Apr 30

Designing, Styling and Why – Finding Personal Style

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, art and interior design, artistic expression, artistic imagery, branding in interior design, Color schemes, color trends, colors, commercial design, commercial interior design, commercial remodel, Contemporary Art, contemporary fabrics, contemporary interiors, context of interior design, Contrasting colors, contrasts for balance in design, creative process, creativity, custom art in interior design, decorative arts, design, design and marketing, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, Design Team, design theme, design tips, design trends, designing a new home, designing with a purpose, DIY design, eclectic design, element of surprise in design, expressionism, family rooms, functional art, good design, good taste, home, home decor, inspiration, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, Interior design pro tips, interior design pro-tips, interior design trends, lifestyle, new home design, paint colors, practical design, sofas, style, styling, Subscribers, tips for new home design, trending design, trends, Uncategorized, value of good design /

Styling is a vague term used popularly now for many facets of artful design that come together to create a presentation (in this case) for interiors. Interior designers practice the artful tricks of “styling” while calling on their expertise with many other important professional elements regarding practical and functional design decisions, structural considerations, mechanical and electrical aspects, client collaboration, budgeting parameters, and more. Terminology can confuse the conversation because often the illusive thing that clients are seeking is finding their “style.” This goes deeper than embracing a new trend or changing a style of furniture from Scandinavian to French. It goes deeper into the very personal places that are uniquely individual. It’s about lifestyle and personality, temperament, and taste.

Assembling elements in your home or workplace is about lifestyle and personality, temperament, and taste. This living room is taking shape for a single man wishing to update his furnishings and fixtures throughout his home.

I was told in school that there is no such thing as bad taste – just bad design. I love that. It takes an enormous percentage of the judgement out of it and leaves the important characteristics to be critiqued such as function, form, balance, color, texture, volume, lighting…

Styling and designing both require balance – designing being the more comprehensive of the two. Each consider many of the same elements, but designing digs deeper. I often converse with clients about the opposites in their spaces. Hard/soft, smooth/rough, light/dark, warm/cool, simple/complex…finding the effective, pleasing, balance in all the elements in a space is critical to the comfortable success of the design. I seek the positive, buoyant, uplifting effect that elicits good vibes.

The result should be more than satisfying, it should be joyful and personal. This chair and ottoman were vintage pieces handed down in this family and here we reupholstered them to give them new life in a new context.

As an interior designer my job is to extract and decipher the wishes of my clients – commercially or residentially. Not only what they want and need, but how to achieve it. It has to do with the art of design and the practicality or reality of executing the work. The result should be more than satisfying, it should be joyful and personal – designed for the specific needs and goals of the individual(s) with whom I am working.

Discovering your personal style might be like a lightbulb turning on – it’s been there all along but wasn’t recognizable. You have it but don’t realize it. Which begs the question, what is style? It is very representative.

From my experience, there is no such thing as no style. Not having style. The very concept of that is like a reverse condition of being without style (un-styled ) – like messing up a hairdo. Yet that disheveled do is a style unto itself – albeit not in the contrived sense of order and intent. That same hairdo in a fierce wind might become similarly disheveled – but without the intent – it might be considered an organic style.

Tidy to disheveled, style is limitless. The occupant of the space is surrounded by books that never quite get put away.
Fascinating to some – unnerving to others.

Interior design can be contrived with much intent, formalized with attention to detail or a more unselfconscious approach that always appears more casual, organic and lived-in. Of course, there are happy mediums too. However, the risk of the “unselfconscious” approach is that by the very nature of the approach to create that which does not LOOK contrived – can be very contrived!!! Hence the unfortunate, if not unintended, result!!

Tidy to disheveled, style is limitless – the permutations and opportunities are endless. But when styling a “scene”, do we keep books in the bookshelves with perhaps one on an end table or nightstand for practicality and interest or do we present piles of books as though the occupant of the space is surrounded by books that never quite get put away? Fascinating to some – unnerving to others.

Some categories of interior design allow a “stylist” to express themselves – rather than focusing on the specific design needs, desires, requirements, and ultimate joy of a client. Style for the sake of imagery. These categories include product representation and promotion/branding – ads and TV commercials, and vignettes that are not intended for real life but for effect. To create appeal and promote trending marketing efforts, assembling for model homes or staging for individual homes for sale and theatrical set design are also examples of the applicability of styling. This “styling” is a very marketable talent – different from designing for and about a client’s personal wants and needs – in a residential or commercial setting.

Commercial interiors combine the branding of the business as well as the personality of the occupants and the culture of the workplace. We completely redirected the focus of this insurance office by emphasizing their brand in color, imagery and graphics. Corporate marketing material was enlarged and used for artwork to further reinforce the brand and emphasize the mission for both employees and clients.

Style evolves. Styling can be an ongoing process – even daily. But that becomes a preoccupation that is not necessarily practical for everyone. Our tastes change with life experiences and with them new interests, accommodations and necessities all contribute to the evolution of personal style. But look at your own personal style and see what about it has remained constant even if your design direction has changed.

You have style. You need to try to articulate it, embrace it or change it. I often hear “I know what I like when I see it.” That’s true of all of us. But being a “creative,” a designer, we create and not merely discover, find, and assemble – through all parts of the process. Helping clients distill the flood of inspiration, imagery and ideas presented, on the limitless platforms dedicated to interior design, new construction, remodeling, styling, and decorating, is the first stage of the job. With so many choices and directions from which to choose, navigating that circuitous path through the oh so many images and ideas is daunting, but essential to finding the right elements to combine and create the design – and set forth the style.

The stuff of life. This couple downsized and culled their belongings to their very favorite things. Their new interior, in their custom home, incorporated all of their treasures and added some new pieces for their next chapter.

Knowing what you like when you see it and collecting as you go is what results in what I fondly call the stuff of life. Your life is partially represented in the things you have discovered and saved – things that bring you joy that you want to see and have around you. They may change over time. Your fascination or appreciation for an object might wane…but the principle of having things collected over time and life experiences (or minimalist lack thereof) is a personal expression. Often the trick is to re-arrange what you have. The style is there, but the placement and orientation can make a significant difference. Arranging is very much a central part of effective styling and interior design. Styling is a fun way to play with options, trends, make statements, influence, and experiment. Have fun finding your style and incorporating all you love and enjoy into your interiors!

