Decorating Dos and Don'ts

• Your home is where you go to unwind and relax. Select leather furniture that is comfortable, practical, and functional - furniture that you long to sink into.
• Consider the trends, but refrain from always being a follower; be a trendsetter.
• Many leathers have the added beauty of imperfections. Relax, and don't aim for perfection and uniformity.
• Photos add warmth and charm to a home, but don't create a wall of fame. Consider one large composite or group photo.

Because of the bulkier size of today's rustic and casual leather furniture, concentrate on a few larger paintings that balance with the leather furnishings. In leather furniture, brown is the new black, and earth tones are the accent trends. Add a bit of the outdoors with large plants, indoor trees, and natural stone planters. Leather furniture has lines that define its style; the nature of leather is to conform to the body and return to its original shape. Style should be about you rather than about short-lived fads and what the masses conform to. Leather furniture is uncomplicated, and it allows for artistic expression when accessorizing. Stick to a central color scheme, but be bold enough to incorporate floral motifs or plaids that make your leather furniture the focal point.

• Decorating in the 21st century is not about matching colors. Concentrate on blending and accenting. Add an accent from another culture. Too much uniformity and repetitiveness is boring.
• In rooms where children and pets are not a major consideration, incorporate the beauty of natural wood floors and large, bold area rugs that balance with leather sofas and chairs. Leather furniture is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, so consider the seasonal value of your floor coverings.
• Add woods and metals to a room of leather furniture. Folding dividers, lamps, occasional tables, and ornamental pieces should balance to size, color, and furniture style. Don't be afraid to mix media.