The Reston-Great Falls Interior Design Corner:

As I was having my favorite cup of coffee yesterday morning, I saw the first sign of spring. A couple of Eastern bluebirds were gathering some straws for their nest. Too early? Of course not. The spring will be here in a blink, and I realized it was time to write the post for the Patch.

Every other Friday, the Reston-Great Falls Interior Design Corner will come to you. The posts are focused on making home improvement enjoyable, efficient and less stressful.

Planning takes time, and decisions do not happen on their own. They are made when we are ready, know what we want and know how we will do it. Planning is critical to the success of any project. I frequently hear: “My husband will go with whatever I like”. Well, no, he won’t—especially with regards to colors, which are emotional and very subjective.

Be well rested and relaxed when you start a conversation with your spouse about your next home project, such as on a Saturday morning. The first step is to allocate the funds that will be spent on the project; then, you can start dreaming. Be very realistic about this point, so you can explore your options thoroughly. Then, it is time to discuss the priorities that will meet your family’s needs. This step may take a few rounds until the project is selected.

Now that you have a project, you need to decide how it will be done. Selecting the right professionals will depend on the scope of the project. Whether the family room needs a new sectional and updated window treatment, or it is time for a new kitchen or bathroom, most projects will require a different combination of professionals. While these days you have many options online, the risk of having an unpleasant experience is also higher. Trusting your home project to a local professional is a smart decision.

An experienced interior designer has the right background to guide you in the selection of the right professionals for the right job. Concentrate on making the color, fabric and style selections, and have fun, while you delegate the burden of overseeing contractors, dealing with vendors, etc. to the professional. When you select your interior designer consult reliable long-term sources like the Reston Chamber of Commerce or the Better Business Bureau. The internet is full of catchy ads like “Best Interior Designer”, “Award Winning Designer”, but if you go for the serious advice, you will gain both time and peace of mind. Ask for references of real people. While reviews are very popular, and sometimes even true, many others are manufactured. Can you sort them out?

It is very important that you have good chemistry with your interior designer and vice versa. An interior designer would be a great resource only if he/she understands your vision and can bring it to life for you. Meet with your prospective interior designer and form your own opinion.

Local events energize a community and offer decor inspiration while meeting new people and professionals. This year Amelia Vallone Interiors will organize a series of events focused on Color Trends and setting up the right mood for your home (e.g., color schemes, lighting, upholstered furniture, window treatments, accessories and much more) at Total Wine, in Reston, and on kitchen and bathroom renovations, cabinetry and tiles at ProSource of Dulles, in Sterling. Keep your eye on the Patch and my website for dates and registration information. The events are free of charge.

Note: All 2020 events will take place online. Dates and times will be confirmed.

Amelia Vallone Logan, Ph.D.