Aug 07

Fabrics – Texture, color, pattern, design & style – The Art of Transformation

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, beauty behold it, before and after, chairs, Color schemes, color trends, colors, commercial design, commercial interior design, contemporary fabrics, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, custom furniture, decorative accessories, design details, design process, design scenes, design theme, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing a new home, designing with a purpose, eclectic design, element of surprise in design, embroidery, fabric design, fabrics, fanciful design, faux finishes, furniture finds, good design, graphic designs in interiors, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, home improvements, how to select colors, inspiration, interior accents, interior design, Interior design pro tips, interior design pro-tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, lifestyle, living with color, modern interiors, new home design, nostalgia and design, office furniture, Okeo Tex, patterns, personal expression, personal spaces, personal taste, planning a new home, planning a remodel, practical design, re-purpose, re-upholstery, recycle, recycle design, Refresh, remodeling, reupholstery, seating options, sectional sofas, selecting colors, sofas, Subscribers, textile design, textiles, textures, Thrifting, throw pillows, tips for new home design, trending design, trends, up-cycle, update design, updating, upholstery, value of good design, workplace design / 1

Everyone loves “Before & Afters.” The transformation of an object or a space is the magic of interior design. One of the most valuable elements in our design wheelhouse is fabric. Fabrics have the ability to transform. Like paint – color – altering to enhance a piece or the entire environment, fabrics offer not only color, but texture, pattern, design and style.

I love a good find. Call it antiquing, thrifting, scouting, treasure hunting…the hunt is the intrigue. Exploring random sources to find the perfect piece. Once found – knowing what, if anything, is needed to transform it.

The lines of these handsome armless chairs caught our attention out in the elements, on the front porch as we passed by.

Reupholstery is a life-saving treatment. To salvage a tired piece with good bones and great lines is a service to good design. Pairing old pieces with new fabrics is rejuvenating. Inserting fabulous fabrics into a design scheme is a fine art that gives aged pieces a new life and contributes to the uniqueness of the composition of a space.

As we placed the chairs for an intimate conversational grouping, the scene started to take shape.

Of the design elements, paint is the one with the seemingly limitless choices. Fabrics are next. The worldwide variety of textiles, creatives, fibers and the combinations thereof are vast. Searching for just the right fabric for a specific piece is part of that treasure hunt.

You have heard the term “run of the mill.” Even for many, having never thought of this as a fabric metaphor – this phrase is used commonly to describe the common. It means ordinary – a common, mass-produced product’s run of a manufacturing mill. Using common fabrics is a cop-out when it comes to creating unique designs – especially when there are so many incredible fabrics from which to choose.

Focusing on a close-up of this recent upholstery fabric, we see the intricacies of the colors and textures of the weave.

Personality comes into play when selecting a fabric. Along with function (how durable/cleanable it needs to be), the taste and preferences of the user, and the context in which it might occur – personality of the pieces plays a major role. For example, reading the personality of a chair – its lines and scale.

In the workroom, the chair begins to express its new identity.

The personalities of fabrics are as endless as the textiles themselves. Fabrics evoke moods, seasons and even attitude. For commercial use, as well as heavy-use residential – workhorse fabrics have evolved. Not long ago, durable fabrics looked durable, less attractive and limited. And without turning this into a continuing education course about fiber content, it is obvious once you investigate the options, durability for wear, ultraviolet tolerance, mildew resistance, and antimicrobial properties – are all woven or applied to fabrics allowing amazing installations in commercial interiors that you would not hesitate to have on your living room sofa!

Most people wouldn’t look twice at this tired sectional, however, we knew we wanted a portion of a curved sectional (not an “L”, but a soft curve).

Voila! The finished sectional is further detailed with custom throw pillows to bring together the caramel and blue tones of this color scheme. Warmly greeting guests upon arrival.

Residential interiors can now enjoy what commercial interiors have realized for years. By incorporating the durability and cleanability which allows for the wear and tear – without showing those signs of real life – residential and commercial interiors incorporate fabulous fabrics that defy their strength – beauty and style conquer!

Sustainability of the fiber sources is an increasing topic of conversation. That and the fiber contents regarding the health/safety of the materials and treatments, if any, used (Okeo Tex certification, for example).

With all this information regarding the myriad options, enhanced durability and the unique opportunities that textiles provide to dress your great pieces – treasure the history, family hand-me-downs (if not heirlooms) and give them new life!!!! Its ART!!!

Mar 05

Details of Home

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, ambiance, apartments, art and interior design, artistic expression, artistic imagery, built-in bookcases, chairs, Color schemes, colors, Company C, Contemporary Art, contemporary interiors, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, custom furniture, decorative accessories, decorative mirrors, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design theme, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing a new home, designing with a purpose, drama of color, eclectic design, eclecticism, element of surprise in design, fabrics, fanciful design, favorite colors, good design, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, houses, inspiration, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design pro-tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, interior paint, joy, living with color, mirrors, multi-generational design, new home design, nostalgia and design, paint colors, peaceful places, personal expression, personal spaces, personal taste, photography, planning a new home, planning a remodel, re-upholstery, Refresh, relaxation, remodeling, reupholstery, room arrangement, seating options, selecting colors, sofas, Subscribers, the story, trending design, trends, up-cycle, update design, updating, upholstery, value of good design / 1

Whether a minimalist or an eclectic collector/gatherer, one’s details of home are important and personal. Like personality types, what is important to one person is not so much for another. However, it tells a story. The details of a home make it just that. Home.

This interior has a lot of personality and very much reflects the artist who lives here. Antique family side chairs take a near full century leap with this new, colorfully eclectic upholstery.

Residences, the dwellings in which we live, can take many forms – from short-term to decades of ensconced living. To “reside” regardless of the length of time – suggests a certain level of comfort to include some detail(s) to make it “home.”

Each home is an individually personal space filled with details that make it so.

What might YOU consider imperative elements of what you call “home?” Consider comfort, color, ambiance, familiarity, convenience, nostalgia and perhaps just pure joy.

A hotel room for the busy “road warrior” traveling for business, might reveal a photo of a loved one placed thoughtfully on the nightstand. Something as simple as this can make a temporary residence feel more like “home.”

Upon plopping the overnight bag on the hotel bed, one of the first things to unpack might be the framed photo of a loved one to place on the nightstand.

Dorm rooms will reflect personalities, pleasures, interests, colors and imagery for young people leaving home for the first time. They create their own sense of place and “home” while embarking on their new chapters of life.

