When someone hires an interior designer they are usually after one thing – to have a space that looks good and functions properly for the user. This is what as designers we always look to achieve for our clients. Our number one goal is to make you happy. To really achieve this in the best manner possible we have to create a completely open relationship with our clients. This does not mean we have to know every aspect of our clients’ lives but it does mean that we need to have honest answers to our questions. And I am not saying that our clients blatantly lie to us it is more a fib of omission. Or in some cases the perfect intention to do certain things but then they just never seem to actually happen. As an interior designer my job is never to judge how clean your home is, how you parent your children or how you train your animals. My job is to find out how you actually live and then create a workable space around that lifestyle. So what am I talking about when I say the fibs that we hear? Here are a few that seem like little things but they are really huge when it comes to how we design a space.
The first one is “Our pets never get on the furniture”. So I know that this is the intention of many animal lovers and it is a great thought. The reality is that most of our clients are not home 24/7 so you don’t 100% know if your loving pets are on your sofa or beds when your not home. Or if your child lets the pets cuddle with them while watching the TV and you’re making dinner or working in the office. Not saying your child doesn’t listen to you or follow your instructions just that sometimes what seems like a really small thing can have big effects. So as designer if we know that your pets are part of the family and have just as much right to the furniture as you do then we can properly plan for that fact. We can select fabrics and leathers that are cleanable, come off to go into a washing machine and are made durable to withstand regular cleaning and wear. Every fabric has to be wear tested for usage. If you tell us that a dog never gets on a chair and it’s ok to have it made in a silk fabric we are going to listen to you since it is your home not ours. But if we know that your dog loves that chair we would never even show you a silk fabric that has no place on a chair that a dog is going to call home.
The second little omission that we as designers hear is “No one eats in that room on the furniture”. This can be a great policy for your home. It can in fact be true. However, if it is a policy but doesn’t actually happen all the time we need to know that. If you like to have a get together for the football game and there is going to be food being eaten all over the furniture every weekend during football season then just tell us so we can select the right fabrics and furnishings for your use. If you need a cocktail table to serve food on then we need to know that so we don’t give you a grouping of small ottomans. We want you to be comfortable in your home, not feel like you are walking on eggshells. It is perfectly ok to eat in your family room, just let us know so we use the right fabrics and options for the room and your lifestyle.
Another great one is “We don’t wear shoes in the house”. Ok great, does that mean you make your family and friends also remove their shoes? If so then great we can give you white carpet wall to wall. Or we can give you a softer wood floor that won’t mark from high heals. Or we can look at cork floors. Sounds great right? You always wanted that look of cork floors. But guess what those stylish cork floors don’t work for every homeowner and should not go into every house. So before you end up with a floor that is going to be damaged very quickly make sure you completely explain your habits.
How about fluffing pillows? Have you ever told the person you’re working with of course we have no problem fluffing pillows? And then guess what you really can’t be bothered to fluff your pillows. This doesn’t make you a bad person it just means that we as your interior designer need to know you’re not going to fluff those pillows and cushions. We need to know this so we don’t have your sofas made with down. Down has to be fluffed, no matter if we do a spring down cushion or comfort down. It is going to crush and it will have to be fluffed. This does not mean that the cushion is defective it is how it is designed. It is designed for a super soft sink into sit, but that also means it has to be fluffed back into place after you have been using it.
Have you ever looked at your room an said I need color? So you tell you designer that you really want to incorporate color into your room. But guess what you really don’t like color. You like a neutral earth tone look. You’re not lying when you say you want color, but the reality is that you are never going to be happy with color being added to the look. As a designer, there are times when I can read through those lines, but most of the time I’m going to listen to my client and give them what they are requesting. Would you like to add color but not sure it works for you, then let your designer know how you are feeling. It will allow us to determine if we add very small amounts of color into a room, stay with a neutral look, or go for it and give you that punch of color. If we can’t have that open dialog we can’t do our jobs completely.
