One of the most daring designers out there has to be Mary McDonald. She does not care if a piece is “high” or “low”, she isn’t afraid to paint zig zags on the floor, nor does she hesitate when pairing colors like navy and rose.
She does what she wants, and does it quite well I might add!

She is most definitely a designer style icon of mine. She knows how to dress a space- no matter how unpredictable, glam, bold, ornate, bright, geometric, dressed up, or casual it is, she nails it every time!

Her guest house in particular struck a chord with me in this month’s Domino…what I wouldn’t do with that much space, style, and funds to furnish and decorate a guest house like that!

Here are some summarized design “tips” we picked up from Mary (via the Domino article)

MM’s Design Advice 1– Define a room with hardware store bought moulding.

MM’s Design Advice 2- Pair classics with the “ridiculous”

MM’s Design Advice 3– When designing a room in a monochromatic scheme, add a shot of contrast

MM’s Design Advice 4- Don’t be afraid to go bold on the floor

MM’s Design Advice 5- Don’t be afraid to get a little funky in areas that normally lend themselves to the expected

MM’s Design Advice 6- Start neutral, then pile on the accessories

MM’s Design Advice 7- Cheat by using both high and low end items…(by low, does she mean the Z Gallerie Estrella Tealight Holder on her coffee table? If not, they sure look similar!)

MM’s Design Advice 8- Collect objects (from around the world) in all the same hue to form unified and sophisticated displays