BK Designer: Interior Design; It is Not for the Faint of Heart

Congratulations! 

You have moved into a new residence or have decided to refresh your current space.

Armed with various issues of Dwell / Elle Decor/ Vogue UK magazines and a DVR full of HGTV, you are ready to 'design'! To finally have your space look and feel the way you have always wanted as opposed to living with inherited stuff from people that are no longer here (i.e. dead).  

In your vision of the housewarming, friends and family will marvel at your ingenuity and resourcefulness - 'I would have never thought to use concrete spray painted toilet tissue rolls for the chandelier' - while you flutter about pouring seasonal cocktails (also designed by you) and passing around head to tail hor d'oeuvres. 

Well...not quite. As a designer with ten years of residential work under her belt, I still live it, love it and enjoy it. But, it does require a bit of research and elbow grease to make sure that the decisions you make do not have to be re-made.

Here are a few recommendations to help build a good foundation for your dream:

Buy design magazines. Do pinterest. Window shop design stores - whether it be West Elm or Armani Casa. Cross design lines. If you don't have a specific sense of your design aesthetic, this is a good way to figure it out. If you are confident in what works for you- let's say stark modern - check out traditional styles. Not to change your mind but to expand your palette. I have found that sometimes people put themselves in a specific style box and it is the wrong one. 

Know yourself. Maybe you are not particular about the design of your crown moldings but must MUST have bleached wood floors. Are pretty open minded about bathroom commodes but must MUST have heated towel racks. I have had clients who fought over the style of the outlet covers but shrugged and said 'meh' when deciding on kitchen appliances. These decisions will determine where you should focus your money. Which brings us to....

Budget. Get one. Get two. A dream budget ('honey, if we worked seven days a week and sold the children we could do THIS.') and a realistic budget ('honey, if we cook /entertain more at home we CAN do this. And keep the children.'). Then add 10-15% to that budget. There is always, and I mean ALWAYS, something that occurs during a design project which affects your budget. The chairs you initially love are no longer being produced; the tile you dreamed of has gone up fifty percent in cost; that paint color is no longer manufactured and has to be custom made. Trust me. Put a little extra on the side so you don't feel it later. 

Educate yourself. Research. Keep shopping. Research some more. There is always something new! happening in the industry. Whether it is a new furniture and accessory line coming out, the newest ways to design green, additional methods to install heat insulated flooring... it pays to be knowledgeable. A well informed client is a pretty good client. Plus, you should be aware of these advancements as much as the people you shop from or hire to work on your project. As long as you don't hit everyone over the head with your newfound knowledge.(No one likes a smarty pants).  

Hire a designer. For a consultation. As with any industry, it is considered smart to run your ideas by someone who is highly experienced within that industry. Same rules apply in design. Designers bring a fresh eye to your project helping you to avoid any pitfalls ('did you measure your hallway before ordering that 140"W sofa?'), suggest the best ways to manage time and be cost effective throughout your project. 

Always remember that it’s not that serious. I know that is hard to feel when you are day 1,234 into your project and the kitchen stove is still sitting, in its un-opened box, in the middle of the renovated living room facing the open un-insulated walls. Wooo-ssaaauuu. Everyone involved in your project wants it to go well - a happy client equals more clients. Much like childbirth, you will look back on the experience and remember only the good. 

Feel free (please!) to ask questions, submit photos, suggest subjects for discussion. There will be columns written by those in the industry focusing on topical industry issues. And best of all? Via the blog, I'm free !

Dream design, 

Cynthia Dennard

INSIDE DESIGN/BK