How do Main Line interior designers make homes look so fab? We got their pro tips on paint, pillows, furniture and more.

by Patricia Mae Olson, home editor

Looking to refresh your home without a full makeover? Need some inspo for one room … or several? Four Main Line interior designers and home décor experts gave me their pro tips and tricks. And, I scouted pieces at local stores to help you upgrade your habitat!

Truly, the simplest form of a refresh is through décor and accessories. Think about how a pair of earrings or a belt can instantly update and polish an outfit. The same can be said about adding pillows or blankets to a room.

“Refreshing a space with new pillows in various colors and patterns can be an easy and effective way to reinvent a room and make it feel brand new,” says Glenna Stone of Glenna Stone Interior Design, which has a full roster of Main Line clients. “It doesn’t need to stop there. Introducing new blankets and bedding can also be an effective and cozy addition during the colder winter months.”

One of my picks: Shoppe Marché in Kennett Square. The store, owned by the amazing Deanna Johnson, has an assortment of pillows including abstract prints and textured velvets that would cozy up any space from the living room to the bedroom.

Looking to update your floors? Try a new rug or runner in an accent color or fun print. “Changing your area rugs can have a big impact on making your room feel refreshed,” says Kimberly Barr of Kimberly Barr Interior Designs in Havertown. Personally, I love the trend of daring animal print stair runners that I’ve seen all over Instagram and Pinterest.

Head to 7 West Carpet in Wayne, a shop with patterns like leopard and herringbone. Or, follow the DIY route. I painted my office stair case with pink and blue stripes. All you need is paint, paint brushes, a tape measure, painters tape and a lot of time and patience.

Speaking of paint, interior designer Kathleen Penney of Kathleen L. Penney Interiors in West Chester suggests adding painted highlights to a room. “One of the simplest and most fun ways to refresh a space is to identify a color to highlight in your space, and paint your window casing and baseboard this contrasting color,” she explains. “It is a subtle way to add a touch of interest, without committing to overhauling the room’s palette.”

As a lover of wallpaper (but someone who tends to get bored easily), I think the invention of peel-and-stick wallpaper has changed the game. In the past couple of years, the quality has improved as well as the materials. I just used peel-and-stick grasscloth texture in my master bedroom to create  a luxe look. Check out Society Social, available in multiple shades.

Let’s not forget about fabrics and the color, pattern and texture they add to rooms. “We don’t realize how certain colors unconsciously affect how we feel,” says Lee Eastwood, senior designer at Studio 882 Furniture + Design in Glen Mills. “Choose a color that is invigorating and uplifting. We all have an old accent chair that was either handed down to us, or bought from a flea market. Have that old chair reupholstered in a playful fabric. This will transform it into that special accent piece in room that makes a statement.”

In my own house, I have a pair of hot pink wing chairs. They were my grandparents’ for many years and came to me in a cream fabric. I had them reupholstered in pink and have never regretted it. They are conversation starters, accent pieces – and they make me happy. At the end of the day, your home should make you happy and comfortable. Keep that in mind above all else as you decorate your home.

Want more great stories? Read about Hotel Du Pont’s gilded glam, Lady Bosses We Love, and The Insider’s Guide To Manayunk.

Connect with Main Line Tonight!

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn