Design Tip: Adding Accent Colors to a Neutral Palette

Color is a difficult thing for many people when designing a space. They know what they like just maybe not the right shade or don't know how much to use.  It is your home, so do what makes you happy but for those of you who don't know exactly how to pull together a space with what makes you happy, here are some pointers! Enjoy!

 Let there be one dominate accent color. Lots of blue on the wall and a single object in red.

 Don't want too much color? Try a neutral palette with a few pieces in a bright colors. Also this makes it easy to change your color scheme when you feel the need.

Bright white is always a great choice when adding really bold colors in a room. It lets the accents speak up. 

 Want to use more than two colors? Of course you can!  Make sure they have enough contrast and are given a neutral background.

Bold wallpaper is always a great way to introduce a color. Make sure to leave the rest of the room neutral enough so the wallpaper is the focus and nothing will compete with it.

If you have a project in mind but just don't know where to start, we can help! Contact us! 

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Working With an Interior Designer: What to Know

When most people are looking to hire an interior designer, they usually think of the finishes: what colors or textures they want and forget there is so much before that point to achieve the aesthetic a client is looking for. An interior designer goes beyond whats on the surface and begins focus on the space itself.  How a person uses, travels through, and envisions the space as whole unit.  Want to learn more? Then read on!

What an interior designer does:  For starters, an interior designer has an education and professional experience.  Interior designers consult with you to help determine project goals and objectives, generate ideas for the functional and aesthetic possibilities of the space, create illustrations and renderings, develop documents and specifications relative to interior spaces in compliance with, allocate, organize and arrange a space to suit its function, manage construction and installation of design, select and specify fixtures, furnishings, products, materials and colors, purchase products and fixtures.  When to hire one: When you are too busy to do it all yourself.  A designer will help you save time and money. If you spend vast amounts of time flipping through design magazines or websites looking for design ideas. When you are open to suggestions. An interior designer will do the work for you and get it right the first time.

What it will cost: Some designers work on hourly, flat, cost plus fees. In my experience my clients like to know what they are paying up front.  After our initial design consultation, I work up a flat fee for the project and provide you with details about the project. This ensures you truly will be happy with our design.

Be sure the designer is a good match for your style.  Look through their website, take a look at past projects and find reviews of them. These will give you a better idea of their work and if you think they would be a good fit for you.

Collect samples.  Have photos of interiors or products you like. These help the designer get a visual of what you like. There are great websites for ideas such as houzz and pinterest. 

Decide in advance which pieces must stay.  Sometimes you want to get rid of everything and start over, and that can be done, but think about what you like. You purchased items in your home because you liked them. So go through your home or room and pick out what you want to be re-worked into the design. If you truly want to start with a clean slate, that works too but keep in mind a realistic budget when doing so.

Involve the designer as early as possible in the building process. The earlier the better. This will prevent moving backwards or having to re-do something. If you are building a new home and have the option to select your flooring, cabinets, counter tops, fixtures and paint this is when a designer should be brought in.  They can make sure all of the selections work with each other and then move into the next design phase.

Try to have all household members present at the outset. Whoever is using the space it is best to have them present in the decision making. This ensures the proper design elements are present and happiness in the design will be achieved. Ask the designer to clarify billing procedures.  Make sure everyone is on the same page with billing. This is something to be discussed early in the project to ensure a smooth progress throughout the design process.

Keep an open mind.  An interior designer will have other ideas that you may have not considered. You want your home to reflect you and be unique. There might be things your designer shows you that you love but had never heard of before and that is what will make you truly happy with the finished space.

Look toward refreshing down the road. Interior design is always evolving which means your needs and/or taste may change over the years and that is ok. Let your interior change with you.  It is living art, embrace it.

If you are ready to make your house a dream home please contact us, we would love to help make that happen!

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