Another area that comes up regularly when discussing how the home functions is window treatments. There are two different kinds of window treatments, those that are for looks and those that are for function. If you tell your designer that you never use them then great we are going to automatically go straight to treatments that are solely for looks. If you tell us we just need to take down the glare, then great we go to a light filtering treatment but again stay more to a treatment that is about looking great and not about blocking out everything. And since privacy is not expressed as an issue this would not be the first objective to solve. If you say I want it pitch black in the room, fantastic you need a functioning blackout treatment. These can look great too but the number one thing as a designer that we will focus on is how it functions. If you’re not sure you know what you need when it comes to window treatments, be specific of how you use the space. Let us know if you want to watch TV in the dark. Let us know if you want to see out of the room all the time. Let us know if you want to be able to do both.
So although I know that our clients never mean to not tell us everything, it happens. And sometimes it happens simply because you didn’t think it would effect the function of the design. But at the end of the day your designer is going to do everything they can to incorporate all your needs into your design. Sometimes not every need can be addressed but if we don’t know it is a need we can’t even attempt to address the issue properly. So before you go sit in that silk chair with a wet bathing suit, or walk across cork floors with spike heals, or sit in a down sofa you’re allergic to, help us to keep those things from happening. Every client is different and has different priorities and needs, make sure you let us know those priorities and needs before we start designing your space so they can be our priorities and needs for that project.
As the school year begins I am reminded of how caught up in our lives we can become and that without our homes in balance it can create a chaos in the rest of our lives. So I thought I would talk about the principle of balance when it comes to interior design.
Balance does not mean that everything has to be symmetrical. This is probably the biggest mistake or misunderstanding that I see when it comes to design. Symmetry is balanced but it is not the only way to create a balanced design. Balance can be created through color, weight and placement of pieces. For instance if you do a bright, bold accent wall you will want to balance the other side of the room with heavier or larger objects to keep the room in balance. If the majority of your seating is on one side of the room balance the other side with large artwork, accent table/console/buffet, and large accessories. You want your eye to move around the room and the correct balance will achieve that. Don’t leave the tops of furniture empty, this makes them feel out of place and floating in the room.
One of my favorite things to remember when working with balance is to think in triangles. If you can look around your space and draw triangles to connect things then you are most likely in balance. You will have many triangles that can be created. For instance if you have a table with a mirror or artwork above you want to make sure you have pieces to the sides. The side pieces can be on the table if it is long enough or on the floor by the piece. You can also use a combination of wall, table and floor.
There is no need to over do on accessories. Allow color to move through the space in different ways to balance the room.
Different items have different weights so a large piece can be balanced by three lighter feeling pieces.
Another area that needs balancing in your home is usually the work to play areas. What I mean by this is do you have places to put your incoming mail, your outdoor living “toys”, your cookbooks, your kids school work and books, backpacks, and shoes. Do you have an adult only area to unwind? Do your kids have their own spaces? Balance is not just about furniture placement but also how you use it. You need to have places in your home so you are balanced. This does not mean that you have to have a separate room for each of these things, but designated spaces is important. Not sure how to do this, call a designer for a consult. The right space planning will return you to your love of your home and get you on the right path.
Balance a large island and high cabinets with the right light fixtures.
Balance focal points with the right colors and furniture to highlight the features.
Are you balanced? Do you need to re-evaluate how your home and life are working together? If so breathe and take one area at a time. Creating balance is also about learning how to balance need verse want and realizing where your time is best spent.
I have had some recent experiences that has led me to compile a list of things that you never want to hear a “designer” say. This is my attempt to help people understand the difference between a true designer and a “decorina” while having a laugh and saving you time and money.
1) I don’t need to measure anything I can eye it.
If you hear this run as fast as you can. There is no way to possibly do proper space planning without measuring the space. And this means everything from room dimensions to window sizes, ceiling heights and placement of outlets and plumbing.
2) I will give you websites and catalogs to look at and you buy from them so I can get a commission.
A true designer is working directly with the manufacturers so you are not dealing with retail stores. This also drives me a little crazy because you are paying for the designer’s expertise. You should not be doing the work and searching stores, websites or catalogs. That is what you are paying the designer to do.
3) You don’t need to see a design plan.
