This Wednesday for our Home Decor Thoughts, we have a video tour (courtesy of Architectural Digest) of the home of designer, Elissa Cullman.

As expected of a designer's personal space, it is luxe and expensive.  However, throughout the tour Ms. Cullman gives good, practical design tips that are applicable whether you live in a grand estate, or small apartment.

For instance, I loved the floor in her entry hall.  It's absolutely stunning; but while it looks like an intricate wood inlay pattern, it's faux painted and stenciled.  Fabulous!  And anyone handy with a paint brush (and lots of patience) could achieve a similar result.

A little admission on my part:  I also love the fact that it's painted, because when I suggested doing a similar treatment in my own house, you should have seen the indignation and rolling of eyes!  You'd think I'd said I wanted to put pink flamingos in the living room.  Of course, all this woefully misplaced snobbery was done by persons (who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) with heads up tutus!

Which brings up a good point:  do not ever let suspect persons sway your desire for particular design elements.  You know who I mean: the electrician who says, "Ugh, you're having that kitchen wall painted red?"  Hey dude, blow it out your ear!  Or the plumber that grumbles how you shouldn't be thinking about choosing that chrome faucet  "because it has too many pieces and it will break," when he's actually referring to a polished nickel Waterworks bath filler. 

Of course, a trusted designer in your employee is a different matter.  But, the rest of the peanut gallery: they need to mind their own business.  However,  I've been amazed how people start second guessing their own good taste, just because some know it all bozo puts in their own unsolicited, and uneducated, two cents.

OK - rant over.  Enjoy the video.  And my favorite things in the house (besides the entry floor): the bookcases where she mixes her books with Delft pottery and Indian temple bricks, and the beautiful antique decanter collection in the dining room.  Gorgeous!