While looking around your place of residence – this place you call “home,” consider what is important to you. It might be the actual architecture, quality of natural light, a collection, a piece of art, furniture, photographs, decorative accessories…

A little over a year ago during the throws of our introspective isolation, my cousin, a thoughtful artist of photography, commented from Connecticut about The Essence of Home. In it she shares intimate observations and encourages personal study of your significant space – memory or current abode. She also suggests an interesting little project in which she invites us to “take half an hour and create a photo essay of a place that has significance” to us. “Challenge yourself to capture a feeling. Wait for the right time of day and seek out the mystery of the place. (This is a great activity for kids, too. You’ll be amazed by what they choose to photograph – what “home” means to them.) See what thing you’re drawn to capturing; become aware of the everyday beauty in the space around you.” https://www.catebarryphotography.com/

As an interior designer, I am engaged in creating and illuminating details that are meaningful. Whether a view or an object, color or finish, access or privacy – inside or out of the interior these elements collectively contribute to create the overall design. I encourage my clients to identify things they do and things they own – things they have gathered and how they live. What of them is of greater importance and why. This process begins a dialog of preference, value, and interests. Establishing priorities to springboard a project is key to a firm platform for the design.

You know the old question…If your house were on fire, what would you want to get out? It might be a person or a pet certainly – but if it were a material possession(s), it is a question worth pondering. The same is true if you moved or remodeled, what elements would you want to retain or replicate and what would you eliminate or change?

Vintage family pieces reupholstered, new pieces repurposed, bookcases filled with personal treasures, and the precious pet in the center of the action. Home.

The details of your home are personal, identifying, comforting aspects of your interior design. Discovering these important details is significant in effectively planning your interiors.

Mar 03

Whimsically Wonderful and Woodsy Transformation and the Design Process

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, architectural woodwork, cabin design, cabin interiors, Color schemes, colors, comfortable colors, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, custom cabinets, custom design interior design, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design solutions, design theme, design tips, design trends, designing for animals, designing with a purpose, designs in nature, drama of color, eclectic design, engineered countertops, faux finishes, faux flooring materials, fireplaces, flooring, focal points, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, home improvements, houses, how to select colors, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design pro-tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, interior paint, kitchen, kitchen cabinets, kitchen design, kitchen remodel, kitchen remodeling, lifestyle, living with color, lodge designs, modern cabinets, mosaic tile, natural stone, nature, paint colors, painted cabinets, personal expression, personal spaces, personal taste, planning a remodel, practical design, re-purpose cabinets, Regional design, remodeling, Santa Fe, New Mexico, selecting colors, Sherwin Williams, slate floors, southwestern design, Subscribers, tile, timeless colors, traditional kitchen design, trending design, update design / 1

Once upon a time there was a quiet little house in the woods. Nestled among the juniper and pinons of the rolling hills of Estancia, the little house lacked design details to make it feel a part of its surroundings. The owners and their dogs had lived there for a decade and realized that a move was not pending and therefore it was time to bring the house into its own.

Color was the primary element that they wanted to introduce – that along with a look better suited to the organic, woodsy setting and updates for fixtures and finishes. So, this plain, dated house in the woods began a magical transformation. Not wanting to embrace the sleek white and grey trends of the day, they expressly requested warmth and color.

The interior was plain vanilla with warm honey-colored wood accents.

Beginning with the floor, we selected a porcelain tile that had a finish simulating a mottled slate. The outstandingly durable, slip-resistant material had earthen color variegations in the various pieces which were highly effective at concealing dusty dirt and debris from the out-of-doors and camouflaging the anticipated dog hair that was shed about. The resemblance of the tile to cut stone was remarkable. Due to its multi-color rendition of ochre, rust, charcoal, black and sand offered many tones from which to grow the design’s palette.

The flooring was a bland combination of slippery wood laminate and 12″ ceramic tiles.

The new porcelain slate floor tile is multi-toned and rich with warmth. New wall colors and cabinets are peeking from behind…

Rising from this new base for the interior scheme, we selected a dark, black/charcoal stacked stone. The smooth ovoid shapes added further organic texture with a subtle woven appearance to the surface of the fireplace.

Texture, color, form…the design is transformed…

The mantle and hearth were both the plain vanilla white of the walls and despite the fact that white can be crisp, clean and fresh – the owners were eager for bold commitment to color. In keeping with the pine columns and other cabinets and architectural detailing, we wrapped the existing form of the mantle in knotty pine finished with a honey stain to coordinate with the existing wood accents. The hearth became an undulating slab of Cambria quartz material in a craft-paper bag/sand color also derived from the swirling “slate” floor.

The graceful shape of the hearth was enhanced with the addition of the stacked stone and new slab surface.

Towering from the now strengthened façade of the fireplace, the tapered form of the chimney was begging for the color-pop that the owner’s desired. The honey color of the pine along with the warm tones in the flooring invited a golden ochre paint to command the space.

Specifically requesting the insertion of the owner’s favorite accent color – turquoise, we departed from the warm, earthen tones and punctuated the scheme in the new kitchen cabinets.

The original kitchen…tile floors and countertops, oak cabinets with off-white painted walls.

Salvaging the existing boxes and painting the faces, fabricating new doors, drawers, upper glass cabinets and end panels, the open kitchen is the fulcrum of the house. We see the trending minimalism of little or few cabinets in the kitchen, perhaps open shelving…however, this couple wanted even more concealed storage to keep their cooking and entertaining accessories out-of-sight, but close at hand.

The kitchen transformation features new color, new faces, additional upper cabinets with etched glass panels, luminous glass tile backsplash, new quartz countertops with a new bowed shape for the island…all while keeping existing appliances, cabinet boxes and layout of the space.

Repeating the slab material of the fireplace’s hearth which passes through from the living room to the kitchen, the new Cambria quartz countertops continue the craft-paper bag/sand color. The slate floor wraps up the face of the island for a durable kick-surface and visual continuity.

But wait! To further the focal features of the kitchen, we created a custom mix of colorful glass segments suggesting an interpretation of fallen aspen leaves golden and glossy in the damp of late fall/early winter precipitation. The combination of golden ochre and dark amber with the luminous turquoise of this stunning wall treatment dramatically contributes to the whimsically wonderful colorful scheme.

Saving the bathrooms for another story…there is more to be said about this woodsy transformation. Stay tuned and do not fear color! Embrace the context of your special places.

