Top Ten Guides

This article celebrates Studio McGee's ten-year anniversary by highlighting ten of its most popular and influential design guides, reflecting the company's commitment to sharing design expertise. From its inception, Studio McGee broke industry norms by openly sharing product selections and paint colors, a practice it continues to uphold. The compilation of guides covers a range of essential home design topics, aiming to empower individuals in creating a home they love. The first guide focuses on kitchen cabinet paint colors, emphasizing the transformative power of a fresh coat of paint in a significant area like the kitchen. It provides examples, such as 'Midnight Oil' by Benjamin Moore used in the Houston Estate's butler's pantry, to illustrate the impact of color choices. The second guide delves into the art of hanging art, underscoring the importance of treating walls with the same attention as floor space. It offers comprehensive advice for enhancing a home's aesthetics through proper art placement, whether for a single piece or a gallery wall, ensuring spaces feel polished and personal. Rug Textures 101, the third guide, educates readers on the significance of rug material beyond just pattern and color. It explains that texture is a primary factor in long-term satisfaction with a rug, recommending wool rugs for their versatility and ability to add personality and softness to various rooms. Following this, the fourth guide addresses how to choose accent pillows, detailing how the right combination can revitalize a room and introduce new elements of personality, pattern, and depth. It offers a foolproof method for selecting pillow sizes to achieve an updated look. Next, the fifth guide, 'How To Mix Wood Tones,' tackles a common design challenge: blending different wood finishes. It argues against the use of a single wood tone, which can lead to a lack of dimension, and provides insights into creating an enhanced aesthetic through harmonious wood curation. The sixth guide, 'Cabinet Hardware 101,' discusses the impact of hardware on a room's design, from updating existing pieces to selecting new ones. It stresses the importance of correct placement and functionality to ensure the hardware complements the overall aesthetic. The seventh guide covers pairing two sofas in one space, a technique Studio McGee employs to avoid monochromatic furniture sets. This guide explains how to create harmony through contrasting pieces, using varying textures, fabrics, and subtle design details to achieve continuity and balance. 'Our Guide to Tile Patterns' is the eighth inclusion, advising on the selection of tile layouts beyond color and texture. It illustrates how different patterns, such as herringbone for a classic look versus stacked for a modern feel, can significantly alter a space's overall appearance. The ninth guide provides essential tips for light fixture hanging heights, addressing the complexities of diverse ceiling heights and uniquely shaped spaces. It offers practical measurements, like the recommended distance between a dining table and a chandelier, to simplify installation. Finally, the tenth guide, 'How to Select Dining Chairs and Stools,' focuses on furnishing open-concept living spaces. It advocates for mixing and matching seating rather than using uniform sets to achieve a layered and curated look while ensuring a seamless flow within connected kitchen and dining areas. #HomeDesign #InteriorDecor #DesignTips #CabinetColors #ArtPlacement #RugTextures #AccentPillows #WoodTones #HardwareSelection #SofaPairing #TilePatterns #LightingHeights #DiningSeating #StudioMcGee #HomeDesign #InteriorDecor #DesignTips #CabinetColors #ArtPlacement #RugTextures #AccentPillows #WoodTones #HardwareSelection #SofaPairing #TilePatterns #LightingHeights #DiningSeating #StudioMcGee