03.29.08
The Magic of Design
There was a time people thought the world was flat. At another
point in history it was believed that women didn’t have the
know-how to run a business or change a tire. Then there was the
one about man not being able to fly. Over time all of these
fairytales have proven untrue.
So it is with interior design. Until recently, many people held
the belief that having their home decorated by an interior
designer was reserved for the rich and famous. Nothing could be
further from the truth.
Fact is, many people of average income who live in a middleclass
neighborhood are frequently surprised to learn they can easily
afford the services of an interior designer. In other cases,
many folks prefer to learn tips about design so they have the
flexibility to redo a room on a whim. Either way, you have more
choices today then ever before.
It is not uncommon to completely redo a room for a one time
social event such as a birthday celebration, a graduation or a
wedding. With some simple tips, even the most inexperienced
person can easily spruce up a room.
Before you begin, think about the style you are interested in.
Is it art deco, traditional, Mediterranean, western, modern, or
contemporary? These are only a few of the multitude of choices
you have. Think through how functional the room will be with
what you have in mind. Avoid rugs and chairs that stain easily
if there will be a lot of traffic in the room.
Be very careful to scale your furniture to the size of the room.
If you have a very large space you can break up the area into
little sitting groups or area groups. You can easily shift the
“feel” of a room with the use of lighting and/or plants. Area
rugs are another tool many designers use to break up large
spaces. A variety of paint colors and wall textures can make
even the most mundane room come to life.
Small space decorating is fast becoming a favorite topic for
many people as real estate prices rise. Think priorities when it
comes to small spaces. Do you need to use an area of the room
for more than one reason? In some cases you can easily convert
the kitchen table to your workspace provided you have cabinet
space handy for supplies. A chest of drawers can easily serve
this purpose by holding office supplies, linens, or even
computer components.
If you are considering utilizing the services of a designer, do
your homework. Check their portfolio and references. Find out
how they are to work with, did they deliver on time, were they
easy to work with and did they listen to the homeowner. If you
get an affirmative answer on all of these and their fees are
suitable to your budget, then take the leap. Often, interior
designs services are provided at no additional cost to you, and
will give you the extra edge you need to create exactly the
feeling you want for your home.
A great designer can make recommendations you may not have
thought of. Ultimately, their goal is for you to be ecstatic
with what you were able to accomplish together. After all, you
are the one that has to live in the space long after the
designer has done their magic.
