Being cost-conscious and responsible…being thrifty and sensible…being reasonable and realistic, being tight and miserly…in today’s economy one might see these distinctions better than when times were moving and shaking across the economic kidney belt. Now that the belt has tightened, many are making these critical observations about their own decisions and others around them.
Yet, regardless of tough economic times, why spend 1,000 on a small solid surface engineered countertop or granite, for that matter, versus a pre-fabricated top of a suitable material? Consider the use, the focus and the budget…what warrants such expansive gaps in cost difference between two like-kind functional elements. Is the expense directly related to the quality or the availability (sometimes things are expensive merely because they are of limited quantity/availability), or due to exceptional engineering, content and even serviceability?
If form follows function, then it is reasonable to assume that the function of an element comes first and therefore, how that element is used starts the process? However, is the “function” of a piece merely for status, balance or color accent rather than true functional serviceability? Hmmm, sounds boring to have that criteria even listed!!!!
If that aforementioned countertop is to be used daily for many functions, then the decision to use a more stout material might be in order. Could that same surface (small as it is) be fabricated out of a scrap piece of the better material rather than cut from a new slab? But, with limited use, might the lesser durable surface be perfectly suitable for an area with less use?
Get out there!!! One man’s trash is another man’s treasure…great fodder for an up-coming blog!!
So, let be realistic…there are many – too many to count -design decisions that are ruled by trends, peer pressure of a simple lack of knowledge about what’s available- harder/easier to acquire…With that in mind, study the overall concept that you are trying to achieve. How much is functional and how much is merely aesthetic? Then ask, why?
If the area requires certain durable or easy to maintain criteria, then that’s the first order of business…but if the look is perfectly fine with a lesser expensive, not as durable material – make a choice. Like those rooms where they show you “This room costs $50,000 to furnish and this seemingly mirror image room cost $5,000.” Well, compare and see where durability might have been compromised in favor of a suitable aesthetically pleasing design element to coordinate with the scheme. Just think… the selection might have been intentionally made to use a lesser durable, fine representation of a piece, in favor of accomplishing the finished product with style on a lesser budget. Heaven forbid considering that it was an exercise in showing the attractive interior design of two spaces with diametrically opposite priorities for the selection process.
Fine things are often fine for a reason. However, they are not often “necessary.” What one admires is not always what one can have – or needs to have. Being comfortable in your own skin about what is of value and what is not -what is perfectly serviceable and of great value – without benefit of knowing the name brand (saved for another blog- for sure) is a talent that is worth cultivating. One other point here…to defer to name brands is a safety thing. It is like having insurance against an otherwise poor decision. Saved too, for another time, is the concept that taking care of things in a less disposable way creates appreciation, history and an awareness that replacement costs are not always even. Hmmm

Accent walls…how passé…yet people still believe that by fragmenting their interior with splashes of color on one wall that they are accomplishing something effective. Sorry my dear that I use you to illustrate this very common concept. But I run into the desire by clients to do so – very often!
Read the space. Read the architecture and the masses. Read the forms and blocks of structure or perceived structure. Those are the elements that define a space. Then once identified, address them. IF they can stand alone, then an accent color might be in order. Like Legoretta with his bisecting planes of hot pink and sunflower yellow – they define the architecture.
However to want to apply an accent color just for the sake of doing so is not necessarily of aesthetic value. Ok, the head wall of a hospital room (more for the visitor than the occupant) can serve to distract from the issues at hand. They might add animation, color enhancement or relief. But in most interior spaces, the opportunities for effective accent walls of color are more restrictive.
So find that wall that is recessed or confined by interior corners, stands alone – perpendicular to the space – and go for it – it defines the architecture. Today we selected a hot spicy cayenne pepper red. It will be confined within two inside corners. It will draw from the fabrics and art of the space. The spicy red/orange color will add punch and pizzazz while staying framed by the adjacent elements.
Voila! A splash of color, confined within the architectural lines reads well, adds desired color emphasis and breaks up the monotony of the space without fragmenting it which would result in a busy background not of value to the overall design. Check-out the space…see what makes sense within the forms of the space and have fun!!!

