Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Design Tips for Everyone

In the world of design, there are many things that go unsaid, or un-blogged.  Today I'm sharing a few tips and tricks with you that will hopefully help you in the department of designing/decorating your home.  I've done a few illustrations with some pointers written out and hope they help! Please add tips of your own {or ask more questions...maybe I'll do a part two} in the comments if you have any you'd like to share!




In addition to these tips, I know a lot of people struggle with finding the best way to hang picture frames and art work on the wall.  I found these instructions from Apartment Therapy, and since this is exactly the process I use to hang frames, I thought I'd share their information here.  It's explained so well...better than I could have done...so here you have it:

Step By Step:
1. Measure and lightly mark 57" on the wall
2. Measure top of your picture to the middle (or take height and divide by 2)
3. Measure top of your picture to the tightened wire (a small amount)
4. Subtract this last amount to tell you how far above 57" your hook should go
5. Measure up from 57" with this last amount and lightly mark on the wall
Example:
1. Picture is 20" tall
2. Middle is 10" down from top (this should rest at 57")
3. Wire comes to 2" below the top
4. 10" - 2" = 8"
5. Lightly mark 8" above your first mark OR 65" on the wall
***
So...did these help? What are some designer tips you have? Do tell...maybe we can get a dialogue going!
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Love,
Photobucket

30 comments

  1. kaitJuly 24, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    ah wonderful tips! The odd numbers thing is so true! whoda thunk?

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  2. RissyJuly 24, 2012 at 8:29 AM

    I know absolutely nothing about design Michaela and as I get closer and closer to becoming my only roommate, I really appreciate this!

    I will totally refer to this again


    CarissaExplainsItAll

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  3. A Silver SnapshotJuly 24, 2012 at 8:42 AM

    This is wonderful. Filing this away for future decorating & renovating. On the picture tip, I was wondering what about if you are doing a group of pictures? What would the measurements be then? Just curious.

    Silver from A Silver Snapshot
    http://starthinker-silverbarter.blogspot.ca/

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  4. Sherri B.July 24, 2012 at 9:05 AM

    Such great tips and so much nicer to read from your fun sketch pad rather than a magazine page. Thanks!

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  5. (Eileen) a creative dayJuly 24, 2012 at 9:19 AM

    Great tips, and love the sketch pad!

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  6. UnknownJuly 24, 2012 at 10:09 AM

    Great tips! I've never heard the 57" height before (I usually just eyeball it haha) but that will be very useful :) xo

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  7. AlyssaJuly 24, 2012 at 10:28 AM

    These are such great tips--I haven't heard of most of them before!

    -Alyssa
    The Glossy Life

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  8. Ashley AntkowiakJuly 24, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!! I'm sending this to my mom. :)

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  9. KatyJuly 24, 2012 at 10:45 AM

    1. I love your handwriting.
    2. Great great tips! The curtain thing is a pet peeve of mine, and so are too-small rugs! I always style in 3's (well, usually)! So perfect!
    3. I have never thought to test paint colors on every wall! So smart--our house would probably be a different color had I known that :).
    4. I would have to add that all furniture doesn't need to match--add some depth with different textures and finishes!

    I don't know why I numbered this haha!Great post!

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  10. LisaJuly 24, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    These are excellent tips! Thanks for sharing some of your expertise!

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  11. UnknownJuly 24, 2012 at 11:01 AM

    All great, Michaela. I try to pass along most of these to my clients when I am in their homes. With a few simple rules/tricks the design of a room completely changes.

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  12. Hilary @ HilabeansJuly 24, 2012 at 11:02 AM

    This was a great post for someone plain jane like me who likes styling a room but I really have no clue about the nitty gritty details like that. Thanks!! Great tips :)

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  13. Michelle @ Ten JuneJuly 24, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    Those are great tips! I have a hard time hanging my picture frames- I always want to hang them too high and usually just go with my gut instead of the rule... but then readers tell me I hang my photos too high, ha!

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  14. Marissa@ohhhsolovelyJuly 24, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    these are such valuable tips & tricks. i really love when drapes are hung super high. i just like this look so much better! it's also great to now know at what height pics should be hung. thx!!

    http://ohhhsolovely.blogspot.com/

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  15. ElieJuly 24, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    Love your blog, I follow religiously like my mom over at Simply LKJ. I just put up my new blog http://richtastevanillacake.blogspot.com/ :)

    xoxo

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  16. Simply LKJJuly 24, 2012 at 12:48 PM

    Too funny, yes the commentor above would be MY child! Great tips Mchaela, especially about hanging pictures. Most people I know hang them either too high because they are tall or too low because they are short.

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  17. Lil Mama StuartJuly 24, 2012 at 12:51 PM

    love the notebook sketches. simple but very useful/impactful tips!

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  18. UnknownJuly 24, 2012 at 1:08 PM

    Great tips! I was doing the odd number thing long before I learned that and the "hang 'em high" trick literally changed my life! ;)

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  19. Beth AnnJuly 24, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    Going to measure my chandelier-from-table now! I'm also a curtain offender. Doh! ;( I've seen that rule before... but haven't taken the time to re-hang them all or buy longer curtains!

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  20. NicoleJuly 24, 2012 at 2:08 PM

    Great tips! I am already looking forward to putting together our one day apartment :)

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  21. JordanJuly 24, 2012 at 2:59 PM

    Soooo helpful!
    You're amazing, I love the drawings!
    Something I learned recently too, that flat paint is for regular living spaces, while the glossy is for rooms that get a lot of humidity. I think that's right, that's what my dad told me.
    Anyways, you're amazing. :)

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  22. LisaJuly 24, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    LOVE this post, and your illustrations are darling! I'd love to see more tips on hanging gallery walls, storage ideas that aren't ugly (need that one haha!), and creating a cohesive look in a room that's not too match-y. Now that I think about it, all of those probably require longer posts, but still :)

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  23. MeganJuly 24, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    I love these tips! I learned the rug tip when you visited, remember?! And it's been under the couch ever since! Haha!

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  24. Becky {This Is Happiness}July 24, 2012 at 5:35 PM

    Love these tips Michaela. My husband and I have hung many chandeliers and always wondered the correct height. Same for the picture hanging height - we've had many discussion about this too. Glad to have expert advice from an interior designer to defend myself :)

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  25. Amy @ Five Kinds of HappyJuly 24, 2012 at 5:50 PM

    Wonderful tips Michaela! Interesting to learn the specific measurements. :)
    xAmy

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  26. Brandi July 24, 2012 at 6:40 PM

    Great tips! I always struggle with hanging my photos so this it's great to have a measuring guideline. Also I've always wondered about the chandelier height, so now I know! Very good tips! :)

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  27. jessica // union shoreJuly 24, 2012 at 9:34 PM

    great tips! i'm definitely bookmarking this!
    i love your sketches too!

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  28. Nicole DianneJuly 25, 2012 at 2:47 AM

    who knew there was so much math in interior design? ;) great tips girl! definitely going to keep these in mind!

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  29. KeelyJuly 25, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    GREAT info. pinning your suggestions for decor so I don't forget later on!

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  30. Rachel AmyJuly 25, 2012 at 6:31 PM

    These tips were GREAT! --rachelamy

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Thank you for stopping by! If you have a specific question, please email me at hello@michaelanoelledesigns.com. I always reply to emails! Have a blessed day! xoxo

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