Nov 15

Color Scheme Tips

By pattisays In Arita pottery, art and interior design, art as gift ideas, artistic expression, artistic imagery, artistic talent, artists, autumnal design, beach design, beauty behold it, building blocks, ceramic, color and temperature re: interior design, color classes, color forecasting, Color schemes, color trends, colors, comfortable colors, commercial interior design, Contemporary Art, contemporary fabrics, contemporary interiors, context of interior design, Contrasting colors, contrasts for balance in design, creative process, creativity, custom art in interior design, custom design interior design, design, design and marketing, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design theme, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing a new home, designing with a purpose, designs in nature, DIY design, drama of color, eclectic design, eclecticism, fabric design, fabrics, favorite colors, floral paintings, flowers in design, functional art, glass art, good design, good taste, handcraft, handmade, handmade tableware, hiring an interior designer, home decor, home improvements, how to select colors, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design pro-tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, interior paint, Japanese pottery, living with color, modern interiors, natural designs, nature, new home design, paint colors, painters, peaceful places, personal expression, personal spaces, personal taste, planning a new home, planning a remodel, pottery, practical design, public design, public spaces, re-upholstery, Refresh, Regional design, relaxation, remodeling, reupholstery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, seasonal interior design, Subscribers, sunflowers, table top, tableware, textile design, textiles, textures, timeless colors, tips for new home design, trending design, trends, Uncategorized, update design, updating, upholstery, value of good design / 1

Color schemes are limitless. The permutations are endless. Color is exciting and fun. It is personal. Colors evoke feelings, memories, emotions and are key to a comfortable interior.

How often have you been asked or pondered on your own…”What is your favorite color?” Some people hesitate to answer, while others blurt-out readily with their fav. But what color you choose to wear versus what you enjoy in your interior surroundings and how much might be quite different.

Several weeks ago, I launched a weekly post on our PATRICIAN DESIGN Facebook page called “Color Schemes.” The idea is to inspire design ideas by pairing artwork with designer fabrics. When planning an interior there is always a focal point complimented and surrounded by supporting elements. Whether a key painting will command the space or an expansive window with a view will direct the focus to a scene of outside colors and textures – that key element will greatly influence a successful interior color scheme.

Annette Donald creates colorful cubes in her creative take on our beloved chile ristras. A serrano chile oil painting, on canvas, by Federico Leon de la Vega is quite representational. Paired here with Romo and Ralph Lauren fabrics, Sherwin Williams paints…fresh and festive!

Here is the example of a November Scheme and you can scroll back each Monday for the past few months to enjoy a variety of the Color Schemes! https://www.facebook.com/PatricianDesignABQ/photos/a.243005986618/10157154423221619/

We embrace the The Nature of November with its unique colors and textures. As the air becomes chilly and the leaves fade…warm, soft colors bring us indoors. Featured here an elegant fused glass ribbon wall piece by Lisa Checnoff.

There are four primary considerations that I discuss with my clients when determining which colors to choose, emphasize, avoid, use as accents and where. To establish these selections, we evaluate personal preferences, contextual implications, seasonal influences and even trends.

PERSONAL: In planning an interior, I always want to know what colors make our clients happy, comfortable, stimulated, vexed or relaxed. These personal insights reveal important information for selecting types of materials too.

By examining what might be one’s favorite color, the discussion will navigate the distinctions, if any, regarding preferences for clothes versus interior furnishings. Interestingly, they are not always the same – although, by mere comfort and familiarity, they often are. Simply asking about a favorite color is not enough.

Brilliant golden yellows and blues – splash color! Featured here are fabulous photo-realistic acrylic paintings by Sheri Mays paired with amazing fabrics of the same exciting palette.

CONTEXT: The context of the interior might dictate or at least steer the direction of the design. The luxury of having multiple personal environments offers the opportunity to have different color pleasures exercised in different places. The ski condo might be woodsy and textural with browns, greys, stone and wood punctuated with a pop of color versus the seaside retreat with its crisp whites and cool blues and greens punctuated with pastels or bold contrasts. Therefore, the location of an interior might direct the desired color palette.

Inspired by this spa-aqua pottery bowl by Penny Roberts and the custom glass tile mosaic we recently combined to face a newly remodeled kitchen wall – the cool seaside/spa feel balanced with ambers and warm dots of color – pink, fuchsia, orange and golden yellow. Durable brushed cotton solids come in myriad colors and are perfect for pillows or upholstery.

SEASONAL: This one is tricky because it plays on the perceived climate outside – even if the interior is maintained at a constant temperature. It takes a concerted effort to plan a color scheme – including textures and finishes in anticipation of changing seasons and relative temperatures. I previously mentioned that a window with a view might be the focal point of a room…imagine the effect the changing seasons might have on the selection of interior colors and textures versus a consistent tropical scene, for example?

Perhaps you love purple – ever pair it with golden yellow? Here, functional, fantasy pottery designed and crafted with the most precise attention to detail by Jen DePaolo inspires our boldly brilliant scheme.

TRENDS: Inasmuch as I avoid being steered by trends, it is impossible and not advisable – in design – to avoid them. Clients are influenced by them and bring that would-be preference to the table. It is essential to continue to have “colors-of-the-year” and other market-driven colors change to stimulate the economy with buying and selling, replacement and updating. It’s our socio/economic norm. It also serves as an encouragement to re-fresh. But to limit that influence, in favor of long-term personal pleasures, is best. The pressure of this marketing color influence contributes to our being a disposable culture. Not time here for a lecture on such things – but rather to instill an appreciation for and confidence in personal selections an decisions – in this case, color.

Patinaed pearls and stunning glasswork by Margaret Hidalgo Vanderheyden inspire the soft, greyed lavenders and blues of this cool scheme.

An interesting and on-going test for evaluating a successful interior is when designing in one season – it has to work in all others. For example, when I meet with clients in the heat of July with lush foliage and color, warm temperatures and long days, that same interior has to succeed when it is frigid outside, barren, and with darker, shorter days. What might the challenges be in creating a successful scheme and what might be the solutions to make it work?

Having noted all of this and knowing the different reactions people have to color, isn’t it interesting when an interior is so successful that it appeals to many, if not the majority, of those who experience it? This is more applicable to commercial or public spaces – from doctors’ offices to hotels. However, the challenge and success is in knowing the many things to be considered and implementing a balance of them throughout all aspects of the interior.

Anne Marie Werner-Smith’s brilliantly glazed pottery here with Margaret Hidalgo-Vanderheyden’s lovely fused glass crosses along with coral and dyed stone necklace and woven table runner from Chiapas reflect the changing colors of fall leaves…

Appreciating color is a gift to designers. It truly is an imperative to appreciate all colors and have the sensitivity to discern the nuances between various values and the effects of selections and combinations from the infinite choices.

I hope this has given you ideas and inspiration to move forward with YOUR color schemes! Sign-up for our weekly email of Color Schemes with classic blue and white and stunning neutral greys coming!! And follow the posts on Facebook every Monday.

