Style By Design Interiors BLOG
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SPACE….. ELEMENT OF DESIGN
Two skills that must be mastered in designing are measuring everything and asking questions.
Space can be our friend or it can be our enemy. “Space” can intimidate the confident as well as the novice. Space does not exist until you define it. Where space does not exist there is void. Space is a defined or measurable area selected to serve a purpose. Void is undefined, lacking, ineffective or seemingly useless.
Space in interior design, is one of the most crucial elements to consider when designing. You must plan for the space that will be occupied by furnishings, art, accessories, and traffic flow, but you must also plan for the space that will remain between these items as a visual break or a “pause.” This space will act as a border, like a mat in a picture, allowing each item to be appreciated but remain a visual part of the whole. It is the planned space between objects that keeps a space from becoming a forgotten void. A void within a room is an awkward space that just doesn’t feel right. This void could be a corner that is empty or forgotten, an empty wall, or a seating arrangement that is not conducive to comfortable conversation.
Today, most homes have a smaller footprint than in times past and as a result each room must pull its weight by severing multiple purposes. So PLAN, PLAN, PLAN…
To tackle the first element you must define the space that you have now and then you must define the space that you want to create. Start a design journal to keep clippings, pictures, and website information. I find that a three-ring binder works best because it allows you to easily edit your journal entries. You can add or remove sheets as you define and refine your vision without destroying your journal.
You must measure everything; the space’s width and length, the ceiling height, the windows and doors sizes and their placements in the walls. Measuring is important in design a space. Draw out the room, making any necessary measurement notes, and place it in your design journal. It helps to draw out each wall with measurements for all openings. You will need to refer to these plans often when you are choosing your furnishings and accessories.
You then must define the functions that the room must support. Is the function of the space going to be only for family gatherings or must it, also, have a dedicated office area?
Determine what your overall goals are for the space you are decorating. Is it a large cavernous room that you want to become cozy? Is it a small room with low ceilings that you want to become visually spacious?
Define your style vision for the space. Look around at your current furnishings and determine what furnishings stay and what furnishings will not stay. Is the style of the room already defined? Do you like the current style? Are you going to run with the current style you have or are you going in a new direction? Check out books, magazines, and the web for definition of styles and inspirations.
Designing a space must be approached in a logical way that results in a functional and esthetically pleasing space, but that also showcases your family’s heart and personality.
Homework: Pick a space, measure and draw your plans, start a journal, establish goals and functions. And………………Have Fun!
Happy Designing,
Clarice Booth Style By Design Interiors http://www.stylebydesigninteriors.com 11:37 am
Prior to the onset of pursuing an interior design degree I had a hard time understanding what “Design” meant. I questioned whether true design, custom design in particular, meant that everything in the room should match or if the room should be a collection more unique furnishings. What I learned in my studies is that there are design elements, principles, and concepts that are used to create good design. The elements of design are space, form, line, and texture. The principles of design are balance, rhythm, and emphasis. The concepts of design are scale, proportion, and harmony. Relax; there will not be a test at the end of this blog. However I will be using these elements, principles, and concepts to communicate “Design” in my blog posts. My exposure to the world of design, growing up, was somewhat limited. I remember rooms where the walls, drapes, and furniture were covered in the same patterned fabric and I remember that it was visually disorienting to look at for very long.
I remember going to fabric stores with my mother, a talented and avid sewer, and seeing all these coordinating fabric sets. They were created to go together and they were promoted that way, striking fear in the hearts of the timid who dared to imagine matching fabrics outside their defined sets. I think that this design practice scarred me for life. To this day I will go out of my way not to use fabrics created in sets. I think mixing fabrics is a wonderful way to create a custom look in any room. My goal is to help you decorate in true DIY fashion by sharing how design professionals create a well-designed space. You can then take that knowledge and apply it to your own projects. I will share my projects and ideas as they occur in hope that it will inspire you to crate and share your own projects. Design is a learning process that never stops and we can all learn from one another. But remember seeking the assistance of a professional is still a great option. Desiring to have a professional design our home’s interior is not selfish or frivolous it is an investment. Professionals can save homeowners money since they offer a wide range of services that will fit almost any budget.
If you are building a new home then have a designer or decorator look at the floor plan that you have chosen. It will insure that the floor plan you picked fits your lifestyle and that it will allow proper placement of your furniture. It is much easier to adjust construction details on a floor plan than it is to move an actual wall. If you have an existing home, and you are thinking of remodeling or possibly moving, consult a designer or decorator to see how to maximize your current home’s potential. It can be more economical to stay where you are, especially in today’s economy.
Happy Designing, Clarice Booth SBDI
Misty’s Question: When mixing patterned fabrics, is there a rule to the number of fabrics that you can mix? Rule of thumb….three patterns of varying in size and line. Typical choices are a floral, a stripe, and a plaid. However; your choices are limitless. It would be large pattern damask, a medium stripe, and a small diamond pleated silk. You can choose more, but try to avoid using too many patterns as they can create visual clutter in a space if over-done. Also, you will have any existing or new solid fabrics to that add additional warmth and interest in areas such as a sofa, chair, or carpet.
Also, try to avoid buying the preselected coordinating fabrics that many fabric stores have. There is nothing custom about these fabrics. If you see a fabric that you love.... take it and try pairing it with other textiles that contrast or compliment it for a custom look that is unique to you. Most fabric stores have knowledgeable staff that can help you select a combination of fabrics that you will be pleased with and that work well together. Things to consider Scale: Scale is the size of the pattern design. You should mix the sized of the pattern so that they do not compete for the viewer’s attention. Choose a small, a medium, and a large scale fabric. Typical examples would be a floral, a plaid, and a stripe.
