START CREATING THE COMPOSITION OF YOUR ROOM.
Think about how the things you are choosing makes you feel. Does that completely solid accordion window shade make you feel claustrophobic? I know it makes me feel that way. And so those types of shades are always a NO. There is no life in them, just function, but misses the mark on the beauty. Good design means function + beauty/grace/elegance/cool/etc.
How something makes me feel is why I am either drawn to it or repelled by it.
DOES THAT PATTERN (of your area rug/pillow/duvet cover) FEEL CLASSIC/TIMELESS? DOES IT HAVE AN ELEMENT THAT DRAWS YOU IN?
I keep seeing things (rugs, pillows, etc) that feel like a bad knock off. I’m here to tell you to KNOCK THAT OFF. Stop buying things that feel dated, or does not feel sophisticated and that does not have an elevated design aesthetic. Just stop purchasing those items.
LIMIT THE ITEMS YOU WILL NEED TO REPLACE
If we start following these guidelines, we will move out of buying things because we need them now, and start evaluating what will really be great to have and own long term. Those things that are truly cool, classic or timeless. Like that amazing hand bag you know will be a piece you have for your life time, so too should your home furnishings have this level of cool and chic.