Aug 16

Serenity and Peace in Water Features

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, ambiance, Arizona, artistic expression, color of light, Covid -19, COVID Crisis and Design, creative process, creativity, custom lighting, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design theme, design tips, design trends, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, designs in nature, DIY design, environmental design, exterior - outdoor design, functional art, Garden, good design, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, home improvements, home spa, illusion of space, inspiration from nature, interior design, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, joy, landscape architecture, landscape design, LED, lifestyle, mosaic tile, natural designs, natural stone, outdoor pools, patio, patio design, peaceful places, personal expression, personal spaces, planning a new home, planning a remodel, pools and spas, private places, Refresh, relaxation, remodeling, Santa Fe, New Mexico, spa, stone, Subscribers, summer, swimming pools, swimming spas, tips for new home design, trending design, trends, Tucson, update design, updating, urban design, urban living, value of good design, water features / 1 Comment

The serene sound of a fountain can provide mesmerizing relaxation. Like white noise, but better. Close your eyes, in close proximity to a little fountain, and be lulled into a wonderful respite zone. Even indoors, this is an effective relaxation element…outside the birds and breeze contribute to the joy.

Pets reap benefits too! Kona gets a refreshing sip from the fountain!!!

At night, that same fountain offers gentle water sounds and an interesting sculptural effect.

Social distancing and isolation – these two popular terms that have defined so much of our daily living in the last several months and imparted a negative connotation. They paint a picture of living more at home – alone and even “out-of-touch” – literally. All of my childhood I heard the phrase “ne touche pas!” My uncle’s favorite, for sure! And now I hear it in my mind all the time. Don’t touch the shopping cart, door handle, people’s hands, “ne touche pas!” and if you do – wash and sanitize to a fare-thee-well!

Yet, on a positive note, this stay safe – be safe – living at home has spawned creativity to maximize that environment and relieve stress. It means, more than ever, expanding your outdoor options from placing a pair of chairs and tiny table on a previously unused, diminutive urban balcony or adding a palatial pool in your backyard…there are many options in-between depending on your circumstances and means.

Our cousin in Tucson has created a lagoon effect with the dark bottom and mosaic trim. an oasis in the desert.

Water features are an amazingly therapeutic design element. Water suggests cleansing. It is refreshing and renewing. Water has promise. It can also suggest escape.

The Calgon add campaign of decades ago resonates today for those of us who remember…”Calgon, take me away…Lose yourself in luxury” The escape and indulgence of a relaxing soak in a tub. The gentle buoyancy relieves tension and encourages rest. It often suggests leisure. It is a luxurious, pampering exercise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yjGPgs0_S0 Here is a video from the 70s to take you back to “Take me away…” Come back Calgon!!! We miss your commercials now more than ever!!!

Taking that refreshing water scene outdoors is one of the most popular design projects trending today. From DIY to major construction people are discovering ways to escape without leaving home. Water features provide virtual escapes and actual refreshment for many people seeking that added dimension, diversion and sought-after pleasure in their lives.

A friend in Phoenix has tricked out her pool with fabulous landscaping, spectacular iridescent glass tiles and LED lighting – the luminous colors an be changed with her mood!!!!

Swimming pools, a gorgeous grotto, lap lane, all afford the luxury of submersion and even exercise.

We’re speaking with Diamond Spas of Longmont, Colorado this week on behalf of a client who is interested in a partially above ground swim spa!! https://www.diamondspas.com/swimming-pool-spa-collection/custom-pools/stainless-steel-swimming-pools/

The sound of a small water feature to a creek-like landscape addition in your yard – the projects are many. This DIY guy created what he fondly calls “Covid Creek” – a project that took several weeks of focused creativity and back-breaking work all prompted by being stuck at home. The results are a magical mountain stream flowing beneath the trees in their modest-sized backyard. A creek-like water feature or pond can offer a respite to sit beside, dangle your toes and imagine scene far from the confines of our limited environs. You would be amazed at what beautiful illusions can be accomplished!!!

A babbling backyard book built as a therapeutic DIY project during the COVID confinement.

Such multi-sensory water features offering the touch and feel of water, gentle sound and visual beauty are powerful design elements to exercise the senses. Our senses suffer with redundant stimulation. The reclusive limitations of recent months have us stagnating with sameness. It’s the variety if stimuli we are so accustomed to experiencing that keeps things interesting and alive. Moving water is one of these exceptional sensory stimulations.

Organic garden sculptures – chiseled granite boulders with re-circulating water – meld with the landscaping.

Whether a tiny fountain or in-ground pool…even a galvanized livestock tub – investigate your options. Regard your environment and study your spaces to select the best design elements for your setting.

Aug 01

How the COVID CRISIS Might Bring Change to the Housing Market…

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, built-in bookcases, commercial interior design, contemporary interiors, context of interior design, COVID Crisis and Design, creative process, creativity, custom cabinets, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designing a new home, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, expanding spaces, good design, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, home improvements, home office, illusion of space, illusions of space, inspiration, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, kitchen, kitchen design, lifestyle, modern interiors, multi-generational design, new home design, open floorplans, peaceful places, planning a new home, planning a remodel, practical design, privacy in design, privacy in the workplace, private places, remodeling, Subscribers, tips for new home design, trending design, trends, update design, updating, white kitchens, workplace design /

A friend sent me one of her trade articles from the residential real estate perspective regarding how this COVID crisis might bring change to the housing market. In the article, it touched on the size of homes, working from home, privacy in the home and smart technology that will play a larger role. Plus a nod to adding a stock tank pool to your backyard to beat the summer heat!

It’s true that this period of weeks having a close-up look at our homes – their design, function, aesthetics – has resulted in some new ideas and opinions about how and where we live. Have you felt the need for more privacy or more space?

How might Covid 19 brings changes to the housing market?

A few years ago the pendulum swung in commercial design favoring the open office/collaboration layout. What was a new concept of open office spaces in the middle of the last century, resulted in the design and development of systems furniture flourishing. Then the even more “open” concepts of collaborative spaces with foosball tables to entertain the staff providing breaks without leaving the building entered the scene.

Open office encourages interaction – not as much as fully, open collaborative spaces.It maximizes space, but still omits total privacy for more concentrated work .

This has continued today as some were slower to jump on the trend and are still experiencing the “new-found” re-design of fewer private offices and more collaborative spaces. However, the pendulum is swinging back a bit with feedback from some employees reporting that they need more quiet space to do their work and focus away from distractions. Having a private space can be grounding and comforting and allows an individual to worry about less and focus on more.

In a rotating office, there less comfort and familiarity. This can contribute to distracted performance. Yet, all of this data is variable depending upon the nature of the work, temperament of the individuals, style of individual work practices, existing conditions in the workplace, culture of the business and even geographic considerations.

