Ondine Karady's Eight Ways to Turn a Cookie-Cutter Apartment Into Home

Designer Ondine Karady in her Logan Circle condo with her blue chow, Little Bear. (Mark Finkenstaedt - Mark Finkenstaedt)

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Thursday, February 5, 2009

1 "Get rid of those Home Depot-generic overhead lights that the developer put in on the cheap. Instead, hang a vintage chandelier to add personality. Interesting overhead lighting draws your eyes up, making your space seem bigger."

2 "Wallpaper is a quick, inexpensive way to completely transform an otherwise generic room."

3 "Have a shade company make fabric shades to cover up your boring sconces."

4 "Floor-to-ceiling drapes highlight ceiling heights, soften the room and are a great way to add pattern and color."

5 "In a loft setting, area rugs help to define spaces."

6 "When choosing table lamps, avoid generic styles from huge consumer stores. A thrift store find can look just right with a new linen drum shade."

7 "No blank walls! Artwork is important. Your kids' doodles could look like a Picasso in the right frame."

8 "Clustering small frames together is a good way of making plain walls come to life."