Right. How exactly do you make your house look 'smart' and 'grown up' please?

[JaneSeymour]

I have just about decorated now, it's getting there, have got some nice furniture, but somehow it never looks proper or posh iyswim.

Even when I tidy up it still has an air of not very finished.

Can anyone suggest any tips on what makes a difference?

I have sussed that floors need to be clear,
and 'less is more', well sort of (I have been chucking out the clutter)

but are there any other little tricks?

I know there are House and Garden types out there, I need your input!!

Nice paintings / pictures on the wall in good quality frames.

Fresh flowers.

My house does not look smart or grown up but from what I have gleaned:

each room needs a focus - fireplace, painting or something and colours should tie in with that theme (not necessarilty match)

A few plants in corners look nice.

paintings and photos on walls (but not too many) and tasteful ornaments.

Good quality curtains/blinds/cushions/rugs.

Get rid of kids?

Thankyou, that's great

Have got one good picture, am trying to get a few more. Curtains Ok but could be nicer (hard to get that size)

I love flowers but think they will be lost in the room, it's so busy iyswim?

am looking for a new fireplace, I'll put a couple of pics on profile...it's a big room and so much stuff in it. A bit clearer now, this was at Christmas.

I think you have it, there is no 'focus' yet.

Lol puppy

It's all in the accessories. Group in odd numbers, unless it's a specifically designed pair (e.g. matching vases on each end of a mantelpiece).

How old are your DC? Old enough to be trained not to touch Mummy's Special Things?

Vignettes and symmetry are also important for looking finished. Each glance should encompass a complete little scene (e.g. armchair, side table with side table, lamp and few well-chosen accessories, good artwork on the wall behind it).

I think one big mistake a lot of people make is hanging their art and clocks and things too high. Lower is better for emphasis.

That's brilliant, just what I was looking for Nine. I'll try and keep those things in mind.

Thankyou. Tis such a mess at the moment!

Our last house was lovely when it was finished (current one is very much a work in progress...).
I think this was down to finishing off all those niggly DIY jobs, keeping clutter tucked away (lots of good built-in storage) attention to detail (good door handles and curtain poles in same finish) and well planned lighting all on dimmers.
And agree hang pictures low on wall, about eye level.
If decent art is too ££ try prints of eg old maps or black and white photos etc rather than prints of famous art which can look a bit naff.

My pleasure! It is one of the great frustrations in life that you can't walk into your friends' houses and say "you know what? This would look much better over there and I think you should paint that room this colour." Doing it on the internet is the next best thing

Don't forget that you don't have to have all of your stuff out on display all of the time - rotating things means you don't get bored.

Collections of similar objects look better grouped together, so three framed photos look better on the same table than they do in three different corners of the room. Groups of objects should have some sort of unifying theme apparent, such as colour, material, period or complementary textures (e.g. you wouldn't put a Georgian tortoiseshell tea caddy next to a 60s digital clock). I have loads of vintage kitchen ware and am about to replace the crappy old cupboards with open shelves, but it will all look harmonious together because almost everything is either blue or white. If it were all different colours it would look messy and chaotic.

I'm always recommending www.apartmenttherapy.com (I am harbourbridge over there - say hi!) to help people cultivate an eye.

Probably the easiest tip is to step back and ask yourself: does this look like there could be price tickets hanging off everything? Too many bits and pieces can very easily make your place look like a shop. Edit, edit, edit and sell or give away anything that you don't adore.

Jesus Christ, reading that back I sound so bossy.

I do love all my friends' houses, honestly. I am just one of those people who can't resist giving things a tweak.

I need some tips on this too!!

I have nice furniture and some nice bits and pieces, but somehow I can't seem to arrange them in a way that doesn't look bitty.

Oh some brill advice here, thankyou gals - Panna, not only are you great on gardens but houses too! Yes I agree about finishing niggly little things, which I used to not do.

Nine, I understand completely - i used to do this with all my friends at school, they all thought I was a freak! I wasn't very good at it though. I remember telling one friend that she shouldn't have a peach bedroom, as primary colours were the only way (I was slightly obsessed and dogmatic)
Anotherone I decided she could brighten up her oak wardrobe by splashing red and blue paint all over it. Her mum vetoed that one THANK GOD

I am a bit better now but still have trouble! I love Apartment therapy but I don't look very often as it upsets me that my house doesn't look like that...but will certainly check in now

I'm like you Trixy. I have some brilliant things but probably too many of them lying around. I think our best buy was two enormous school dressers - they are 7 feet tall, nearly five feet wide...two blokes had to carry them in and they have not been moved since! one is in the boys' tiny bedroom, luckily the ceilings are mostly 10 or 11 ft, so it really uses the space well - holds a lots of the toys.

The other is in the main room, and has glass doors - it was originally pillar box red but I painted it a kind of browny grey colour which is nice. Then stuffed it with things!! Probably too much.
Those two were £250 for the pair from a local dealer who I knew from school, it was so lucky as we were just moving here and I think no one else bought them because they wouldn't come apart, and would only fit through huge doors.

Our old place was a cluttered tip and I so want this place to be different - i want people to walk in and say 'Oh how lovely' rather than 'It's like a junk shop! But in a good way!!'

We have just had a declutter, it's great. Also a few pillar candles here and there for effect, not lit just for show!

Smart homes always seem to have space, or at least a feeling of space. Definately agree with decluttering, think less is more and storage is important to keep all that necessary clutter out of sight - I always get such inspirational ideas from Living Etc magazine or online at www.livingetc.com

Then add a few well chosen interesting accessories to add focus. Try a site like Mocha at www.mocha.uk.com or Bouf atwww.bouf.com for some really original ideas.

Have found this thread very interesting and am now feeling inspired to tackle the house today. we have too much clutter and always feels so studenty!