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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S Squared Design

Get Ready for Summer!

Spring is here which means it is almost Summer! For those of you who become pool rats once May hits, then this blog entry is for you! More and more people are relaxing at home for some of their time off during the Summer so to me it made sense to visit some of the best swim-up bars! They have increased in popularity when homeowners are designing their backyard paradise. Here is some design inspiration for your next backyard design! Enjoy!

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Spring Cleaning Tips 2013

Its about that time! Flowers start to bloom and outdoor activities are planned. But what about the inside of your home? Does it need a little sprucing up? Organize that area you have been talking about for the past 3 months? You don't have to spend a lot (or if any) to make an impact on your organization around the home! Here are some tips that can help you get inspired or perhaps make it happen sooner than you expected! Enjoy!

The number one place that people usually start with in their spring cleaning journey is the closet! It is usually the most area in need since it gets used everyday! Go through and try on everything and decide if you still like it, looks good on your or if you need to pass it along to someone else who could put it to good use. Once the items you no longer want/need are gone organize the rest and hang clothes on the same type of hangers for a cohesive look.

Additional Tips Here

 Messy box of wrapping materials get you stressed? Well think about hanging your ribbon spools and other accessories on a multiple pan hanger and a jewelry pouch hanger. New uses for common items!

 Free storage containers!!! Made spaghetti last night? Use that jar for storing dry goods that usually come in a bag. This will keep them fresher and make better use of your pantry shelf space.

 Some pantries don't come with ample storage for spices or other small food items but making use of dead wall space is perfect for small spice racks attached to the wall! Inexpensive and easy to do-it-yourself! Hooray for having everything visible and easy to find! 

 For More Ideas

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Home Edition: Workout at Home in YOUR Gym

Tired of going to the gym? Having to wait for a machine? Well there is an option! Create your very own home gym. Think about what you use the most at the gym, is it dumbbells? Treadmill? Cable Machine? Whatever it might be; be selective in your equipment. Get creative with exercises and working out at home gives you more flexibility that adjusting your workout schedule to the gym's. These are some home gyms that would make anyone want to workout! Also can save you money in the long term. So save time, money and hassle....get your pump on at home! Enjoy!

 Be creative! Don't just leave your walls bare, make it feel like the rest of your home, bring in colors and textures. When it feels pleasant you will want to spend more time in there.

 Like working out like you are in fight club? Make the space dark, paint the walls and ceiling dark. for some people this brings concentration to your workout and you can actually get better results.

 Ahh the sun! Natural light is key for some people. And what about those beautiful days you wish you could do your gym workout outside? There is a solution for that! Sliding window/door panels. The nice breeze feels great too!

 For some colors and textures are distracting...so eliminate those and go with a simple architecturally designed space. White walls, lots of natural light and a simple wood floor is the perfect backdrop for getting a clean workout in.

Don't have room for a whole gym? Use part of your home office, it can be a cable system like this one. You can do various exercises with a cable machine and this particular one looks great with the rest of the room so when you aren't working out the machine doesn't stick out like a sore thumb!

 

 

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Color of 2013: Emerald Green

Green has always been a favorite color of mine. I have green eyes which I think was when I first fell in love with green! Although my eyes are emerald green....they are still green! :)

Rich, saturated colors are so bold and make such a statement in a space. Please are naturally drawn to eye-catching things(such as bright colors) and it stimulates the brain and makes people think! That is how I feel about interiors, in my designs I always have elements that standout on purpose! It creates more interest and keep people in that space longer usually. Well I have yet to use emerald this year in my designs but I am sure it will be used soon with all these beautiful examples of the hue! Enjoy!

 Oh my! These tiles are gorgeous! A stunning use of the color, but make sure you are going to still love it for years to come. They even used the tiles in a vertical and horizontal pattern which gives it more of a modern look!

Love the color but not sure where to bring it in to your space? Well a great way is in a small accent piece, such as a nightstand. Mix it with other patterns and colors for a mixed look! 

 

 Want a quick fix for a bland room? Pillows are a great inexpensive way to bring in color. Whether you change your pillows for the season or every year or so this is a great way to keep your home looking fresh!

   Paint, the other quick fix for adding color. Keeping your furniture neutral is a great way to add accents elsewhere in the room. Like the wall for instance, and a can of paint makes a statement and is easy on the wallet!  

