People buy things in isolation and don't think of how they work together.

Avoid too much intense color. Make sure you mix colors and try them out. It's always good to do a swatch.

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

Avoid spending too much on one thing.

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

Look at your world and your life, and look at what is personal to you. If you're living in an apartment, you need to stick with a narrative that's personal to you.