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!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
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).
Sunday, June 12, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, June 6, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Principle and Elements of Design
They say anybody can be a designer. I suppose that's true depending on how you define design. Is design anything you want it to be or does it have purpose? I think it's a bit of both. On the one hand, if you like your space and it makes you happy then no matter what it may look like in anybody else's eyes, it's your design and your style so you can say you designed it. However, if you don't like your space and it doesn't make you happy, then you may turn to someone else for help. In doing so, presumably you'd be looking for someone who may bring something to the table that you can't. One of these things is an understanding of the Principles and Elements of design. Understanding how to use things like color, texture, form, can be used to bring balance and harmony to a space while capturing the essence of who the space if for an how it will be used.
I'll use my sister's house as an example. By self-admission, my sister doesn't have any real sense of style when it comes to her home. When the house was remodeled 2 years ago, I served as her design consultant. To ensure that she didn't revert to the home's 1980's pink and blue color scheme, I tried to keep her on track by researching options that would work together. As the floor plan opened up quite a bit, color needed to flow from space to space in a cohesive way. While blue is still used, it's no longer baby blue, but a colonial blue. Pink was replaced with tan and a soft green which works in harmony throughout the space.
To help add texture to her home, draperies were added to the new windows and french doors. Although she's been in the home for many years, it never occurred to her to add window treatments to her windows. Once done, however, she realized how much warmth they bring to the space in addition to breaking up the wall space. At this point some of what is up are left overs from the "old" house but as budget permits, they'll be replaced with something more interesting.
Finally I tried to address space and form by getting her to think outside the box and try a new floor plan in her family room. The room is fairly large rectangle. On the short ends there is a fireplace flanked by 2 windows opposite an opening into the kitchen. On the long walls there is a triple window looking out on the porch opposite a blank wall. To make the room feel cozier I suggested the sofa face the fireplace with chairs flanking the corners. This made for a u shaped conversation area around the fireplace and allowed for views out all the windows. It also separated out the back of the space where she has a computer and meant you didn't have to stare into the kitchen all the time. I tried to create balance in the space with the furniture arrangement using the fireplace as a focal point. Unfortunately, that lasted only a few months when she changed it back to what she used to have . . . all the furniture in a line against the blank wall giving the room an awkward, cold, empty feeling as all the weight is on one side of the room with nothing on the other side. So while her design may suite her needs, using the principle and elements of design created a much more inviting space.
I'll use my sister's house as an example. By self-admission, my sister doesn't have any real sense of style when it comes to her home. When the house was remodeled 2 years ago, I served as her design consultant. To ensure that she didn't revert to the home's 1980's pink and blue color scheme, I tried to keep her on track by researching options that would work together. As the floor plan opened up quite a bit, color needed to flow from space to space in a cohesive way. While blue is still used, it's no longer baby blue, but a colonial blue. Pink was replaced with tan and a soft green which works in harmony throughout the space.
To help add texture to her home, draperies were added to the new windows and french doors. Although she's been in the home for many years, it never occurred to her to add window treatments to her windows. Once done, however, she realized how much warmth they bring to the space in addition to breaking up the wall space. At this point some of what is up are left overs from the "old" house but as budget permits, they'll be replaced with something more interesting.
Finally I tried to address space and form by getting her to think outside the box and try a new floor plan in her family room. The room is fairly large rectangle. On the short ends there is a fireplace flanked by 2 windows opposite an opening into the kitchen. On the long walls there is a triple window looking out on the porch opposite a blank wall. To make the room feel cozier I suggested the sofa face the fireplace with chairs flanking the corners. This made for a u shaped conversation area around the fireplace and allowed for views out all the windows. It also separated out the back of the space where she has a computer and meant you didn't have to stare into the kitchen all the time. I tried to create balance in the space with the furniture arrangement using the fireplace as a focal point. Unfortunately, that lasted only a few months when she changed it back to what she used to have . . . all the furniture in a line against the blank wall giving the room an awkward, cold, empty feeling as all the weight is on one side of the room with nothing on the other side. So while her design may suite her needs, using the principle and elements of design created a much more inviting space.
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