Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Fashion Girl,

Dear Fashion Girl,

My family is moving into a brand new house and my bedroom is a blank canvas so far. I'm really into decorating and want to make it a cool space with bright colors like green and blue that is really arty and fun. The dilemma is that my parents think all the colors I want are way too crazy to paint the walls! Do you have suggestions about what would look good and be more agreeable with their tastes?

Thanks, James

Dear James,

Good for you for getting creative with your space! The bedroom is where we want to feel most comfortable and express our personal tastes. There are lots of ways you can stay true to your style and still appease your parents. Use a designer’s trick: paint just one wall in a bright color. Maybe your parents will compromise if it’s just one wall instead of all four. Make it the first wall you see when you enter the room for a dramatic effect. Another idea along the same line is to just paint the ceiling. That way, no one will see the colors from the hallway if that’s what they are worried about. Someone would have to actually walk into the room and look up to see the color. This is especially a cool effect with blue paint if you add a mural of clouds and/or stars.

Another idea is to focus on accessories rather than paint. Leave the walls white or paint them a neutral color like light gray or cream. Let your curtains, bedspread, pillows, rugs, lampshades, picture frames, and furniture do the talking! Find funky fabrics to drape around chairs and on the bed. Look for linens in blue and green. Paint "unfinished" furniture in your fave colors! You’d be amazed at what the right accessories can do for a room. Spice up the walls by hanging art that you really love.

Since you love planning and decorating your room, you should consider an Interior Design career. There's nothing like getting paid to do what you love! Check out FIDM's Interior Design Program for information about this creative field.

Sincerely, Fashion Girl