Posts Tagged ‘Interior Designers’

A project by two interior designers, Suzanne Perrin and Denise Inskip-Seale, to beautifully decorate a Habitat for Humanity home totally from donated material, labor and furnishings. The project came out of the designers work with Landmark Education, a global leader in the field of training and development, whose participants achieve higher standards of excellence and learn to think and act beyond existing views and limits. An open house raised $1500 for the local Habitat chapter in Plainfield, NJ. More at www.perrindesign.net and www.tigainteriors.com

DesignerAtHome.com shows you how to draw the floor plan of your room which will enable our interior designers at www.DesignerAtHome.com to help you achieve your design goals at a fraction of typical interior designer fees. Save thousands of dollars today at www.DesignerAtHome.com.

Vine House Interiors have over 30 years experience providing quality interior design services to both commercial and private customers in and around the Kent (UK) area. Find out what makes Vine House Interiors a cut above the rest! Please visit our website at www.vinehouseinteriors.co.uk

Founded in 2000 by Steve Spett and Ron Barth, Resource Furniture has gained a reputation for providing Interior Designers, Architects and Specifiers access to European Furniture not widely distributed in the US. Our Mission at Resource Furniture has always been to provide our clients with the finest of European furnishings at competitive prices, with speedy delivery and a focus on unmatched customer service. Whether your project calls for top level executive furnishings, our award winning residential products or our unique space saving items, we hope Resource Furniture will be your choice. www.resourcefurniture.com (212) 753-2039

Founded in 2000 by Steve Spett and Ron Barth, Resource Furniture has gained a reputation for providing Interior Designers, Architects and Specifiers access to European Furniture not widely distributed in the US. To find out about these space savers go to www.resourcefurniture.com

Visit www.artfusionproductions.com.au To learn more about Australian artist Glenn Farquhar and his exciting Step by Step Interior Design Art DVD Series. Glenn takes you through step by step on how he creates professional quality artworks for Interior Designers across Australia. These artworks are broken down so well that you can create your own artworks in any size you like without fear of failure. Go to his website and see the feedback from artists from Australia and around the world who have been amazed at how much they have learnt from one DVD. Glenn shows you secrets to artists techniques that can take years to discover. Modern abstract art is not as hard or scary if you have a professional artist showing you the techniques step by step . It is easier than you might think. His website also has his gallery of works, Interior Design Ideas, tips and behind the scenes videos of Glenn and his studio. See you at www.artfusionproductions.com.au. One Quetion that Glenn is asked all the time. Where do you buy your artist supplies? He buys wholesale online at www.artsuppliesaustralia.com.au

This video was created as a project for my Graphics for Interior Designers course at El Centro College. We were instructed to choose a topic relative to the design field and produce a video about it.

If you are just beginning a new project, invest a moment to read about “The 7 Interior Design Mistakes”. Here we discuss 7 common mistakes that can prevent your project from reaching your design goals.

1. Don’t Forget… “The Wow Effect”

We have all seen it before. At times it is almost impossible to describe. Everyone is trying to create this dramatic effect in their home or business, but it is very elusive. There truly is an art to creating “The Wow Effect”. Most Architects and Interior Designers will look back on their careers, and reflect on one or two projects that they are most proud of. On those occasions, they were able to bring all of the elements together and create… “The Wow Effect”.

When you are just beginning your next project, set the visual and effect goals for the project very high. If members of your design team can see that you are not passionate about the project, they will follow your lead, resulting in a less than dramatic effect.

There will be many days, when it seems like every idea that is presented, falls short of creating the drama. When this happens, sleep on it, and take your ideas with you to bed. Think about the emotion and sense the completed vision of your project. The next day, you will be amazed at the variety of ideas that will present themselves. Not sure why this works… just know that it does.

2. Oops… Clearly Identify The Vision Of Your Project

Often times when we are beginning a new project, we are so eager to get started, we will hurry out, choose our favorite wall color, and start painting. Next, we will begin our search for the other layers of the project. Unfortunately, many times the effect does not always create the drama we had hoped for.

Important – At the very beginning of any project, and before anything is purchased, painted, or papered, you must visualize the entire project from beginning to end. You may find a dramatic finish, texture, or fabric, which would require a different shade of paint or change the direction of the project completely.

Most people will minimize the importance of this step. You will invest a lot of time working this process. But, if you truly wish to create a dramatic project, you must visually complete your project from beginning to end. There is no easy way to do this. The more detailed the specifics, the greater the chance for a dramatic effect.

3. Funding… Establish an Interior Design Budget

It is so important to identify a budget for your Interior Design Project. The cost for ideas can swing dramatically in price. Once you have established your budget, this will provide the needed structure, and will ensure your project is completed on time.

