Photo credit: Patrick Cline

Embrace a vibrant tablecloth. It’s the simplest way to take something inherited – like generations-old china – and instantly infuse a cool factor.

Look for color in other places. Set out some colored glasses, or add patterned napkins. In January, when things are dreariest, a bright and colorful home adds instant cheer.

Think outside the box. In Eddie’s words, “Sometimes rules are made to be broken. Break up sets up china, use something casual with something formal, play with patterns.” The best mix-and-match successes transform classic pieces into something totally unique.

To get started on a colorful tablescape of your own, check out our Be Bold, Be Bright: The Hue-Happy Table Boutique, open now. And don’t miss Lonny Magazine’s January/February edition for even more color-happy wisdom from Eddie.

By Anna Kuchinsky, Staff Writer

Got tips for adding some color to the table? How about the art of mixing and matching? Share them in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

So this Wednesday we hosted a home-centric event in a stunning SoHo loft to preview the holiday home items that will be available in the Rue Boutiques this season. The guest list? A bevy or editors and design bloggers – from Lucky editor Jane (below) to others from the likes of InStyle, House Beautiful, Country Living, Martha Stewart magazines, Glamour, Brides, and more. Below, peep at some of the event’s highlights:

Eddie (above) curated a beautiful NYE table featuring products that will be sold on Rue throughout the holiday season.

The wine sponsor, Wolffer, served delicious white and red, and a signature holiday cocktail – sparkling wine with a splash of pear and cranberry, finished with a rosemary sprig.

The Rue Living Christmas trees were all gloriously lit up and decorated for the editors to preview.

Cloud Catering & Events served apps like tuna tartare and short rib mini quesadillas.

Everyone left (oh-so happily) with a special holiday-themed gift from Rue Living.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor 

Inspired? Look out for these home finds in the coming weeks, then tweet us your holiday decorating tips @ruelala. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

How important is thread count when you’re picking out sheets?
It’s SO important! It’s where you spend half your life, sleeping in bed. And they just get better the more you wash them.

How do you make a small bedroom space feel bigger?
If you have windows, add more volume to the curtains on either side to make the window feel bigger. For décor, use lots of mirrors and use smaller furniture – it creates air space and a larger-feeling room. I also like painting the ceiling a light, sky blue color to really open up the room.

What’s the best thing to splurge on?
Sheets and pillowcases, definitely. Anything your skin touches. Oh, and great towels, too!

What are some quick and easy ways to spruce up a bare room?
Add a colorful rug, spa bedding, and put a dimmer on your lamp – it creates such a difference! Also, fresh flowers always help.

Any tips on how to keep dressers and nightstands clutter-free? 
Vintage jars, little porcelain boxes, pretty silver trays, little glass dishes. You can make it a pretty (and organized) collection of oddities.

Any insider’s advice on updating your bed for winter? Fur throws? Texture? 
Swap out your comforter for a heavier down one, add flannel sheets, and chunky knit throws and shams. I love a flannel fitted sheet with a cotton top sheet, and then a great wool blanket on top.

Is there any way to keep a comforter from slipping down inside the duvet cover?
Yes! Tie little pieces of ribbon on the inside of the duvet and on the top of the duvet cover, so that the top two corners are tied together. It’s a super easy trick to keep the comforter from slipping – and something your dry cleaner can take care of really easily, too.

What’s the right type of lighting for the bedroom?
Dim lighting. I like to be able to adjust it, whether you’re reading a book or watching TV. Use either wall sconces or bedside table lamps.

For bedrooms no bigger than a walk-in closet: how do you keep things organized without tons of furniture?
Under-the-bed storage. And hanging bookcases (like ladder shelving) is great storage, too. Oh, and decorative boxes you can stack. Trunks work great as both tables and storage.

How do you get crisp, smooth sheets – without breaking out the iron?
Make your bed while the sheets are still wet.

What’s the proper way to wash and clean sheets?
Wash them in warm water and use Laundress products – I love them. Also, always use the delicate cycle!

And Eddie’s parting words of bedding wisdom?
Good bedding should last forever. It’s an investment.

The Rue Sleep-In Boutique opens on Tuesday, October 23 at 8PM ET and runs through Friday, October 26 at 8PM.

By Melissa Mann, Staff Writer

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Layering bedding accessories is an art, one – I have to admit – I’m not very good at. Luckily, here at Rue we have Eddie Ross, our home editor extraordinaire. Having worked at glossies like House Beautiful and Martha Stewart Living (among others), he knows a thing or two about making a bed look straight out of a catalogue.

RLL: Let’s talk pillows. How many is too many?
Eddie: You should always start off with two euro pillows then add two to four standard pillows according to the size of your bed. Throw in three accent pillows at the max (I like odd numbers of throw pillows).

RLL: Mixing patterns. Is it a do or a don’t?
Eddie: Absolutely a do. For me, mixing patterns is a really great way to create a look that’s all your own. What I like about Rue and our soft home selection is that you can find really amazing bed linens at such a great price that you can buy a few different sets and mix and match.

RLL: Is there actually an easy way to tuck sheet corners? I’m starting to think it’s an urban myth …
Eddie: I love a hospital bed corner. The Art of Manliness has a really great illustrated guide to getting them just right.

RLL: Is there a way to get out sheet wrinkles without whipping out the iron?
Eddie: No, but there is a way to cheat – iron your pillowcases and the top 18–20 inches on your top sheet for a nice beautiful bed.

RLL: When should we make the change from summer-weight comforters to the heavy-duty down ones?
Eddie: It all depends on where you live. Usually it happens in the beginning of October. But prior to that you should take everything out and either hang it on the line or have it dry-cleaned to really freshen up your bedding.

RLL: What’s one bedding accessory no bed should go without?
Eddie: Euro shams. They just add that sophisticated touch.

For all the ingredients for a beautifully made bed, check out our The Rue Sleep-In: Whit & Alex, Villa 408, & coza Boutique opening Tuesday, October 23, at 8PM ET.

By Keriann Coffey, Associate Blog Editor

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.