The Curation: Sculptural Coffee Table, 3 Decorating Myths Debunked, and Beautiful Space
Enhance your living space with this week's curation of sculptural coffee tables. I will also debunk some of the most popular decorating notions, so you can be free to create a home that represents your style, and most of all, makes you happy.
Nowra Coffee Table, A$629, Freedom (AU)
The Morro Tables, from $775, Maiden Home
Plane Coffee Table, $1150, Sundays
Travertine Coffee Table, $1700, McGee&CO.
Vintage Danish Coffee Table, $495, Chairish
Zuberi, £275, Barker&Stonehouse
Mid-Century Modern Organic Coffee Table, $899, Chairish
Organic Modular Table, from $559, West Elm
Weekly Learnings & Findings
3 Decorating Myths - Debunked
Myth #1: Everything Must Match
The idea that everything must match is probably one of the biggest decorating myths. A lot of people get stuck in the idea that everything in a room has to be a certain color or a certain pattern, which I’m also guilty of doing in the past. However, this can make a room look a lot like a showroom - bland, boring, and lacking personality. It’s even worse when people purchase bulky furniture sets.
Instead, mix colors, patterns, fabrics, and textures to make a space richer and more dynamic. What you want to do is to look for a common thread, like material, style, or color. Whether that means buying antique furniture in the same wood tone, bringing brass finishes into each room, or opting for varying shades of the same color, these are some ways to make your space feel more cohesive.
For example, a contemporary dining table mixed with vintage chairs is likely to go together if made of the same kind of wood. Repetition is very important so things look intentional and are not isolated, but at the same time, you want variety and contrast so your space doesn’t feel flat and boring.
Myth #2: Empty Spaces Need To Be Filled
Don’t be tempted to fill every empty space in your home. Just because there is an empty wall or an empty section doesn’t mean it has to be filled with knick-knacks.
Negative space is necessary for breathing room and to create a sense of visual calmness in your home. You want your eye to be able to rest in certain areas and then be drawn to a place where furniture and decor are meant to shine.
If everything in a room demands your attention, then nothing in the room will get the attention. Who is the “leading lady” of the room, and how can we make sure that others are backup singers so no one outshines her?
Myth #3: Small Spaces Have To Be White
While it’s true that white walls give the impression of a larger space as they reflect more light than darker colors, having a small space doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to paint it white. But, try to stick to a single color in a room where possible. This can be light and airy, or dark and dramatic, depending on your preference and how you want your room to feel - and use this on everything.
The reason is having the same color on everything blurs the edges and creates a calmer feel, while giving the illusion of pushing the wall backward - instead of having the trims and woodwork in different colors.
When used strategically, dark colors can create a sense of depth and dimension and also a more intimate setting. There’s also nothing wrong with making a room look small. Not every space has to be light and airy. You may want to have a library or a room with a very cozy atmosphere that you can retreat to from the busyness of the outside world.
Beautiful Space
An Eclectic Sydney Family Home, With International Flair | Written by Lucy Feagins, Photography by Alisha Gore, Styling by Jono Fleming
Struggling with decorating your home?
Check out my Practical Home Design course where I cover a step-by-step process so you, yourself, can confidently make your own choices and design a home that you’ll love. I'll also provide you with guides, handbooks, templates, and a bunch of resources to aid your learning.
See you in a fortnight!
Reynard Lowell