Takeaways from TV

I was thoroughly amused when I got a chance to check out Season 5, episode 8 of HGTV Design Star this morning:  the topic was Re-purposing! Huzzah!
As a die-hard cook and hostess, I love designing my settings and recreating recipes with my own touch.  So it was fun for me to watch the episode about redesigning dining spaces.

Things that I enjoyed taking away from the episode:

1. Benches by the dining table are great if you don't have room to move chairs around your small space.  Just make the bench comfortable.
2. Don't be afraid to paint a ceiling, but subtly draw the color down into the room. (see the green and white pattern in the drapes that compliment the green ceiling with the white chandelier)
3. Enjoy breaking things and putting them back together in different shapes, but create a cohesive product. (see the mirror frame of porcelain angel wings)
4. If you have a full brick wall, feel free to create a large standing mural to break it up a bit.  If you are putting it in a place full of food, though, I would recommend treating it (so that if something spills on it, you can save it).
5. Layering a bold shade under a more subtle shade of paint - if done well, it brings such a wonderful spicy element to a more traditional approach to color.

Finally, here's the thing that I think is the most important element to every redesign: The reason that rooms become cluttered, and that you have too many things in the room is because the pieces are not actually working together.   DON'T BE AFRAID TO EDIT YOUR "STUFF".  Throwing things out is incredibly liberating.  In addition, you can realize what you liked about each one: Be Inspired By The Things You Love.  Then make them work together in the new design or toss the excess out.