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Thursday, August 12, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Stuck!
Okay. I know. I haven't been blogging lately. Truth be told. I am not a blogger, a writer or a graphic artist. I'm not horrible at it, but not great. I am an interior designer. Artistic..yes...Creative..yes, but something about blogging and writing just gets me caught up. I can see the words typing out in my head. I can see how I want my blog to look when I am done, but I have no idea how to create what I want. What I see. What I feel. What I want to achieve in my blog and newsletters I can't. I just get stuck. I keep telling myself...just write whatever comes to mind. Okay. Simple enough...then I start writing. What are the rules of blogging? Am I posting in the right place? Did I spell that right? Hmm..okay now I'm confused. Research. Yes! Look at other blogs and see how they pull their ideas into words. Then I could become inspired and break away from being stuck. Wow! How do people get their words to make your eyes water, and "feel" what they are talking about. Clearly...I need practice or some help! :) This did get me thinking. Is this how remodeling your home or picking out a sofa feels for some people? I mean...I know what I want, I just don't have the resources or confidence to pull it off. Does that sound familiar? As a designer I constantly hear...I know what I like..I just can't put it all together. I buy things that don't fit. I looked great in the showroom. The contractor never showed back up.
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What can you do if you are stuck in a Design rut?[/b][/center]
* First thing is first. You have to know what you like and don't like about the space. What do you like about the space? What don't you like? This will help you determine what really needs to be done about the space. If you don't like the old chair you could donate it or upholster it. If you hate how the old windows make the room cold, then you will need to replace them. Be honest. It is the only way you will achieve what you desire. If you put a bandage on a broken arm..its still broken and useless.
* What uses/functions does the room need. How does that compare with its current uses and functions?
These two questions will serve as the bones of the room. This will clarify whether you need to just freshen up the space or actually do some renovating. If you don't have the budget to do ALL you want, then you can now prioritize. Just don't ignore the broken windows and buy a new sofa!
* How do you want the room to feel? What inspires you? What are your favorite colors? This is where you have to disconnect from being specific. Don't write down what inspires you in that room or your favorite colors for a wall. Write down what inspires you in life..on vacation..at the beach..or your favorite colors to wear, to drive..whatever comes to mind. You may be surprised how there may be a pattern. Maybe you didn't know you liked red so much until you realize how much you wear it and accent you clothes with it. But you could never have a red room you say!?! Well..don't shut anything out just yet.
* Measure your room and play with an online room planner like on HGTV.com to see how your current furniture fits in your space. If it doesn't then you must get rid of it, store it, or move it. These online planners make it easy to play with different ideas.
* Take colors from you favorites and inspiration list and get some swatches at the paint store of those colors. Play with then and see how they go together. Add some other colors.
* Wander around a home fabric store and look at some fabrics that have your selected colors. Find a few you love. Don't forget to mix NOT match patterns. Found a floral? Don't pick 4! Add a stripe and a solid or even a plaid. Ask for a sample to take home. Make sure you have a good mix of heavy weight and light weight fabric. The heavy fabric goes on "heavy" furniture and light fabric goes on "light" things like pillows and window treatments.
* Sit the pieces of fabric on the furniture you want to upholsterer or just sit it in the space the furniture will be. How does it look? **Large scale patterns should go on large pieces and small-scale patterns on small pieces. I recommend a solid for the largest piece.
* Arrange your fabric and paint choices on a table. Narrow down your choices. Think about the bolder colors as accents and the more neutral for things that you can not easily change like walls. Now you should have a good palette of texture and color.
Pull it all together!
I hope this helps you break away from a design rut!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Happiness is good health and a pretty office - Construction & Industry - ArabianBusiness.com
Okay. I'll admit it. I have judged an office by its cover, or interior decor rather. I can't stress the importance enough of having a pleasing office decor. I found a really nice doctor in a great are for my newborn son, Oliver. I went in and met him and was immediately put off by the waiting room. It wasn't dirty or unpleasant, but it was large with little furniture, misplaced display, and all white walls. It felt stark and cold. It didn't reflect the doctors personality or business at all. I thought maybe I was being so critical because I'm a designer, but there is a psychology to design. Interior Design does make you feel a certain way. Office design can influence your consumers choices, how consumers view your business, and whether or not they will be coming back. Why take that chance? A designer can always come in and give you a consultation on inexpensive ways to spruce it up! If you are a DIY person, then research some offices in your industry to gather ideas and tackle the painting yourself.
Another reason to change your office decor is it affects your employees motivation! 90% of office workers regard the design and layout of their office as affecting their level of motivation. Despite this, approximately 50% said that they had never had any sort of workspace assessment from their employer.
Happiness is good health and a pretty office - Construction & Industry - ArabianBusiness.com
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Responses to Haiti Quake
It is so nice to hear of all the support in Haiti. Interior Design.net let me know about Architecture for Humanity's efforts. They will be helping with the rehabilitation effort of the homes and building in Haiti.
For More Info
Haiti Earthquake
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