Page 2 of At Home With A Designer An Interview with Tricia Foley

Tricia Foley's tips on budget decorating, advice on starting out, and seasonal changes...

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Q. What advice do you have for someone with a new house to decorate and perhaps a limited budget?

Tricia Foley: "Go with good classic design in terms of furniture. I always look for multi-purpose pieces, that can be used for other rooms as living conditions change. Set the scene for your own personal style with neutral walls and floors. Then add simple window treatments and bed linens to transform a space with color."

Q. Many people like the idea of updating their interiors for the seasons. What techniques do you use to transition your home from winter into spring/summer?

Tricia Foley: "I have a simple shades of white interior in my little country house that is a great backdrop for the changing seasons. In spring a bucket of bright yellow forsythia is usually blooming. Summer brings piles of shells and stones from walks on the beach. I also love to have jugs of roses from my garden all over the house. I roll up the rugs and put away the flannel sheets and comforters. Fall brings out wool throws draped over chairs, a fire in the fireplace, and bittersweet branches to bring a little bit of the outdoors inside. The holiday season is always a white Christmas for me. Amaryllis and paperwhites are potted with moss. Then I use greens and simple white lights on the tree."

Q. What decorating techniques/ideas/projects would you recommend to a homeowner who wants to rev up the look of a bedroom or living room for Spring, without spending a fortune?

Tricia Foley: "I find that all my friends are simplifying and just having the things they love around them. I find that clutter is so distracting and high maintenance. When you have a simple backdrop it's easy to change a look with sheets, flowers, or arranging a collection in a new way. Sometimes, you don't even appreciate what you have, when you have too much around!"