Author: maxxadmin

When done well a monochromatic color scheme can be a very effective way to create a particular mood or vibe in a room. However it does require special thought to ensure a successful result. What a monochromatic scheme is usually not, is a single color, in a single value, applied uniformly all around. What it is, is a nuanced use of a single color, in a multitude of values and/or textures and finishes to create a specific effect.

First and foremost we need to understand why we are choosing a monochromatic scheme – is it a mood we’re trying to create, is it to provide a backdrop to a scene or for some art, or other focal point, or is it a color that represents something to the client, perhaps it is a favorite color that they want to live with? It’s important to understand why and to be intentional with the choice, rather than doing it for the sake of “matching” everything, which can lead to a flat and uninteresting room. Once you know why you’re doing it, this will influence the approach and choices of fabric and furnishings, to create the right look and feel, and perhaps most importantly, ensure the room engages you in the way you want. Here are some examples to illustrate:

Create a Mood

Perhaps we want to create a dark moody library. We might lacquer the walls in a single tone, and then play with textures, with a sofa and rug in a similar colorway. We can use objects like the books and hardware to create visual punctuation.

On the other hand, we might be looking for a serene and calm mood. This bedroom is a great example where we wanted to create a zen moment. We used lots of textures here, and the shapes of the lamps and curved sofa added to the softness, whilst bringing a sculptural element. There’s also a dramatic moment with the light fixture. The vintage Milo Baughman rocking chair and chairs bring further interest. Overall it’s harmonious, soft, inviting and restful, but still provides plenty for the eye to feast on.

Make Nature the Star

Sometimes the views outside the windows are the focal point, where we might still have a lush and luxe interior but the visual focus is looking through the room to the outside. In these rooms we might bring the outside in, using colors in harmony with the exterior. Textures again play a key role. Always avoid monotony with texture, wood tones, fabrics, and finishes.

Color in a Supporting Role

It may be that the color in the room is to play a supporting role, for example when there’s an art collection that you may want to take pride of place, or when the style or shape of the furnishings is the main focus. The furniture could be sculptural, or the shapes could be organic or antique, and a monochromatic color scheme allows the shapes to pop more. In these rooms the color is a visual punctuation for the artwork or the furniture.

A Favored Color

Sometimes the client has a color already in mind that they want to plan the room around. In the example below our client had a color vision for each space and each room, based on the spiritual meanings of the colors. The library was to be the “Rose Room”, based on the qualities of rose quartz bringing love into the home. We opted for a dramatic take on rose, keeping within the same colorway with the bookcases, sofa and drapes.

In all these examples, the reason and intention behind the choice of color plays a key role in determining the focus or the feel of the room. In these schemes textural variety, wood tones, and choice of materials is even more important than usual to ensure the room is successful.

I’m often asked what colors are trending: what’s “in”, what’s fashionable, and of the moment? There are certainly fashionable colors and finishes in the interior design world, but what I’ve found is that whereas certain elements might change with the seasons, others are more enduring. Also, how we use a trend should take into account our personal tastes and preferences, and reflect our personal style.

Take the ubiquity of the color gray in interiors, for example. It’s been popular for some time now, and shows no signs of waning, but the way it’s used differs with each client. My own clients are a diverse group with a wide variety of tastes, from the very traditional to the height of modern. Many of them might want to incorporate gray into their designs, but some will be drawn to more pastel shades, whilst others are looking for something deeper or more dramatic.

Here are the ways I recommend for incorporating current color trends into your own home:

Warmer vs Cooler Tones

Across the board I’m seeing a move away from the cooler tones and towards warmer hues. Even with that aforementioned gray, the trend is towards its warmer incarnations, from soothing creamy pastels to deep blue grays, and heading towards cozy brown shades. The feeling is of comfort and warmth, as our homes become a refuge from the world.

