The perfectly designed space is a line I use all the time and is also a term that I feel needs to be explained. What do I mean when I say this, well it incorporates all aspects of a space. The perfectly designed space can be your home, office, restaurant, gym or studio. To be the perfectly designed space it needs to work around you and your lifestyle, what you need to function. There is this idea in the interior design industry that designers should design what is fashionable and trendy and their clients should step up and have the same taste as the designer. I hate this idea! As designers it is our job to know the best ways to make a space function, what the newest products are, how these products will function for our clients, what the latest trend is and how to design to any style. It is never our job to make a client bend to our design style. In fact I prefer to not even get into what my personal design style is because it really should not have any impact on what I design for my clients.
One of the major components that goes into the perfectly design space is making sure that it is an enjoyable experience. This can be such a great fun time everyone should be excited about it. I love it when my clients get all excited because we have an appointment that day. My favorite line that one of my clients said was “yay I get Sara time today!” I want every client to feel this way. No matter how large or small the project is while that project is ongoing that client is just as important as any other. You can design the most beautiful space in the world but if it was a miserable experience getting there it is not the perfectly designed space.
The perfectly designed space functions properly for the client. If the client has kids and pets that are considered their kids too and have just as much right to the furniture as the “people” members of the family then the furniture needs to take that into account. This means using products that can be easily cleaned, going to withstand high use and still look fantastic in 5 years. If the client wants to have their desk in the family room then you create a living space that incorporates it. If the client wants have their dining room at cocktail height because that’s how they entertain then you find fantastic swivel glider barrel chairs to go around a custom made cocktail table. If the client requested to not have any chairs in their office you design a standing desk set up. The perfectly designed space is about the client and how they function.
The perfectly designed space is beautiful. As this word can be interpreted differently by many there is a rare thing that happens when it is a perfectly designed space. No matter your taste or style when you walk into a perfectly designed space it is beautiful and you can appreciate the beauty of it. You can see that it works for that friend, family member or business owner. You can see that it is a part of that person on display and it is just right.
So I wish for all of my readers to have a “perfectly deigned space”!
Mother’s day is just around the corner and I am sure that you are trying to think of new ideas for the mom’s in your life. You want the gift to be special and mean something, while celebrating the her contributions and of course be something that she wants. So I thought I would post some ideas that can be as simple as you want and as extravagant as you want. Mom’s are usually much a happier when their homes are in order so how about finishing off some of those areas for the mom in your life. It can be done simply with a great floral arrangement that will last for years. Or how about surprising mom with an accessory makeover; this can be done for one room or the whole house. Here are some great items that will bring a smile to the moms in your life, let her know how important she is to you and not break the bank.
And if you really want to surprise mom have a designer come in and do a refresh with your existing pieces while adding some of the above style pieces for a complete redo.
Have fun and put a smile on mom’s face this weekend!
It is coming to that time of year where the kids will be out of school and that means it is time to start living outdoors. So if the party is going to be outside that means that there needs to be an outdoor living room. When designing your outdoor living space there are a few important things to think about.
First, how are you going to be using the space? How many people to you need seating for? Is it your retreat away from the hectic day or is the party scene? Once you know what the use is going to be then we can create the space of your dreams.
Second, lighting is super important. You need enough light for the evenings but not so much that you are attracting every bug in the state along with giving your neighbors a show. So remember it is about mood lighting not creating daylight in the evening.
Third, stay true to who you are. If you just want to sit and swing on a great porch swing while enjoying the evening and a glass of wine then that’s what you need. Don’t overdo a space because it looked great in a picture. You will rarely use it and will not enjoy it as much as it you had stuck with how you live.
And lastly, don’t get yourself overwhelmed by the project. Call a designer even if you just have a plan put together for you it will make your life so much easier.
Here are some great ideas for outdoor living:
Enjoy, have fun and live life to the fullest!
