Window treatments can be layered in the style of designer Jonathan Adler

No one could ever accuse designer Jonathan Adler, known for his bold colors and assertive design schemes, of being afraid to try new things.


But even Adler is resolved to try to do something he doesn't usually do - new color combinations.


"In 2011 I'm going to take it to the next level - lots of fuchsia and citron," he told Elle Décor magazine.
 

Adler, whose newest design book is Happy Chic Colors, began as a potter and then shifted into interior design. He has also been the head judge for Bravo TV's Top Design show.


His top design tips aren't always for the faint-hearted - such as painting floors white and front doors orange - but they are sure to encourage homeowners to venture into new directions they haven't tried before.


"Mix and match with panache," he told the magazine. "Don’t be tentative with patterns. If you keep your color scheme restrained, you can approach patterns with wild abandon."


Adler is also a fan of layering furnishings in unexpected ways. Attaching a brass lion's head door knocker to the door of a modern apartment or adding an upholstered chair to a corner of the bathroom are examples of his style.


The choice of window treatments also can reflect the layering Adler recommends. Custom drapery can be paired with many types of window blinds or shades. Bamboo shades, for instance, against sheer curtains or woven shades paired with a silk drape offer the layering of different textures and colors that Adler proposes.


Depending on the light that is needed in a room, a variety of roller shades or rollup blinds can bring in lots of natural light when fully raised and add privacy when drawn.


When choosing neutral colors as a base, Adler advises home decorators to try colors such as camel, olive or baby blue. Chocolate brown and baby blue are among his favorite combinations.


Brown is also a foundation color that Adler returns to again and again. Where others rely on black, he uses brown liberally, often coordinated with red for a super-chic look.


Whatever direction home decorators decide to go in, Adler has one piece of advice that applies to all styles. "Make it your own," he told Elle Décor. "Personal style means having a space that’s comfy but filled with stuff that has meaning to you. It should hold things created and inspired by passionate people. Personal style should make you happy and happiness is chic."