It should be a required read for anyone, but especially anyone who creates regularly (hopefully that's all of us).
At the end of the book he has a section of tips for singer-songwriters. And because I loved the book so much, I read every page, even though I don't care to ever write a song.
One of his tips is:: Don't obsess over the perfect rhyme.
He goes on to say that some songs end up better because they don't rhyme. But it's the job of the writer to make sure if they are sacrificing rhyme, that the end result makes a better song as a whole.
He ends with these words:
"You have to earn the right to break the rules".
This is exactly how we should approach design rules or what I like to call Universal Decorating Truths.
Yes, the ideal art on your mantle should take up about 2/3 the mantel area.
But, sometimes you'll look through your favorite shelter magazine or Pinterest and see a mantle or piece of art hung that completely breaks that rule so blatantly--FROM SOMEONE WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER-- it looks as if it's on purpose!
What?!
Don't they know that art is waaaay too small or waaaay too big?
Yes.
Yes, they do.
But because the other art in the room feels balanced, because the furniture is in the right place, the rugs are the right size, the drapes are hung correctly and other things make sense, a rule can be broken beautifully.
The room has earned the right to break the rule.
You and I? We can break the rules too.
We don't break the rules or Universal Decorating Truths, because we don't know how to make a better decision, or because we give up, or don't want to solve a hard problem.
You break the rules in design and decorating because sometimes, it's exactly what the room needs to make it better, more functional, more your unique style.
Break the rules to honor the room, not to take the easy way out.
The next time you are considering breaking a rule or Universal Decorating Truth in a space ask yourself, Am I doing this because I need an easy out, or is this truly the best decision for the room as a whole?
Feel like you don't know the rules?
That's what I'm here for.
You can pay attention to these emails and Instagram as over time I share all the Universal Decorating Truths (it's pretty much all I talk about even though I don't always name it that).
here's to home,
myq
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