Step into Three French Hens in Wildwood, and you’ll quickly understand why owner Rae Sutton is one of the region’s most trusted voices in interior design. Her curated showroom is filled with warmth, texture, and a comforting sense of cohesion—proof that following your heart and a few smart rules can go hand in hand when it comes to home décor.
“I often tell clients and friends to follow their hearts regarding interior design,” Rae says. “While this is true in most cases, even your heart needs a little guidance from time to time.”
That’s where her tried-and-true rules of design come into play. Rae has honed these principles over years of transforming houses into deeply personal, effortlessly beautiful homes.
1. Use odd numbers (and know when to break the rule).
Whether you’re arranging a coffee table or styling a bookshelf, Rae stands by the classic rule of using odd numbers: 3, 5, 7…
“It’s science—our brains are more comfortable processing odd numbers,” she says. But when it comes to symmetrical spaces like a mantel, Rae gives a pass for mirroring, as long as there’s a strong focal point in the center.
“Case in point: There will always be an odd number of items used in a vignette in your home,” she adds.
2. Hang art the right way.
One of the biggest challenges that Rae sees when it comes to art is choosing the correct size and spacing it accordingly with furniture and/or coordinating art. Her advice: Artwork should span two-thirds to three-quarters of the width of the furniture below it.
“If your sofa is 100 inches wide, then your art should be between 66 and 75 inches. My inclination is bigger is always better,” she says. “And never hang it more than 6 to 10 inches above the furniture, and without the anchor of a piece of furniture, keep it at eye level! Even if you have 20-foot ceilings, hanging your art at eye level will keep your home feeling cozy rather than cold.”
For gallery walls or side-by-side pieces, Rae’s cardinal rule for spacing art is to always have 2 inches of space between each piece.
3. Ditch the single accent color.
Although some clients still fight Rae on it, she continues to advise clients to steer clear from selecting just one color as their accent color throughout the home.
“Clients come to me all the time letting me know that they used all neutrals throughout the home with pops of blue, green or red,” she says. “Unless you are going full monochromatic in an intentional and fun way, there is nothing creative or exciting about having one color as your theme!
“I instead guide them to choose a palette or tone to adhere to throughout their home,” Rae adds. “Whether that be deep and rich jewel tones, light and airy pastels, or grungy earth tones, any palette is better than one strict accent color.”
4. Size matters when it comes to rugs.
“This is an easy one to get a handle on: The bigger, the better,” Rae says.
She often sees homeowners buy rugs that are too small for a space for a number of reasons, whether it’s a result of not wanting to cover beautiful hardwood floors or they simply don’t want to spend as much on a rug.
“Here’s the deal: A rug is a layering piece and one that is very necessary to pull a room together,” she says. “Your rug should take up more space than you think. At minimum, a rug should sit three-fourths of the way under each piece of furniture in your vignette—that includes sofas and chairs!”
Too often, Rae sees rugs that sit squarely under a coffee table, which she says can make the room look choppy and unintentional.
5. Mix patterns and textures the right way.
If you’re overwhelmed by mixing the right patterns, Rae has a formula: one geometric, one organic, and one solid. From ribbons on a wreath to a full-room fabric scheme, the trio creates a look that’s dynamic but cohesive.
“Now, this isn’t a steadfast rule, but if you lack the confidence to truly get creative with your patterns and textures, this should help!” she says. “Geometric can mean a bold stripe, a plaid, a check, or something chevron. Pairing this with an organic motif like a floral, damask, or bold animal print will balance the patterns in a way that is pleasing to the eye.”
And don’t forget to add fun textures: Basket weaves, floral arrangements, mixed metals, distressed woods, and animal hides are all welcome additions.
“These can all really add dimension to your space and take your design to the next level,” Rae says.
At Three French Hens, Rae’s rules don’t box in clients—they empower them to bring their personal style to life with confidence.
Whether revamping a single room or building a dream home from scratch, Rae and her team are ready to help design a space that feels like you—only better.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Three French Hens. Visit Three French Hens at 16935 Manchester in Wildwood or threefrenchhenswildwood.com to get started.
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