This might be one of my biggest frustrations. Yes you absolutely do need to see a plan. You should be seeing drawings, plans, and schematics. Do not believe them when they tell you their other clients trust them to just do what they know is right. This is a big, huge fat lie! A real designer is putting together design boards for you. You do not do this on a daily basis. You cannot be expected to know how things are going to fit or look together. It is the designer’s responsibility to create the image and plan for you to see what it will look like, and for you to approve the plan.
4) You don’t have to go to school for design.
Yes you do! There is a reason there are multiple degrees for interior design. If we design something improperly people can get hurt. Think I’m exaggerating. Think about this, you go into your favorite restaurant. They have candles on their tables. Someone in the next booth knocks over a lit candle and it land on the upholstery. With the right fabric that flame simply goes out. With the wrong fabric that flame not only burns the booth, hurting the occupants but could travel up the draperies and to the other booths and chairs. Not a story you ever want to happen to you or anyone. An educated interior designer knows what fabrics and furnishing can go in commercial spaces. And this is just one application where the training and education is important. Designers read and draw blueprints on a daily basis. Don’t you want someone who knows how to do this correctly?
5) I will take you shopping to pick out your furnishings.
This is a little deviation on the previous comment of giving catalogs and websites. There are very few occasions where there is actually a need to go “shopping” with a designer. Again a true designer is working directly with the manufacturers, has a showroom or office and is putting together a plan for you. There is no need to go “shopping”. Also this is costing you way too much. You are paying for your designers time and paying retail! What? Working with a designer is made to save you money. You pay design fees either hourly or by square footage usually and then you get to buy at wholesale prices.
So if you are looking for an interior designer and you hear any of these comments keep looking. The right interior designer is going to make the process insanely easy for you.
It is full on summer and that means beach living. Maybe you live in a beach community or you vacation to a beach community either way it is all about sun and fun. The biggest request that comes out of everyone hanging out at the beach is the want for a beach living styled look at home. Here at Artful Conceptions we happen to be in a beach/boating community so everyday our clients love the beach look. And as of recently we have added some new lines that really show of that beach living. I am personally in love with these lines and the newest ones are Four Seasons, Gabby Home, Ibolili, Kenian, and Trade Winds. These lines take driftwood and create tables, bamboo and make chairs, slipcovered upholstery, and reclaimed wood into shelves and so much more. Since I have been infatuated with this style recently I thought I would post some pictures of room designs that show off that oh so popular beach look.
Elegant Coastal
Casual and Beachy
Traditional Coastal
Accessories make the space
A splash of color really updates a kitchen.
Nantucket Chic
Casual and fun
By the sea bedroom
Colorful guest bedroom
White slipcovers never go out of style on the beach.
Woven textures add to the relaxed design.
Dining beach style
So as summer continues think, fun and sun by adding the beach into your everyday living.
There are many times in which your home needs a quick updating. This can be because you are looking to sell your home, you are having company or you are just plain tired of things. Here are 10 of my favorite ways to freshen up your home without major changes.
1) Change up your pillows. Find some great pattern pillows for your sofas and chairs. The change will make the room feel like a whole new space.
2) Change the area rug. Ok this can be expensive if you are the hand-knotted type so in that case change rooms with the rug. If you are not the hand-knotted type look at changing your rugs to a natural fiber rug to bring in texture.
3) Refinish an accent piece. I love the look of painted pieces. These can be a chest, accent table or a kitchen table. You can completely change the feeling of a place by refinishing a piece or two.
4) De-clutter your space. The number one reason people feel tired with a space is the lack of storage. This usually occurs because there is too much clutter. Add closet storage and multifunctional tables and chests for additional storage to keep the clutter out of eye sight. Also impose a system to get rid of paper clutter.
5) Use a few great large accessories instead of a bunch of small nic-nacks.
6) Incorporate season flowers and greenery to your home. Changing greenery with the season will give you a new feeling many times through out the year.
7) Paint an accent wall. Tired of everything being the same color. Create and accent wall with either paint or wallpaper to give the space a new feeling.
