The Value of Hiring an Interior Designer
Stanley Ambercrombie, one of the most influential design writers of our time and the editor for Interior Design magazine said it best. "Art is worth paying for because, in these days of social discontent and random violence, in these days of homelessness, drugs, guns, and pandemic, when our urban environments are becoming gradually more brutalized, we increasingly need both physical and mental refuge from that brutalization. We need the solace of interiors that are not only intelligently functional but also intelligently artful. In these days more than ever, the art of interior design is worth paying for, because a heightened quality of life is worth paying for." I agree wholeheartedly.
How Much Does An Interior Designer Really Cost?
Many factors come into play when it comes to how much an interior designer costs. Some designers only charge by the hour, others charge by the hour with a markup on materials, offer a flat rate fee (fixed fee), work off the square footage of the project, or charge a percentage of the total overall project budget. What it comes down to is their experience. You are paying designers for how they use their knowledge to achieve the outcome you want.
Read more for the most common pricing models interior designers charge for their services in today’s market.
What to Look for in a Good quality Contractor
If you are planning on a new build, renovation project, or adding square footage to your home, it's important to hire not only a good general contractor that provides quality workmanship, but also one that you connect with. Mistakes made by an inexperienced or low quality contractor are very costly and can increase your investment significantly past the higher bid of another contractor.
Here are 6 things you should you look for in a quality general contractor.
Embrace Quiet Luxury in your home and lifestyle
Quiet luxury emphasizes understated elegance with a focus on high-quality materials, beauty, functionality, and timeless appeal. It's a movement toward warm minimalism that prioritizes comfort and simplicity with soothing gentle hues, organic neutrals, and earthy browns. These soothing color palettes create serene and calming spaces that feel sophisticated and luxurious without ostentation.
Here are 5 tips for incorporating quiet luxury not only in your home but also as a lifestyle.
Benefits to Living A Simpler Lifestyle
The pandemic brought a major change to people’s wants, needs, and lifestyles from daily behaviors and routines to long term planning and goals. People were forced to re-prioritize their life. The desire to simplify, turning complication into ease and stress into calm was at the forefront of people’s minds. It’s about making the conscious choice to live an authentic, healthy, and simpler life with intention, starting with your mindset. Do you think simple means “boring, dull, or plain? It’s quite the opposite. Simple is beautiful, elegant, and timeless - rich in positive connotation.
Here are a few ways to help you transition to living a simpler life which leads to true freedom.
The freedom of living less
Small is beautiful. People are moving away from larger homes regardless of what all the design magazines show. Baby boomers are downsizing to smaller homes for easier maintenance and millennials focused on their careers are looking to purchase their starter home. Smaller homes allow people to invest more of their money into experiences so they have the freedom to live a better, more fulfilled lifestyle.
Below are 6 reasons why smaller homes are more attractive, appealing, and have bigger charm, improving the quality of your life.
How To Prepare For Your First Kitchen Renovation
Are you thinking about renovating your kitchen this year, but aren't sure where to start or how to prepare? The thought of a renovation project can be overwhelming and scary, especially if you haven’t gone through one before. It will test you physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. You will be required to make hundreds of decisions about design, materials, finishes, and fixtures, demanding so much of your time that it will affect your life.
However, if you follow the 5 tips below It will help you prepare for your first kitchen renovation.
Ways to create a peaceful Home that enhances your quality of life
It’s been challenging in this chaotic world and we are all learning to remain calm and grounded in uncertain times. Peace, calm, and serenity in our lives is what we are all striving for amid stressful and challenging situations. The best way to do that is to start with where you feel the most safe, most authentic, and most comfortable - your home.
Here are a few ways to create a peaceful space, making life easier so you can enjoy the present moment - mind, body, and soul.
How To Select Lights For Your Kitchen Island Or Peninsula
There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to selecting lights for your island or peninsula. Most people select lights that are too small for the space.
An oversized light over a counter creates a focal point that makes a bold statement in your kitchen. It's a great conversation piece. With thousands of lighting options out there in the market, how do you start?
Below are 7 tips on how to select lights that work for your kitchen island or peninsula.
Create a Cozy and Relaxing Bedroom that promotes well-being
Everything around us from our home to the people we hang out with to the objects that hold meaning for us is a natural extension of ourselves. Since we spend most of our time in the bedroom sleeping, reading, relaxing, meditating, or sharing intimate moments with loved ones, it’s natural to want our bedroom to look and feel cozy, warm, and inviting,. At the end of the day, we all want to be ourselves where we can express our creativity in a bedroom that reflects our aesthetic and lifestyle - free from stress, worries, and drama.
Whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, any other special occasion, or year-round, here are 6 ways to create a cozy and relaxing bedroom sanctuary that promotes our self-care and well-being.
Interview With My First Client Whose Bedroom Design Was Saved To Over 25K Ideabooks in Houzz
l thought I would do something a bit different on my blog by interviewing my very first client! Nicola, who is an HR Director for tech companies was my very first client who gave me an opportunity to design her beautiful sunny 1920’s Marina-style home in Potrero Hill. Continue reading to see what design problem she needed help with and why she hired an interior designer to transform her home.