After 55 years of marriage I'd call our decorating scheme "eclectic" or a mixture of old, new, modern, antique, and I find it interesting. Just got rid of the old boring beige carpeting and have a red Danish modern area rug I bought in 1961 and had put away for several years. It brought life to my room and I got a new white IKEA storage unit with some red touches and it transformed the room and led to other nice additions. I don't even think of a "decorating" rule and wouldn't listen to someone else. Let them decorate their house and I won't advise them except to look at mother nature. She decorates profusely with color and it's great. Be brave and bold.