11Feb / 2011

Why Hire a Designer?

You’ve got a house project you want to start. Maybe you’re ripping up floors, changing walls, or just getting new furniture and appliances. Or your office needs work. Everyone needs new cubical workstations and your break-room could use some new counters. Then someone suggests that you hire an Interior Designer.

And you think, “Why on Earth would I want to do that? Why pay someone for something I can do myself? I can handle all the details just fine.”

Maybe you can.

But I think that hiring a professional designer is the smart move. And paying a little now could save you lots in the future. For now, it’ll definitely save you time and stress; especially during the design process.

There are many reasons to hire an interior designer. Here are a few that top the list.

1. An Interior Designer will save you money.

Designers have extensive education and experience that will help prevent costly (and common) mistakes. We’re trained to do this. Would you fix your own cavity? Or call a dentist?

In designing, there are many choices, too many options, this product over that product. There are so many things that are hard to know unless you have encountered those dozens of times before. We have, so we can nip any issues in the bud.

2. An Interior Designer will save you time.

In the design process, our expertise will help you quickly reach a design solution for your space. An Interior Designer knows sources well enough to edit the options and offer seasoned advice to guide clients through the myriad of design choices. Interior Designers save you shopping time and work on-site. An Interior Designer will bring the “store” to you.

Once you hire an Interior Designer and make a plan, he or she does most of the work. We call the contractors and sub contractors. We make sure that deliveries happen on time and that you get what you ordered. No pressure for you.

3. An Interior Designer has access to resources that you don’t.

There’s a world of furnishings, fabrics, case goods and accessories that are “to the trade only.” Designers have access to local and national manufacturers and products that would otherwise be unavailable to most consumers. And any design is only as good as its execution. Designers work with the best workrooms, carpenters, and painters and have the clout to make sure the price matches the quality.

4. An Interior Designer will help you set priorities.

We like budgets. Believe it or not, having a frame of reference to work within makes everything easier. An Interior Designer will help allocate your “design dollars.” We can advise you how best to spend your money now and how to plan for future phases of your design project.

5. An Interior Designer will be your liaison/advocate.

Interior Designers work with tradespeople and manufacturers regularly, so we have more leverage to get things repaired or replaced when necessary. Even after the job is done.

6. An Interior Designer will work through opposing taste.

Interior Designers can be the third party to join taste and style between husband and wife or significant other. Think of it as a little additional marriage counseling!

7. An Interior Designer gets the job done.

Interior Designers see to it that everything is completed. Often when a project drags on for months, clients might be inclined to leave those few details undone if they are doing it themselves. It’s the Interior Designer’s job to see to it that every aspect is completed to your satisfaction.

These are just a few of the reasons to hire an Interior Designer. Have others? Let me know! Or if you still have questions about why, ask me!

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09Feb / 2011

Spruce it Up! Pt 1

About once a week, I’ll be posting easy (and relatively inexpensive) tips to help you spruce up different rooms in your house. Today’s tip can be applied anywhere in the house: Paint.

Painting is one of the easiest ways to make a major change to any room. And it doesn’t have to be a dramatic change in color, either.

From this:

to this:

It isn’t a major change, just a very pale rose/cream color. But the little bit of extra color warms up the room and makes it seem less imposing. The white trim gives a nice accent, but natural wood works just as well.

Or you can go a little more dramatic:

A darker or more vibrant color can make a large room feel more cozy and welcoming. And leaving the ceiling and trim a lighter color keeps the walls from feeling too close. In addition, the new color on the wall can make your existing art and accessories pop.

It’s amazing how different colors can influence the feeling of a room. Here’s an unpainted bathroom, then the same bathroom in 2 different colors.

The pale green makes the bathroom a fresh, airy room while the purple gives the room an elegant, sophisticated feeling.

One of the best things about painting is that it doesn’t require a lot of extra materials and tools. Usually you just need painting tape (the bright blue masking tape), a few drop cloths (I use old shower curtains), a roller and a brush to do touch-up/edges. And for the last, I just use one of those paint brushes that used to come with my Crayola watercolor sets.

As for paint finishes, it really depends on the room and how much wear and tear it receives. For bathrooms and other rooms that get a lot of moisture, semi-gloss paint is best. Semi-gloss or satin is good for rooms that will have the walls wiped down on a semi-regular basis. Flat paint is great for rooms that don’t get a lot of traffic or if you don’t have small kids. The only issue with flat paint is that if you scrub it with a sponge or rag, the color can come off.

There are many brands of interior latex paint out there, and for the most part quality doesn’t differ. At the top of the spectrum is Benjamin Moore paint. I love it, but it can get pricey. You also will probably have to go to a specialty paint store to find Benjamin Moore. Behr is another great brand with a more reasonable price range. You can find Behr paint at Home Depot. Other reasonably priced (and decent quality) paint brands include Miller and Dutch Boy. However, know that cheaper brands usually mean thinner paint, which translates into more coats needed for full coverage. Sometimes it’s worth it to buy one gallon of the expensive stuff, rather than 2 or 3 gallons of the cheaper stuff.