8) Rearrange the furniture. Changing up the way that you use a room can really change the feel to the space. Think outside of the box on this one, it is ok to place sofas on an angle. They do not have to be up against a wall.
9) Add a backsplash to your kitchen. This is a relatively easy update that will give your home much value and wow factor.
10) Change out plate glass bathroom mirrors for nicely framed ones. This will update the entire space and add value to the home.
One of the most important finishing touches to a room is the lighting and most in particular are the lamps. These pieces not only give you function but also they add style to the room. There are many materials that lamps can be made from. Each material gives a different feel to the space.
First there is mercury glass. This is one of my favorite types of material to make lamps from. This is different from regular glass as mercury glass has an old and new feeling at the same time. It will also look silver and gold, while being transparent but opaque at the same time. It is simply a contradiction of a material which makes it fantastic for interior design. Here are some different lamps made from mercury glass.
A touch of a Moroccan feel with this design.
A mercury glass floor lamp for a touch of traditional and modern.
A classic mercury glass table lamp.
Different shapes make the mercury glass come to life.
Ceramic is one of your most popular materials to make lamps from. The great things about ceramic lamps are that you can do any color or shape with them. They can add a softening effect to the room design and tend to stay in style.
Blue ceramic gourd lamp.
Lattice design on a white ceramic lamp, simple and elegant.
Orange ceramic gourd lamp
pale blue ceramic matching gourd lamps.
Metal lamps can be quite intricate and can be either modern or traditional. They give the space a very distinct look and are a definite WOW piece.
Hand hammered kettle lamp.
Modern twisted metal lamp.
Traditional metal scroll lamp.
The last type of material that I am going to talk is glass. This plain material can be transformed into something magnificent. It can be clear, colored or filled with objects. This is a great answer for just about any space and they are usually extremely economical. Here are some different glass lamps.
Colorful glass bubble lamps
A clear glass lamp that is simple and elegant
Filled glass lamps
A seaside filled glass lamp
Buffet height cylinder glass lamps
A perfume bottle shaped glass lamp
So the next time you are looking around your space and feel like something is missing or needs to change, look to your lamps to add new life to your room.
One day it happens you are realizing a dream and owning your first home. This is the time that you get to really do things how you want them, you don’t need to follow a landlords rules about paint color, you can have built ins, you can make changes that work for you and your lifestyle. It also means that without thoughtful planning there can be many mistakes. Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind when you are designing your first home.
Rule number 1: do not rush things, just because something is a trend doesn’t mean you will still love it in 5 years. This also goes for how you spend your money. Just because you can buy an inexpensive piece now many times it is better to save your money and buy the right piece that will last. Good furniture should last as long as you want to keep it. Cheap furniture needs to be replaced regularly meaning over time it costs a great deal more. If you want to know more about how furniture should be constructed read threw this blog there is a detailed post about construction.
Rule number 2: Find unique pieces that fit your personality. When you have a space that is designed for you it will give you a hug every time you walk through the door. When a space is perfectly designed you won’t get tired of it you will simply feel comfortable. I love using natural organic pieces or antique pieces for those unique touches.
Antique painted chest, great for hallways entries, and bedrooms.
Antique truck, perfect for cocktail tables and end of bed benches.
Driftwood cocktail table, adds uniqueness and texture to any design.
Driftwood console table, perfect for hallways, entries and behind sofas.
Rule number 3: Keep you big items neutral. When purchasing furniture think neutral for your large main pieces. This gives you the ability to change other smaller elements in the room for an updated look over time. When you do your largest pieces neutral you also make the room feel larger. This allows your eye to move around the room and not be stopped, which makes the room feel larger.
Rule number 4: mix textures. When designing a space it is not just about different colors but also about the textures. The same color will look different on different material, so think about mixing cotton, linen, silk, natural grasses, metal, wood, and glass into the same space for depth and dimension.
Rule number 5: Find places to add functional and unique elements. Have a funky nook space it could be perfect for a bench seat. Use every bit of space in your home, after all you paid for it. Don’t be afraid of built ins, when done properly they function well and give you much needed storage.
A great reading/entertaining corner to take advantage of the view.
