After 25 years in the interior design business, I’ve learned a thing or two. I’ve uncovered secret interior design tricks and tips you should know, so I’m sharing them. I learned the hard way through trial and error so you don’t have to. Here are some answers to some, “Dear Jane” questions I’ve received, with some answers.
Dear Jane,
What’s the best window covering in a bathroom? I have metal mini blinds and they always look dirty.
Dear Dirt Buster,
Unfortunately, due to dampness, window coverings in a bathroom tend to attract moisture and dust; which turns into grime. My suggestion is to purchase vinyl shutters. You can flip them up to open or down to close, they’re waterproof and easy to clean. Unlike the old vinyl, they don’t turn yellow over time. Here’s a tip; if you don’t like white, interior shutters are also available in multiple colours; try black or charcoal. You can also do customizable window shutter shapes (see photo below). A second option is a flat roller screen in plastic.
Dear Jane,
It’s time to replace my older sofa and love seat in my basement. Should I replace them with a sectional?
Dear Over The Loveseat,
People have gotten away from two seater sofas, or love seats for a good reason. Only one person usually ends up in it and if you get two in it, they’re both uncomfortable. One answer is a sectional. If your room is casual and you like to snuggle and put your feet up invest in a sectional. If you are a more formal family or entertain in a more formal way, a sectional may be too casual because it means peoples’ legs touch as they get closer to the corner—not the most comfortable experience. In that case, I suggest multiple single chairs.
Dear Jane,
Is matchy-matchy a bad thing?
Dear 1980s,
Please don’t come back. You were too coordinated and everything looked like it came from a set. The way to break up with the past is to add extra throw pillows and accent pieces. If your style is more polished get something rough-hewn, like wood, or industrial style to change it up. Or change your area rug to a different style in colours that coordinate but don’t match.
Dear Jane,
What size should the lighting fixture be over a bathroom vanity?
Dear Fixated,
Your light fixture should be at least the size of the sink. Make sure it’s slightly less wide than the vanity, you don’t want it to go beyond as it will look out of proportion.
Dear No Rest in the Restroom,
The average size for a vanity with 2 sinks would be 60” to 72”, so your 80” vanity has more than enough room for 2 sinks. Depending on how much space you have from your toilet to where the tub would stand, you could place the tub along the same wall as the shower. If you have enough room you can place your tub on an angle. Also, consider making the shower walls half glass so it’s more open.
Hope you learned a secret or two!