If you have the time and patience, you can often find a great value on paint at stores like Fred Meyer and Home Depot in their “mis-mixed” section. A lot of home improvement and paint stores will sell mixed/tinted paint at a discounted price if customers decide they don’t like the color or if the mix doesn’t come out “just right.” It’s rare to find more than a gallon in any mis-mixed color, so you’ll likely have to pay full price for any additional paint you need. But it can be fun to look through those mis-mixed colors – sometimes you’ll find a color you never considered before.

So have at it! Paint away and spruce up an old room.

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09Feb / 2011

EcoSmart Fires

This was supposed to be yesterday’s post, but things happen and it got pushed back. So today you’ll get a double.

First, I have to point out my all-time favorite fireplace company – EcoSmart.

EcoSmart fires are ventless (so no chimneys or exterior vents) and burn bio ethanol. Bio ethanol is a renewable liquid fuel produced from agricultural by-products. It burns clean, which means no smoke or harmful emissions. Bio ethanol is completely composed of plant products – no petroleum – so you can feel better about having a beautiful fire in your home.

“From hand crafted freestanding pieces of “fire” furniture, to grates for traditional fireplace conversion, through to firebox inserts for built-in custom designs andburner kits for bespoke settings – EcoSmart Fire offers a complete collection of versatile and award winning fireplace solutions that make having an open flame incredibly easy – whatever the setting – at the same time as being good for the environment.”

So these can go anywhere! Put one in place of your old wood- or propane-burning stove. Have one in the middle of your living room. Or use the smaller ones outside.

The Zeta is one of my favorites. I haven’t had a chance to see it in the showroom yet, but I love the combination of wood, leather, and stainless steel. Plus, it’s freestanding and portable. How cool is that?

The Vision is a favorite because you can see through it. Which means you can put it just about anywhere without blocking too many sight-lines. And since most of the EcoSmart products can be fully customized, you can easily find a color/finish that fits your design.

The Igloo is much more contemporary, and fits well with modern, sleek homes. ”It’s distinctive and original, featuring a toughened glass surround that conveys a ‘disappearing’ effect. A stainless steel bench is suspended between the glass surround, and this unique form allows the flame to ‘dance’ in many directions off the reflective glass panels, generating ambience and warmth and ensuring a stunning centrepiece.”

Finally, EcoSmart has a line of outdoor fireplaces that are also suitable for indoor use.

At 792mm (about 2.5 feet) this isn’t exactly a “lantern,” but I’d love to have one in my yard. If I had a yard. I can just imagine the fun shadows this must cast when it’s lit. And I love the fact that this is a slightly more traditional-looking style for EcoSmart.

So if you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly fireplace option, check out EcoSmart. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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07Feb / 2011

The Opera

It’s a table. Not a musical style. At least, not for this post. And it’s probably one of the best extensible table I’ve seen in a very long time. From Bauline, an Italian furniture company, comes this innovative design.

Closed, it measures a mere 130 cm (51.1 inches) in diameter. That’s just slightly smaller than your average round dining table. But this table comes in 3 different styles; one has 2 leaves, one with 4 leaves, and one with 6 leaves. Each leaf measures 45 cm (about 18 inches). Which means depending on which style you have, your table can extend from 175 cm (about 70 inches) to 400 cm (157.5 inches, or just over 13 feet). So you can comfortably seat anywhere from 4 to 16 people around the table.

Just imagine the possibilities. It’s perfect for anyone who does a lot of entertaining but doesn’t need or want a huge table all the time.

I especially love the hidden support leg. And the fact that the table is wood (ash, to be exact) lends a traditional feel to the ultra-modern design. If you have kids or just want a little more protection, a lacquer finish is available on request.

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06Feb / 2011

Fancy That

Pollack’s new spring line of textiles has a couple fun, new patterns that I’m just itching to use.

Pollack is a New York-based textile/fabric company. They’ve been in the commercial market since 1988, and the residential market since 1995. Now they do pretty much 50/50 commercial and residential. Their products are distinctive and luxurious. And worth every penny.

The first line of the spring collection is Pure, a continuation of a line introduced in January 2010.

“Pure, introduced in January 2010, is the first new product label in our history. Sensuous and spare, it is a distillation of what we have built our celebrated reputation on: textiles of uncommon beauty that are the result of innovative materials and fine engineering. Pure, however, highlights natural fibers and focuses on nuanced texture over color and pattern. The Spring 2011 collection of Pure presents ten new patterns that continue this celebration of the essential.”

I especially like the Impressionist Velvet. It brings to mind artists such as Cassatt, Guillaumin, and Monet.

But my favorite new collection is Fancy That.

“Beginning with the collection namesake, Fancy That, this group of fourteen fabrics demonstrates the craftsmanship, color sophistication and sense of value built into all our textiles. Element and its kin act as the core, hard-working, cost-conscious patterns that most installations require. Yet they look far more than the part, and pair wonderfully with the more dramatic patterns, unique textures and velvet surfaces that fill out this collection.”

