Avoid spending too much on one thing.

People get trapped in the way things should feel and less focused on the way things should function.

People buy very badly made furniture and fabric. Instead, buy a beautiful dining table, well-made upholstery. It's almost like dressing for success.

To have a 9-foot sofa in a small room can be kind of treacherous.

Make sure furniture decor has similar scale. It's all about scale, proportion, measuring, being conscious of the overall plan.

To be influenced by a magazine and, say, a Swedish theme, unless it resonates with you, it seems kind of odd and influenced.

Be judicious with your budget and buy things that are going to last.