Must-Read: Design Rules by Elaine Griffin

January 27, 2010 at 4:42 pm, by Veronica BHG Editor

If you’ve ever wished you could have Better Homes and Garden’s contributor Elaine Griffin pick the perfect color palette for your living room like she did for the New York state home featured in the February issue (on newsstands now) or give your home a festive holiday makeover similar to the Blair House, pick up Design Rules: The Insider’s Guide to Becoming Your Own Decorator.  ($25, penguin.com)

Griffin describes Design Rules as “…shamelessly simply and packed…with the information that knowledge-seeking-do-it-yourself designers of both sexes shouldn’t live without….” This information includes: design “rules of thumb” (The top of the coffee table should always be lower than that of the sofa.), standard furniture measurements, definitions of design terms, designer trade secrets (A yellow throw pillow will look good in almost any room.), budget ideas, color tips, and room arrangement diagrams for large and small spaces.

Design Rules is a book you can use at any step in your decorating process. Read it all at once to get you started. Take it to store for a reference guide when buying furniture, lighting, cabinetry, or window treatments. Or, use it as a room-by-room guide for each project you tackle.

Do you have a design guide you love? Tell us about it!

One Response to “Must-Read: Design Rules by Elaine Griffin”

1. February 3, 2010 at 9:56 am, by Jane Redman

   Elaine,

   Here is a little tip I tell customers when they come to my web site. Buy a loose leaf notebook with dividers and label each room. When you are ready to decorate a certain room you will start filling that divider with a paint name and chip of the color you choose, cuttings of fabric for the sofa, chairs, draperies and so on. When you are out shopping it is a great tool and eliminates time and guess work. Also, always carry a measuring tape with you, it also takes the guess work out of wondering if that lamp is to tall or the side table will fit in just the right place.

   I too am a designer but now have a fabric shop on the web, which has taken up most of my time. Fabric Alley is there to help people to become their own decorator. They can buy interior
   designer fabrics and trims at just above wholesale. Just like if they were ordering from a designer.

   I am able to offer prices at just above wholesales as I have been in the business for a long time and acquried many accounts.

   If you have time please stop by Fabric Alley and take a look around.

   Take Care
   Jane