Interview with a Designer: Me!

Today, I am going to be “ask” myself some of the questions that I frequently hear from clients and the like. This should be fun!

1. WHAT IS YOUR OWN PERSONAL DESIGN AESTHETIC?
My own personal style tends towards mid-century Modern, but I do like to mix in some fun, and ultra-contemporary. My own philosophy is that mixing it up instantly adds personality and character to a space. It also helps to make a space feel more like a home.

2. IF YOU HAD TO PICK THREE THINGS TO DO TO ANY ROOM, WITHOUT SPENDING A SMALL FORTUNE, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
Paint, original artwork and one focal point piece. First, painting a room is the least expensive thing you can do and can change a room dramatically. Second, find a couple of original pieces of art that really speak to you. Original art does not have to be expensive. In most cities, there are artist Open Studios and Art Walks where you can purchase original pieces from local, younger, less-established artists. Third, you should have one focal point piece in the room. This can either be a fantastic light above your existing dining room table, or fantastic new throw pillows on your existing sofa, for example.

3. WHAT ARE THREE QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALWAYS ASK A NEW CLIENT?
I always ask new clients what colors they love and hate, are there any furniture pieces or arrangements that they don’t like, and what their needs and purposes are for the space to be re-designed.

4. WHAT TIPS DO YOU GIVE CLIENTS ON DECIDING ON OR FIGURING OUT THE BUDGET FOR A PROJECT?
Budget issues are always tricky, but here is what I tell clients. First of all, they need to come up with a list of what they want to change in the space, e.g.. what pieces get replaced, what pieces get re-upholstered, etc. Then they should spend some time themselves going out to stores where they like the furniture, tile etc. and look at prices. Nowadays with the help of the internet, you can find many things online to get some ball park prices. Once they have done some assessing themselves, they can create a realistic budget. Creating a realistic budget is key, and I always help clients in filling in the gaps in their budget, such as how much is fabric per yard, how much will the painter charge, etc.

5. WHERE SHOULD PEOPLE SPEND MONEY, AND WHERE SHOULD PEOPLE SAVE MONEY?
There are a few key pieces that should never be compromised. These are upholstered pieces, like sofas and side chairs, dining room chairs, and the bed in the master bedroom. Basically, my rule of thumb is: if you sit in it or on it for a long time every day, spend the money. The same is true for the bed – you spend a good deal of time in bed, so it should be stellar. You can save money in some occasional pieces, like coffee and side tables. In some spaces, these pieces can really take a beating, so it is not always wise to purchase something expensive that will likely get damaged.

As always, please feel free to ask me any other questions that I might not have covered here. That’s what I am here for!