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Stylist Dorcia Kelley is no stranger to picture-perfect interiors. As a seasoned pro in the design world, she’s spent countless hours preparing homes for photo shoots, turning already beautiful spaces into magazine-ready masterpieces. Over the years, Kelley has developed an eye for what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to creating a home that feels both stylish and personal. “Your taste is your taste,” she explains. “All I’m here to do is elevate it a little bit. I never want anybody to feel bad for something they’re doing from their heart.” In her own home, Kelley takes a more personal, mindful approach. Below, she shares the 10 things she would never do—plus her thoughtful advice on creating a space you love while staying true to your own style.
Buy Fake Plants
“Faux plants attract a lot of unnecessary dust,” Kelley says. “Meanwhile real plants clean the air in your home. I don’t think people talk about that enough. Between the beauty products being soaked into our skin and the processed food we eat, are we gonna do one thing right? Let’s put some real plants in our houses.”
Put Out a Welcome Mat
“You shouldn’t need a mat or sign to tell people that your home feels welcoming,” says the stylist. “Your home should embody that through the styling, the design, and the colors.”
Load Up Shelves With Tchotchkes
A crowded display leaves no room for a focal point, Kelley says: “Your eye is trying to capture every book, every little accessory, every photograph.”
Use White Felt Furniture Pads
“Do people realize that they carry this padding in various colors to match your wood or whatever color your furniture is?” she asks. Now you know.
Paint Every Room a Different Color
Kelley is more of a neutrals fan, but if she were going to play with color, she’d make sure there was a transition between each room. “So say you have a blue living room. You should put 50% to 30% white paint in that same blue, and paint the wall in the hallway or going up the adjacent staircase,” she says.
Hang a Gallery Wall
“What happened to people putting really curated artwork or even photographs on a wall?” Kelley asks. “Blow a photograph up and make one focal point.”
Put Too Many Pillows on the Sofa
“I have two pillows on each couch, and they are there to prop you up. When the pillows cover the entire couch, you have to take them off to sit down anyway. And that’s a pet peeve,” she reveals.
Live With Contractor Lighting
“Lighting can tell the story of your entire home. Change your lighting. It’s going to solve a lot of your problems. And I’m not just saying change the bulb—add a beautiful fixture,” Kelley says.
Install a Regular-Length Shower Curtain
“Always buy an extra-long shower curtain. It should go all the way up toward the ceiling as far as it can, and then it should drop long so that you can’t see the tub,” she advises.
Burn a Bunch of Scented Candles
“I think you should try to have a signature scent for your home or even just stick to a particular brand that you like, so you won’t have all these random candles sitting around your house,” Kelley says.