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WHAT EXACTLY DOES AN INTERIOR DESIGNER DO?
Interior Designers are project managers who coordinate fabrics, textures, and colors while controlling costs. They assign projects to workrooms and installers to complete the project. Most interior designers are able to read a floor plan and design an aesthetically pleasing and functional space.
WHERE DO I START?
DESIGN TIPS
Is your entire home in need of a make-over? Create a phased plan. Think about timelessness and budget, but don't forget about style. If a certain product is out of price reach when you get to that phase of your plan, there are many other products available that will fit in your budget that would also work.
- RULE NO. 1: THERE ARE NO RULES
Colors are more adaptable than you might think and they don't just disappear after a season. Gradually lighter or darker over time, color can give your room the flexibility you need to express the style you love.
Removing clutter helps to keep your perspective. Many times we continue to collect and don't know where to put it. There may be another room that the item(s) would fit better or maybe it is not needed at all! Keeping it simple is better.
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PICTURES ARE WORTH A 1000 WORDS
If you are having trouble visualizing your new room, look at various home and design magazines and keep a file with the pictures you like. If there is a picture of a lamp or a sofa or a window treatment that appeals to you, have it on hand to review with a professional interior designer. This will help both you and the designer visualize the look you want.
Make an urban-chic statement in your urban loft or suburban home with an over-the-top heavy-weight shag or loop. Keep your textures heavy in fabrics and materials used for accents.
WHICH PAINT COLORS SHOULD I USE AT MY OFFICE?
On the basic colorwheel there are 3 primary colors, 3 secondary colors which are made from the combination of the primary colors, and 6 intermediary colors made from the secondary colors. Black and white are considered neutral colors. There is much research in the study of color and how it affects people and their actions. It is important that the appropriate colors are used for the different circumstances. In the office, color can help in promoting motivation and energy. Here are some examples of the colors and what they represent.
- BLACK. Black is the color of authority and power, and is associated with elegance. Used to accent an office, it denotes a clean, modern, serious feel. A black belt in karate identifies an expert. A "black tie" event is fashionably formal. Too much black is overpowering, so in the office less is best.
- WHITE. White symbolizes simplicity, peace, and purity, new beginnings. A white flag is the universal symbol for truce. Too much white can be sterile and cold but accented with color, it's refreshing. Doctors and lab technicians wear white, and who hasn't heard of the "white knight" to the rescue?
- RED. Red stimulates the brain, increasing respiration and energy. It's the color of "warriors" so great for a sales office. It's the most used color in advertising to grab attention, used on 88% of food packaging. Executives wearing bold red ties are looking to impress, and a "red-letter day" is one of importance and good fortune.
- BLUE. A room painted blue is said to be relaxing so indicates trust. Its color is associated with institutons like banking, law enforcement or insurance. Blue indicates excellence, like winning a blue ribbon or owning blue chip stocks.
- YELLOW. This color has a variety of meanings. It helps people to creatively focus, therefore good for conference rooms or the R & D department. It's highly visible and whimsical, therefore the success of bright highlighter pens and post-its. A yellow ribbon shows support for U.S. soldiers at the front, heralding courage.
- ORANGE. This color is an emotional stimulant. People feel more social and joyful, and it's one of the most appetizing colors in food. Lunch rooms, entry halls, even the water cooler break room would do well utilizing an orange color scheme. It goes great with purple,so kid's playrooms find it energetic and fun.
- PURPLE. Purple implies authority and rank, and is often associated with royalty (CEO's take note). But purple in a child's room is said to help develp the imagination. Organizations with daycare include it in their color schemes. And of course a "purple heart" is a U.S. millitary decoration for soldiers distinguished in battle.
- GREEN. Currently the most popular decorating color is green. It's calming and healing, symbolizing nature. It's a great color for healthcare patients to relax in, or a reception area to welcome you. It's positive, as in "all systems are green to go" as well as being associated with money. A terrific color for finance departments!
HOW DO I PROTECT MY FURNITURE AND CARPET?
Although the sun helps to make our rooms look brighter and refreshing, it can also cause problems with our fabrics and carpet. The UV rays that shine through our beautiful windows can cause our carpet, wood floor, furniture, and draperies to discolour and fade. Adding a UV rated shade to the window would deter this from occuring. Make sure you know your facts about the different types of window coverings to purchase for this type of problem. LET THE SUNSHINE IN...but make sure you are prepared!
Stains are an everyday occurance whether they come from children, pets, or our own body oils. Most fabrics and carpet already have a stain resistant coating on them, but if they don't or you need a little extra help, you can follow these simple steps. When your toddler drops her grape juice on your carpet or your neighbor spills a drop of red wine on your sofa, have some salt or soda water available. If you can catch the stain right after it happens, blot the stain lightly first and then sprinkle (non sparingly) household salt and fresh cold water or pour soda water on the area. Let sit and dab again lightly to obtain most of the moisture. Do not rub hard as it will cause abrasion and the stain to hold to the root of the fiber. This holds true for spaghetti sauce. Accidents are bound to happen, so protect your treasures with a stain resistant coating to begin with and keep around a lot of household salt.!
We love our pets, but sometimes they are not as kind to our furniture or carpet. Train pets to stay off of the fabric furniture and keep the draperies off of the floor where there is heavy pet traffic (ie:doggy door). A pet's body oils can penetrate through protective coatings with time so it is important to keep those areas clean and maintained. Carpet cleaning regularly helps keep stains at a minimum and so does continuing to use protective spray coatings.
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLORS FOR MY HOME?
Enhance your home with color to ensure that your surroundings will reflect an inviting and gracious style. Colors have either warm or cool undertones. It is important that you choose the palette that works best for your home. Don't get stuck in the boring one-color doldrums just because it is safe and don't be influenced by current trends, instead surround yourself with colors that make you feel comfortable and reflect your personal style.
CAN AN INTERIOR DESIGNER SAVE ME MONEY?
How many times have you chosen something for your home only to realize you have made a BIG mistake? Retaining a trained design professional to assist you in making decisions can help you develop and refine your vision to create inspired interiors in your home and prevent costly mistakes. An interior designer is trained to visualize the finished project and can take accurate measurements to be sure to only purchase the amount of product that is necessary. Few designers may also carry lines of products and are able to sell such products and services directly to their clients at significant savings.
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