Thursday, May 24, 2007

The Magic of Design

There was a time people thought the world was flat. At another point
in history it was believed that women didn't have the know-how to run
a business or change a tire. Then there was the one about man not
being able to fly. Over time all of these fairytales have proven
untrue.

So it is with interior design. Until recently, many people held the
belief that having their home decorated by an interior designer was
reserved for the rich and famous. Nothing could be further from the
truth.

Fact is, many people of average income who live in a middleclass
neighborhood are frequently surprised to learn they can easily afford
the services of an interior designer. In other cases, many folks
prefer to learn tips about design so they have the flexibility to
redo a room on a whim. Either way, you have more choices today then
ever before.

It is not uncommon to completely redo a room for a one time social
event such as a birthday celebration, a graduation or a wedding. With
some simple tips, even the most inexperienced person can easily
spruce up a room.

Before you begin, think about the style you are interested in. Is it
art deco, traditional, Mediterranean, western, modern, or
contemporary? These are only a few of the multitude of choices you
have. Think through how functional the room will be with what you
have in mind. Avoid rugs and chairs that stain easily if there will
be a lot of traffic in the room.

Be very careful to scale your furniture to the size of the room. If
you have a very large space you can break up the area into little
sitting groups or area groups. You can easily shift the "feel" of a
room with the use of lighting and/or plants. Area rugs are another
tool many designers use to break up large spaces. A variety of paint
colors and wall textures can make even the most mundane room come to
life.

Small space decorating is fast becoming a favorite topic for many
people as real estate prices rise. Think priorities when it comes to
small spaces. Do you need to use an area of the room for more than
one reason? In some cases you can easily convert the kitchen table to
your workspace provided you have cabinet space handy for supplies. A
chest of drawers can easily serve this purpose by holding office
supplies, linens, or even computer components.

If you are considering utilizing the services of a designer, do your
homework. Check their portfolio and references. Find out how they are
to work with, did they deliver on time, were they easy to work with
and did they listen to the homeowner. If you get an affirmative
answer on all of these and their fees are suitable to your budget,
then take the leap. Often, interior designs services are provided at
no additional cost to you, and will give you the extra edge you need
to create exactly the feeling you want for your home.

A great designer can make recommendations you may not have thought
of. Ultimately, their goal is for you to be ecstatic with what you
were able to accomplish together. After all, you are the one that has
to live in the space long after the designer has done their magic.

http://www.homesolutionssandiego.com/cozyhome.html