MEGHAN BROWN
Occupi Design

My design style… Eclectic and comfortable contemporary.

Clients include… Homer Hans Bryant, the founder and artistic director for Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center.

Common mistake DIYers make… Demolishing before you really know what you are doing. It’s best to think things through before you break out the sledgehammer! And measure twice cut once. [Also,] be sure to check the dimensions of your items before you buy them. It may save you from a broken heart.

Splurge on… A good quality sofa with classic lines that will move with you as your tastes and style evolve.

Trend I love… We have been seeing a lot of art deco, art nouveau and 1910s, ’20s, and ’30s influences in space and furniture. Some examples are the updating of large graphic wallpapers, supple fabrics, exposed nail heads on furniture, and a craftsman-made feel to objects with sleek yet curvaceous lines.

Save on… Tile or durable surfaces. Use an expensive tile sparingly. If you treat it as an accent within a simpler field or in a small space, you can minimize your cost per square foot and maximize impact.

Trend I hate… When a television is competing with a fireplace.A fireplace in and of itself adds so much warmth and character to a room. I’m disappointed when I see a television hanging over it.