Thinking about hiring an Interior Designer?

  

  By:Dorene Gomez

 

  You might feel a bit overwhelmed, possibly apprehensive, or just plain nervous , to think about having to get started on your design project. It's the unknown that makes us crazy. Here are a few questions to ask yourself, along with tips that will help you stay clear-minded and actually have fun along the way, completing your project successfully. Hiring an Interior Designer is truly a personal decision.

  

  First of all, before you even consider hiring a designer, you need to know how to find one. A great place to start is by a referral from family or friends that have had a great experience. Look for an Interior Designer that may have a successful business that people know about. Spend some time looking at their portfolios on their company's websites, through Houzz, and other social media. Designer's portfolios are a great way to see the end results from other clients projects and how their skill, talent, and knowledge was used.  

 

   

  I would also suggest that you do a little homework before you start making those phone calls to find a designer. Knowing your own personal style is a huge factor since you need to be happy with the end result. Take the time now to look through magazines along with surfing through websites like Houzz and Pinterest to help give you creative ideas that will let your imagination run wild. Think more about how the space will be used and imagine what your ideal interior environment would be, feel and look like. These ideas will certainly need to be shared and reviewed with your Interior Designer to start the design process. 

 

  Once you have selected your designer clarify and determine the scope of your project. Designers have a variety of services that will certainly cover your needs. These services can be anything from a design consultation to a site measurement or space planning. Also can include design concepts, purchasing and project management. Make sure you understand their fee schedule and have a clear communication of when you would like the project completed.

 

   When it comes to making decisions do you find it very hard? No worries, your designer will present you with options for your project and will help guide you to making great choices to move forward. By feeling comfortable with your designer you both will gain a great relationship of trust that will get you through to the completion of your project.   

  Bringing in a pro may be just the right choice for you. Take the time to consider your designer carefully and you will be sure you made the right decision. Hiring a professional Interior Designer that you totally trust will always have your best interest in mind. We are here to make your life easy. Let your designer be creative and give them the freedom to do their job. You are hiring them to create a design specifically just for you.

You just never know, you may just relax and enjoy the amazing journey.

Dorene Gomez

Principle Designer

Finally!.... COLOR IS BACK!

  

By: Scott Powers

 

    Are you one of those people that loves color in your home? Do you feel like everyone has been living with some shade of "gray fog" , or is it the latest interpretation of a "sandy beach"? 

  Whichever palette you have found yourself camped in... you are now free ! Color is making a strong return. We are seeing all shades of blue, from deep inky navy, to the lightest shade of ethereal blue you can imagine. Perhaps a deep eggplant paired with a punch of amber. Or are you more of a Dijon yellow and juniper green type? 

  The point being, don't be afraid to add color to your space. Everyone's space needs impact. Perhaps it's the dark walls with the contrast of a crisp white trim. This can be very relaxing and inviting, not to mention how you can amp up the sophistication level. The punch of a deep orange sofa against a wall of deep navy with white trim sitting on a beautiful wood floor would be fantastic. Now you can scatter in the needed "sandy beach" tones, and you actually have a fairly neutral room, but with some much needed personality. 

 

  

How does your home make you feel? Do you want to feel alive and vibrant or calm and collected? How you add color, or the lack of color to your home will impact you more than you may realize. This is not only the color itself, but the intensity of the color, the tone of the color, and the finish of the paint sheen.

  If you are worried about being committed to color, remember to start small, perhaps an accent wall. Maybe the entire powder room gets a shot of color. The cost of a can of paint, and a little elbow grease could give your home a boost that you didn't realize it needed.

After all, its 2018! Make this a year of color and impact.

Scott Powers

Interior Designer

ORIGINAL ART

By Ron Smith

  Good interior design should always incorporate original art. The types of art are found in many different forms to include; fine art in oil, acrylic or watercolor paintings, wall hangings of varying media woven materials, including photography, charcoal to pen and ink drawings. Additionally, sculpture is found in mixed media as well as hand blown glass in table top, wall and ceiling fixtures. With so many talented emerging artists, of all media, you can begin collecting a favorite at more affordable prices than a well known highly priced over exposed artist.

  The glass designer Chihuly has created a world wide reputation of free form art and functional hand blown glass. However, unless you have unlimited funds many local artists have outstanding designs of functional and decorative hand blown vases, bowls and sculpture at more affordable prices.

  Art is personal and should reflect the interests, character and vision of the beholder. I always suggest that, when and where the design budget allows, choose original art to suit a personal or family lifestyle. I encourage clients to take candid family photos of events and travels to personalize their home. Black and white or sepia blown up in large format and mounted under glass or plexiglass with framing and matt to add color. 

  Smaller photos can be grouped together on table tops or bookcases. Don't forget to frame those photos of your family pets! Wedding , anniversary, graduation photos and certificates are best displayed in more private areas.

  

  In hanging your original art, open space is a good thing. It allows you to create focal points defining the space and giving more importance and meaning to the pieces you enjoy. 

  When choosing your art selections I suggest my clients consider the color palette of the space it will hang in, should it be neutral and let the work be the focus or does the background need a WOW factor. Planning for the appropriate size and placement will show your investment in its best light where as purchasing on impulse especially when traveling can often be a costly mistake and not returnable.

  When a client of mine has "great" original fine art paintings we first need to determine where the work will be hung and build the room around it. We need to consider and plan the placement of furnishings, the textures of fabrics and materials and the appropriate color palette the compliment the art.

  Remember lighting plays an important part throughout the home and when planning the placement of art daylight and evening should be considered. Most often recessed lighting is not sufficient for important work (paintings or sculptures) in the evening. I suggest a tubular style picture light that will pivot to properly light the art and not wash the wall. Preferably it should be hard wired and controlled by a separate switch.

Myself as well as our talented staff are available to consult with any and all your design needs.

 

Ron Smith

 Principle Designer