Patterns: Different motifs in varying colors, styles, and sizes that are woven or applied to a fabric.
Sheen: You will want to mix or contrast the sheen of fabrics. This allows mixing and layering, but still allows the eye to rest on each one and appreciate its unique qualities.
Contrast: An overall color of a fabric. Even if a fabric has a pattern it can appear to be a solid color. Squint your eyes and look at the fabric…does it have a dominating color?
Texture: Choose fabrics with different textures. Mix them up for added visual and tactile interest. For example try a smooth silk, a woven linen, and chenille.
Don't forget that your windows, walls and floor coverings, light fixtures, metal finishes, wood finishes, accessories, furniture detail or grain, etc. are all additional areas to consider when looking at establishing a color and pattern scheme for your room. All of these things have color, texture, and a style that will influence the final look of the space.
I strongly suggest that everyone create an inspiration board. You want to have a balance of color, contrast, scale, pattern, texture, and sheen in a space. An inspiration board is a way of collecting random thought and images that you consider into one location so that they can be properly considered and selected.
First determine the style or look you are going for as this can guide you on how many colors, textures or finishes you will select. Many times we have clues to our style all around us. See what yours is and embrace it. Research your chosen style and create a cohesive look by incorporating the signature details of that style.
For example if you go modern you might choose a monochromatic scheme, lending toward more texture than actual “color” and then maybe a particular hue(s) to pop against it.
If you choose traditional you might stay with the rule of thumb of 3 (in fabrics) Large/ medium/small in a check/stripe/print. Scatter the color or patterns around the space this will create a flow that is cohesive and leads the eye around the room. It may be the color blue in a painting over the fireplace, a pillow on the sofa, and a vase or dish on a shelf or table. BUILD AN INSPIRATION BOARD
Get a foam board from your favorite store and pin pictures and fabric ideas to the board as they evolve. You can add or remove them as often as you need to in order to find you final choices. (Once all choices are made you can paint the foam board with your selected paint color to help bring your vision to light. Pick your paint last.)
You will first establish the elements that you are not changing – the things that have to stay or you choose to keep. Put representatives of those colors, patterns, or textures for those elements on your board. Add any other strong colors or pattern that must be considered such as fireplace, floors, or built in case work finishes.
Find an inspiration fabric or art piece that is the right style and has all or several of the colors you are looking for then you can pull those colors from that fabric into a stripe and then another into a pattern.
It is impossible to remember an exact shade of paint or fabric so take paint, fabric, and finish samples with you when you are selecting anything other items for that space.
Add to your board as you find something you like and don’t be afraid to change it often…you will know when it is right. Knowing when to stop is key ---an inspiration or theme can go too far and very fast. You want a space that has the influence of a style that you love…not a theme park. The secret to achieving a space that looks great and that you love is restraint.
Don’t try to choose everything in one day… take your time and let it evolve. Put your selections on the inspiration board and look at them for several days or weeks at different times of the day before committing. Clarice Booth 10:16 pm
Staging is still a relatively new concept for many people. I find that either a person has not heard of staging or they have a misinformed understanding of the concept.
What staging is not........
• "Decorating" • Just Following a Check-List • Turning on a few lights & adding flowers • Removing Everything from the house • Filling it up with furniture and knick-knacks • It is Not having your home completely Custom Designed or Re-Designed
What Staging is........
• Addressing both the interior and the exterior • Creating a Broad Market Appeal • Using "Buyer's Eyes" to create a space that they will want for their own • Creating a "lifestyle" that sells the buyer on a particular property • Depersonalizing, Defining spaces, and Adding the RIGHT Colors • Selling the space and not the stuff • Using appropriate scaled and styled furnishings for the style that • Honoring our clients while servicing their staging needs • A Key Marketing Tool & Value Added Service! • Maximizes the property, and the marketing potential and maximizing the seller's top dollar!
Many sellers do not realize the value of having their property staged. The average price reduction can be 5% to 10% of the list price.
Comparatively, staging is an economical investment and an aggressive strategy to help a home rise above its competition. Sellers cannot control the economy, property location, or their competition. However; they are in control of the list price and the condition of their property which play a huge role in how their property stacks up to the other properties for sale. Let’s face it, an overpriced property helps to sell other properties.
The best strategy is to have a property staged, then determine a competitive market value, and last place it on the market. Staging will allow the seller to receive top dollar for their property. In some cases staging can increase the value of a property over an un-staged property.
Is Staging Important?
• Not Staging is listed as the #1 Biggest Real Estate Mistake that sellers can make… per HGTV • Not Staging increases the # of days a property remains on the market. • Not Staging puts the competition ahead of your property - it sells the • Not Staging will result in costly price reductions that reduce your bottom line. • Not Staging will hold sellers back, keeping them from moving forward with their goals and their lives.
What does Staging mean to the Seller?
What does Staging mean to the Realtor?
• Staging set a Realtor’s services and listings above the competition. • Realtors can add staging to their list of available services • Realtors can use staging as a marketing tool, and it will give the needed edge over the competition. • The pressure of preparing a seller and their property for the real estate market is “tactfully” handled by a SBDI professional. • Realtor’s listings will sell faster and for more money that if they are un-staged. • Sellers will be thrilled with the results and this should result in more referrals to the Realtor. • Realtor’s income will increase as more of their listings sell faster. • Sell Your Property Faster! • IT'S A WIN-WIN PARTNERSHIP
For more information please contact me either by phone or email. We serve many areas in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi
" Good Market OR Bad Market…….Two Key facts remain…
• A Seller’s property always competes against another Seller’s property!
• Seller’s always compete for qualified buyers!" -Clarice Booth, Style By Design Interiors
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