Modern Style

I grew up in the Northeast and lived in the south for 9 years as well so I'm very much a traditionalist when it comes to design style.  When I moved to Arizona, I tried to embrace a southwest style but after a few years remodeled to incorporate more traditional elements.  As I pursue Interior Design, I'm trying to be open minded to different styles that I may not be naturally drawn to.  Modern style is about as far away from my traditional roots as I can think of.  


When I look at this bedroom I try to imagine myself in the space.  I like the fact that the simplistic style does not detract from the wall of windows and the view. I think all the light coming into the space is what highlights minimal furnishings and unique shapes.  

As I explore modern design, you would think that this next bedroom would be more to my liking as it uses darker woods which are reminiscent of a more traditional style.  However, I find the room colder than the above.  Although part of that is due to the fact that you do not see light flooding the space, I think it's also due to having no other pops of color and a relatively uninteresting wall at the foot of the bed.

Finally, this kitchen is interesting . . sleek lines, lacquered cabinets in a bold color, and lots of light.  It's a great conversation piece.   

Given the three photos and my comments, I think that for modern design to work well, lots of natural light is a key to making it work.

Turn on the Lights!

There's nothing that sets the mood of room more than lighting.   Often overlooked, as I've done myself, it does make a huge difference.   Having lived in spaces with poor lighting for a long time, I'm very aware of it in design.  Here's my thoughts about lighting.


There's nothing better than taking a nap with the southern exposure of the sun streaming into the room.  I've always lived in a home with the main rooms having southern exposure.  It's a deal breaker for me.


It's a must that lighting in a dining area be on dimmer switches to adjust according the the occasion and mood.  In fact, the more with dimmer or 3 way options the better in my book.

I'm not a fan of the only lights in a room being in the ceiling.


Task lighting gives a room a whole different feel.  Much more warm and cozy. 


I like having a spotlight angled over a fireplace.


Although I know their good for the environment, I'm not a fan of the new types of bulbs.  Their ugly, can't be dimmed and five off a weird color of light.


I love white lights on a Christmas tree.  They're the only lights I'll have on in the room at the holidays whenever possible.  I love the glow they give off.


I'm not a fan of wall sconces as they're to restricting to wanting to change the furniture arrangement of a room.


A table lamp is a good way to add fun and whimsy or a touch of color or a surprise element in a room.


I HATE lights on a ceiling fan.


Under cabinet lights in a kitchen are preferred when possible.

The 5th Wall?

To me a ceiling is very utilitarian.  It's painted white and something to look up at when you're bored.  When vaulted it's hard to put crown molding up, which I love.   When too high, it's hard to change recessed lights, repair ceiling fans or change batteries in smoke detectors.  I've live in several homes with vaulted ceilings and while they give the illusion of space, I find they make the space cold and impersonal.


That said, I've also seen some beautiful ceilings . . . in cathedrals and castles in Europe, in the St. Peter's Basillica, in the mansion in Newport, RI, and a lodge in the mountains.  In my current home I have a tray ceiling in my bedroom painted with a mural.  


I'll admit, that thinking about the ceiling is something I'll have to make a conscious effort to do.  

When did it all begin?

My first answer to this is Fall of 2010 when I took the Intro to Interior Design course.  I was bored and looking for something to do.  I'm new to the area and also was looking for a way to meet new people.  I figured it would be fun.  What I didn't realize, is that I might actually want to pursue this as a career, or at worst a hobby.  

Now that I have a few more courses under my belt I look back at some things in my life and think that maybe there were signs all along that I didn't follow for a variety of reasons.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, when I was in grade school and the first man walked on the moon, I started drawing elaborate floor plans for living in space.  When I owned my first home, I was all about trying to "do it right".  I wanted to make sure it coordinated and looked like a magazine.  I'm not sure I achieved the latter but I did OK.  When I was in graduate school, an architectural firm in Boston my father worked with created a summer internship for me to work on marketing for them.  For various reasons, I had to back out of that at the last minute.   I've also always had a keen interest in real estate and have been to a zillion model homes and HGTV was a new best friend when it came on the air.

Given where I'm at now, I often wonder what course my life would have taken if I'd taken that summer internship.  I was in graduate school at the time pursuing my MBA.  I wanted to be a product manager for a consumer goods company.  Although the internship was in marketing, it was in a totally different industry. Had I worked there I may have realized at a much earlier time in my life that I loved this type of work.

They say life's a journey and things happen for a reason.  I guess this is the journey I was meant to take.

Beach House Getaway

One style I love is a cottage beach style.  My dream home would be on water or with a killer ocean view.  I've always liked to be near water.  It's calming to me.   I love the idea of white washed wood that's a little worn.  Comfortable furniture with pops of bright colors.  I like blues, and sherbet shades of yellow, green and orange, or on the other end of the spectrum, black, cream and tan.  A clean, clutter free space that's bright and open but also has cozy nooks for reading, napping, playing games or just sitting and watching the ocean.

To me this style is all about relaxation and feeling at home.  

