Style WARS! Episode 3: Revenge of the Indefinables

In this final part of our 3 part series, we tackle perhaps the most fickle of the design studio types - The Indefinables..

Claiming to have an "evolving" design style, it's quite the task to see where these designers and their respective design studios fit in today's industry.. Having an evolving design style would surely make them an integral part of the Trend Clones section right?? Imagine putting a green dress into your shopping basket and then when you get to pay for it, the dress has changed into a green skirt - it's unexpected and not what you wanted to buy.. Now apply this strange but simple idea to hiring a designer, you want to know what they do, how they do it and what results you should expect before you spend the cash right? 

I mean, not having a style is a great ideal and it's one that I put into practice on a daily basis through my design company, but claiming to have an evolving style is something that just isn't possible.. How can you attract client's if you have an evolving style, how do prospective client's know what they're paying for?? I think these designers need to define themselves in one way or another so that design seekers know where and indeed what it is they're looking for.. 

So I guess having a design style is actually quite important, but it doesn't have to be limited.. Spread your wings and don't be afraid to tackle any of the projects that find their way to your door - diversity is fantastic when it comes to design, especially interiors as no other place on earth is our own... 

Our homes, and indeed our business interiors are visual expressions of who we are, what we do and what we strive for - so this needs to be expressed in a way that's unique, that fits the client perfectly and having an evolving style does lend itself to this ideal, but it must stand proud in some way and take ownership of who and what they are or do. 

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Style WARS! Episode 2: Attack of the Trend Clones

Continuing on from Episode 1: The Signature Style Menace, we move our attention to the 2nd of the 3 design company types - The Trend Clones...

You may remember that these were the design companies which are heavily influenced by the current design trends and fashions available.. In not only the design world, but society in general - fashion is a key influential element of our day-today lives.. Many of us shop for the latest clothes, search for the newest gadgets and culturally spend our time in the new trendy bars, clubs or restaurants in the cool parts of town. It's just a way of life so why shouldn't the way we decorate our homes or style our stores be any different?? 

First of all, I have to admit that fashion is also a key element to my life too.. Interior design is an image based industry and so, looking the part and having the latest tools available to do my job is important - but so is authenticity... I think this is where the companies might need to adjust their design choices...

Sticking with the trends or latest products is fine, but don't be too regimental with the choices - you need to inject the character of the space, the personality of it's occupants and the authenticity of the design needs of the client into the palette too.. I think this is the only way to run a successful design studio that's influenced in this way.. If you were to stick to the boundaries of the trends, your designs might appear to be too regimented, too straight or strict so to speak - you know what I mean??? They'd have no character or individuality - and that is IMPORTANT!!!

I may go on to add that although I feel the inclination to just stick within the design trends is a bad idea (design trends change and therefore become dated quite quickly), some of the latest products of their time - such as the Eames Chairs, are still available today and continue to sit well within a wide variety of interior styles... So fashions or trends do have a part to play in the design field of today, but it certainly shouldn't be your only influence... A box is to be opened, a door is to be walked through and a light is to be switched on - do the same with your designs and you shall enjoy the fruits of your labor - leaving the box closed, waiting at the door and indeed designing in the dark will only lead to design disaster after design disaster....

Don't be a Trend Clone - be you, yourself, your own...

Watch out for Part 3 - Revenge of the Undefinable's...

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Style WARS - Episode 1: The Signature Style Menace

Within the ranks of today's interior design business, a designers "style" has become their calling card - their "signature" so to speak, but is this for the better? 

Some would argue that having a specific design style is how they attract business, being well known for that style, be it contemporary, minimalist, eclectic or even classical - lovers of those styles are actively seeking out their respective design guru's... 

Interior design companies are usually split into 3 categories:

1. The companies that have a "signature" style/look that they do extremely well and have become well known in the industry for "that" style...
2. You have the companies that are heavily influenced by the current design trends or fashions - often sitting on the fence-line of proclaiming to be "boutique" studios...
3. And finally you have the companies that have an even shakier foundation - claiming to have an "evolving" style that lends itself to being versatile...

