The Red Notebook Manifesto: Problem spaces yield the greatest rooms. Upper cabinets look like buckteeth. Matching furniture and wallpaper borders should be outlawed. Fresh air is good for a room. Natural fibers are better than unnatural fibers although white vinyl is A-OK. Antiques are better and usually cheaper than new. Dings are character, not flaws. Clients should feel free to change our designs. We’ll try to talk you out of it. Big drapes often house spiders and dust. Repainting walls repairs broken hearts. Your house should look like you, and not a chain store stylist’s impression of your demographic. Your house should be a partner in your life rather than a headache. Your house should feel good. Call it Feng Shui. Call it Good Chi. Call it what you want, but you should be happy when you get home from work and when you open your eyes in the morning. Houses speak. We listen. Beauty is its own reward. Stuff should look like what it is. Faux had its moment, and that moment is over. Bad original paintings are better than mass-marketed prints. Kitchens are our specialty.