Where to Start: New Home with No Ideas

My husband and I just bought our first home and don’t have a clue where to start.

Help is on its way!

Pick the one room that is bugging you the most. During our phone call you mentioned you didn’t have any Dining Room Furniture. That is where we will start. I believe in floor plans. If you can’t afford a designer to do that for you. Get some graph paper that equals – 1 square is -1/4” which equals 1 foot. Is the normal ratio.

For a first house the Dining Room table should not be huge and be able to be reduced by taking out leaves. The normal table leaf is about 20”. Because we moved into a smaller space, our table can be reduced to 36”. When I put in the 2 leaves it can go to 76 inches and seat 6 to 8. Without the leaves I can seat 4 comfortably.

Also, if you are having a cocktail party, a smaller table could be put in the corner leaving lots of room for people to move around and mingle.

The use of space from what you told me you want!

Every room needs a focal point!

In a dining room, usually, it is the table or buffet.  You can also have a window with a view, fireplace and or a piano. However, when the table is in the middle of the room, it is the focal point.

Using 3Dream.net, I did create a Dining Room to show the importance of a floor plan. The other important point I would love to make. You don’t have to buy the entire suite of furniture. Buy it in stages and let the wood blend into each other, but not totally match. Homes that have the most interest to me, have been created one piece at a time. Too much matching is not interesting.

Once you have the use of space and furnishing you can afford, let’s look at color.

Let’s look at the color wheel. I always cut it in half. The Brown undertone colors of red, red-orange, orange, gold and magenta. Conceal wood tones. They are brown and will blend into the wood. Brown undertone colors also make the space appear smaller. When you eye looks at a brown undertone color, the lens behind the retina gets swollen. Making the space appear smaller.

People stay longer and eat more in a red room! Red is also a brown undertone and will concale wood!

Want to lose weight? Do you know of any blue food? Might keep you on your diet!!!!

Once you understand color and what it will do – use it and have fun!

Black undertone colors of blue, teal, green, purple, and indigo. Enhance wood tones. They also make a space look larger. When you look at a black undertone color, the lens behind the retina flattens out. Making the space appear larger.

The white undertone colors of yellow and lime green will blend with white and contrast with the other undertones of Black and Brown.

A great tip is when you have a room full of wood that isn’t necessarily good wood. Perhaps hand me downs from wherever you could get it. Blend them in using a brown undertone color. If you have new wood cabinets in the Kitchen and want to show them off. Use a black undertone color. 

Lighting is next!

Consider using the 3 different levels of lighting.

1. Overhead- use to get into the space and then go to the other 2 levels of lighting. I was glad to see you didn’t have a chandelier. It is usually in the middle of the room and if and when you move your table, can be in the way. You found a very creative way to illuminate your table when needed.
2. Task- for reading, sewing, homework, etc.
3. Mood- from the floor up.  Creating mood, shadows, and mystique.  Use all 3 in every room. 

Windows are last. If you do them first, you will overdue them.

They finish the space in your home.  They do have rules.

1. Advance or recede into a room. If they advance, that is the first thing you will see upon entering the room. If the recede, will finish the space and soften it.
2. Carry a vertical or horizontal line.  It is true with blinds.  Vertical will add height to a room.  Horizontal will bring the ceiling down in the room. You will eliminate the products available once that decision is made.
3. Give privacy, room darkening or simply finish the space. 

By Margi Kyle, Managing Editor

 Building a new home or renovating an existing one? We’ve got an expert here at LKNConnect — Margi Kyle. A professional Interior Designer for over 45 years, Margi has an extensive portfolio, a brilliant vision for color and style, and a willingness to help the design-deprived among us! If you have a Design Dilemma, write to Dr. Margi at [email protected] and ask your question. Include pictures and details, and Dr. Margi will respond to your Design Dilemma with a perfect solution!

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