Courtney Warren is a Texas-based interior designer whose work has been featured in Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, and Today.com. She is a frequent consultant on Fox 4 TV’s Good Day program in Dallas, was ranked in the top 3 percent of interior designers in the US by Houzz.com, and starred in the Dallas episode of TLC’sFour Houses. She delights in helping overwhelmed clients create beautiful spaces—and will never turn down a warm chocolate chip cookie or Diet Dr Pepper.
Even though I am busy promoting the new book, the summer design work doesn’t take a break. And that is just how I like it! This beautiful home was a perfect example of nice…but a little blah. Check out some action tips that take your space from boring to unique. These tips will help you upgrade your space.
Many of my clients have a nice home, filled with nice furniture, but they call me because it is missing that WOW factor.
Which is one of my favorite reasons to design!
Here is how we added the WOW factor to this Rockwall home.
Transforming a bedroom from boring to dreamy! We brought life to a plain and uninspiring space. The once bland bedding was replaced with a mix of calming blues that create a serene, spa-like atmosphere. Heavy outdated furniture made way for elegant and modern pieces. Soft lighting, cozy rugs, pillows, and carefully chosen art added relaxation and harmony, finally turning this bedroom into a beautiful retreat.
Action tip: Replace signs with art
If you can’t have fun in the bathroom, you are doing it wrong! This once very simple powder bath was easy to overlook. First stop on the style train- punchy wallpaper! The homeowner loves blue, yellow and green, so this gorgeous wallpaper added style and charm. Adding contrasting towels and a gingham curtain made this room one of the best in the home.
Action tip: A powder bath is a great place to bring in personality and fun
Styling the mantle doesn’t always mean a huge overhaul. This client had gorgeous pieces already, and we highlighted them with more strategy. The “wordy” sign took away the elegance from the antique mirrors, so I sapped it with another vintage mirror, then accented it with an artful toile plate. Cozy textiles on the hearth added warmth and sophistication.
This beautiful kitchen just needed streamlining. The oversized fake plants and large sign on the countertops were looking dated. We swapped them with more curated collections. By moving small appliances behind doors, we were able to let her vintage cookbook collection shine. The countertops have much more breathing room, and let the gorgeous finishes shine.
Action tip: Clear countertops of clutter and let your beautiful finishes shine
The table and chairs were gorgeous, but we needed to add a few key elements:
A dressier chandelier provided a more formal look for this formal room
The mirror and china collection is beautiful, but needed to be anchored with a larger piece of furniture underneath. A slim buffett makes this room actually seem larger, and provides more storage for collections.
Design Tip: Add furniture when possible, to best utilize the space and anchor heavy decor above.
The power of design and thoughtful updates can truly transform a house into a home. We’ve witnessed the remarkable before and after the journey of a bedroom, guest bathroom, living room, dining area and kitchen, where each space has been revitalized with creativity, attention to detail, and a vision for a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.
Can you see here how there may not be HUGE changes, but knowing what to change can make the difference between a plain room and one that SHINES. Which one is your favorite?