Behind the Scenes: Tips of the Design Trade from a Robb & Stucky Insider : Interior Design Blog

I have the best job ever at Robb & Stucky. I’m Creative Director. Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds. Every day, I work with beautiful furniture, colors and textiles. I see what’s new and next before anyone else. And, I get to pull it all together in Robb & Stucky’s beautiful stores, including Fort Myers.
It’s also my pleasure to work with an incredibly talented team of interior designers. I’m a keen observer. I like to watch how designers work, how they make the magic happen. Today – just between us – I’m going to spill the beans on some professional designer trade secrets.


#1 LET PILLOWS PACK A PUNCH
Seasoned design pros often regard pillows as the ultimate accessory on an upholstered piece. A brilliant strategy: Outfit the sofa body in a neutral base cloth. This shows off the silhouette of the frame to maximum effect. Next, introduce pillows to add pizzazz. Develop a color palette with pillows using fabrics and custom options.

#2 CLUSTER
Accessorization can take a room from good to great. Let’s learn from design pros. I’ve coined a term for an approach I love. You’ll see it throughout the Robb & Stucky showroom. I call it clustering. Accessories are not meant to stand alone. Rather, cluster objects based on color, texture, shape or theme. Let your personality shine through. Think more about collecting than decorating.


#3 BRUSH UP ON COLOR
Paint is the interior designer’s best friend – it’s the easiest way to dramatically change a space. Designers know how color works. As an example, dark colors in small rooms can open up the space. Balance wall color with furniture finishes and colors. Dark walls sing with lighter finishes: Just imagine a deep purple wall as the backdrop for today’s popular grey wood finishes.

#4 PLAY WITH PROPORTION
Think big! Scale and proportion are critical in a room and floor plan. The Bernhardt Design bedroom shown here is a telling example. A simple bedside table might have been specified with this poster bed. Rather, the open-minded interior designer positioned a secretary next to the bed. A bold move. It works!

#5 LET GREAT ROOMS EVOLVE
Have you ever noticed that the most interesting homes are always a bit of a work in progress? You can add a new item to a room and instantly change the point of view. Tweak your floor plan. Introduce collectibles from your travels. Repurpose a room. Remember, you don’t have to move to start over. Think of your home as a palette for self-expression and, if you need help, a professional interior designer can be a great best friend along the way.

ABOUT MARK STUART: People impressed and inspired by the Robb & Stucky showroom often wonder where we get our ideas. Meet our creative mastermind Mark Stuart, a Florida transplant from Indiana. As Robb & Stucky Creative Director, Mark is responsible for the floor plan and visual display of all Robb & Stucky stores. In his spare time, he also shops the world for accessories and engages with our amazing buying team on wood and upholstery selections so our stores enchant as a unified, beautiful experience.