couchiching_girl Thank you for this ideabook! I strongly believe in these principles and as we renovate our cottage we are thinking a lot about them. Especially when it comes to flooring, trim and hardware. One of my pet peeves is seeing mismatching trim styles throughout a house. It drives me crazy.

I think I got this attitude from my parents. During the two additions they put on - at least 10 years apart from one another - they would source discontinued door knobs, exterior brick, etc just to match the house as it was originally designed. Talk about attention to detail!

ikwewe We used the same tile throughout our home remodel. The house has paneling throughout which is also unifying. The light tile and dark paneling balance nicely. For artwork, we went colorful and graphic with Charley Harper posters in every room. Furniture and some bedding is in light green shades. We also used some pebble tile in one of the baths and in the kitchen.

midmodfan I have no new tips, but we have done a lot of what you recommend. The entry and the two bathrooms have the same dark slate-like tile floors, the rest of the house has teak hardwood floors. Switches, colors, door and window handles, built-ins, recessed lighting and other fixtures are the same throughout the house.That's a real quiet backdrop and a huge contrast to the overwhelming pre-renovation "style".

cstasz I just bought a flip that is ivory throughout. I was going to reprint, then realized it is a perfect backdrop for art we have never been able to hang. Less is more. I also like other ideas in this book to enjoy my contemporary home after years in an Arts and Crafts one.

Mercy Me This is an excellent Ideabook: great tips, text and photos.

We have followed many of these design principles in my current home, and it has made all the difference in the overall look and feel. Not to mention how well it functions.

beverlynn The walls in my house are all a buttercream color. I have off white furniture in the living/dining room (one open space). while some people make think it's boring, I have a lot of artwork that I wanted to standout. I wanted them to be the focus pieces of the rooms and not compete with wall color.

inkycat white is neutral and clean, but it can also be cold.

wantsideas In the early stages of getting rid of carpet on main level. Going with hardwoods but hate to rip out immaculate grey tile in foyer. A perfect tile job if there ever was on! Also hesitant about hardwoods in kitchen especially for the water issue. For practical purposes, I'm thinking a tile that matchs the hardwoods in other areas for the kitchen. Your thoughts? Main level is open to every room.

mitrashaffy thank you for the idea book! It is really helpful.

frenchdecor It is not my own invented trick, I found it in color design book, but I used it. If you want different color everywhere all paint colors must be lightened to be compatible (as combination of pastel colors). Second trick is accessorize room to match wall colors of adjacent room. For example, dining room walls' coral, in living room coral draperies and area rug with some coral color on it, or any other coral accessory (art, cushions). Subtle green living room requires green accessories in dining room, such as picture frames, table runner, or chairs' upholstery, for connection. My preference is subtle and a bit dusted colors. Kids room I don't connect to anything in any way.

trasgorshek Great ideabook! Something that always needs to be considered with open concept being the big thing right now. Bring continuity to the entire space.

kellystevens I was so annoyed at the previous owners of my house for randomly changing the switchplate and outlets - ivory in one room, white in the next, dark brown in the hallway. With the walls all the same color, it just looked messy. One of the first things I had done was make them all consistent.