Space-planning a moderate sized bathroom…what’s this? You want wheels on that car?? You must pick and choose your priorities…I have said that more than once in the design process…First and foremost, make a list of priorities and whittle from there – one step at a time.
To squeegee or not to squeegee – that was the query at the start of our design project. To have frameless glass panels bisecting the space with transparent planes…clean, crisp – creating and openness that expanded the small space exponentially, yet they require daily maintenance to insure their clarity. Versus tiled walls that require NO maintenance – a plus in the owner’s mind. Taken a step further, without a door – the opening, far enough away from the shower head to avoid flooding the area was a design solution that we know to be very appealing.
I had to agree – but that tug between the striking clarity, depth and modern look of the glass versus selecting solid walls that required no daily spritzes or swipes was certainly a tough call. So, to take the practical path,  let’s call it monolithic – and let’s make another compromise…
Lower the walls – rather than taking them up to the ceiling or close, let’s examine a comfortable height behind which one can run for cover in a compromising circumstance…not so low that an intruder will catch you in an encapsulated, while fully exposed, planter box of a shower, but where the subject in the shower can tuck up against say, a 5’ high wall for privacy if needed.
Whew – we have decided to construct fully tiled walls inside the shower and out to suggest a “built” element inside the overall space of the bathroom, an architectural element constructed of the finish material – in this case, nut-toned travertine.
Travertine, as is true with other stones, can convey a sense of structural integrity. Therefore, to face the walls in their entirety, with stone (albeit surface only) can suggest that the structural element IS the stone…which is far more handsome and substantial than mere surface installations that have exposed end pieces indicating that their application is strictly for superficial decorative purposes.
So pick your priorities and go forth with your design – one step at a time.

When you enter a retail establishment, (or any establishment/environment) what makes you say, ”whoa, that’s cool.” I met today with a group of people taking over a retail establishment with a similar business of that which occupied the space previously…but, they wanted to make a distinct statement with their taking-over of this same-type of operation.

With limited requirements for the interior schemes of this franchise, we studied the brand of the primary product, for color and style. Then we studied dozens of photos of like-kind stores across the country. How did they differ and which ones stood out and why?

The first order of business is to identify your customer base. What is the broadest reach you expect to get and also, more specifically, what is the primary focus of age and/or adaptability and availability that you want to impress. Yes, impress – not in an elitist way, but merely impress from the standpoint that you offer your customers an attractive, professional environment that encourages and actually instills confidence. What will possibly cause them to be intrigued, comfortable, stimulated, confident in your offerings and maybe even pleasantly surprised? We then examined the values and course of trends versus trendy to accomplish this “whoa” factor.

This really transcends all of design – and will no doubt enter into my subsequent blogs…“Trendy” suggests that the design is a flash in time, a specific that is so different that it makes a statement, but one that will not last, run their course, but might make a niche position in the long run of trendy trends that leaves a mark. Pet Rocks – enough said. Yet, so as not to limit the description of trendy to something as finite as ”‘Pet Rocks,” there are trendy designs that have become iconic – like those which were adopted by the Austin Powers movies to mockingly emulate the Magical Mystery tour of the 60s and 70s with all of the psychedelic graphics and colors of that hallucinogenic age of Aquarius!

Trends are a more contiguous flow of popular design elements – not a one-shot-wonder – but a path of design progression that adopts popular sentiment, need for contrast, and comfort. Also, they can be contrasting and antagonistic – but as a trend, the design decisions often walk a fine line between trends and what could be, might be, trendy…

So we discusses the subject of athletic footwear with an emphasis on orthotics, related products, and medically determined elements to compliment the healthy goal of fitness. The key to doing so, at this shop, is moving under your own power with the proper footwear and complimentary accoutrements in an environment that promotes a continuous practice. So, based upon that…how do you attract, impress and engage your customers with their first “point of arrival” in YOUR place of business? Hmmmmm….

