Last week I detailed 3 of my personal rules for interiors. Here are 3 more:

1. Go for a mix of styles: Contemporary interiors are fundamentally eclectic. The key is to avoid having your space resemble a Hilton hotel room, where everything matches and there is no variation in furnishing styles or wood finishes. This can be one of the hardest things to pull off well, but it is SO important. I will be talking a LOT more about this in weeks to come.

2. Accomplish an overall feeling of light and air in a space: I have an absolute preference for paler, lighter colors for walls, especially white. I love the feeling of light and air sweeping into a space, overtaking it, and becoming a central component of the design. That being said, if you are doing a house full of light and airy rooms, it is cool to have a space that is in a bit of contrast. My favorite way to do this is by adding deep earthy color on textured grasscloth wallpaper in one central room in the home.

3. Make it feel unique: There are many sources today for accessible mass market furnishings that are style-conscious. We should embrace these, but beware of creating spaces that feel generic. Some of your furnishings and most of your accessories should come from small boutiques like Furbish, flea market and antique sources, and things found on travels. Buy things because you like them and have a clear idea of how you will use them in your space. Don’t worry too much about doing the “right” thing. The only thing that matters is that the items you add reflect your aesthetic preferences and make you happy. That alone will make your home unique.

I hope these tips are useful to you! Feel free to let me know what you think by posting to the blog.