By HGTV’s Krista Watterworth / Fall 2007
Krista Watterworth, design guru and host of HGTV’s hit show Save My Bath and Biggest Decorating Mistakes points out nine design mistakes that could inhibit romantically happy endings in your home:
1. Fake Flowers. A huge mistake! Get rid of them immediately. Fresh flowers or real plants ONLY!
2. Too Many Pillows. A few decorative pillows are great, but an overload is uncomfortable and makes it seem like a child’s romper room.
3. Knick Knack Overload. There’s no need to display a snow globe from every place you have ever been. Just keep to a few select things that truly have meaning or are beautiful to you.
4. High Art. Place artwork at eye level only. Just because you have a large photo or painting, you shouldn’t hang it way above the eye line of the average person.
5. Tacky Couch Covers. Don’t follow in your great aunt’s footsteps with plastic covers, an ill- fitting, sloppy slipcover or throw. Try to keep your sofa tailored.
6. Pushed Back Furniture. Make the pieces work for your space, not the other way around. Arrange furniture to create a cozy environment. Don’t use your furnishings to cover wall space.
7. Everything Matches. This can kill a space. There is no reason that the rug, sofa and curtains have to be the same print. This is a dated look that overwhelms the eye and causes anything slightly out of place to stand out.
8. Ignoring Window Dressing. The most sleek homes often have the worst white blinds as “window treatments.” Coordinate window treatments with the rest of the décor, or they will be an eyesore and your place will appear unfinished.
9. Furniture That Doesn’t Fit. Don’t try to squeeze the huge sectional couch from the ‘burbs into a compact city apartment. Instead, opt for a loveseat. Oversized or undersized furniture can have a huge impact on a room. 
Television personality Krista Watterworth is the energetic host and designer of HGTV’s hit show Save My Bath, now in its fourth season. She has helped transform over 52 of America’s ugliest bathrooms into contemporary, functional and beautiful spaces. She is also founder and lead designer of Urboeclectic Design (www.urboeclectic.com) and co-founder of Inspired Urban Spaces (www.inspiredurbanspaces.com). She was recently featured on HGTV’s You Should Live Here, Kitchens and Baths 2007, Ultimate Bathrooms, as well as 25 Biggest Decorating Mistakes, and has had guest starring roles on As the World Turns (CBS) and All My Children (ABC).