I love it – dog furniture…we all know pets have their beds…and some are allowed on the furniture and others are not…but I was in a home today where the dogs rule – and yet they are so very well behaved that you would swear that they understand every word and inflection and even glance that is expressed to them. Their over-sized matching dog pillows are placed in the family room as though furniture. Each has his own place including the leather sofa. They have blankets and are so incredibly a part of this family that it is surreal.
There is no need for apologies by these loving pet owners as they care for their dogs and their “beds” (those large floor pillows) to the extent that they are color-coordinated and clean – very much inclusive features of this attractive interior design. Grouped with the furniture to make a complete conversation and TV viewing area, they all gather together in a most civilized fashion.
Why is it that we so often defer to the stereotypical image of such things as a dog bed? Some dated plaid or bland beige ultra-suede, tossed wherever…often a major focal point – but with absolutely no thoughtful consideration about the context. Select fabrics that are easy to clean, durable and also attractive! These features are NOT mutually exclusive! There are almost limitless fabrics to coordinate with any interior motif. With a zipper, they come off and should be selected so as to go into the washing machine – Voila! Why compromise on the appearance of your space with something as obtrusive and the dog’s furniture without coordinating it as you would any other piece in the design?
So bow to those bow wow parents of those recognized individual personalities that are called pets joining with them in including the beds and baskets, towers and toys in the total design of your doggone good designs – pet-inclusive interiors!!

Classic color schemes bring comfort. And yet, I am one to experiment with all manner of color combinations. But when you return to the classics, it is so soothing…like a basic blue and white or a classic blue and white shared with yellow.
It’s not even about punctuation…or any of those other “exciting” terms used to express dynamic color splashes…It might be a neutral brown and cream…natural woods and organic elements…soft greens and all in that family of soothing schemes.
Take a look around you and discover what makes you calm, comfortable, productive or relaxed. Color and the finishes that you select will have great bearing on your physical and psychological framework. Take note when you are out in various environments…and take your “comfort” temperature. Stimulation is of great value at times, when at other times, the right balance of color and texture mean so much for your restorative well-being – after the productivity slows and a restful reprieve is needed.

Selecting a decorative, fancy – if you will – 100% wool, handmade rug for your KITCHEN…sounds a tad impractical. One might be either overly preoccupied with “look” or painfully tame when it comes to creating not so flamboyant meals at home. But really, it is admirable that one would want that total design right down to the most rich, porous – albeit washable material in the most precarious part of your home.
But it does go back to practice…I’m not here to talk about messy cooking habits versus tidy. I really DO know fantastic cooks who are amazingly tidy…I, however, cannot follow that lead.
You know people who live in such pristine environments that they won’t let people drink red wine…fear of stain!!! Fair enough…finishes and fabrics are supposed NOT to be destroyed by casual use. They are intended to be used – enjoyed. Yet, you can free yourself of this prison of permanent destruction.
My suggestion today to this stylish and daring soul regarding the BRAVE selection of a plush wool rug for the kitchen is a Shop Vac!! Yes, I should have stock in these babies…if you REALLY want to clean something…EXTRACT it!!!! If you spill on a sofa, carpet, area rug…with few exceptions, dousing it with soapy water and sucking the whatever out of it – will result in clean fiber. Rinse and suck – that should be a commercial!! It works!!
So we all at some point select a less than practical material, item, etc…but knowing how to recover from a catastrophe is paramount!!! So, eat, drink be merry and have a Shop Vac at the ready!! Yes!!

