Interview with Danielle Dickison: Art and Interior Design

In this episode of The Feminine Glory Podcast, Esther and Lydia have a wonderful conversation with Danielle Dickison. The ladies discuss interior design and the importance of creating a welcoming and beautiful home even with small children. Danielle talks about fostering creativity and imagination in children as well as the importance of color and art in the home.

Danielle's Interior Design Class notes

Interior Design with Emphasis in Smart Thrifting

“Making a charmed and happy home is a noble endeavor. The simple secret is making sure that every decorating decision contributes to the creation of beauty and comfort. Beauty to uplift our senses (to transcend the mundane) and comfort to make us feel taken care of (to embrace us in the mundane).” Deborah Needleman

7 Principles of Interior Design

1. Balance

2. Unity

3. Rhythm

4. Emphasis

5. Scale & Proportion

6. Contrast

7. Details

7 Elements (Methods) of Interior Design

1. Space

2. Line

3. Light

4. Color

5. Texture

6. Pattern

Design Tips for the Collected and Curated Look

• Pull Furniture away from the walls. Create moments. Think of the furniture as people at a party having a conversation.

• Whenever possible, choose Natural vs. Synthetic Fibers

• Neutralize the Ugly

• Art on your walls! Hanging Height Guideline: center of the painting should be 57” from the ground. Couch or furniture below should converse with the art above.

• Engage all of your Senses: Good music, the right candle scent, organic textures

• Blank Space—Create pockets of rest for your eyes.

• Rule of 3—Graduate Height

• Make sure everything is not old (Good mix of vintage with clean, modern lines)

• Avoid Nicknacks. It should either fulfill some purpose or be sculptural.

• Mix in crystal/silver/glass to get a wet or translucent look to offset the heavy dark wood of antique pieces

Thrifting Tips

• Carry a Tape Measure

• Keep note on your phone of pieces you’re looking for or places in your home that need attention (even if you’re not sure what particular piece it needs).

• Don’t just buy anything. Become ruthlessly selective. Coco Chanel said “Elegance is refusal.”

• Always looks for quality/well-made items over trendy items

• Before thrifting, take a photo of a grouping of items you love from a particular room in your home you’re trying to emulate/reproduce.

• Don’t buy used appliances

• Finally, a successful thrift trip can mean coming home empty handed—Still gets your creative juices flowing.

Take Aways….”Where do I begin?”

1. Look through loads of books/magazines/Pinterest and determine what style you’re most drawn to (English Cottage, French Country, Modern Farmhouse, Scandinavian etc.) Study, Study, Study excellent examples in that style. The more you train your eye on what is excellent the more you will be able to replicate it with a lower budget/thrift finds.

2. Make a notebook to save ideas, color swatches, sketches etc.

Resources

• “Dear Alice” Interior Design Podcast

• Perfectly Imperfect Home book by Deborah Needlman

• Interior Designers Gil Schafer III, James T. Farmer, Ros Byam Shaw, Bunny Williams, Heidi Caillier