Breakfast nook with storage and design.
A library with a view
A great seating space to read and take in the view, while working with a space that would normally be empty.
So slow down, think about how you want to use your space and make the most of your budget by buying right!
I know I have written about area rug construction before but I thought I would do it again as it has been awhile. Area rugs are constructed in five main ways. These construction methods are hand knotted, hand tufted, hand hooked, hand woven, and machine made. I am not going to talk about machine made.
The most desirable and valuable area rugs are hand knotted. These rugs last lifetimes, on average 100+ years depending on the knot count and the construction material. These rugs are usually made from wool and silk. They are constructed by tying a knot around a warp thread. There can be as many as a dozen artisans working on one hand knotted rug and they can take as long as a year to make. One of the major points people look to in determining quality are knots per square inch or kpsi. This can range from 15-2500 depending on the style and quality. For a Peshawar carpet 250 kpsi would be a very high count and be an extremely detailed rug. For a Nain Oriental carpet 250 kpsi would be a very low knot count as most are over 500 kpsi and usually range between 800-1250 kpsi. See below for a reference on how these rugs are made and the different styles if knots.
The next and the most common style of construction of area rugs are hand tufted. These are constructed by sketching a design on a piece of canvas and then threads are punched threw the canvas. Because there are no knots in this construction method there needs to be an additional backing added to these rugs. These rugs tend to be very plush and will last for years. They are also the rugs that tend to shed in the beginning and need to be vacuumed on a regular basis for the first month of use.
The next construction method is hand hooked. This is a very similar process to the hand tufted except the thread is pulled up in looped pile and not cut off like the tufted rugs. These do not shed as much as the tufted style but they are also not as plush and thick.
The last construction style of hand made rugs are hand woven. These rugs last almost as long as the hand knotted and are known for being reversible. These are also your tapestries and are many times used as wall hangings as well as carpets. These are thinner carpets and the main ones that you find are flat weaves or soumaks. These can be found made from wool or cotton.
Area rugs are one of the most important elements to designing the perfect space. When you are selecting your area rugs you need to keep in mind ease of use, longevity, quality and touch. And of course there is always budget. Area rugs can range in price by thousands of dollars so before you purchase think about how you are going to use the rug and what you want to pay for one. If you are looking for a great piece of high quality that will last forever then you should be shopping hand knotted rugs. If you want something for a beach cottage that is going to be getting lots of use, sand and salt water then a hand woven is a better option for you. Still not sure what will work best for you? Ask a designer to help you select the right rug for your home or office.
The perfectly designed space is a line I use all the time and is also a term that I feel needs to be explained. What do I mean when I say this, well it incorporates all aspects of a space. The perfectly designed space can be your home, office, restaurant, gym or studio. To be the perfectly designed space it needs to work around you and your lifestyle, what you need to function. There is this idea in the interior design industry that designers should design what is fashionable and trendy and their clients should step up and have the same taste as the designer. I hate this idea! As designers it is our job to know the best ways to make a space function, what the newest products are, how these products will function for our clients, what the latest trend is and how to design to any style. It is never our job to make a client bend to our design style. In fact I prefer to not even get into what my personal design style is because it really should not have any impact on what I design for my clients.
One of the major components that goes into the perfectly design space is making sure that it is an enjoyable experience. This can be such a great fun time everyone should be excited about it. I love it when my clients get all excited because we have an appointment that day. My favorite line that one of my clients said was “yay I get Sara time today!” I want every client to feel this way. No matter how large or small the project is while that project is ongoing that client is just as important as any other. You can design the most beautiful space in the world but if it was a miserable experience getting there it is not the perfectly designed space.
The perfectly designed space functions properly for the client. If the client has kids and pets that are considered their kids too and have just as much right to the furniture as the “people” members of the family then the furniture needs to take that into account. This means using products that can be easily cleaned, going to withstand high use and still look fantastic in 5 years. If the client wants to have their desk in the family room then you create a living space that incorporates it. If the client wants have their dining room at cocktail height because that’s how they entertain then you find fantastic swivel glider barrel chairs to go around a custom made cocktail table. If the client requested to not have any chairs in their office you design a standing desk set up. The perfectly designed space is about the client and how they function.
