Design Tips to Kick Start the New Year

A cocktail table and side table in a Deborah Wescelman-designed living room uses elements of different heights, shapes and colors to a neutral palette

Now that your holiday company has long arrived back to their home and the Christmas tree is down, you are probably thinking that the rooms in your home are looking void of décor and you need some design ideas and tips. Deborah Wescelman of Deborah Wecselman Designs in Miami, Florida is here to offer us some professional pointers. She has a refreshing approach to interior design that sophisticatedly combines minimal and eccentric designs. Her talent lies in her ability to mix elements from all different eras, styles and periods. She encourages a client to look at their personality and their own imagination that will translates into a great sense of style.

Here are a few of Deborah’s design tips:

1. Clean lines: furniture should come in basic forms: square, rectangle or circles—the cleaner, the better
2. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and prints. By adding primary-shaped furniture, it keeps the space “clean” and allows for abstract adornments that will not create a “busy” appearance.
3. Start with neutral hues then add unexpected pops of color: by using taupe, beige, cream, grey, black, white or brown (neutral) canvases, liven up the space with bold home accessories from bright yellow paintings to royal blue vases; unexpected pops of color add personality to any space

Deborah Wecselman was born in Lima, Peru and began her formal training as design associate in the store development department at Polo Ralph Lauren. She quickly rose to Senior Director of International Store Design, where she was responsible for the creation of more than 5,000 international shops and stores. For more information on Deborah Wecselman and Deborah Wecselman Designs, please visit www.dwdinc.com. 

This Deborah Wecselman-designed dining room combines the basic rectangle shape in the dining table, art and chandelier on their neutral canvas

This Deborah Wescelman-designed space features whimsical elements with great pops of orange. Deborah's special touches of flair are seasonless and require minimal revisions throughout the change of seasons.