Interior Design Hopes and Dreams

My journey into Interior Design is a result of long-time hopes and dreams although I don't think I ever really knew it.  While I was happy with my corporate career, over the last few years I've wanted to do something more creative although I never knew what.  After leaving what I was comfortable with for 20+ years it took me another 2 to land back on the East coast where I'm originally from.  Once settled in I decided to take an Interior Design class just for fun.  It was then that I realized that I wanted to pursue this.  I'm still not sure what I want to do with it so it's hard to say where I want to be in 5 -10 years but this I do know.   I'd like to stay self employed (if possible) as I like the flexibility.    This could be free lancing for someone else or a company or with my own design business or some combination of both.  


I have aspirations to buy, renovate and sell homes.  My dream job would be to do production work on a design show.  I also have an interest in Kitchen and Bath.  So we'll see where all this leads.  Hopefully great things!

Texture

Texture . . . . perhaps my favorite element of design.  To me, texture more than anything is what gives soemthing life and personality.  It's visually interesting to look at and to touch.  When I thihnk of texture i'm drawn to more natural elements such as stone, wood, mteals, and leather.  Two interesting things I saw recently when working on a class project were a laser cut sheet steel curtain (Mary Brogger) and leather floor tiles made out of old belts (Ting London).  

British Colonial Design Period

At this point, there isn't any one style that I can say I really love.  I've been very traditional my whole life but I'm trying to think outside the box.  I find I'm attracted to bright bold colors and patterns but not sure I could leap into that in my own home at this point.  However, I recently did a class project and I selected the British Colonial style and became fascinated with it.  I think partially because I like the idea of the caribbean, however, I found the history of how it came to be very interesting.  I like the formal mixed with the casual and color.   While the old Caribbean Plantation homes seem to have many antiques, some of the new hotels, etc that incorporate the style use much more casual pieces.  I like the idea that the style can be achieved going in a number of directions to accomplish a feeling.  The style uses a lot of texture through natural materials such as wicker, jute, leather, wood, and stone.


The next time I take a vacation to the caribbean, I'll be seeing architecture and interior design in a whole new light as it pertains to the history of the style.

Portfolio Direction

The portfolio - that's an intimidating word.  Being new to design, I'm mostly concentrating on what I can include in this and I really haven't thought too much yet about the direction.    Every time I sit down to formulate ideas, I come up short.  I've spent my whole life in corporate america where everything is streamlined and consistent and creativity isn't exactly encouraged.  Any business cards, presentation and correspondence always has to be done on company standard templates, logos etc.  Therefore, trying to think of how I want to express myself is a challenge.  I'm sure, however, it will be clean and simple which best represents me.

Color

I love color . . although some who know me may be surprised to find that out.  I'm not sure it's evident when you look at my clothes or personal space.  My closet has a lot of color in it although it tends to be solid rather than patterns.  There are a few exceptions to that such as stripes and a tropical print dress.  Somehow when I try on patterns I just don't feel comfortable.  And anyway, isn't color blocking all the rage at the moment?

As far as my space, I do use more interesting color.  The three homes I've owned were new homes I built so they were standard "builders white" everything.   I'll admit, it took me awhile to get around to decorating and in each home, once done and seeing how all the color on the walls warmed up the space I wondered how I ever lived with all white.  My first home was done in the early 90's in North Carolina and was jewel tones.  Hunter green living room, burgundy dining room, navy blue and white powder room and all in the kitchen.

My second home was in Arizona and I was determined to try to fit into a southwestern style.  After purchaing a southwest print area rug with purples, oranges, reds, etc. and cream/gray tile, I eventually redid that space.  An oriental carpet in sage green, burgundy and tan.  This led to a large burgundy faux finish leather wall in the family room and dining room, tan and sage green in the rest of the space. I also swapped out the old tile for maple hardwood in a walnut stain. 

My current home is in Annapolis.  It's a new home and was the builders model, so it was "done" when I moved in.  Being in Annapolis, it had a bit of a nautical theme with blue and sand.  While not necessarily my preferred color scheme, I have yet to make any changes.  My favorite room is the guest bedroom which has cream colored wainscoting 3/4 of the way up the wall and then chocolate brown walls.  I love it.

So to me, color is extremely important to make a space warm and comfortable and established the mood and feeling of the space.

Design Philosophy - What's Mine?

My design philosphy is that there is no right or wrong.  It all boils down to what you like.  While what you choose may or may not be appealing to others, in the end, it doesn't really matter . . . .  beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.   That said, however, I think there is a difference between good and not so good design.  To me, a good design is one in which there is a sense of peace.  I don't want to feel uneasy or awkard in a space.  The space should feel full but not overstuffed.  It should have some new and some old, some color and texture and make me feel happy.  I also think great light is essential.  While I myself prefer natural southern exposure, good light does not have to equal a lot of light.  It's what's appropriate for the space, use and mood you want to set.  Soft light may be appropriate for a formal dining space, while bright light for a childrens room or craft room.

It's important to remember that when you design a space it's not mine so if the style the client wants isn't exactly my taste, I have to put that aside, and create a space that fulfills the needs of the client.   So the one most important thing I would use to define my design philosphy is to listen to the client and create what's right for them.