Design concepts are ever flowing…in sleep, in traffic, in the shower…the switch is hard, if not impossible, to turn off!! For those of us with the “bug, “ it’s natural to create things in our minds – sometimes they are achievable and other times there are compromises in order to realize the satisfactory end result. But who wants “satisfactory”? Forget that! Even the most extravagant designs often involve compromise. The result might be stellar, exceptional, cutting edge – and even in those most exceptional designs there might have been compromises or changes from the original concept.
Often, a concept will become so real that prior to it becoming more than images floating around in your head, they appear as though they already exist as a finished product. So when a design concept is just that, the time spent imagining it, designing it in your head, or on paper, or in a computer program, it becomes real – far in advance of is true, completed, reality.
Take a simple fabric idea…I was thinking a fresh, crisp, wide, blue and white stripe. That Mediterranean cabana look…but when the sample arrived, it was beige and blue…bummer. I wanted, – no, I NEEDED the white in the stripe!!! So I put out the word…and my most trusted source came back with, “Well, I found a few options, not a simple, wide blue and white…but maybe something that will work for you.” I was so disappointed I could hardly contain myself and wait for the samples. The original image, the design was so clear to me and the scene had been described to the client who had accepted the plan with great enthusiasm.
The samples arrived…each was so OFF the mark that I was near tears with frustration. Then, the last sample was exposed and Voila!! It was THE PERFECT stripe – NOT merely a simple blue and white, but a couple of blues, and a very white-white and a tan pinstripe interspersed too which was just perfect!!!
Preconceptions can sometimes limit the search…even with a fabulous idea there is room for improvement or other, even better, solutions. Alternatives can offer dimension or an unexpected twist. Keep an open mind – design is a moving target…capturing and harnessing the best concept is often a frustrating game.

By an interesting coincidence, after having blogged about the Flavor of Color yesterday, I came across this fascinatingly simple color perception test…now, I didn’t get a zero…but I didn’t do too badly considering that my computer was not calibrated, etc… However, what it underscored for me was that my continuous reference with color is all about CONTEXT. Different but not completely removed from the description of colors as I explained in the Flavor blog, color is not only the first descriptive response, but more accurately determined by context.

Once you take this quick color test, you will see that all of your selections are based upon the context of the collective. If you are trying to select a white for example…it might seem perfectly “white” – that is until you place another “white” right next to it. One might look pink and the other yellow or grey – you were happy to have selected a white until the other(s) appeared.

So have some fun and take the test – it’s easy and fast!! See how well you do and how quickly you do it!  Then take some time to play with colors – sheets of plain “white” paper, envelopes, then paint chips…pick a green and then another green that you think is similar…and then compare and see how they differ! It’s challenging and telling. Never trust a color selection without benefit of a contextual comparison(s).

http://xritephoto.com/ph_toolframe.aspx?action=coloriq

It’s happened before, I try to extract a color for the sake of discussion or comparison and I resort to food. Today it was about kitchen cabinets. They were a rich cherry. We were discussing what color backsplash would go well in context with the cabinets and rest of their color scheme.
I asked him – how would you describe the color of the cabinets? He said “brown.” He further said “with a little yellow. “ His wife held back…I said “what color of brown?” He thought…and I said “like a Mounds bar?” And he said, “well no, not a dark chocolate brown.” So I said a ‘milk chocolate or cocoa?” and he shook his head. I offered, “maybe a caramel or butterscotch and they both chimed in unison “yea, yea!” And we went on to discuss the nuances of the colors. Like a bag of caramel candy cubes.
It is interesting how something like wood is not regarded like paint when it comes to describing color. I said “if you were to paint this – how would you render the color.” It’s not just wood – wood isn’t a color and brown is waaaay too limiting – it’s a honey, golden, caramel striation of color.
That same color could be described as a warm, worn saddle leather brown…but that still doesn’t express the striations. It is funny how food seems to offer more references to describing the color. Cinnamon and nutmeg hit those orangey brown colors…cayenne red for another redder color description…
What used to be “earth tones” are now “organic.” So to describe browns as spice and candy colors, the green tones are cactus green, tarragon, basil, grass, leaf…they all have plant references…grey tones are stone, graphite, slate…maybe a mousey tone…but all of these color descriptions are only as good as each person’s familiarity with the comparison and also their perception of the comparison as relates to the other person with whom they are having this discussion.
So think about how YOU would describe a color of an item…any item…try to observe the color and not the object – clear your mind of the material and isolate the actual color – it’s fun and informative and will heighten your sense of color – its context and its effect on your mood, enjoyment, reaction…The flavor of Color!!!