   Bathrooms look great in white but sometimes white can be lonely, which is why a friend is nice to bring in.  Here the emerald is paired nicely with the crisp white on the walls and a few decorative accessories.

 

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

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The Color Red: Happy Valentine's Day 2013!

Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with passion, desire, and love. Red is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure, also, makes striking interiors in a home! In a bedroom it can be for love or a dining room it can be for romance. Where ever you have red it stands out and give you a feeling of passion for sure! This Valentine's Day think about the color red and how it makes you feel! Today we share with you some interiors that focus on the color red, reflect on them and how they make you feel! Enjoy!

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Picture Perfection in Your Own Home

Why do we share more pictures on the internet than we do in our own home? Let your home share your story! These wall displays make your photos cohesive so you can tell your story in a way that is just as unique as your own life. Enjoy!

 No one wants a 'hole-in-the wall' place! This unique photo rack lets you display many pictures without putting more holes in the wall. Show off your sensibility and sophistication with this sleek setup. 

This arrangement reminds me of mountains and their reflected image from a still lake. I love the visual line that splits the upper and lower photos in the display- it lengthens the wall in a creative and subtle way. 

 Mix and match! This display definitely took a lot of advice from my previous 'Mix and Match' post. Notice how the photos seem random, yet cohesive? It's important to keep even spacing between frames, otherwise this could affect the display's balance and flow. 

Don't let your photos go haywire! Instead, hang them on the wire! This display allows you to easily swap photos and slide frames to keep your memories fresh and fun.

   Life is one big balancing act, and it shows on your wall! Even though this wall is not covered entirely by picture frames, the panoramic photos maintain balanced by symmetry. Again, I love the classic nostalgia that black and white photos give!

  Keep your photos in line! This display is simple yet sophisticated. The clean lines offer order while the black and white photographs portray timeless charm and class.

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Chill in the Shade with Your Hot Outdoor Kitchen

Winter is currently here but its never too soon to start planning your new outdoor kitchen! Whether you have a small patio or a giant yard, anything is possible. This is about function, maybe you only entertain a few people at a time or maybe you have an entire army to feed; well any of these options would give you the right tools and space to have the perfect get together! Here is your outdoor kitchen inspiration! Enjoy!

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Let the Inspiration Begin!

Hi There!  Glad you found my blog! I am Suzanne and I hope to inspire you with fresh, fun ideas for your dwelling.  Whether you are new to the wonderful world of design or you are an enthusiast like me, you will find something that inspires!

But first, I will share with you a little about me! I enjoy all kinds of design and anything creative. Sharing ideas and the creativity it sparks is what drove me to blogging.

I hope to highlight some new ideas and products that you would have maybe missed, if it wasn't for this design blog.  Giving you some inspiration and a place to connect with me and other design loving people.

Here are a few of my favorite things! Enjoy.

 This is the way to use a bold color in a room.  Just a little for the accent chair and in a few medium accessories and VOILA!  Also, notice the different wood tones. Perfect way to blend them without being matchy-matchy. It creates a more "collected" look that looks like you built your room piece by piece.

 Gore Design Co. makes these AH-mazing sinks out of concrete. I think they're beautiful and really durable. Definitely having one made for my next bathroom design!

The Eames Lounge Chair. 

Best chair all around (obviously my favorite)- it is comfortable and looks good in just about any space. Pair it with an ultra  modern living room or a relaxed cottage living room, pretty sure it will look great in both! 

  

 I did a similar photo arrangement in my first place.  Random frames, all painted to match and black and white pictures. Did this down the entire hall it had a cool effect- cohesive yet eclectic.

The santomer dining table has always been one of my favs! Its reclaimed wood from building tear downs.  You can get the base in various stains but I love the striking look of ebony stained mahogany. Pair this with any style of chair; I like the ghost chair from Kartell. 

 I LOVE exposed brick! I have yet to have some in any of my dwellings but someday I will have it! 

There is just something about old brick paired with new furniture.....so delish. 

Unique storage is always fun! What would have been a hollow blank wall 

can be transformed into a wall of bookshelves! Giving you plenty of storage for all you 

book lovers and an attractive wall of art!

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