‘Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”
~Judy Garland

Iconic Photographer Bill Cunningham's film on stylish New Yorkers

To me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of being in New York City is having the opportunity to people-watch. I love that I never know who or what I’ll see and I can always count on finding unique-looking people walking down the street. New York peeps are proud of their originality and seem to have no qualms about strutting their stuff.

Instead of having a high school mentality where everyone tries to fit in and dress alike, Big Apple residents seem to be a one-of-a-kind, confident bunch. A jaunty tilt of hat, an unusual combination of patterns or colors; they would no sooner dream of dressing like their companions than they would wish to assume another person’s identity. Taking risks and trying new things come easy to New Yorkers who embrace Popeye’s philosophy: “I yam what I yam and that’s what I yam!” No Bobbsey Twins, here.

The same attitude seems to carry over to their homes. After working with thousands of Manhattan clients, it’s clear to me that most NYC folks are interested in having their apartments and houses reflect their unique personalities and not their friends’ design style.

Of course original people can be found everywhere, yet several years ago I worked with a woman in Florida who’d previously hired her friend’s designer because she loved the way her pal’s home had turned out. Six months later, her house looked like a carbon copy of her lady friend’s and she and her buddy realized they were both unhappy with the outcome.

In fact, my client was surprised to find her home was actually uncomfortable to her, which is why she called me in to help redesign it. Fortunately, it took us only 6 weeks to make adjustments in each room so her place could reflect her taste and lifestyle (and her husband’s) and not her friend’s.

How do you feel about individuality versus conformity? Is having your own unique look important to you? Do you feel comfortable or uncomfortable showing the world who you really are?

There are so many great new outdoor decorative accessories and furnishings coming onto the market today; it’s fun creating/redesigning fresh air “rooms” where clients can read, relax, entertain and eat. One of the benefits of having a well-utilized outdoor space is that it really does make a house seem quite a bit bigger than it actually is.

Time to light up!

This year, two of my favorite things are Restoration Hardware’s Laguna Fire Tables and Fire Columns. These modern concrete pieces are stylish and can add drama to an outdoor room at night, throughout the year. The compact Fire Columns can also work well on smaller patios and terraces where space is limited (they come in various sizes, shapes and finishes).

Now, my husband can have the fireplace he loves…  outside of our Florida house! Hot, indeed.

Just as a bold statement necklace can sometimes add pizzazz to an outfit, a striking ceiling light fixture can, in certain places, add more style to a room.

Butterflies chandelier from Modern Poverty

Bib necklace from Stella & Dot

But just as you wouldn’t wear a big, eye-catching necklace with all of your outfits, every room is not necessarily suited to a dramatic ceiling centerpiece.

When it comes to lighting, a good deal of thought needs to be given to function as well as form, so here are some things to consider:

1. Height: How high are the ceilings?
If a ceiling is less than 9′ high, a hanging fixture may make the ceiling appear lower than it actually is. Instead, consider recessed lighting that can effectively illuminate a space, though hidden, or opt for track lighting that can hug the ceiling and allow the room to feel as spacious as possible.

Try to avoid hanging fixtures with exposed bulbs that cast harsh shadows

2. Bulbs: Does the fixture have clear bulbs that create harsh shadows on the walls at night?
Many stylish lighting fixtures with exposed bulbs look great as ornamentation during the day, when they are turned off. But at night, when switched on, they can cast unattractive shadows across every wall making the room look garish and tiring the eyes because of the glare. If your fixture has concealed or shaded bulbs, you and your room will probably look and feel a lot better.

Can you imagine how tired your eyes would feel after only 5 minutes in this bathroom?

3. Ceiling composition: Is there a junction box in the ceiling?
For rooms with concrete ceilings and no junction box it would be better to rely on table lamps or floor lamps to illuminate the space in order to avoid major electrical work and expense (especially if you rent). Be sure to use pairs of lamps to make every room look more balanced and provide better task and general lighting.

4. Lasting power: Whatever its style, is the fixture trendy or classic?

Style for style's sake? Recessed lighting would make this kitchen feel more spacious and comfortable than a big hanging chandelier with glaring exposed bulbs

Most lighting fixtures are costly. To get the most value for your money, try to find one that will look good for years to come and will work well in other spaces, too, should you move.

A classic pendent lighting fixture could work well in an entrance foyer or family room as well as in a dining room

Are you interested in what’s in store for home decor? Here are some  of the top interior design trends predicted by design pros for 2012.