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.

Need Inspiration? Click Here! www.pinterest.com/collectivedg

 

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"..

Why should you use a Professional Interior Designer?? - Part 4 - They're Mediators!

If you and your partner have already begun squabbling in the earliest renovation phases, Alexandrea explains that employing an interior designer could be a truly advantageous decision for you... and your home. The reason for this is that A Professional Interior Designer often has to take on the role of a mediator in order to create a balance with the scheme and to keep your happy home - Happy!

4. They're Mediators.

So let's talk about the issue in a broad spectrum.. No matter how well we think we know our "better halves", making choices without checking with them first is NOT a good idea! This simple and seemingly innocent act is almost at the top of the list of relationship design sins you can commit! Meshed with that the all too often clash of conflicting tastes & styles, a simple home renovation can be a "BIG" strain on even the strongest of relationships.

With this in mind, I'd like to point out that Professional Interior Designers are blessed with "Mediation Super Powers" which give us special skills in resolving design headaches, sourcing reciprocal products and encouraging compromise. Designers can often present innovative ideas and practical design solutions that bridges the gap between your tastes and styles, keeping both you and the budget happy and healthy. Being able to create a balance between 2 completely different styles is no easy task, but with the professional training and years of experience that many designers are blessed with, achieving a seamless equilibrium between 2 opposites becomes another valuable string to our creative bow.

It's a tough job, but so long as we have our Super Powers - Professional Interior Designers will continue to keep a happy home - HAPPY! :)

Why should you use a Professional Interior Designer?? - Part 3 - They're AMAZING planners!

Alexandrea goes on to explain it's no secret that the task of re-decorating your home can be a little overwhelming. Knowing where to begin, where you should be allocating most of your budget, how you should approach your furniture hunt and the ultimate quandary of the colour scheme are just some of the issues you face.

Hiring a Professional Designer is the best way to tackle these issues, why?? Professional Interior Designers are AMAZING planners!

3. They're AMAZING planners!

Before starting any project it's ALWAYS a great idea to have a plan. Having a plan will give you a timeline of events/tasks that need to be completed and who is responsible for those tasks. In the business we call our plan a Schedule of Works.. The typical information contained in a SOW includes the names and contact details of any contractors or installation teams, the sequence the design elements should follow (i.e. a plasterer will always follow an electrician, a painter and decorator usually follows the plasterer) and allows you to keep a close eye on the budget and completion deadline.

Having a great plan is possibly one of the most crucial elements of the design process and getting this right is high on the list of priorities for any design professional. Some companies build their reputation on their planning skills and designers are always looking for new ways to create and monitor their schedules and some even take out extra study in order to become a certified project manager (which is often a legal requirement of the BSA) in order to complete this task successfully.

Why risk making costly and time consuming mistakes when you could hire a Professional Interior Designer to handle the project for you??

Why should you use a Professional Interior Designer?? - Part 2 - They'll SAVE you Time & Money!

Next, Alexandrea explains that a Professional Interior Designer can actually save you money when renovating your home, office or commercial space. Not only that, a Professional Designer will also be able to make sure you don't experience the all too common wrong paint debacle, leaky plumbing, dodgy fixtures and indeed a whole range of costly mistakes.. How do we do this - here's how...

2. They'll SAVE you Time & Money!

This part is pretty simple - shelling out a bit of cash for a designer actually SAVES you Time & Money! Professional Designers often have exclusive accounts with a whole range of suppliers and often have access to a selection of the industries very best contractors and installation teams (all of which are accredited craftsmen with years of experience) to utilise when working on a project just like yours. This means that using a Professional Interior Designer ensures you pay the very best prices for the products and materials for your project whilst giving you the peace of mind that the building, fabrication and installation works are being carried out by some of the best contractors in the business.

Furthermore, Interior Designers are a crafty bunch who know exactly how to incorporate existing pieces of furniture into newly designed spaces, how to expertly display Grandma's Bone China collection or even if it's safe to re-stain that old antique dresser that's been in the family for generations. Other skills include knowing exactly how to reupholster your favorite occasional chair and where to place that all important family portrait.. Fitting in your prized possessions is all part of the service..

A SPECIAL Welcome from the editor!

Hi There Everyone!

I just wanted to take a moment to say a MASSIVE hello and welcome to my Blog. I hope to captivate your attention with inspiring, educational, ethical and passion building posts regarding all things interiors!! If you like what I post, please tell your friends, family or even random strangers about me and I'll be sure to try my best to keep the quality content flowing!!

In the meantime, live well, stay safe and design with your eyes wide open!!

CDG Design Boss :)

Why should you use a Professional Interior Designer?? - Part 1 - In the Know!

I recently came across an article written by Alexandrea Schultz in a recent edition of Queensland Homes Magazine called: "Why Should you use an Interior Designer?" and I wanted to chat about this...

Alexandrea had some very good points to make and so I thought I would share her content with you and make my own comments along the way..

She explained that the Interior Design Industry is riddled with many misconceptions and inaccurate assumptions that need to be addressed. These range from the usual suspects like 'they're going to be way too expensive', 'I only have a small project so I don't need it', to more outlandish ideals that 'interior design is a luxury', or 'why should I pay a designer to just throw some fancy fabrics, cushions and over-priced furniture at me that I probably don't even like.. As you can see, these sweeping statements are quite damaging to the industry and can cause a downhill effect for beautiful design..

The good news is, these people are wrong and here's why...

1. Interior Designers are in the Know!

A Professional Interior Designer has usually undergone many years of study to become a qualified designer and with this study comes a wealth of knowledge and experience. As designers train, they develop a sense of what's available on today's market, where to source it from and most importantly, what these products or materials "should" cost. With this in mind, I wanted to take a moment to point out that "being in the know" is all part of the job, it's in the job description of EVERY Professional Designer on the planet and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Connected to this is the need to keep up to date with all the latest design trends, colours, styles and emerging sustainability design trends too - it's a wonder that we ever get time to actually "Design" interiors..

Have you ever heard the term "my little black book"?? Well, Professional Interior Designers have a whole LIBRARY filled with products, suppliers and contacts available to us at our fingertips to use on projects just like yours! (Below is an image of a typical product library)