Designing With Character

When you browse through design magazines, it\'s easy to get carried away with the pictures and think they\'d look great with your home. But many homeowners have tried just that and ended up unsatisfied. Your home may look like it\'s out of a catalog, but what really makes it pop is character-the little things you add that make it truly your own. By putting a bit of you into the room, you set it apart from the rest, regardless of your design theme.

Start by making personal choices such as color, texture and pattern. While there are some rules to follow, your tastes should always come first. After all, it\'s your space and you need something you\'ll be comfortable with. Choose a color theme that you can live with every day, patterns you won\'t get tired of, and fabrics that feel good to the touch. Once you\'ve got the basics down, the rest of your decisions will be easier since the choices will be narrowed.

Your furniture should also reflect your character. Often, it\'s the first thing people notice besides the wall color and layout, so you want to make sure it makes the right impression. Needless to say, it should be comfortable to sit or lie down in-otherwise it\'s really just a large ornament. If you\'re not sure what look you want, try using slipcovers. Since you can remove and replace them anytime, you can rotate your designs according to your mood.

Next, throw in some accessories. This is where you can get creative and really bring out your personality. It can be something simple like a collection of figurines, some photos or paintings, or a piece of wall fabric. Remember, you don\'t have to go too fancy-it just has to be something you like. For a real personal touch, create something yourself and display it along with everything else.

Finally, throw in a finishing touch, such as an area rug. Rugs make the perfect accessories because they come in all sorts of styles, so you can pick one that matches the entire room. It also helps add color to your space and tie everything together for a more unified, professionally designed look.