Through the design process, new ideas will be introduced, which may raise your budget. Many Interior Design projects are completed in phases. Most of us do not have unlimited funds.

Clearly identifying the approximate cost of the entire project, will give you the needed structure for this process.

At this point you can make the decision whether to divide your project into phases. Breaking your project into Interior Design phases ensures that your Interior Design Project will have funding, without settling for a collection of design effects that may fall short of your initial vision.

You can now focus on creating the vision and the drama, without becoming overwhelmed with the financial numbers of the project. Do not begin your Interior Design project, until you have established an Interior Design budget for the entire project. This will become the foundation for the project, and will release your energy to focus on … Creative and Dramatic Interior Design.

4. Capturing Your Ideas, Always Begin with a …”Design Board”

Dramatic Interior Design ideas are like the wind. You need to capture all new ideas as they appear. Most people do not do this, but this is such an important step.

When you are creating your design project, put all of your ideas on a presentation board or design board. These are often called concept boards or mood boards.

It is much easier to test new colors, fabrics, textures, or ideas. You will sense when “The Wow Effect” magic is beginning to happen and your Interior Design project is taking form.

Focusing your creative energy is critical to creating “The Wow Effect”. There are no short cuts or easy ways to create dramatic design. We have all seen Interior Design Projects, where an investment of a little more thought, and creative focus, may have produced a more dramatic effect.

When all of your ideas are placed on a design board, visually, you will be able to sense what is creating drama and what is not working. Introducing new ideas is much easier and the process will start to flow.

Finally, you will never forget the moment, when everything is working, and your design project is taking form. It is almost like a “Runners High”. All of the elements are finally coming together, creating the dramatic vision of your project.

If you truly wish to create “The Wow Effect”, do not skip this critical step. Your investment is too great, not to ensure a final dramatic effect. Always use a design board or concept board on any Interior Design project.

5. Understanding … The Principles of Layering Color, Texture, and Effect

Think about it, almost everything that is appealing to the eye, was created with layers of Color, Texture, and Effect. Visually, we love to admire things that incorporate the “Principles of Layering”.

Color and Texture are the tools you work with, and Effect is that intangible that is generated when you bring the layers together.

Think of the seasons, how in the Fall, the colors naturally compliment each other. If the wrong colors were introduced, the final effect would be much different.

Your layers will include, your Floor Plan or Unique Spaces of Opportunity, Paint, Italian Venetian Plaster, Faux Finish, Wallpaper, Ceiling Finish, Flooring, Fabrics, Furniture, Drapery, Lighting, Accessories, and Plants.

There truly is an art to layering. On your design board you will learn first hand about the principles of layering. Your senses will tell you immediately what is working and what is not creating drama.

Invest some time to learn more about “The Principles of Layering”. There are many good books on this interesting subject. Dramatic Interior Design can only be created in layers.

6. You are the Director … “The Importance of Staging”

Staging is the process of creating the mood, ambiance, and feelings, for a designated are. This is such an important step to learn.

Correctly staging the area that… precedes your next area of opportunity, is critical to creating “The Wow Effect”.

If you have too many colors, decorative items, or visual confusion going on in the staging area, this can and will distract from your unique spaces of opportunity.

Staging will create the maximum effect and control the visual emotion as you move through your home. Drama and effect are rarely created by accident.

Remember, “You Are The Director”. How you set the stage, light the room, choose yours colors and texture, will determine the success of your Interior Design Project.

Learn more about the “Importance of Staging” and “How to Stage you Home”. If this is done correctly, walking through your home will be like reading a great novel. You cannot wait to get to the next room or chapter.

7. Looking for Ideas? … Share a Coffee with an Interior Designer

Everyone is always interested in a good idea. If you feel you would like to discuss your ideas and your project with someone else, I would strongly encourage you to meet with an Interior Designer or Interior Decorator.

There is no obligation for this meeting, but you will be surprised how your project will become focused almost immediately. Ask around to your friends for referrals, to view some of there previous projects, and also discuss their fees.

Everyone will not need an Interior Designer. But there may be times, when the layers of your Interior Design project are not coming together. When this happens, meeting with an Interior Designer may be one of the best decisions you ever make.

Finally, creating “Dramatic Interior Design” is a challenging process. You will spend many days of struggle and effort. At times the tension and difficulty of the process, will make you want to surrender. But I am here to tell you, if you stay with it, and invest the time…

“Someday in the still of your home, you may hear your friends or family members quietly whisper … Wow!

“At that moment, no words need to be spoken, you know in your heart, … You Did It!”