Today we're going to talk a little bit about number 1 - the Signature Style Menace...

Let me begin by saying that having a "Signature Style" does have it's benefits:

• They have a simplified marketing requirement - their target market has already been defined... 
• Signature stylists can take advantage of relaxed product sourcing and design library population needs...
• Defined design brief parameters in terms of speedy design brief analysis...
• And most of all - a predetermined audience that's actively seeking that particular "style" of designer...

Sounds good doesn't it - well what about the flaws???

Now I know what you're thinking - HOW can there be flaws, it seems like such a simple yet rewarding set-up.. Okay yes, having these defined market boundaries is quite simple, but isn't "boundaries" the operative word here?? Why would you want to be bound in any way?? Isn't interior design a creative industry?? Sure, even if you are bound by your own style, there's still room for creativity in your work as each and every client - and indeed their space is quite unique, but there's still a limit to what you can achieve..

I personally think that industry training has some part to play in the signature style trend within design companies, and this is why.. When I did my training at the Regent Academy in London, we were taught about the history of interiors and heavily driven to apply this history to our work. It was these design style classics that shaped the interiors of today and even now (with the current retro/reclamation themed trends) these historical giants (such as shabby chic, rococo, baroque and many others) are reflected in our choices...

The design educators of today do "touch" on the subject of interior design history, but the content and degree of training in these areas is (in my opinion) far less detailed than the training I (and indeed some of my colleagues) undertook many years ago...

To sum up today's blog, I guess the question here is.... Should a Professional Interior Designer be defined (and indeed bound) by a "signature style", or should designers (and design educators) be open to the fact that diversity in what they do - is actually a GOOD thing???

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The Great Wallpaper Debacle...

Love it or hate it - Wallpaper has been around for quite some time and with the creation of new styles, vibrant colour ranges, fashionable textures and new levels of customisation being achieved - Wallpaper is here to stay!!

So what's all the fuss about??

Wallpaper has a lot going for it - it's relatively easy to apply, creates an instant "WOW" factor or feature in almost any space, the range is endless and to be honest it's not as expensive as you might think.. Along with colour, pattern can serve many functions in your home or commercial space -  it can be a focal point or a backdrop, it can attract attention, create a mood and even alter the apparent dimensions of a room. Patterned wall coverings can soften angles and are more effective than plain surfaces for disguising an odd-shaped room or uneven walls.

Here are some examples of how Wallpaper can impact your space:

As you can see with these examples, large, bold patterns – like deep, rich colours – are intense and active; they work best as focal points in large living areas or commercial spaces. This is because bright colours and busy patterns slap you in the face when you come across them, it's as if they advance towards you, demanding your attention and drawing you in:

Other styles tend to do the opposite, like with these examples - subtle patterns and pale, neutral colours are not so aggressive and offer a less challenging backdrop. This is because they give off a sense of space and light whilst encouraging passive moods - these styles tend to drop away form the eye and create a calming, balanced and restful spaces to enjoy:

What about "Digital Art" wallpapers?? These are FANTASTIC for creating a statement, and the possibilities are endless... Used a lot on commercial spaces, wall-art or "murals" as they were once known are becoming more and more popular as public awareness and style customisation reaches new heights.. Just have a look at these exmples:

As you can see, the possibilities are endless and now that we have new application technologies (such easy peel and paste the wall), there really isn't a valid reason to not consider WALLPAPER when looking to improve the look of your home or commercial interiors...

Are you looking to introduce Wallpaper into your space?? Why don't you give us a call on: 1300 30 20 74 to see how we can help you!!

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Why should you use a Professional Interior Designer?? - Part 10 - They will help you create a beautiful HOME!

In this final part of the article, Alexandrea sums it up by saying:-

We all want to live in a home that not only reflects our sense of style and personality, but that simply makes us feel good. Functional, aesthetic, and timeless spaces cannot be whipped together with minimal effort – the careful planning, consideration and professional finesse of a designer is often the key to creating a space you will love for years to come. 