But as this relates to homes, many of these factors have similar effects. The real estate article notes that rather than down-sizing homes, with more open floor plans which has been a recent market trend , they will see a rise in the desire for buyers to want larger homes, in which to partition activities. This might very well be true. Especially if working from home is instituted. The need for privacy away from the possibly over- collaborative office environment, to finding oneself commandeering a pocket of the house for their work needs, requires a design focus.

Where larger, open kitchens had become the fulcrum of family life, the real estate article suggests that this might not be so popular moving forward. I’m not sure I agree. Where the article states that “the noisy epicenter” might require re-thinking, I believe that it will remain the vibrant epicenter adjacent to the primary living area, but that other areas of the home will be designed to provide needed escape and privacy.

Too much collaboration and collective living/working can result in a desperation for private spaces. There seems to be a cry for balance. Where we want gathering spaces for the family to be together for meals, games, movies or projects, the confinement with family, although precious and priceless on the one hand, has also proven that there is great value/need in private spaces.

Home-designing.com is a great resource for visual ideas. Here a cozy reading nook with office/study space and going vertical, to best use the space, are tall shelves. They can also make room-dividers when partitioning off private spaces! Lots of natural light connects inside spaces with the outdoors.

Partitioning spaces within an interior is something we reference as “zoning.” We design “zones” to offer certain tasks or activities to take place separately from others. Sometimes this is partially divided by low walls or screens and other times the need for complete partitioning – as in separate rooms – is in order.

Another creative space from home-designing.com featuring a double workspace, partial wall partition to “zone” spaces. Color “pops” are fun too!!!

The ever popular Jack and Jill bathroom might connect a bedroom with a separate study – a bedroom suite rather than merely a pair of bedrooms. Study spaces will play a more important role as more on-line options for schooling are made available. Learning and working from home have been eye-opening experiences. Privacy is paramount when trying to focus on your work. Study spaces can be single rooms dedicated to this purpose or pockets in the home – converting closets and beneath stair areas for small desk spaces and study nooks. Slivers of garage space might be opened to the indoors. Unused attic spaces might be captured for loft-like openings up and away.

Decorpad.com is another great resource for creative space-planning and design ideas. Here Leslie Goodwin shoots this valuable space which is captured to carve-out a home-office.

Space-saving and consolidating furniture pieces like bunk beds – going vertical to better utilize the “real estate” in bedrooms, etc. Valuable square-footage will be captured and used creatively – much like clever design efficiency on a boat or motor home. Space is precious – let’s use it wisely.

Back to the kitchen being the fulcrum – multi-tasking can also be a result of this confined at-home mix of activities and responsibilities. At certain ages, parental assistance is necessary to navigate the studies and coordination with the on-line programs. The kitchen has been and becoming more and more a classroom/study hall. While older kids might just want to be in the center of things while they don their headphones effectively separating them from much of the surrounding activities, still keeping them in the mix, others are actively sharing their lessons with their at-home parent/teachers smack dab in the center of the activities.

Larger homes – rather than downsizing to smaller can allow for multi-generational living. College kids studying on-line rather than going away might return or stay at home. Grandchildren requiring day care might be with grandparents part of the time.

Conversations centered around energy conservation with the desire to have a more open connected feeling with the outdoors can seem contradictory; but technology has advanced window, skylight, door, and many different translucent and transparent panels, to bring the outdoors in!

Lucere resin panels can be used a limitless commercial and residential settings!!

Residential design might be enlarging, partitioning, adding light and connections to outdoor living. Therefore, sharing the joy while providing space, privacy, healthy circadian rhythm and connections to expanding to and enjoying the outdoors.

Jun 14

Before & After – A Startling Transformation

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, ambiance, artistic expression, bathroom remodel, before and after, blue and white, built-in bookcases, cabinet pulls, chrome, cocktails, Color schemes, color trends, composing, construction, contemporary fabrics, contemporary interiors, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, custom cabinets, custom design interior design, decorative accessories, decorative arts, decorative mirrors, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, Design Team, design theme, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, drapery treatments, eclectic design, eclecticism, fabric design, fabrics, fanciful design, flooring, good design, good taste, graphic designs in interiors, hiring an interior designer, historic interior design, home, home decor, home improvements, home spa, illusion of space, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, joy, lifestyle, lighting, marble, martini, mirrored walls, mirrors, modern cabinets, modern interiors, mosaic, mosaic tile, natural stone, nostalgia and design, painted cabinets, patterns, personal expression, personal taste, planning a remodel, powder rooms, raised panel cabinets, Refresh, remodeling, residential restrooms, stone, Subscribers, textile design, textiles, textures, tile, timeless colors, traditional fabrics, trending design, trends, update design, updating, vanitydesign, wall treatments, wallcovering, white color schemes, white interiors, window dressings / 1 2 Comments

Last August 11, 2019, I left you hanging with a radical bathroom remodel that was in the throws of being transformed. The title of the blog was Everyone Loves Before and Afters. https://patriciandesign.com/everyone-loves-before-and-afters/ Here today, I am excited to present the finished product and a little more to the story…

Everyone DOES Love “before and afters.” The original blog identifies the material process of the project, but as important as the material applications are the emotional aspects of design and precede the material selections.

The home is a bungalow style home from the 1950s. Charming architectural elements and traditional details set the stage, sensitivity, and the emotions behind any design decisions we were to consider. See the first phase of this home’s updating design in the primary living space at this link: https://patriciandesign.com/project/classic-blue-white/ The kitchen was also re-finished. Maintaining the same design layout and appliances, the new finishes resulted in a startling transformation. https://patriciandesign.com/project/kitchen-transformation/

The challenge in this project was to retain the character and traditional charm that the couple so enjoyed about their home, while introducing new, modern design features and trends melding with traditional design elements. New custom cabinets for the vanity and linen storage/display unit along with the re-design of the shower – eliminating the tub and making a “doorless” access and a pocket door connecting to the adjacent guest room were the three key construction components.

Dated finishes done in the 80s, by previous owners, were common and bland. The tub and shower were enclosed with by-passing glass doors in aluminum tracks and frames.

This bathroom was the dated and fussy room that we presented last August. The tired and dull finishes needed replacing and refreshing. It was to be a complete make-over to compliment other recent improvements in the home.

Once the general concept for the remodel is determined, the “what if” stage begins. The stage where ideas are tossed about and decisions lead to other decisions. The options are massaged giving way to different combinations and considerations.

