Decorating Gods vs. the Real World

There is an ongoing battle in the design world of trends vs. things you love. Many times we are shamed by decorating gods pushing trends and themes. You go back into your home and look at the things you love and wonder if you need to get rid of them. No you don’t! I feel very strongly about mixing in elements that you love with good design.

Many people chase trends, and become vulnerable to what stores and magazines advocate. But that only leaves you with an overexposed purchase, meaning that you are likely to run into your same lamp at a couple of neighbors and friends homes.

Your life, home and family are unique and your design should reflect that in a comfortable way. If you like a certain look, material or texture, go for it! A designer will show you how to mix and utilize it in a balanced way. We believe in the value of design that you love and one that lasts.

Redesign or Staging, What is the Difference?

Redesign is getting your home or space up to date. Staging prepares your home for sale.

Redesign can range from rearranging your existing furniture to painting your walls. This maintains or expresses your personality throughout your home. This is can be used to keep your home feeling fresh and new. Our staging services help you eliminate extra pieces of furniture and, in the right amount, to remove personal touches. By doing this we help your house look like a model home. The key is to provide just enough warmth to convince a person that they could live here, without distracting them with too much of your personality that may be very different from yours.

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Neutral Colors and Classic Pieces

Lately, people have been talking of nothing else but the economy. We have also been talking about it at our own office, both professionally and personally.  I have never been about budget decorating, but about the value in doing design that is classic in styling.  It is about a beautiful environment and creating a home that will withstand the years of use by both pets and children, yet still look great.  Trends come and go, and if we buy what’s in style today, and not think about how it will look a few years from now, we often will ask ourselves “What were we thinking?”. When we invest in design pieces that are classic in styling, we will generally love them today and tomorrow.

I dated a man in the eighties who had a home with a lime green shag carpeting.  It was definitely installed in the early seventies and looked dated.  I knew I wasn’t moving into this home with the lime green carpeting.  If the carpeting had been a great neutral color, which could range from any beige, brown, whites or grays, I wouldn’t have remembered the carpet to this day and would have been happy to live with what was there until it could have been changed.  It was a deal breaker for me.

What I am recommending today is to stay neutral and play up the trends in wall color and accessories.  Feel good this year, and buy a few pieces of beautiful classic furniture or simple drapery with beautiful lush fabrics.

I am ready to turn the page from last year to this year.  We want to wish all who read this blog a healthy and happy New Year and a year that is calmer and has hope for peace.

Arlene

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Interior Designer-Interior Designer Decorator Kansas City

I am asked many times what is the difference between interior designers and interior decorators. I would say that an Interior designer has been schooled in interior design. An interior decorator has decided they like the profession and hangs up their shingle. They may have been a drug rep one week and call themselves interior decorator the next week. They often charge the same as a qualified interior designer. In Kansas City we have Johnson County Community College which has an excellent interior design program that is either 2 or 3 years. We also have interior design programs at the many of the four year universities in Kansas and Missouri.

A Qualified Interior Designer in  Kansas City  should be able to take a home from the planning stages of a new home or remodel to the final accessories. They can also just assist the client in furniture or window treatments. We can design kitchens and bathrooms with the elevations and selections for our clients. We can also do smaller projects, one room at a time. A decorator will be able to do furniture and custom drapery, but decorators often lack the skills of floor plans and elevations for more difficult projects.

It would seem to me that a person who is interested in interior design in their home would check out the qualifications of the designer they are wanting to use in their home. The American Association Of Interior Designers would be a great way to start the search. In my company we have a team of 3 designers and we are members of that organization. We are also members or The National Association For the Remodeling Industry. We take alot of continuing education in our field to offer our clients the best of interior design.

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