When you find a really cool piece…think of a creative way to use it!: We paused and spoke of the large yellow vase on the table, that was stunning but…what do you do with it? Genevieve gave a ton of solutions, from sticking a candle in it to flanking a doorway with one on each side. If a piece catches your eye, go with it, and you’ll find a way to incorporate it into your home.
Your bedroom is an important, intimate space for you – make it zen and truly liveable!: Genevieve said that most people leave renovating their bedroom for last, which means, they pretty much never get to it! It’s so important to have peace, visually (and hopefully) otherwise in there; make it comfy and cool with ideas like two different nightstands, somewhere to lounge other than the bed, and plenty of throw pillows.
You can do a gallery wall of photos and paintings – here’s how: Doesn’t this wall look just absolutely stunning? I expressed my trepidation at doing the same kind of thing, and Genevieve’s tips really helped me to figure it out: for starters, if there is one piece that is really important to you, or you want it to be the focal point, place it in the center “and the others will be placed and rotate around it like an orb” Genevieve asserted. Also balance the size and weights of frames apart from each other, like the camera drawing on the left(pictured above) and the keyboard on the right; with thinner frames and smaller sizes interspersed. Also, leave about 1.5-2″ between each frame; the sizes and subject matter may all be different, but that’s one thing you can keep uniform to tie it all together. Also, to not have to worry about finding studs in the wall, or if you have drywall, ‘faux’ walls always use a picture frame hanger, instead of a single nail.
Eclectic Dinnerware is in!: Mix and match your charger plates with those for the salad, appetizer, and main course- it actually is quite modern to do it in your own hodgpodge way, to mix colors, patterns, and textures as you see fit.
Let Pet Beds and Blankets Fit into the Surroundings, By Keeping Them Sturdy: Pet stuff can always look like such an eyesore; Genevieve suggests letting them have their bed and favorite place to hang out by giving them a taut surface to lay on, preferably something woven or that doesn’t look to loose or out of place with the rest of your belongings. She suggests making your own pet bed by buying some fabric and sewing it over foam to retain it’s shape, but maintain comfort and warmth for your furry friend.
Keep Your Kitchen Clutter-Free and Chic with Cool Jars, Colors, and Trays: Trays are an affordable way to add a bit of color, and organize your goods with thoughtful design elements that will certainly elevate the feel of your kitchen and free up some space, maybe even encouraging you to cook more!
With 385 HomeGoods across the country and easy delivery options, the time is now to get your home exactly how you’ve always dreamed of it to be!
