iMag Slide Show

With a childhood that spans Washington, D.C., Istanbul, Turkey and a small island off the coast of Maine, interior designer Sara Bengur has quite a cache of inspiration to pull from when she designs a space. Known for her ability to mix and match colors and patterns, Sara Bengur effectively creates personal spaces by cultivating  designs unique to their inhabitants. She shared a few tips on how to create these looks on your own.

"These are Iznic tiles. They are very common in Turkey," Bengur says. The tiles come in many different colors and patterns, and Bengur collects the ones with the "eye". "In Turkey it's called the evil eye and it means protection. As a child I always wore one around my neck. They protect you against bad fortune."

Tip: Hanging decorative plates or tiles on the walls is an easy way to add color to a room.

This design, which Bengur came up with for the 2008 Kips Bay Decorator Show House, was all about color. Along with plates she brought back from Turkey, Venetian plastering and hand-designed pillows, Bengur included natural elements to add color and texture.

Tip: Using natural things like plants, fruit and flowers can add to the warmth of a room.

In a summer community known for its formality in design, Bengur wanted to bring the beach back for the Hampton Designer Show House. "Things can get fancy in the Hamptons, but people appreciated this; it was beachy and fun." To complement the fabrics on the bed, Bengur stenciled on the walls. "It's an old Greek design that I found in a book. I blew it up and I changed the colors and I tweaked it a little bit."

Tip: Stenciling is a great way to add a little something to a room. You can buy stenciling kits, create your own design and paint them in contrasting colors.

For this client, who didn't want too much color in her bedroom, Bengur looked to the textiles. "It's a challenge because I'm trying to bring in textures monochromatically--so I used velvet for something and then wool silk drapes and a little trim--I was trying to bring the layers into the room in a more subtle way."

Tip: Mixing up the types of fabrics you use creates a cozier, more comfortable environment.

"Most of my clients have custom lampshades, which I find adds that little touch at the end," Bengur says. But this can be expensive. One way to create a custom lampshade without spending a ton of money is to use paint. "You can paint stripes on a stock paper lampshade, like we did here," Bengur says. "Anything that will make it feel original and one-of-a-kind."

Tip: Painting or wallpapering your own lampshades is a cost-effective way to add a unique touch where you wouldn't normally look for one.

Bengur used an oriental rug from her childhood in her living room. "It's a huge rug," she says."My father actually grew up with it in Turkey and it's been passed down through generations. We were always looking for an apartment or a house that could fit this rug." 

Tip: Bengur advocates using sentimental items you already have. This will increase the comfort factor and connect you more to a space.

The lampshade on the right is another example of a custom design. It's subtle, yet complements the rest of the room, creating a cozy atmosphere.

While the color scheme for this living room in New Canaan, Conn., is monochromatic, Bengur found ways to create diversity in the design. Stenciling on the walls brought in highlights to contrast the subtlety in color. Bengur also looked to the fabrics and furniture. "I like the combination of this scrolly table with the more simplistic fabrics," she says. "I always tell clients not to match too much. It's better to keep it a little unexpected." Bengur used matching side tables, but used different vases as bases for the lamps, and added different accents on either table.

Tip: Don't match too much. Keep some things constant, like color schemes, but don't be afraid to pull from different genres and themes.

"People should use their homes as kind of a playground," says Bengur. "Think of it as a way to feel free and express yourself and not be worried that you're going to do something wrong." However, there are ways to experiment so if it happens you don't like a particular design, you don't lose a lot of money. 

Do: Use paint. Paint is a very easy and inexpensive way to change the interior and to change the mood. You can even paint an accent wall a different color. 

Do: Add Accents. Put pillows on sofa, a vase or a tablecloth on a table or a small throw rug on top of another rug. That way, you can add and subtract to switch up the design.

Don't: Make wild decisions with furniture when you're experimenting. "With sofas, it's expensive if you make a mistake," Bengur cautions. "So buy a sofa that's basic and that you can add color to it by way of pillows and throws. If you buy a bright yellow sofa and feel like you'll hate it in three years, then buy a neutral sofa and keep adding to it."