The perfectly designed space is beautiful. As this word can be interpreted differently by many there is a rare thing that happens when it is a perfectly designed space. No matter your taste or style when you walk into a perfectly designed space it is beautiful and you can appreciate the beauty of it. You can see that it works for that friend, family member or business owner. You can see that it is a part of that person on display and it is just right.
So I wish for all of my readers to have a “perfectly deigned space”!
Mother’s day is just around the corner and I am sure that you are trying to think of new ideas for the mom’s in your life. You want the gift to be special and mean something, while celebrating the her contributions and of course be something that she wants. So I thought I would post some ideas that can be as simple as you want and as extravagant as you want. Mom’s are usually much a happier when their homes are in order so how about finishing off some of those areas for the mom in your life. It can be done simply with a great floral arrangement that will last for years. Or how about surprising mom with an accessory makeover; this can be done for one room or the whole house. Here are some great items that will bring a smile to the moms in your life, let her know how important she is to you and not break the bank.
And if you really want to surprise mom have a designer come in and do a refresh with your existing pieces while adding some of the above style pieces for a complete redo.
Have fun and put a smile on mom’s face this weekend!
It is coming to that time of year where the kids will be out of school and that means it is time to start living outdoors. So if the party is going to be outside that means that there needs to be an outdoor living room. When designing your outdoor living space there are a few important things to think about.
First, how are you going to be using the space? How many people to you need seating for? Is it your retreat away from the hectic day or is the party scene? Once you know what the use is going to be then we can create the space of your dreams.
Second, lighting is super important. You need enough light for the evenings but not so much that you are attracting every bug in the state along with giving your neighbors a show. So remember it is about mood lighting not creating daylight in the evening.
Third, stay true to who you are. If you just want to sit and swing on a great porch swing while enjoying the evening and a glass of wine then that’s what you need. Don’t overdo a space because it looked great in a picture. You will rarely use it and will not enjoy it as much as it you had stuck with how you live.
And lastly, don’t get yourself overwhelmed by the project. Call a designer even if you just have a plan put together for you it will make your life so much easier.
Here are some great ideas for outdoor living:
Enjoy, have fun and live life to the fullest!
First off I have to say that is was an insanely successful market. I found new brands that I love and was reminded way I love the lines that we carry. This market was definitely all about color. It was everywhere from traditional to contemporary, the neutral look is long gone! It was not only color but bright color. It was a feeling of rejoicing going on at market. A time of celebration not just because it was spring but because the industry seems to have gotten it’s feet back under itself. Gone was the elitist attitude that only large furniture stores were going to receive great deals and service. It was about highlighting what was going well in the industry and an acknowledgement that the designer was helping to change the image. There were concerts in the evening and an all around comradely with a focus on social media and how it was changing the independent showroom into a driving force. In fact I was even interviewed by the Winston-Salem Journal to talk about the how designers are influencing the furniture market. So with all of this in mind I thought I would share some of my favorites from the spring market.
Zuo Modern does a Moroccan outdoor wonderland.
A modern look from Younger.
Classic doesn’t have to be boring.
Beach meets fun in this colorful look from Wesley Hall.
Great transitional look from Wesley Hall.
Wesley Hall reinventing traditional.
Bright yellow takes this traditional look up another step.
A classic Thibaut tearoom.
Glam, glam glam.
Who knew Magnussen could do entertainment.
A great design oriented dining look from magnussen.
Magnussen stepping out with a more design oriented line.
Lexington updated and adding color to the outdoor line.
Traditional Lexington.
A touch of the old Tommy Bahama mixed with the new.
Lexington updated the beach look.
A great glam look.
Feizy changed the outdoor rug arena with these great finds.
A bold new step in the machine made carpets.
Feizy broke free of it’s past and brought colors to the fore front.
Cyan design made a huge impact on the accessory market with it’s bold showroom front window.
So what is your favorite? I love it all and can’t wait to show pictures of all the items that were purchased for the showroom!
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