Taking Rooms From Drab to Fab, with Simple Steps

(CBS)  Decorating can be daunting, but it's not hard to take a drab room and make it fab - as in fabulous - with some simple touches, says Jonathan Adler.

And the decorator and MSN home expert proved it on "The Early Show" Tuesday, explaining what he did with dreary rooms to make them, well - fab!

His basic philosophy is that, with a few simple additions and changes, you can take a boring, non-descript but pretty room from drab to fab.

On Monday morning, "The Early Show" brought in a "before" living room: simple furniture in neutrals with blank walls, a basic and boring setup that many of us might have for a living room. Then, Adler's people had at it, and made it grand - with changes that were hardly dramatic.

Adler says everyone can make changes like that, with some simple thoughts.

His philosophy begins with this: If you want to love your space, you have to start by keeping it clean.

Adler's other guidelines:

• Dress Surfaces by Trial & Error

• Use Colorful Seasonal Throw Pillows

• Opt for Bright Lamps with Dim Bulbs

• DON'T be Afraid of Bold Colors

Shelving Units

Stack them without overfilling them, making them practical while still stylish.

"I have the same philosophy about filling shelves that I do tables, side tables or coffee tables," he told CBS News. "When it comes to stacking things and filling your shelves, you are going to rely heavily on trial and error. Just roll your sleeves up and get in there. So just go ahead and get started; do not be afraid.

Are there basic rules to follow? How do you know it looks good? And how do you know if you have overfilled?

"There is NO wrong with this," Adler stresses. "If you like it, stick with it. But if you want to follow a basic principle for decorating beginners, it's this: symmetry.

"Chances are that symmetry will really help you out if you are new to this. Asymmetry is doable and worth it, it is, but it's harder to pull off if you don't know what you are doing. If you are doing asymmetry, some people swear by having three of everything, some people don't care. Also, I don't know that a shelf or table can ever be too full, if you like it.

"If you want to mix it up a bit, try both vertical and horizontal books to change up your shelves. Or use books as a pedestal or stand to hold up something else. But as I say, there are no real rules for shelving. Just try it out, and if you don't like it, change it. Just approach it shelf by shelf, and eventually you will figure it out."

Pillows

You and your staff picked some really bright and lovely throw pillows to dress up the after portion of our set. Why do you love throw pillows so much?

"I love throw pillows; they are an incredibly easy way to change up a room, or to upgrade it," Adler says. "If the room is the sentence, the throw pillows are the punctuation marks. What I love about throw pillows is you can switch out seasonally, monthly, whenever the mood strikes you. What I love to do in living rooms is to make the larger pieces like tables and chairs to be more neutral, and then I use the throw pillows and room accessories to punch. These pillows freshen up the space and they can match your fancy, whatever it is."

Color

You talk about not fearing color, but so many people out there still consider bright color to be a risk. What is your color philosophy?

"I wish people out there didn't find color to be so risky. It's so great to use, and it makes such a difference in the room. I love lamps with bright colors that have dim bulbs, which are super flattering feel. Also, dimming the bulbs lets you bring in more lamps. And I love lamps.

"I love turquoise. It's my favorite color this season.

"But play with whatever you like. It's a little like the shelves or tables. Just roll up your sleeves and try it. You don't have to worry about it.

"And if color is STILL making you nervous, try neutral larger pieces and go for the brighter more experimental accessories."

Mirrors

What do mirrors do to a room?

"Mirrors are amazing." Adler says. "They are a decorators' secret, the secret weapon in our arsenal if you will. They make any space more glamorous, more twinkling. They add light. They add glamour and brightness to any space while opening it up at the same time."