First off I have to say that is was an insanely successful market. I found new brands that I love and was reminded way I love the lines that we carry. This market was definitely all about color. It was everywhere from traditional to contemporary, the neutral look is long gone! It was not only color but bright color. It was a feeling of rejoicing going on at market. A time of celebration not just because it was spring but because the industry seems to have gotten it’s feet back under itself. Gone was the elitist attitude that only large furniture stores were going to receive great deals and service. It was about highlighting what was going well in the industry and an acknowledgement that the designer was helping to change the image. There were concerts in the evening and an all around comradely with a focus on social media and how it was changing the independent showroom into a driving force. In fact I was even interviewed by the Winston-Salem Journal to talk about the how designers are influencing the furniture market. So with all of this in mind I thought I would share some of my favorites from the spring market.
Zuo Modern does a Moroccan outdoor wonderland.
A modern look from Younger.
Classic doesn’t have to be boring.
Beach meets fun in this colorful look from Wesley Hall.
Great transitional look from Wesley Hall.
Wesley Hall reinventing traditional.
Bright yellow takes this traditional look up another step.
A classic Thibaut tearoom.
Glam, glam glam.
Who knew Magnussen could do entertainment.
A great design oriented dining look from magnussen.
Magnussen stepping out with a more design oriented line.
Lexington updated and adding color to the outdoor line.
Traditional Lexington.
A touch of the old Tommy Bahama mixed with the new.
Lexington updated the beach look.
A great glam look.
Feizy changed the outdoor rug arena with these great finds.
A bold new step in the machine made carpets.
Feizy broke free of it’s past and brought colors to the fore front.
Cyan design made a huge impact on the accessory market with it’s bold showroom front window.
So what is your favorite? I love it all and can’t wait to show pictures of all the items that were purchased for the showroom!
Let’s be honest one of the hardest spaces to design for are small spaces. These spaces usually need to be multi use rooms and require special furniture to function properly. They also tend to be the spaces that end up cluttered and stuffed feeling. So I thought I would post some great furniture options that make small spaces function without felling cluttered and too tight.
Family room that doubles as bedroom with hidden storage bed.
Bookcase storage doubles as sofa table.
Loft bed allows for desk and bookcases below.
Bunk bed with desk and drawers in stairs.
Desk that can double as dining.
So as you can see once the right furniture is selected any space even small ones can have both function and form. Don’t know how to find these furniture pieces? We can help as we deal directly with the manufacturers and craftsman to create these great pieces.
Check out this great orchid and gray room to lust over. All pieces are available for purchase on http://www.projectdecor.com
How about a little more of a sneak peek of the upcoming market? One of the great things about market is that there is so much diversity. If it is made for the home furnishing industry it can be found at High Point. So here are a few more sneak peeks into the upcoming market.
An update to a canopy bed
Elegant with added fun in the lighting.
Country dining with a colorful flair
Grown up color
A great beachy look
Grey all over
Color the truly pops
It’s all about finding the right piece.
Is it making you want to redo your home? More to come……wait until you see the pictures from the market showrooms!
So it is getting to that time of year where all we think about in the design industry is the upcoming market. The one and only, the original furniture fashion week, High Point Market! So I thought I would give my readers a bit of a preview as to where my mind is and what I am thinking about for my showroom and my clients. This year with the expansion of the showroom I am working to highlight a bunch of different home goods areas and to have lots of product that people can purchase and take home with them. So that means the focus for the showroom is going to be on furniture, accessories, artwork, and lamps. When I shop for clients at market I shop based on their style. So this can mean finding the absolute right rug or the perfect chandelier. Or sometimes it is finding the right items that create the perfect feeling for the client. So here are the inspirations and the design trends that are starting to leak out of the upcoming market.
Fantastic accent chest
Light bright and classic office
Fun and colorful
Elegant traditional
Classic traditional
Cyan Design a must stop for every market trip!
Color mixed with traditional styles
Feizy – to die for rugs!
Global Views – great accents and accessories
Gloster a must for outdoor furniture in Florida
Rustic modern – perfect for downtown lofts and beach homes
Woven outdoor furniture – a Florida must have
Surya an absolute must stop and fill up on accessories and rugs
Great new modern glam look
Bedroom bliss
This is just a small window into what one day at market will be like. It will be going from one world to another multiple times a day. It is fantastic, exciting, energizing and exhausting all at the same time. I can’t wait!
