Decorating & Design
January 5, 2017
Discover H&H Editors’ Design Resolutions For A Stylish 2017
A new year, a fresh start — now is the perfect time to bring things up to their full potential. And whether it’s refreshing a single room or taking on a full-scale reno, House & Home editors have set their sights on a chic, well-decorated 2017. Here, we’ve collected a handful of their personal design resolutions for the new year to inspire your own to-do list. (Already have a goal in mind? Share it in the comments!)
See our 2016 design resolutions.
Give a neglected room a facelift. “My resolution for 2017 is to refresh our guest room. Formerly our master bedroom, it’s been ignored over the last few years and now needs some love and attention. In particular, I’m thinking of fresh, white floors, like the ones in Barbara Bendix Becker and Jacob Holm’s home…” — Sally Armstrong, Senior Editor
Elevate an indoor-outdoor space. “There’s a room just off my kitchen that’s in desperate need of renovation, and this could be the year! It looks out to the backyard, so it could be really lovely, but it’s not insulated. It gets too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, making my kitchen drafty. So I’m thinking of adding a gas fireplace and maybe some ceiling beams to turn it into a warm den. I’d like it to be a bright, yet cozy space like the living room in Steven Gambrel’s Sag Harbor, NY, home.” — Beth Hitchcock, Editor-in-Chief
Bring back the dining room. “I’d love to use my dining space more often and give it real purpose. Right now it essentially acts as a thoroughfare from my hallway to my kitchen, and I often find myself having meals on the fly: standing at the counter, munching at the coffee table in front of the TV…. (embarrassing!). I want to take the time to enjoy my dining space, whether it’s with a group dinner or just a random weeknight meal with my boyfriend. And with that in mind, I’d love to pick up a whole new set of dinnerware, too. Nothing fancy, just a classic white set for eight that isn’t a mish-mash of various items I’ve accumulated over the years.” — Lauren Petroff, Design Editor
Upgrade to a statement sofa. “Now that our kitchen renovation is finally done, I’m itching to get on with the rest of the house. The living room is top of the list for 2017, and I’m absolutely dying to get rid of our horrible but kid-friendly sofas. A jewel-toned, tufted beauty like the one in this Samantha Farjo-designed home — paired with crisp white walls and a colorful modern rug — makes my heart sing.” — Alice Lawlor, Editorial Director
Get out of your decorating comfort zone. “This year, I’m resolving to be less of a clutter-phobe, since I’m told my house can feel a bit Spartan. I plan to revisit some of the ceramics, art prints and books I’ve been stashing out of sight and make some pretty displays. I’d like to channel this layered vignette by designer Nam Dang-Mitchell; it’s eye-catching, but edited.” — Reiko Milley, Associate Editor
Embrace natural wood. “I bought unfinished wood stools for our kitchen last summer intending to paint or stain them, but have since realized I love them in their natural state! I’d like to use more light woods and cheerful colours this year in general — and this bedroom is just what I’m envisioning.” — Emily Evans, Assistant Editor
Be more adventurous with decorating. Having recently returned from my honeymoon in Thailand with more than a few exotic curiosities in my suitcase, I’m excited to find a home for them in my space. I love the idea of decorating with items that tell a story, and am hoping to adopt a more global aesthetic this year. Silvana D’Addazio’s sitting area has just the type of eclectic look I’m going for; she proves that taking the road less travelled with unique decor can really pay off!” — Adena Leigh, Web Editor
Dive into pattern. “For 2017, I’m embracing everything patterned! Well, in baby steps, at least. I’d love to do an accent wall or alcove covered in an artistic pattern like the one in H&H senior editor Sally Armstrong’s principal bedroom. I tend to play it safe when it comes to decorating, so this is an easy way to ease into it.” — Jessica Flower, Editorial Assistant
Work with what you’ve got. “My closet is one of those spaces that inevitably goes from clean to chaotic. I’m fortunate enough to have a built-in organizer, so my resolution is to actually use it to its full functionality. I’m inspired by this space by Sabrina Linn, where clothes are hung neatly to the side, shoes are displayed in smaller cubbies and smaller items are stashed away in boxes.” — Amanda Tucci, Editorial Assistant
Look forward to the months ahead. “I plan to whip the plantings around the pool into shape next summer. I know I’ll have to wait months, but there’s a serviceberry tree that’s been cannonballed to death and it needs to go! If I start early enough in spring, I figure things will look lush by July. I’m looking to this garden by Mark Hartley Landscape Architects for inspiration; it strikes the perfect balance between natural and maintained.” — Wendy Jacob, Features Editor