Interior Design Simply Means Personalizing Your Interior Environment!

Monday, March 19, 2007

Interior Design today is all about customizing your built environment with conceptual planning, aesthetic sense and technical solutions applied to achieve the desired result. It goes beyond just the visual or ambient enhancement of an interior space, it seeks to optimize and harmonize the uses to which the built environment will be put. Between you and me, this jargon simply means dressing up your closed spaces to make them look their best. And just as you would dress for the occasion, your interiors need to be "dressed up" for a specific intended purpose or use. And that is where technical expertise really helps.

Interior Designs should reflect your needs.

Each space is unique with its own dimensions, construction, design potential and, of course, - limitations. Are you going to use that space for work or leisure, entertainment or learning, worship or healing? Can you create the ambience that you wish to convey be it power, authority, wisdom, and achievement, a sense of security, playfulness or serenity, as required by that space?

Consider the practical aspects. Is access easy, lighting adequate, acoustics soothing, and seating comfortable? And have you worked out strategies for wise storage space without forgetting special needs especially health and safety? Sounds a wee-bit difficult, isnt it? Despair not! You as user are the only one who can come up with all the right answers. Look for interior design ideas they are available aplenty. Its just this small matter of putting things together judiciously. Who knows? There could well be a Le Corbusier hiding somewhere in your persona!

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Interior Design For Couples

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Interior design for couples is one of the hottest, most popular types of design these days. In the past, men have not taken the initiative to actually be involved in the interior design of their homes, often resulting in very female orientated, elegant designs that are beautiful although not exactly appealing to the Saturday afternoon football crew. This type of design is often beautiful and can be ideal in certain situations. Although, more and more men today are interested in helping to decide what their home looks like on the inside!

Beware! Interior design for couples can put you (the designer) into a bit of a hot seat in the battle of the sexes. Here are a few tips on how to avoid disaster. First of all, always communicate with and listen to what both parties involved envision as being their dream space. Many times one party or the other will be much more dominate in the planning and conversations then the other. Take note of this and pay special attention to the quiet party by asking the questions and making sure to offer them the opportunity to express themselves. In this aspect of interior design for couples, you are the mediator. Take both sides into careful consideration before doing any planning.

During planning stages, again, be sure to include both parties in the process and if one person is noticeably quiet during the conversation, dont be shy to point things out that might be important to them. This way, you tend to buffer any arguments or resentment that may arise from your interjection of a neutral opinion or thoughts. If there are any problems, remind them both that your vision is to create a space that is pleasant and acceptable to both of them and that interior design for couples can be unpleasant but it is very easy to work within both persons boundaries in order to ensure that everyone is happy with the outcome.

If you see certain situations that you, as a designer can find ways to compromise in order to fit things into both peoples expectations this is key. Also, stress to both parties involved that a little give and a little take is vital when discussing and planning interior design for couples and that while they wont always reach the same conclusion, if they both make some trade offs it will create an environment they are both comfortable in.

If all else fails, encourage both people when making references to certain aspects of one anothers design ideas that they are good ideas that can be compatible with the others thoughts. Whenever dealing with interior design for couples, a certain he says, she says attitude is likely to arise at some point and it is your job as the designer to see that things work out smoothly and in the best interest of both people.

Color and furniture are normally the main items that are disagreed upon in interior design for couples. Suggest to the female counterpart that the leather sofa her husband is interested in can be a very classic and comfortable edition to any living space. Explain to her husband that the peach color she is looking for can actually be considered a light beige. You would be surprised what miracles a little bit of convincing can do when carried out in the right manner.

If neither party is willing to compromise, I have seen for instances when the designer actually had both of the couple write down their design needs/wants and do a point by point comparison/bargaining session that allowed each person an equal amount of yes and nos. Sound ridiculously childish? Be prepared!

Article Source: Interior Design Guide

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Spice Up Your Space With Lattice

Monday, March 05, 2007

Lattice can create architectural interest in an otherwise bland space. Primarily for outdoor use, lattice is becoming a popular indoor material and decorating tool. It is ideal for making quick home improvement projects, which will take no more than a day to complete in most cases. It is readily available in various styles. The slats can be shaped into interesting images and the wood itself can be filigreed. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate lattice into your decorating scheme.

1. You can position a lattice against a wall, on the ceiling or around windows to create architectural interest and make an impact in a room that lacks interest. It will create a focal point in an otherwise boring room.

2. If you want to conceal an unsightly view from a window, adding a lattice window will solve the problem. Add a simple windowsill at the bottom of the lattice to create an architectural detail. You can accessorise by placing a basket of flower on the windowsill or a pot of live plant.

3. Instead of just placing wallpapers, create a three dimensional appeal by adding a lattice to a wall. It can hide wall imperfections and uneven surface. It can also create room texture and interest. Add a molding to form a chair rail. Voila! You have now an interesting wall with details that a paint or wallpaper can't create.

4. Instead of the regular shutter designs, try using lattice as shutters. It can create that English garden feel right inside your own home.

5. If you get tired of either your kitchen or your bathroom cabinets, try removing the cabinet doors while leaving the frame intact. Replace the wood with lattice and you have a new cabinet look.

6. Use lattice as screens. If you want to divide a space in your living room or create a separate private nook for reading, a lattice screen can provide that decorating solution. You can also hang your favorite picture frames on the lattice to add zest.

7. You can use lattice shelves for storage or for displaying accessories like frames and vases.

8. Use lattice as a frame to hang your herbs and flowers. It will create a nice country look to your kitchen. It is a perfect framework for displaying your garden's bounty. For a more rustic and rough look, leave the wood unsanded.

9. To create a garden inspired bedroom, use a lattice headboard. A whitewash lattice is reminiscent of gardens from days gone by. To complete the garden inspiration, use floral prints and garden accessories.

Lattice is relatively easy to create and work with. You can make a lattice screen, shutter or window as a weekend project. Materials are readily available in your home improvement stores. This is actually a low cost solution to your decorating dilemmas.

Article Source: Interior Design Guide

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