Design Musings
Contrast and Juxtaposition
A small-scale print next to a large-scale print. An antique mirror next to a modern artwork.
To me, the most interesting spaces mix antiques and new items, time periods, and high and low. A successful "modern" design is rarely realized in a room full of new furniture and modern art.
Don’t be afraid of antiques. Once you live with old and imperfect items, you can see the beauty in their history and how they can make your space more interesting and layered. Not to mention, buying antiques is green and better for the planet than buying new. Adopting family heirlooms honors their former owners while making your space more layered and personal.
A designer’s Job is To Listen, Teach and Gently push
The best designers take time to ask questions in order to understand what a client loves. What colors make you feel something? What public spaces and restaurants do you love to visit? What movies move you? The best designers then uses their knowledge of design and their resources to bring these inspirations to the client's home in a way a client could not do for themselves, but makes it still feels like the client’s home.
For this to be work, clients have to be pushed out of their comfort zones. In my experience, the areas where a client is the most pushed are the areas they most love once the project is completed. I once insisted on hanging beautiful sconces over a kitchen island. "But the kitchen already has plenty of light," my client said. "Yes, this is not only about light. It is about structure and space." It is not easy to convince someone to spend their money on something they do not think they need. Recently this client told me that these lights are among the best things in their home.
Mixing High With Low
I have made this mistake over and over. I've bought a cheap rug and watched it fall apart. The fibers fall off and have to be vacuumed up. I spill on it and it’s permanently stained. Then I have to go and buy another rug! When you buy something a little nicer it is usually better quality. It feels better and is more resistant to wear and tear. As designer Miles Redd says, “buy the best and you only cry once.”
I believe in mixing high with low—and not everything needs to be the best, but when it comes to some key items in your home like sofas and rugs, I believe in buying the best you can afford because they can live with you for the rest of your life and will make your space so much more comfortable and enjoyable. You may even save money in the long run.
I find it is the things I don't do or don't buy that I end up regretting. When I take bigger swings that push me out of my comfort zone, I tend to love them the most and I am encouraged to keep growing and pushing.
Live Better By Design
Not very long ago, designers were hired to teach their clients how to live and entertain in society. How to host a party. How their homes should be set up for entertaining and living. I think a modern interpretation of this, is “how can I go into someone's home and take the time to understand how they live, and not only make their space more beautiful, but also more functional, and enjoyable to live in?” How can we make daily routines more enjoyable? Living with fresh flowers. Serving meals on beautiful plates and platters. Organizing spaces to make living better. Taking nerves out of entertaining, making it fun for you and enjoyable for you and your guests. I believe a beautiful and well-designed home will make you and your family happier.