Occasionally, we stumble upon wonderful, unanticipated surprises. I just got back from Florida, where we accidentally ended up seeing the shuttle launch - pulled over to the side of the road and 8 minutes later. . . witnessed that amazing scientific feat. Way cool. It reminded me to ask . . .
What moments of unexpected success have you enjoyed in decorating your home? One that comes to mind for me . . . working through my artwork and mirrors when we moved to a beach-side condo, there weren't many big walls for art. With the largest pieces there were only a few places they would even fit. I found my largest mirror fit well in the Family room opposite the water view . . . surprise! You walk in the room and it looks like we have a 180 degree view of the beach - it even looks like a window. What do you want to see more of? Use a mirror!
How about you? What happy design surprise have you had?
Friday, May 15, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Designer or Architect?
I have a client who recently asked me to explain why someone needs a designer up front, if they are building or remodeling. Couldn't they just work with an architect? The answer is, yes. But think of hiring a painter to do apply venetian plaster vs. a faux finisher, or a cafeteria service to handle your office party instead of a caterer, or perhaps ask your son's pediatrician to remove that noticeable mole on your forehead when it really should be done by a plastic surgeon.
Certainly an architect is a highly skilled, trained and licensed professional - in architecture. Your architect may even have a lot to say about the interior finishing of your spaces. But an interior designer is a specialist in this area. We spend a lot of time working with the client to determine how they live and want to live. I have a client who, through the discovery process, described a desire to have 5 places to nap throughout the home - besides the beds. That requirement effects the space plans, (where the furniture is placed), the size of the rooms, where the doors and windows are, etc.
Working with an interior designer at the outset of a project avoids change orders and delays while the architect redraws; the engineering is recalculated; the plans rechecked. Looking at your needs after the building is done, can result in regrets - hard to take after spending thousands of dollars.
What if you have a beloved hobby, an aging parent(s), a pampered pet, a desire to travel, an amazing collection of something? All of those wonderful details about a client should be reflected in your design concept and ideally that starts from the first draft of the plans. Working with an interior designer is the best way to achieve exactly what you expect and exceed your goals.
Certainly an architect is a highly skilled, trained and licensed professional - in architecture. Your architect may even have a lot to say about the interior finishing of your spaces. But an interior designer is a specialist in this area. We spend a lot of time working with the client to determine how they live and want to live. I have a client who, through the discovery process, described a desire to have 5 places to nap throughout the home - besides the beds. That requirement effects the space plans, (where the furniture is placed), the size of the rooms, where the doors and windows are, etc.
Working with an interior designer at the outset of a project avoids change orders and delays while the architect redraws; the engineering is recalculated; the plans rechecked. Looking at your needs after the building is done, can result in regrets - hard to take after spending thousands of dollars.
What if you have a beloved hobby, an aging parent(s), a pampered pet, a desire to travel, an amazing collection of something? All of those wonderful details about a client should be reflected in your design concept and ideally that starts from the first draft of the plans. Working with an interior designer is the best way to achieve exactly what you expect and exceed your goals.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Go Bree and be happy
I continue to hear how bad it is out there - the economy - and I'm trying to ignore it. I watch episodes of my favorite shows, like 'Desperate Housewives', and escape for a bit. When I'm stressed, busy, feeling out of control, it helps me to deal with what I can control. My home - kind of like Bree on 'Desperate'. Of course, when you have a house full of kids there is a lot more entropy, but that's kiddos.
One night last week, I actually pulled out all the cloth napkins and ironed them all (and tossed those nasty rayon ones, what was I thinking? They were the color I wanted when I purchased them, but the feel is not unlike rubbing your mouth on a greasy sweater, bleck! - cotton and linen are the best). The process of ironing, vacuuming, organizing your desk. . . whatever mundane chore that yields a observable result can actually be therapeutic when life feels over the top.
And hey, if beans and weenies (decidedly non-Bree), are what we're having for dinner, it'll be much more fun with cloth napkins and candlelight.
One night last week, I actually pulled out all the cloth napkins and ironed them all (and tossed those nasty rayon ones, what was I thinking? They were the color I wanted when I purchased them, but the feel is not unlike rubbing your mouth on a greasy sweater, bleck! - cotton and linen are the best). The process of ironing, vacuuming, organizing your desk. . . whatever mundane chore that yields a observable result can actually be therapeutic when life feels over the top.
And hey, if beans and weenies (decidedly non-Bree), are what we're having for dinner, it'll be much more fun with cloth napkins and candlelight.
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