Form follows function

One of the biggest conundrums I see in homes is that people wrestle with style and function.  Style seems to be the big thing we all get caught up on.  We worry more about the latest and greatest trends than we do about the function of a room. 

It doesn't matter if you create the identical look you find in your favorite home decor catalogue, if it doesn't fit the function of your room or your family, then what's the point? 

That's why an interior designer is vital when you are undertaking a remodel or new construction.  A good designer will focus on space planning.  What is the purpose of the room?  Do you have children or are you empty nesters?  What activites need to take place in the room?  Answering these questions and more will save you a lot of headache later on down the road. 

Next week, we'll talk about what makes for a great space!

Design Inspiration

Inspiration can come from anywhere, from the clear blue and totally unexpected.  As a designer, it's great working with pieces of inspiration to design an entire room.  The difficulty for the client, or myself is when so many things inspire me. 

I love this website, Design Seeds to spark a little design inspiration.  They take common objects and create color palettes.  Check them out here.

Storage ideas

In keeping with the idea of keeping the clutter of plastic bags under control, I found some other great ideas.

This does seem like a functional idea.  Stuff it in the top, pull it out the bottom

I would not take the time to origami the bags but if you are up to the challenge, go for it. 

This is nifty design from the container store

I love this idea too!

If you are like me and on a tight budget, this is ingenious too!

Do Just One Thing

Here we are in the long, hard days of winter.  For being the shortest month on the calendar, February can sure drag on! What is one small change you could make today in your home that would add to its peace, beauty, organization or comfort?  What is stopping you from doing it?

Lots of times, it's money.  For me that is the one factor always hampering my wish list.  Those questions are kind of hard. If I had to say just one thing that would make all the difference in my house, it would be new drapes.  Definitely new drapes. 

I love the little details like the covered buttons but have grown to despise the fabric.  I actually don't know what I was thinking.

The kitchen needs drapes...

Including the sliding glass door

And the window over the sink.  At the time I moved in, I liked the idea of something different besides fabric on this window.  I love the light but now I think some fabric would be a refreshing change.

So, my latest goal is going to be to find some cheap but lovely fabric and spice things up.

Clutter

 You never know what you're going to find behind closed doors! Now you know...a big mess!!

This is my craft cupboard/junk cupboard because the drawer for junk was full!

Under my kitchen sink.  Is there a more dysfunctional space in one's home?

 Totally embarrassed that I let the clutter get out of control like this.  Seriously, I think grocery sacks multiply like fungus when the doors are closed.  There's no way I need that many plastic bags. Usually, by the time I finish the shopping, I am pressed for time and either need to have someone dropped off or picked up or start dinner.  The easiest thing to do is shove them out of sight. 

In just 10 min.  It went from that....to this....

Such an improvement.  All my favorite kitchen cleaning products are right at my finger tips. 

I used that empty potato flakes can to keep the plastic bags in.  I made an 'X' shape slit in the lid and now I can stuff the bags in there and pull them out easily as I need them.  A perfect solution for now.  I should probably paint the can or dress it up somehow but that will be a task for another day!

I love the glass jar I have now for my dishwashing detergent.  Keeps it looking well kept. 

As for the craft cupboard...Here is the after....

It's better and each tote houses such things as paint and brushes, paper, misc. craft supplies, and school supplies.  My garbage bags are easy to get to since the garbage can is right beside this cupboard.  Best of all, I have some room for storing additional crap supplies.

Any great ideas for taming the clutter in your home?  Leave me a comment and let me know.

Thumbtack

Hey, I just found the coolest service.  It's called Thumbtack.  It is a website that allows you to search for all kinds of services in your area from classes and tutoring to handymans, even technical assistance with computers or legal help.  You should check out their website at www.thumbtack.com.

 I just listed my service with them,<a href="http://www.thumbtack.com/Affordable-Experienced-Interior-Designer-Rexburg-ID/service/345852">Affordable, Experienced, Interior Designer</a>
 You can search locally or around the United States.  I think it is one of the best kept secrets of the internet.  Next time you need help with anything, check out Thumbtack.

Paint and Light

photo courtesy of startribune.com

A couple of weeks ago, I met with a woman to help her get started on a home remodel.  She has a beautiful home but her taste has changed over the years from the 'country clutter' look to something more clean and sophisticated.  She didn't even know where to start.

After an hour of meeting with her, we began to formulate a plan to begin a transformation of her home.  She hated the paint.   In theory, the paint on her walls was suppose to be a neutral taupe but it had such a strong red base that the walls emitted a strong pink undertone.  After lots of questions and introspection, it was decided that really, that paint was causing the biggest problems for her.

We chose a new neutral and she was off and running...well, until I got a call this week that they hated the paint color I chose for them.  I went right over to see what it was they hated.  It wasn't hard to figure out what the problem was and it wasn't the paint color. 

No, it was the lighting and the fact that they were judging the new color with a gold/green base beside the old pink color.  Of course the gold tones will look more shocking when placed next to pink. 

The second problem was their lighting.  In the bathroom fixtures, they had part incandescent and part fluorescent lights.  Incandescent gives off a warm light and flurorescent, a cool light.  The mixture and play of warm and cool was giving the paint a very strange tint that seemed to change as the natural daylight changed. 

I suggested that since they had only painted a bedroom and an adjoining bathroom, they needed to paint the hallway and change out all the lighting back to uniform incandescent before deciding if we change the paint color. 

The homeowner got busy and the next day when I checked in on  her progress, she was thrilled with the same old color we had chosen. 
Remember, light, space, and paint base makes all the difference in the world when it comes to choosing color.  Before jumping in with both feet, it's always wise to get a few sample paint pots and paint a small patch so you can observe how the natural light can change the intensity. 

Have you got a paint color problem in your house?  Get in touch and let's make it right.