Some of My Biggest Decorating Mistakes

Just because you are an artist, don't think that you know everything about decorating.

I am an artist and I love color. Unfortunately that does not always mean that as an artist that you always make smart choices when it comes to decorating. One of the worst mistakes that I made when it came to decorating was to use too dark colors in a small bathroom. I had the bright idea that a dark orange color would look smashing in our bathroom.

The bathroom was rather small which, with the bright firey orange color, only made it appear smaller than it did before. I tried to convince myself that it was very warm and cozy but it wasn't working. Fortunately when the new owners bought the house they repainted the bathroom. I am sure it wasn't because of the bright colors in the bathroom and the bedrooms that they felt they just had to have my house.

Why you don't want to use bright colors in your children's bedrooms.

My daughter loved purple. I love it, too, but had no idea how awful the gaudy dark fuchsia color was going to look on her bedroom walls. In spite of the time and the expense, it was only a matter of days before we repainted her rooms a very pale shade of lavender. I know today, that if it is important to you to have a bright color on your walls, for God's sake and yours too, just paint one accent wall. You can also add the bright or dark colors in accent such as with pillows or throw rugs instead of on your walls.
I painted our hyperactive son's room another bright orange, which did not act as a calming agent or aid in his sleeping. It is important to have soothing colors in your bedrooms, well at least in your children's bedrooms. You may want something a little more exciting in your own bedroom. I would not suggest a bright stimulating color in the bedroom of your child, though.

If you insist on having some of the new trendy dark colors on your walls, paint your woodwork white or cream. If you have dark wood trim, it only makes things dark and drab. I still love color but have gotten a little wiser in my home decorating.

What about practical furniture?

I grew up with Naugahyde furniture. My mother insisted that it was much more sanitary and easier to clean. At least we didn't have plastic covering the furniture like many people did in the 50's. I thought as a young mother that the black Mediterranean furniture would look great in our living room. To my credit it was very popular at the time and it did look nice with that charming orange shag carpet.

Unfortunately even after having the complete living room suite replaced once, it kept tearing around the buttons. The furniture store went out of business, and we never did get our money back or the furniture replaced again. Make sure that you buy your furniture from a reputable furniture store. Better yet, buy it used and it will be tried and true. I have got some of my best furniture purchases second-hand.

My most embarrassing confession about a horrible decorating mistake.

As a young bride the most embarrassing decorating mistake I ever made was to wallpaper my kitchen with cut out sunflowers from contact paper. I cringe to think of it now, but at the time I thought it was very impressive. I was a frustrated flower child, so please be gentle with your criticism.