How Do I Use Rugs to Separate Spaces in an Open Floor Plan?

Question

We've just moved into a house with an open floor plan. We love the wide-open spaces, but now that we're getting down to decorating, how do we show distinct areas of our home? (Roger and Helen, Scarsdale, NY)

Answer

When you have an open floor plan, you have ample room in your home without feeling closed in and crowded. At first, the open floor plan is great, but then you realize that there's no separation between the living room, dining room, and kitchen. If you want some separation that doesn't require that you build a permanent wall, here are some suggestions.

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How Can I Get a Handle on Color Schemes?

Most homeowners - and more than a few interior designers - are a bit baffled about the "color thing." Walk into any paint store and you're overwhelmed with the different degrees of hues. We invited R. Jabbour & Sons to write this guest column for us. They first opened their doors in New York City over 80 years ago. Passed through four generations of family, R. Jabbour & Sons continues to be a trusted and highly knowledgeable resource for the finest bed, bath, and table linens. Their loyal following of customers rely on the utmost attention to detail and service - and their impeccable sense of color.

When decorating a home or a room, one should always remember that color has a psychological effect on mood and emotion. All colors work together to create a specific mood from the color of paint on the walls, to the color of your carpet, to the color of your couch. For this reason, when decorating a room, you should keep in mind what kind of tone you would like to set. Do you want to create a relaxing atmosphere or perhaps a more energetic one? Then think about how certain colors affect your mood and if they work harmoniously into your décor theme.

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