THE TRIED & TRUE METHOD TO MAKING YOUR HOUSE A HOME

Keep the size of the furniture in scale to the size of the room.

Large furniture should face other large furniture for balance & proportion.

If possible, place the largest piece of furniture in the middle of the room.

Emphasize only on one focal point in a room such as a fireplace.

Group like items together.

Remove anything in the room that conflicts with the color scheme.

Limit the art to focal pieces or groupings of similar themes.

Remove all small area rugs or runners, opting for an appropiate size piece.

Avoid huge contrasts in height.

Each room in the house should have plenty of natural and/or artifical light.

Keep to a color theme throughout the main level of the home.

Group accessories in odd numbers and vary the heights.

Don't obstruct outdoor views.

Discuss how you live, how much you entertain, & how best you want your home to represent your lifestyle & taste.

Do your homework; look at shops, model homes, & magazines for inspiration.

Make a thorough list of your priorities.

Concentrate on those rooms that hold the most importance to your family.

Become an expert in the field.  Read books, search the web, take courses, interview  designers.

Shop at antique stores, flea markets, garage sales, sometimes wonderful surprises await the discerning buyer.

Be flexible, be willing to adjust to changes & be open to suggestions.

Angling furniture makes a room feel larger.

Commit to hard work.

Use your time and that of your designers wisely.

Never disrupt traffic flow.

Budget, Budget, Budget.