I love the 60s feel in both the colors and graphics. I could see this on an accent chair or pillow. Just a splash of color to liven up a room.

Then there’s Squirt.

I’d use this on a sofa or loveseat. Or even a fabric headboard. Normally I’m not one for floral patterns, but this doesn’t really strike me as very flowery. Heck, I bet there are guys who wouldn’t even argue over having this fabric in their house.

In May, I’m headed to NYC for a week. You can bet I’m going to do everything possible to get a tour of the Pollack showroom while I’m there. Maybe I’ll even end up with a few samples to share when I come back home.

Here’s hoping.

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05Feb / 2011

A Wood Showerhead?

Showerheads are fascinating.

And most of you are saying, “Um….not really.” But they are. Because they’re one of the most standard (read: boring) elements of a typical bathroom, but they have the potential to be so much more.

Like this wood shower head, Terra Marique, by RARE. Which won the recipient of the Good Design Award for Bath and Accessories 2010.

This is a solid wood showerhead with a “dispensing tank” that prevents the water from coming into contact with the wood. Mihran Rovelli Manoukian, the designer, incorporated a steel core in the showerhead, and the water passes through silicon tubes, so no damage to that beautiful wood.

Pretty neat, huh? Personally, I think this is the most beautiful and intriguing showerheads I’ve ever seen. Pair it with a glass enclosure and RARE’s steel based-wood slat floors for an in-home spa experience.

Bonus points: this showerhead is eco-friendly. Rare guarantees that Terra Marique will save water by reducing consumption from 40 liters per minute to just 6. (For those who don’t do metric, that’s a reduction from approximately 10.6 gallons/minute to 1.6 gallons/minute.)

Here’s hoping these become available in the US soon.

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04Feb / 2011

Tile

Tile is one of my favorite finishes. Mostly I love that you can use it on floors, counters, or walls. And in almost any room in the house – kitchen, bathroom, foyer, living room, dining room; the possibilities are virtually endless.

One of my favorite places to look for tile is at Ann Sacks. They have something for pretty much anyone in their showroom. Whether you’re looking for something traditional:

Something modern:

Or something completely unique:

Ann Sacks has such a wide range of styles available, that it’s rare to walk away without finding something you love.

My current favorite is the “Aura” glass tile line. If I could do my entire bathroom in this line of tiles, I would. Every color, every size makes me feel alive.

According to the tear sheet, Aura glass is designed to create dramatic interiors with a rich, variegated palette based upon the colors of nature. The dramatic colorations of this tile are introduced during the fusing process, securing the dye within the glass, and thus eliminate any fading or change in the depth or range of the color over time. Aura Glass Tile

Suitable for wall applications, the Aura glass tiles are warm and inviting, even in the cooler color range. I can just imagine soaking in a bubble bath, surrounded by walls covered in Sapphire Aura glass.

Or Gold.

Or Bark.

Or Chestnut.

Where would you use tile in your house?

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03Feb / 2011

A New Year

新年快乐

(Happy New Year!)

Today is the beginning of a new year. And what better time to start a new blog? Okay, so it’s not exactly a “new year” according to the Western world. But it is Chinese New Year. And I’m not Chinese, nor do I live in China. But I needed an excuse to get started, and this seemed as good as any.

So. My blog. Or more accurately, Dewhurst Interior Design’s blog. Ideally, this will be dedicated to design ideas, trends, tips and tricks. Amazing interiors and not-so-amazing interiors. I’ll address questions you send me, and show you what I’m working on.

For now, I’ll leave you with a few gorgeous images of Asian-inspired interior design. Enjoy!

I just LOVE the soft grey-green paired with the dark wood console. I could definitely unwind in this room.

The simplicity of this design makes the bedroom a relaxing retreat from daily stresses.

This bedroom isn’t quite as simple, but the cool turquoise still makes for a relaxing environment.

Here’s a modern take on an Asian-influenced living/family room. I don’t know about the character over the television, but I think the red wall, paired with the red wood floor, makes for a stunning design.

And this living room design uses a much more traditional approach to Asian design. I think this room looks very warm and inviting.

Finally, here’s a patio design with a distinctly Asian flair.

Let me know what sort of Asian-inspired designs you like! Have you used any in your own home/workplace? What about other world-culture influences? I’d love to hear from you!

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Newer posts →

Eat, Sleep, Breathe, Design

Why Hire a Designer?

1. An Interior Designer will save you money.

2. An Interior Designer will save you time.

3. An Interior Designer has access to resources that you don’t.

4. An Interior Designer will help you set priorities.

5. An Interior Designer will be your liaison/advocate.

6. An Interior Designer will work through opposing taste.

7. An Interior Designer gets the job done.

Spruce it Up! Pt 1

EcoSmart Fires

The Opera

Fancy That

A Wood Showerhead?

Tile

A New Year

新年快乐

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