In the ever-changing world of interior design, it can be hard to balance personal tastes with achieving a timeless design that remains stylish throughout the trend cycle. It’s easy to get caught up in the latest fads, and understandably so. We want our homes to feel current, but it’s important to our budgets to be mindful of not buying every trend that pops up.

Karl Lohnes, Contributing Editor at Style at Home magazine has made it his business to help people find that balance. With years of experience, Lohnes has developed a keen understanding of what makes a space truly shine — going beyond fleeting trends to focus on principles that stand the test of time. Ahead of his appearances at the Calgary and Edmonton Fall Home Shows, Lohnes shared his insights on some of the biggest decorating lessons he’s learned over the years.

1. Be Patient with Paint Colors.

“Stop dreaming of a paint colour first,” says Lohnes. “One of the biggest decorating lessons I’ve learned over the years is to wait to choose the paint colour until near the end of the decorating process. Your art and rugs will help you to find style and guide you through a decorating process with pattern, colour, and overall look.”

Rather than making paint your starting point, Lohnes advises holding off until the major elements of the room — like furniture, artwork, and textiles — are chosen. “That way, you can choose the exact shade and tone of green, blue, beige or whatever colour you’re looking for to balance all the different decorating elements you’ve fallen in love with for the room.”

2. Lead with Design Principles.

In the past, Lohnes began his design projects driven by pure creativity. “I used to start designing a room with wishes and dreams. Now I start designing a room with design rules and principles,” he explains. The shift toward a more structured approach has helped him streamline his process. “It helps to put me on a straight and narrow path toward a successful ending. As the project progresses, I bring in the inspiration, dreams, and wishes.” By marrying creativity with foundational design principles, Lohnes ensures that his designs are both functional, beautiful and successful.

3. Avoid ‘Pattern Overload’.

One of Lohnes' biggest design pet peeves? Poorly balanced patterns. “Mixing patterns of similar size and proportion in rugs, drapes, wallpaper, or upholstered fabrics makes me cringe,” he confesses. His solution? Vary the scale of patterns to create interest and dimension. “Every room needs three pattern proportions: think small, medium, and large. Without different sizes of patterns, everything presents itself looking the same.”

4. Break the Lampshade Rule.

Like any seasoned designer, Lohnes has seen his perspective evolve over time. “I always professed that lampshades need to be white or off-white,” he admits. However, through experience, he’s come to embrace the impact of deeper hues. “Over the years, I’ve learned to appreciate the impact of a black, grey, or dark navy blue shade in order to add drama to a room and make a lamp base feel more contemporary.”

As we navigate the dynamic landscape of interior design, embracing timeless design principles can save you time and money. It’s a valuable reminder in a world where trends seem to change week-to-week. With Lohnes’ expert advice in mind, you can confidently embark on your own design journey – and you’ll likely learn your own lessons along the way. If you're seeking additional expert advice, join Karl Lohnes at the Calgary Fall Home Show running September 27-29 at the BMO Centre or at the Edmonton Fall Home Show which runs October 18-20 at the Edmonton Expo Centre where he’ll be on location to solve your design dilemmas. You can also follow his adventures online at @karl_lohnes on Instagram. 

CALGARY FALL HOME SHOW

📍 BMO Centre, Stampede Park 20 Roundup Way SW Calgary, AB T2G 2W1

Friday, September 27: Noon - 8PM
Saturday, September 28: 10AM - 8PM
Sunday, September 29: 10AM - 6PM

Tickets: www.calgaryfallhomeshow.com 

📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre 7515 118 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5B 0J2

Tickets: www.edmontonfallhomeshow.com