Mark Nordgren

Interior design is all about style, quality and personal preferences; but finding an inspired ‘look and feel’ to suit a client’s brief, and delivering precisely what a client wants even when they can’t describe it themselves is never easy. We sometimes need a few clues:

Most people want their homes to mirror their own personality. They look for features which echo their likes, loves and longings. Pictures, and specifically photographs, can play a huge part in ‘scene setting’. Holiday snaps, family portraits, familiar landscapes all come together to create an ambience that reflects the home owner.

Traditionally photography, in the form of framed matt or gloss images has always had a place in our homes but many interior designers are now keen to see what digital technology can do to enhance the versatility of displayed photographic images.

The obvious route is to take an appropriate photograph, digitally enhance it and then enlarge it to poster size. Evidence of success can be found in any teenager’s bedroom. Let’s face it; size is definitely important when it comes to interior design.

Many interior designers have already experimented with giant photographic prints produced in strips with a large format printer. This technique, pioneered by hoarding sign printers and developed further by exhibition and display companies has also given us full drop floor to ceiling banners – just visit any major exhibition to see examples.

Floor to ceiling banners as an interior design accessory have actually been around for a long time. Full drop brass rubbings mounted on hessian, made by hand and very popular in the 1970s, are a good early example of people personalising their homes using big, bold images. A number of design houses were quick to bring a range of full ceiling height, photographic reproduction ‘rubbings’ to market.

Photographers simply can’t resist the opportunity to enlarge their work. One enterprising London photographer has actually built an incredible giant ink-jet printer, housed in an old warehouse by the Thames, which can reproduce his avant-garde digital images on genuine canvasses bigger than a house. Great for massive corporate atriums but it could be a tad excessive in suburbia!

The issue is simply one of scale as the ‘photographic image on canvas’ issue is definitely worth exploration. Portrait painters and landscape artists have traditionally used canvas as a foundation for their work. A glorious painting on canvas is rightly perceived as an expensive, luxury item and far removed from the same image painted onto board or paper; but can the same be said for photography on canvas?

Of course it can because, despite critic’s protestations, art is always ‘in the eye of the beholder’. The added dimension offered by canvas media and additional perceived value of a canvas photographic print lifts it out of the realm of simple photography and into the art print arena.

So what are you waiting for? Next time you have a client who doesn’t know what they want, simply digitise a selection of their own photographs and have them converted to canvas. Use appropriate images to lift dull areas and bring light to dark corners. Family group and favourite pet pictures can be an amazing resource.

Finally, don’t be afraid to commission a special image for a particular location. Photographic costs are relatively low and the same image can be used as a foundation for a number of related features.

Interior design is an art of putting pieces together to manipulate the architectural integrity of the interior spaces. It is concerned with anything and everything that is found inside a space and that includes the doors, walls, textures, windows, finishes, furnishings, light, and furniture. Most of these elements, if not all, are used by interior designers in creating a safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing space. The interior design of a house gives it either a warm and inviting setting or a cold and distant ambience. While there are many factors which contribute to a room’s atmosphere, the way the furniture is arranged or where the furniture is placed is also a great factor to influence the mood of the room.

Squeezing in all the furniture into your rooms is a lot more challenging than buying them. Sometimes furniture cannot be placed in a certain spot due to a door that swings the wrong way, a window that is too low, and many other factors, which will challenge your furniture-arranging skills.

A Short Guide on How to Arrange Furniture

It must be remembered there are no hard and fast rules in interior decoration, much more on furniture arrangement. But there are some things that may help one in arranging the furniture to give the room some enjoyable spaces where the whole family or guests will feel relaxed.

1. Good furniture arrangement starts with evaluating the area of the room or house as well as the furniture inside the room. Consider the size of the room first before buying or putting in the furniture. Measure the room or get the dimension of the room. This will give you an idea of the size of the furniture that you will put. By using one’s common sense, the furniture must fit into the available space.

2. When you plan to arrange a room or decorate a room, always take into consideration the person or persons who will use the room, the number of people who use the room, and how often these people enter or stay inside the room.

3. Determine which particular area of the room catches your immediate attention. This area will be the focal point of your room. Discover some dramatic elements in it. Let us say, the focal point of your bedroom is your large window which gives you a beautiful view of the beach, then you must put your primary piece – in this case, your bed – to that side or if not, put your bed to the other side and let it face the window in such a way that you get to have a good view of the beach outside.

4. Consider the color of your room when choosing the furniture. When the color of your paint is dark, get light-colored furniture to make the room look brighter.

5. Create a visual motion and excitement. Add furniture and furnishings that comes in two to have a symmetrical balance or asymmetry. Asymmetry refers to an imbalance such as two candles of somewhat different sizes next to each other. Symmetry is very restful while asymmetry is used to add visual motion and excitement.

If you wish to make your house or room more relaxing and beautiful, the guide above may just be all the help you needed.