After all the options are discussed the plan is adopted – a combination of everyone’s input. Hopefully not design by committee, but in this case the couple, in whose house we were working, and the me, the designer. After the design is determined, the input of the general contractor and/or the sub-contractors can come into play. They are generally given the opportunity to evaluate existing conditions and voice opinions and procedures or details that their expertise can bring to the project. Everything is considered until a cohesive plan is developed.

New cabinets were locally fabricated to not only insure excellent craftsmanship, but to customize the fit (left to right) and provide specific drawer configurations for the desired new height of the cabinets with an additional sink.

The tub was removed, and the new shower enclosure was clear glass and given a wider footprint to allow for a jog which eliminated the need for a door. The shower valve was relocated from beneath the shower head to the opposite “pony” wall, making it easier to operate the temperature and flow without getting wet first!

Other than the shower reconfiguration, new cabinets, and pocket doorway into the guest room all else was superficial cosmetic design features. This is where the layers of embellishment come into play.

During the process, there were certainly hesitations about the combination of patterns and finishes being proposed…however, you know you’re on the right track when the happy homeowner has fun accessorizing and creates the perfect towel/robe hooks!

DIY – finding these blue, wooden, open-work plaques, our creative homeowner bought polished chrome and glass doorknobs and attached them securely to the plaques – Voila!

In keeping with the traditional design direction previously adopted in updating the interior, the flooring was selected for its natural stone mosaic authenticity. With a warm grey selected for the custom cabinets and white herringbone patterned subway tile on the rear wall of the shower enclosure made for a fresh modern look.

A mix of patterns – a balancing act – the art of design. Do not be afraid.

But wait! These traditional elements and modern trends were further embellished with a second layer of curvy turquoise mirrors installed over the full-wall mirror – suspended between is a polished chrome sphere of open bands providing ambient light and additional task light for the vanity area.

Layer upon layer until the composition is complete!

Classic blue and white screen-print on paper with an overall pattern of vines and leaves fills in the voids creating a not-too-busy backdrop – adding further dimensions to the design.

Natural stone slab of a white crystal-like granite – looks like a stone quartz crystal.

Drapery fabric in a traditional floral on linen with whimsical, modern “martini glass” sheers soften the window and diffuse the incoming light.

The resulting completed interior is a radical transformation from the dull beige and peach of the previous scheme. Fresh and crisp – with just enough busy to be playful – the new owners claim that they smile every time they enter or even walk by.

Remember the first photo? The BEFORE & AFTER transformation is extraordinary.

Apr 18

Isolation Invites Innovation

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, apartments, bathroom remodel, before and after, built-in bookcases, ceiling lighting, chairs, cleaning, clutter, Color schemes, color trends, commercial design, commercial interior design, commercial remodel, construction, contemporary interiors, context of interior design, Covid -19, creative process, creativity, custom cabinets, custom design interior design, custom furniture, custom lighting, decorative accessories, decorative mirrors, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, drama of color, education, expanding spaces, exterior - outdoor design, furniture finds, good design, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, home improvements, home office, how to select colors, illusion of space, illusions of space, indirect lighting, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, landscape design, lifestyle, lighting, master bathrooms, mirrored walls, mirrors, modern cabinets, modern interiors, multi-generational design, office furniture, open floorplans, paint colors, patio, patio design, personal expression, personal taste, planning a remodel, practical design, remodeling, residential restrooms, reupholstery, room arrangement, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Subscribers, throw pillows, trending design, trends, update design, updating, upholstery, workplace design /

Here, today, find designer focus and pro-tips for improving our living spaces. Most of us have spent more time at home than we have in years. Sure, we usually wake up, prepare for the day and return in the evening, to end the day. Weekends are usually that bonus time around the house – unless we spend them on road trip excursions. However, being at home every day is unusual for many and has provided opportunities to critique and take stock. Go from “making-do” to making better, with a little focus on the details and some professional help!

New catch-phrases like “shelter-in-place” have become part of our vernacular. Staying home has resulted in massive numbers of internet orders, cautious home improvement store visits and related activity. The shared anxious energy and creative energy spawned, from our restricted living and working regimens, is “going viral!”

Well, we certainly never really considered that trendy term of something being popular being a REAL virus spreading across the planet – but the humor, common complaints and simple joys, of this surreal modification to our lives, are “going viral” all over the internet. From the vantage point of the design world, we are seeing a multitude of comments about people going stir-crazy and making plans for needed home and office improvement.

HOME DEPOT – Pick-up in the store or have it delivered FREE to your doorstep!!

We are finally – and I say finally, after nearly everyone else we know has done so – ordering storm doors. Yes, to leave open and let in the light of day!!! It has taken being around the house for so many consecutive days that has geared us to the circadian rhythm that our orientation provides and illustrated the need to avail our interior of a significant missed opportunity for natural light! Just never seemed that important…until now! We have labored over having lights (glass) in new primary doors, but after weighing the options for light, security and transparency have opted for clear, full-panel laminated glass storm doors with interchangeable screens, for fresh air – weather permitting.

Yes – Anderson DOES do double storm doors – but try finding that information on their website or even through Home Depot – they’re terrific – you just need to inquire!!!

This unique opportunity to be quarantined inside our homes has given us an opportunity to evaluate the flow, function and lifestyle within our private environments. Have you noticed any things that you want to change as a result of this confinement and forced, close-up evaluation?

Here are a few topics and tips that have come-up in recent conversations from both consumer/clients and designers:

More perceived space: Perhaps open a wall or completely remove a wall(s) and connect two rooms for better communication and visual enlargement of the floor plan.

Adding mirrored walls or individual mirrors add depth and also expands a space to give it a perceived increase in size.

Add cozy color and texture with area rugs, throws and accent pillows.

Add skylights for more daylight.

Change paint colors for a refreshed feel.

Remodel kitchens and bathrooms – people have been sharing intimate spaces and preparing meals significantly more than regular lifestyles dictate and now recognize limitations in their current designs.

Re-upholstery of existing pieces that function well, but need to be refreshed and modernized.

Purchase new furnishing to improve the comfort, function and visual appearance of the interior.

Desires for additional lighting or replacement fixtures, to improve and enhance the quality and color of light inside all rooms for tasks, ambiance, accent spots, indirect illumination, decorative fixtures and even landscape lighting to highlight the features of the plantings and exterior structures, have been heightened.

Workplace design has migrated into homes prompting consideration for a more efficient permanent pocket of living spaces designed for that specific purpose of home-offices. A few from our website portfolio are illustrated here…

Before – this cluttered space was serving as an office – but without organization or pleasing aesthetics.