Over the years as a designer I have worked to create designs that make my clients lives easier. Part of being able to do this is to get to know my client and how they live. One of the most important thing is to be completely honest with your designer. For instance if your lifestyle is in need of organization make that perfectly clear to your designer. If you live a life that requires washable fabrics don’t be afraid to tell your designer. The last thing that I want to do as a designer is to create a design that will not work for your lifestyle.
The most common places that good design really comes in handy and is asked for on a regular basis are the kitchen, office, playroom and entry. So I thought I would post a few images of those areas and items for those areas that can function well in your home or office. I am also including some looks for rooms designed with slipcovers. These are great for families and those that thought they couldn’t have function and design when it comes to kids and pets.
Office designed for two.
Storage selves that can hold baskets or books for great function.
Don’t forget the walls when organizing your office.
Your most used kitchen items right at your finger tips.
Library walls for offices.
Multi-use drawers for kitchen items.
Great storage options for entries.
Have a place for the mail, bags and seating right at your entry.
Pan drawers
Playroom organization and comfort
baskets and seating all in one.
Classic and cleanable
Elegant and functional with great cleanable fibers.
So the next time that you look around your home or office and realize that it isn’t functioning properly call a designer. Be honest. And see how functional and beautiful your home can be!
As many of you have noticed I have been posting pictures of new product that I have been buying for the showroom. So I thought I would talk a bit about how we are growing and expanding here at Artful Conceptions. We are still a full service design firm. What we have done is double the space to our offices. This means that we now have the ability to have a showroom where all are welcome to come in and buy some of our favorite accessories, artwork, lamps and rugs right off the shelves. It also means that with the increase in size that we now have a designated fabric room. This means that not only do we have the ability to showcase all the great brands that we love in the fabric industry but also that it is accessible for all to come in, find fabrics, and order the ones that they love. We can then use those fabrics to make your window treatments, bedding, pillows or furniture. Or if you want to make your own you can simple purchase the fabric. We have also added a room with wallpaper. We have many sample books and swatches from our favorite wallpaper companies including the fantastic handmade wallpapers that I am in love with. We have one wall in the showroom that has been done in one of the wallpapers and there will be two more walls that will also showcase handmade wallpaper for all to see. So if you are considering wallpaper for your home come in and look at all the new options available. We will be happy to install them for you or if your would like to do your own you can simply purchase the papers from us.
In the showroom area we are adding a bedroom to showcase the beautiful handmade and designed headboards that we have made. We design these headboards and they are made locally at our workroom from any of the beautiful designer fabrics that we carry. We will also be adding some upholstered furniture for you to see and sit in so that you can love it as much as we do. All of the upholstered furniture that we carry is made here in North America and can be designed for your home or office. All of the these pieces will be able to be purchased right off the floor or we can make ones for you in your choice of fabric, leather and finish.
We are very excited about the growth and expansion of the firm and look forward to seeing everyone and showing off the new space. There are new pieces arriving every week and I will be doing another buying trip this April at High Point Market or Furniture Fashion Week as I like to call it. Once everything is done here the hours will be Tuesday – Friday 10am-5pm and all other times by appointment. Come stop by and see us!
+ decorating, Interior design, Interior Design Trends, organization, Redesign, storage, Uncategorized
Even Closets Need Good Design
One area that gets overlooked all the time when design homes or redesigning them Are the closets and pantries. For some reason there is this idea that just adding shelves and rods makes a closet or pantry workable. Reality is that good interior design focuses on all aspects and that includes the function of the closets and pantries. For me I speak with the client and determine the way that they need the space to function. If they only ever have a few pieces that need long hanging then we only devote a small portion of their closet to long hanging. If they would like to get rid of their dresser and have all of their clothes in the closet we create dressers in the closet.
Wood closet solutions
Wire shelving solutions
For Pantries think about things like what needs to be kept in the pantry and the access needed. Do you need can holders and bread drawers? Do you keep lots of cereal or bulk items in your pantry? Are you storing just food or does it need to also be able to incorporate paper goods? All of the uses are important to know when designing for clients and to ask yourself when working on your home.
A reach in pantry with baskets and shelves.
So don’t forget those closets and pantries when you are working on your home
they are just as important to your home functioning correctly as the family room.
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