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.
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