Interior Designer Orange County California

Serendipity

2009-05-15T13:08:00.000-07:00

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?

Designer or Architect?

2009-03-16T13:16:00.000-07:00

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.

Go Bree and be happy

2009-03-04T17:04:00.000-08:00

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.

Buy what you like and make it work

2008-10-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

I once read an article - certainly in one of my shelter magazines - where a designer suggested, 'buy what you like and make it work'. Of course, I love that advice, it gives full permission to buy a bunch of stuff! Unless you are Oprah; and have fabulous taste; an unlimited budget and tens of thousands of square feet to fill - it can be a recipe for failure. (Yes, I was given a copy of Oprah's magazine while on vacation. I found I actually really liked it, so there is another shelter mag to STUFF the post box).

Working with an interior designer can help you focus on the priorities you choose. The end result will be an edited version of what you like that works together beautifully. We spend a lot for our square footage in Orange County, or anywhere in California for that matter, so why not love every space?

Already spent $$$ on furniture, art and accessories you love? Get help from an expert before everyone tries to pack into that Living Room with too much furniture at Thanksgiving. . .

AC Gunther Design, where 'It's Your Style, by Design'

Decorate for all the Senses

2008-08-01T18:03:00.001-07:00

The first time my husband and I built a home, we installed wiring for a sound system throughout the house. Some time later when we could afford the rest of the equipment, we had speakers installed and purchased all the components. As soon as we turned the system on, we realized our priorities for decor had changed. The sound system had to come first from now on (or at least, really near the top).

My pick for design and installation in Orange County, or Southern California would be the team at Audio Video Design, at 949-716-1099, ask for system designer, Janiece Tanghe. (Yes, a woman who knows electronics - that's hot!) Check them out at www.avdinc.com

When you walk into a beautiful space, you can be truly transported if the designer has paid attention to all the senses. Sight - with lighting, furnishings, and colors; Sound - music and perhaps the fountain outside (or inside); Smell - Orange trees or lavender planted just outside, inviting scented candles (my favorite is Votivo's Red Currant); Touch - tactile fabrics soft to the hand; Taste - a bowl of apples, dates or chocolate truffles.

BTW, the above method is huge mood changer. Is your partner disgusted by the current state of the market? It's extremely hard to resist a smile when you experience a shift in all the senses!

AC Gunther Design, where 'It's Your Style, by Design'

Reuse, Recyle, Repurpose your Spaces

2008-07-24T20:05:00.000-07:00

Reuse and recycle everybody gets. Reuse the grocery bags. Put the plastic bottles in the bin for recycling where they are reinvented in a multitude of ways. Re-purpose can get lost. What if all of a sudden, everyone realized they have 15 percent of their money they aren't using? Woo hoo, a spending spree would be on the horizon! (Yes, husband, a savings spree would be a better answer - don't make me bring up the shorts - previous blog). But the average home has a formal Living Room is never or rarely used. If your home is, (for simplicity's sake), $1 million, and you simplify the square footage of space the LR is to 15 percent - that's $150,000, you are wasting! (not to mention the heating/cooling, furnishings, etc. . . .)

The builder knew everyone expected a formal Living Room, so they built you one. He/she will not stop by and check to see you are using it as they intended. What could you do with the space? That depends somewhat on your floorplan and that's what I do - help you discover what would work best for you. I can think outside the box, because I haven't seen Hanukkah in that room for 10 years. . . . Not in order of choice here . . . a pool table; home theater; swap the DR and the LR; expand the kitchen; a music room; a formal office; a guest room; swap the FR and LR; etc. It's your home, do what makes you happy!

AC Gunther Design, where 'It's Your Style, by Design'

Vision

2008-07-16T22:37:00.000-07:00

As I was walking out to work out with my husband this am, he ventured an opinion more strongly put than the twenty subtle hints he's given me previously on the subject. 'Your shorts are neither attractive or flattering in any way'. (I really don't suggest any other man try this, unless they feel extremely confident in their spouse's/significant other's self-confidence/expectation of continued good mood.) My reaction was 'ok, I'll go shopping'. Mind you, the comment was not about me - but my Favorite roomy work-out shorts.

It's the same way with furniture and items in your home. Your choice of furniture or colors is about you, my role is to edit what you like to spaces you will love. My job is to help you keep Aunt Tilly's chair, because you love it, but change it/place it so it works with the overall scheme. I once put a wildly organic-looking slab of marble on an old buffet and placed it in a foyer next to the door in a mid-century modern themed home. Even the old buffet-hating husband really liked it after the transformation.

Having said that, sometimes even your favorite shorts have to go to Goodwill, for the happiness of the home. AC Gunther Design, where it's your style, by Design.

celebrating San Clemente style

2008-07-09T17:11:00.000-07:00

What did you do for the 4th of July? That wasn't one of my first questions for people I ran into just after our nation's holiday, until I moved to San Clemente. Now I can't wait to see if they loved the fireworks where they were? Did they think Dana Point did a better job or Laguna Beach? And did they spend it with friends and family? A renewed focus on getting together with those you love - or at least like to have a glass of wine with - is yet another reason to love it here.

Do you share with your decorator or designer how many you plan to entertain? The key is to create reasons for guests to want to be in multiple places. How did I re-purpose spaces for 20+ people in 1700 square feet? I hid all the home computer stuff from the office table; opened the double doors to the outdoor patio; set up a 'temporary' table outside on the patio for wine and cold drinks (leaving room for walking and fireworks viewing); draped both tables in white, then red, white & blue novelty fabric and used red, white and blue flowers throughout. Little white lights on the railings gave ambient light, without distracting from the fireworks.

Desserts went upstairs where even better views of the fireworks could be seen (the carpet is now verified easily cleaned nylon - get that chocolate up soon though). It never felt crowded and no one just hung out in the kitchen! BTW, the crock-pot jerk chicken thighs were the hit; took no time for prep and didn't heat up the house.

AC Gunther Design, where 'It's Your Style, by Design'

Excited about new website!

2008-04-11T19:44:00.000-07:00

Hi there, give me some feedback on my new website it's,

http://www.acguntherdesign.com

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Let me know what you think?