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| photography by Dan Sellers |
“We live in the era of design,” declares Josie McCarthy, “Design is everywhere, from televisions to iPods.” But McCarthy does not decorate with trends in mind. Her interiors are timeless and classic, aesthetics she learned from working with such legendary designers as Marguerite Green and Albert Hadley.
The Basics
When you decorate, start with the background of a room—the architectural details, textures, patterns, and colors—and work out from there. If the backgrounds aren’t right, nothing
will work.
Decorate Like a Pro
A lack of good quality and the wrong scale are both common mistakes. It takes discipline to design well. Always make a floor plan. And if you don’t have a big budget, buy quality pieces slowly.
Avoid Trends
Don’t go with the trends; use what is timeless. Occasionally, one slips through and endures. 1940s French furniture started as a trend, but now it’s a timeless classic.
My Favorite Stores
I love Nick Brock Antiques. He has a good eye, and you can get great things at a good value. And I always hit The Mews on Market Center Boulevard and East & Orient on Slocum Street.
Edit! Edit!
You must be able to edit your things. You can include items you love, but what if some of them are horrible? Remember: A collection of things that all relate—a porcelain or print collection—is better than a grouping of random objects.
Quick Design Fix
Painting a room a different color is the fastest way to improve a space.
Budget-wise Buying
Everyone has a budget. Make selective decisions, buying a few good pieces at a time. You can layer and add to them over the years.
Design For You
The basis for any great room is that it wears well over time. And at the end of the day, a room should reflect your style, just as what you wear, the music you listen to, and the food you eat do.
