New accents tables from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Hollywood Glam style buffet/ent. console by MG+BW
Globally inspired throw pillows and footstools by Jamie Young
Introducing Mr. Brown, a new line for us. Look for this settee and pillows soon.Do you ever wonder what makes a room interesting? There are many answers to this question, but one of the simplest has nothing to do with design. It’s patience.
This virtue is hard to come by these days, but I would submit to you that having patience when designing a room plays a major role in the design’s success and its ability to stand the test of time.
Most designers will tell you their homes are never done. That is because we like to add, subtract, move around and mix it up. Layering a few well-selected pieces you’ve collected over time with a combination of old, new, modern and rustic pieces will create an interesting space every time.
I admit this look has taken me a while to accomplish in my own home. And if I did not think about my own personal design scheme almost every day (as most non-design junkies don’t), this design aesthetic would be very hard for me to achieve without help. Here are some tips for creating spaces that are interesting, cohesive and complimentary to your lifestyle.
Search out timeless handmade pieces. Not only will handmade stand the test of time of quality and craftsmanship, but also style and character. You do not have to build an entire room with handmade pieces, but the more special a piece feels the longer you are likely to keep and enjoy it.
Don’t put false deadlines on finishing your room. All too often I hear things like, “I really need this in a week because we are having a birthday party for my son.” Decorating a space based on a false deadline like this will almost always end in disaster. Pieces will be purchased that are not quite right in size, color or style just to hastily impress guests. Trust me when I say the success of your party will not be affected by the completeness of your design scheme. Waiting to purchase the right piece will always save you time, money and resources in the long run.
Patience can have a tremendous impact on your pocketbook. Designing a complete room can get expensive. By searching out pieces over time you are also spreading out the cost.
I’m certainly not suggesting that you hem and haw over every last purchase, just make a list of criteria for each piece. Mine looks something like this:
1) Did I have a strong emotional reaction when I first saw it (the ahhh factor)?
2) How/where was it made?
3) Is it in my budget?
4) Is it comfortable?
5) Will it fit in with my overall design scheme?
If the answer is yes to all of these questions, it is a no-brainer. If it is missing any criteria, I re-evaluate and decide if the pros outweigh the cons. Numbers 1 and 5 are deal breakers for me. If I do not love the piece and it does not fit perfectly in my design scheme, it is NOT coming home with me. I can always work around the rest.
My list of pointers would not be complete if I did not add something I strongly believe in: enlisting professional help. Having a design professional’s eye to pull concepts together and create a design scheme for you both to work from will save a lot of time. Even well-known style trendsetters ask for help when it comes to the arduous task of designing their own interiors.
So take a deep breath and come to the realization that it takes time to create a beautiful and inspiring space. In the end, however, it is much more rewarding than the alternative. I personally can’t imagine living with anything in my home that I don’t love and treasure and enjoy looking at every day.
Reach Jaclyn Banash, interior designer and owner of Urban Dwellings Design, 412 Delaware St., at info@urbandwellingsdesign.com.
KC Star article:
Sometimes it’s hard to resist buying something on sale even if it is not the right fit. You can always make a bargain work, right? Wrong.
I can’t tell you how often I see rooms with off-size furniture, mismatched styles or poor color combinations because the owner did not have a plan to begin with and/or bought items on the cheap, thinking they could make them work. But more often than not it doesn’t, and you end up wanting to replace pieces soon after buying them, which means you wind up spending twice as much money.
I firmly believe in investing in a plan, utilizing pieces of furniture that will last a long time and make you happy each time you look at them. This doesn’t mean you must purchase everything at once. A room can be finished in stages as long as you have a well-devised plan to guide you.
If you aren’t sure of your personal style, it’s easy to get inspiration. Go to the library or supermarket and pick up any number of design publications. The pages are loaded with ideas, and once you start flipping through and ripping out or making photocopies of pages you’ll probably notice a commonality in the pictures you like.
Even if you can’t put your thumb on what is drawing you to each image, a design professional probably can. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many people think designing is easy, but actually if you have not been trained and don’t work in the field everyday, making the big design decisions can be challenging. For example, deciding which sofa to buy, with what chair, which paint color, and finishing touches such as window treatments and lighting can be very difficult without some guidance.
And, sorry, but no matter how many hours of HGTV you watch, you still may find designing your home a difficult task. Most clients I help have tried on their own, made mistakes, are not happy with the results they came up with, and now have asked for professional help. Designing around mistakes can be challenging, even for a design professional. Follow these three guidelines, and you will be sure to love your interiors for years to come:
Do not buy inexpensive items just because of the price. If it works for your plan that’s great, but otherwise pass it up for just the right thing.
Find inspiration. Home décor magazines, travel magazines, books, etc. will unveil a common thread in your personal color or style preferences.
Ask for help. Even if it is not in your budget to hire a designer, many furniture stores offer space planning at the minimum, or have some design services that are included with purchase. Take advantage of this professional assistance.
So if you have a room or rooms you’re ready to transform, start planning. It will save you time, money and a lot of frustration.
Reach Jaclyn Banash, interior designer and owner of Urban Dwellings Design, 412 Delaware St., at info@urbandwellingsdesign.com.