After – this same space reorganized furniture placement, added new work-surfaces and cantilevered shelves to match existing teak pieces, creating an atmosphere of organization, enhanced workspace and display of personal hobbies and memorabilia.

Before – this room doubled as a sewing room and home office – but the lack of organization made it inefficient and unpleasant.

After – by adding storage, cutting a steel trundle bed (found in their storage unit) down to window-width, and rearranging the workspaces, this same room can now comfortably accommodate a guest, organize work and sewing spaces and pleasantly display art and memorabilia.

For both working from home and schooling from home – the needs, for this space, have become critical. Imagine, down the road, more on-line courses might be considered and even more opportunities to work from home now that the practice has been proven!!

Even a pocket tucked in the corner of a room can be ample space for quiet focus and an organized workspace.

Areas designed for study can also be used for arts and crafts and other projects.

Office spaces will reflect this modification in the working environment, by creating more flexible workspaces allowing a variety of scenarios for performing tasks between home and office and an increasing appreciation for a more fluid arrangement of office layouts and furnishings.

During this isolation, I have enjoyed several ZOOM continuing education classes offered by Knoll that have centered on workspace layout and furniture both at home and in corporate settings.

Here are more helpful tips from Knoll for your consideration when planning a home-office. https://www.knoll.com/shop/work-from-home/home-office-setup-guide

Patio perk-ups to expand the enjoyment outdoors – at both home and office – maximizing the livable exterior areas of either small balconies to expansive spaces, backyards, decks, improved landscaping, outdoor kitchens and fully-furnished furnished living spaces – are seeing increased attention to detail.

Woodard furniture – one of our favorites – has been designing and fabricating for well over a hundred and fifty years. Since 1934 they have perfected the art of metal furniture design and fabrication. As industry leaders, their expertise brings a collection of superior craftsmanship and a wide variety of materials and styles to accommodate both commercial and residential applications.

Let’s keep moving forward through this pandemic with positive vibes for creating enhanced living spaces – both inside and out – for more productive and enjoyable living!

Mar 29

Creativity Ignited

By pattisays In artistic talent, artists, color and temperature re: interior design, color forecasting, Color schemes, color trends, context of interior design, contrasts for balance in design, Covid -19, creative process, creativity, custom art in interior design, custom cabinets, custom design interior design, custom furniture, design, design challenges, design process, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, drama of color, fabrics, furniture finds, good design, handmade, hiring an interior designer, home decor, home improvements, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, kitchen cabinets, kitchen design, lifestyle, paint colors, planning a new home, planning a remodel, practical design, re-purpose, recognizing signs, Refresh, room arrangement, Subscribers, textures, tips for new home design, trending design, trends, update design, updating, upholstery, value of good design / 1 Comment

These are amazing times that are truly testing our creativity and ingenuity. We are challenged to alter our work-modes to operate remotely, utilize time very differently to balance work and family, find new ways to communicate and share and even radically re-direct manufacturing for purposes far different from their original intent…these are all very stimulating, creative challenges.

Isabel works from “home” in Denver managing the daily business of PATRICIAN DESIGN.

Where do the masses flock now that they are confined? Craft stores, home-improvement warehouses and on-line instant gratification pick-me-ups.

Don – in his Home Depot orange shorts was a joke that we enjoyed for several years coining the phrase “Everywhere we go – we got o Home Depot!” From China to Albuquerque we took photos of Home Depot, often in his orange shorts! Couldn’t keep us away!

While most people are home-bound and businesses are fallow – wondering how they will survive this down-time and loss of income and the means to play catch-up with their debts – there are those who have been able to re-invent their talents to manufacture items very different from their norm that are in high demand at this time. Re-purposing has taken on a whole new meaning. Where we were re-purposing an old door into a headboard or bicycle parts into wall art, we are now transforming entire production facilities that made widgets of all manner into plants of workers learning how to manufacture masks and ventilators… gowns and gloves.

The creativity is so broad-reaching it will change the way each of us behaves moving forward. It will change policy and priorities in government. It will alter thinking and spawn new ideas and procedures everywhere. It will have global impact and consequences unlike anything we have known. It will prove uniting and divisive, for differing reasons.

Less public displays of affection between casual connections with more formal respect for personal space are certain outcomes. Perhaps a combination of suspicion and respect at the start…but how long will it take to wear-off? When will the guard be dropped and behavior relax? What will be the definition of our new normal? Circumstances – certainly do – alter cases…

Interior design is tactile. It is comprised of textures and colors difficult to replicate over the computer screen. Before off of this we recognized that viewing fabric collections over the on-line portals was a way to get possible candidates for consideration – but more often than not, there were greater numbers of rejects once the actual samples arrived.

There is much we can do remotely. We can send drawings, send photos of fabrics (providing we have felt them and know them, in order to honestly recommend them), do video walk-throughs to view a space and make recommendations remotely. We can place orders and arranging shipping and receiving, coordinate sub-contractors and make things happen.

Many tradespeople such as upholsterers, seamstresses cabinet-makers can continue to work in the privacy of their own workrooms providing the have the material. Many fabric sources are still shipping orders. We have two sofas and two benches currently being upholstered – the fabric having been ordered, shipped and delivered all last week. With several other fabrics on their way, our seamstress will be very busy creating custom throw pillow, bed dressings and draperies. We can keep many of our talented, local people busy.

Artists in their studios are eager to express their thoughts and feelings and even bring YOUR interests to life in paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture…self-quarantined by their own habits – now is the time to commission a custom piece – pottery centerpiece, focal painting, personal jewelry piece, pet and people portraits by sending photographs!

The dynamics and demographics of our communities will be radically changed as a result of this crisis. Remember how upset many were over Walmart coming into towns displacing, if not eradicating small local businesses? Well, watch what’s happening with large national businesses today and their smaller, local counterparts. We will lose so many and replaced by whom? What? How? How will this change the look and feel of Mainstreet?

The interior design profession is so intimate and personal. It is about hands-on…to be there to move furniture, adjust groupings, share the experience of balancing textures, temperatures of color, size and scale… it’s hard to do from your laptop on a remote beach.

So while the ads on TV promote the home decor sites for instant furnishings and decorative accessories – remember that they don’t always look as you expected once they arrive. Many offer returns, but often with freight and re-stocking charges.

During this unusually unprecedented time when anxiety instigates spontaneous purchases, designers can still consult to advise and direct, offer ideas, consult about choices and decisions. They can help make decisions and assist in finding the right pieces and making the best purchases.

So call them. Show them your finds. Discuss your choices and ideas. Get their opinions and make better decisions due to their experienced advice. It might and should save you money and headaches in the long-run.

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