10. They will help you create a beautiful HOME.

Well, I don't think I can say it any better than the wonderful Alexandrea.. She really has captured the underlying fact that we all want what's best for us, or families and our future generations to come. Whether it's a family home, future investment or indeed a treasured home that's been in your family for centuries - give it the care, attention, and love it deserves by employing a Professional Interior Designer to guide you through that tricky renovation process, home improvement mine-field or finishing touches fiasco.. Your HOME deserves it!!

      

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Why should you use a Professional Interior Designer?? - Part 9 - They're FLEXIBLE!

Designers can assist you with as much, or as little, as you would like. The time poor can celebrate in the fact that their designer is capable of completing the entire project from start to finish with minimal involvement on their end. Alternatively, your designer could assist you with the smaller tasks, such as simply helping you choose your colours, fabrics or furniture items. Pricing is scaled according to how much time and work you require from your designer  – often people don’t realise how affordable it can be.

9. They're FLEXIBLE

As a Professional Interior Designer myself, one of the biggest issues with the industry is the fact that many potential clients don't really realise that, as Alexandrea says, interior design can actually be more affordable than they first imagined.

Throughout the industry, pricing structures differ quite largely and I believe this is one of the problems we have to overcome. Some designers charge a standard fee for full packages and an hourly rate for smaller projects, others charge an hourly rate for whatever work they undertake.. I have known hourly rates starting at just $90.00 and some north of $180.00 per hour - quite a difference!! So how do clients know where they should be looking? First thing they should do is check out their work, chat to past clients, is the company a member of the DIA (Design Institute of Australia), are they qualified, do they have HIA or BSA registration, what do you get for your doe and of course, do they fit your style ideals?? 

One really great place to look is for NEW Blood, new design companies are out there looking to break into the industry and of course, often offer discount rates to clients that help them achieve this.. Another advantage to these companies is that they're often fresh from studies and SUPER passionate about design and seriously clued into the latest fashions, trends and market leading products! 

No matter where you go, make sure they speak your language and they're reputable.. 

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Why should you use a Professional Interior Designer?? - Part 8 - They know what SELLS!

The next part of Alexandrea's article could well be one of the most important, if not at least the one that most home owners will care about - Resale Value! Whether you’re looking to sell your home in the near future or far down the track, having your home professionally designed and decorated is a worthwhile investment. Buyers in the property market have never been savvier, and can pick a quick-fix from a carefully considered design in a second. Investing in interior design or decorating services is an investment in your future.

8. They know what SELLS!

If you take the time to do a bit of digging around on the internet or contacting your local HIA branch, it's amazing to see what information you can find about the market trends and conditions. When I last had a look (about a month ago), these were the TOP 10 home improvements that were in demand:

1. Whirlpool Bath
2. Swimmimg Pool
3. Game/Billiard Room
4. Large Walk-in Closets
5. Fireplace
6. State-of-the-art Kitchen
7. Sauna/Steam Room
8. Gym/Fitness Room
9. High-Tech Entertainment Centre
10. Patio's Porches & Decks

Now it's worth mentioning that although the contents of this list didn't change, the order of preference changed between the generational sectors. With this information, professional designers are equipped with the knowledge and expertise required to help any client reap the highest rewards from their renovating buck!!

Of course, it goes without saying that the style of the property and your target markets are are also major factors to consider and again, a Professional Interior Designer is a "must have" when renovating or updating your home.

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Why should you use a Professional Interior Designer?? - Part 7 - They have a Trained Eye!

Have you ever wondered how Designers seem to just get it right, the first time, EVERY time?? In Alexandrea's article, the respected writer notes that having a "trained eye" - the difference between a cohesive and harmonious living space which feels perfectly balanced in a room which appears slightly 'off', throwing out any sense of feng shui and positive energy. Whether you're aware of it or not, each and every room in your home (and indeed your office or business space) has the ability to make you feel something; meditive, energised, aggravated, the list is endless.. A Professional Interior Designer will consider the purpose of the chosen space and exactly how you want it to make you feel, a vital aspect of creating a liveable and enjoyable home.

So how does we "Designer Types" do this??

