Celebrity Decor Rule Breakers

Rule to Break: Every room should have a pop of color for visual interest.Why It Works: Socialite Nicky Hilton opts for a black-and-white scheme throughout her West Hollywood home, but creates variety using a combination of prints and textures, including leather, faux fur, Lucite and wood.

Rule to Break: Carry a design theme throughout the inside and outside of a space.Why It Works: The elaborate grotto outside rapper Drake's new mansion keeps with the Old World feel of the home -- including elements like torch sconces -- but fluorescent pool lighting adds an edgy, club-inspired touch.

Rule to Break: Dark floors and walls should be offset with light-colored furnishings.Why It Works: The Beverly Hills home of designer Kelly Wearstler balances the drama of dark surfaces with floor-to-ceiling windows. Natural light prevents the space from feeling too cave-like or shadowy.

Rule to Break: Artwork should be given adequate wall space and should be hung at the eye line, which is generally 57 inches from the ground.Why It Works: Model Carolyn Murphy's master bathroom features a tall frame of monarch butterflies, which serves as a kind of artistic backsplash for the claw-foot tub. Because of the simplicity and the bare adjacent wall, the piece doesn't overwhelm the space. Instead, it complements the color palette.

Rule to Break: Cocktail bars should be limited to the living room or social space.Why It Works: All of the bedrooms in Mariah Carey's Bahamian beachfront villa feature wet bars. Making a room both comfortable and convenient trumps the traditional rule and offers guests the ease of having a sunset cocktail in the privacy of their own room.

Rule to Break: Decorate the kitchen with easy-to-wipe-down surfaces. Why It Works: Actress Gwyneth Paltrow transforms her kitchen into a real eat-in, entertain-in space by warming it up with typical living room accents: fabric pendant lamps, upholstered armchairs and side benches for extra seating.

Rule to Break: A proper seating area includes a large sofa and two side chairs with a coffee table.Why It Works: In Reese Withersoon's Ojai ranch, the actress opts for a casual arrangement that features an extra armchair and settee off to the side. While not symmetrical, the setup allows easy flow between the furniture bolstered by the easy-to-reach tree-stump side table in the adjacent area.

Rule to Break: A vast master bedroom should feature a bench or additional seating. Why It Works: Ashton Kutcher's Lake Hollywood rental home (being considered for purchase by Justin Bieber) plays up space and expanse. The master bedroom continues with the theme, encouraging the wide-open feel with neutral textiles instead of filling the void with extra furniture.

Rule to Break: Outside of the context of a college dorm, a bed requires a bedframe and proper headboard.Why It Works: Singer Moby is known for being eccentric, and his house is no different. This all-white room is minimal with unconventional touches like the missing bedframe and headboard, which simply accentuates the unique decor.