make a dark room bright

...Just by changing out the art. The sweet twin bedroom at Paloma Palms, my Tucson Airbnb, has a large window but it faces north. Even with white walls, airy curtains and cheery bedding, it still felt dim. After studying it at different times of day and in photos, I finally figured out the culprit: the artwork on the main wall. The vintage horsey needlepoint is super cool but its dark tones and chunky texture sucked up all the light. 

The solution? A gallery wall composed of light and bright artwork. I scored this incredible silk batik of a bevy of deer by an African artist ($35!) to anchor the arrangement and complemented it with lighthearted pieces in a warm, sunny palette. What a difference. And I love how the block stripes of the '80s Giorgio Beverly Hills tote (so iconic!) mimics the graphic lines of the peachy sunburst painting.

It’s so refreshing when a problem can be addressed with a simple, inexpensive fix. Wall coverings—paint, wallpaper, textiles and art—are affordable heavy lifters that can radically transform a space. Don’t be afraid to experiment!