7. They have a Trained Eye..

This part is all down to the elements we've already spoken about and creating an ambiance, a mood or setting the scene for the purpose of that space.. For instance, when you go into your bedroom after a long day at work, do you want the room to make you feel energised or restful? Do you want your bathroom to feel dark and serene or bright, clean and fresh? What about your living space - is this the place you want to kick back and relax or is it a place to hold a formal get together or social event (maybe you want it to be both), no matter what your needs are, the space needs to convey that mood and indeed that purpose.

This is a bit out there but, imagine calling for a builder and they turn up in a nurses uniform, or a fireman and he turns up on a motorcycle and not the big red fire engine - it just doesn't work and it's certainly not what you expected.. Now think about how that would make you feel?? Would you laugh, would you feel disappointed, angry or even bewildered and out of sorts??

Now apply this method of thinking to the rooms in your home.. If a room doesn't feel like you need or want it to, the space can leave you feeling a whole range of emotions and maybe even unbalanced. Consider finding yourself feeling sleepy in the lounge and bouncing off the walls in the dinning room, not the perfect mix right!! This is why getting the balance perfectly in tune with your needs is so important and well worth shelling out a bit of cash for a Professional Designer to work their magic for you! 

Why should you use a Professional Interior Designer?? - Part 5 & 6 - They're Creative & "BIG" Picture People!

Okay so, the reason for the "DOUBLE" post is that these two subjects are closely related to one another... 

Alexandrea writes that all Interior Designers have one thing in common - they're inherently creative! Creativity is the basis for all resourceful, beautiful design and is the driving force behind a designers passion for their work. Remember, a designers creativity doesn't just extend to a customised table or hand-painted artwork - creativity through interior design branches much further. It encompasses the way you use your various living spaces, the purpose a particular item of furniture serves and how you interact with the various elements of your home.. An example of this can be found in a simple element such as the seating arrangements: if you placed two, three seater couches opposite one another, but say 5/6 meters apart and sat one person on each - how much conversation between the two would you imagine their being? Not much I can tell you - so as you can see, Professional Interior Design covers many more aspects of your home than you may initially realise..

So how can we go into Creativity with a little more detail?

5. They're Creative..

You may or may not know that our creativity comes from the right side of the brain. This is where the brains Intuitive, Random, Holistic & Subjective thoughts come from - the right side of the brain is responsible for looking at wholes (This is the "BIG" Picture connection)..  All of these elements are related to creativity! I feel that creativity should be exercised and developed, much like an athlete (an AFL or Rugby player) who might work on their Goal Scoring or Passing techniques - an Interior Designer should hone their creativity.. 

I'm not sure about other Design Companies, but the company I run is passionate about our creativity.. We carry out Daily, Weekly and indeed Monthly exercises to develop our creativity. Some of the things we do include, brushing our teeth with our left hand (or right of you're a lefty) the night before work, we take part in weekly design solution/problem solving competitions and once a month we get together to do a Group Creativity Workshop which might include getting out into nature and using different mediums to represent what we see and even take part in Creative Thinking activities such as Mind Mapping.. 

The fact that seeing the "BIG" picture is closely connected to creativity, Alexandrea asks:

"Have you ever attempted to decorate a room and ended up with far too many knick knacks, cushions or colours?" - no matter how good your intentions are, you cant seem to get the balance right? An Interior Designer is the instant solution to this problem! Their propensity to envision the "BIG" Picture throughout the entire design process prevents the design and budgetary mishaps and will ensure a seamless flow throughout the entire project, minus the 500 cushions!!

6. They're "BIG" Picture People..

Seeing the "BIG" Picture is a skill that designers learn during their professional training and hone as they get more and more experienced. Although we've mentioned that "right brainers" are inherently blessed with the ability to look at wholes, getting the balance right is not such an easy task. One golden rule is to start with a little and then build on it until it "feels" right.. Okay so how do you know when it "feels" right?? I wish I knew - the only explanation I have is that once you've had many years of training and experience like I (and indeed many other designers) have, knowing or "feeling" when something is right becomes a kind of sixth sense that we count upon throughout our work.

 An Image from a Mercedes Benz advert highlights the advantage of "right brainers"..