Moody Hues

Another trend I’m seeing is for saturated, moody hues. I tell my clients to choose a color they love, and then go moodier with it. So whether that’s pastels, reds, aubergine, or teal, we can use those in rich, saturated tones which feel very now, but still leave you living with a color you adore, once the trend has moved on.

Neutral Bases

This is a tried and true formula for those who love to follow fashions but don’t want to be redecorating entire rooms every year, and is a great way to use those warmer tones. Keep the room neutral, and then have fun dressing it up with bolder, fashionable accents via pillows or upholstery. When the next fashion comes in, we can exchange the pillows, or even re-cover a chair, and be back on trend again.

Relaxing, Calming Colors

Calming colors have always been popular, but even more so now, as we seek comfort indoors. Blues are especially calming here in the Northeast, and have been hugely popular, but I’m currently enjoying a lot of greener tones. Green still invokes that soothing, calming feeling, but brings a freshness to the home, as we blur the line between our indoor and outdoor spaces.

Your first reaction might be to laugh at this question, but when you consider that the primary function of good interior design is to improve quality of life, it makes you think again. The coronavirus pandemic has impacted our quality of life in ways we could never have imagined. Here are some ways in which interior design can help mitigate the stress of being home and improve our quality of life:

REPURPOSING OUR HOMES

No sooner had lockdowns begun than we saw ourselves changing the way we use, and even see, our homes. COVID has necessitated that rooms have new functions rather than the purpose for which they were designed…some rooms have become multi-function, while others are being used more than ever. Our homes are now also our classrooms, offices, gyms and studios. Good design considers all of this, and ensures your rooms can be adapted for their new roles.

CHANGING VALUES

Now that life has slowed down, this has been a time of re-assessment and changing habits and values. Our homes are more important than ever, as we work from home more, and interact with our families more, but we’re also looking at the world differently. We may be looking more closely at how our choices impact the world and whether we can support those around us who have talent and are in need of work. Environmental impact, sustainability, energy consumption, and supporting local industries are front of mind. Your interior designer can source materials and services to support these choices.

CREATING WELLBEING

When we think of design, we often think in terms of form and function; does it look good, and does it perform well? Great design will go a step beyond. It will use space, color, light as well as materials, textures and furniture, to elevate a room beyond aesthetics and use. A well designed room can invoke a sense of peace, relieve stress, provide a refuge from outside anxieties, a place of comfort and security. It can promote calm and improve our wellbeing.

So coming back then to whether interior design is essential, my answer is: it may not be vital to survival, but it IS essential for wellbeing and quality of life, now more so than ever.

When selecting an interior designer the most common route is to base the decision on their portfolio of work and whether or not it inspires you and speaks to your personal tastes. Although perhaps the primary consideration, there are other less obvious, but important, things to think about when making your choice:

Are you compatible?

I often say that the relationship between an interior designer and client is like a marriage. You are inviting us into your home. It’s a very personal experience, and can have its ups and downs as we navigate the challenges thrown up by any design project. If we are simpatico, aesthetically and also in personality, the marriage is more likely to be successful. Consider whether you think you will get along. Does the designer understand your vision? How easy will it be to communicate, not just when things are going well, but also if problems or issues arise, even though they may have nothing to do with you or the interior designer?

What do their suppliers and contractors think of them?

Client testimonials are definitely important, but another way to assess how well your project will go is to look at supplier and contractor testimonials too. Good relationships between the designer and supporting professionals will get you better outcomes, whether it’s sourcing unique items, getting things delivered urgently, ensuring smooth installations, dealing with issues, or just making the whole process less stressful.

How much do you want to be involved?

Do you want to be hands off, just providing approvals as needed, or do you like to be involved in every detail? Does your prospective designer’s way of working suit this? Will they welcome your input (or lack of), or will it cause tension in the relationship? Understanding both your expectations up front will save you from potential misunderstandings and disappointment down the line.

What do you expect to spend?

This can be the elephant in the room that no-one wants to acknowledge. A good interior designer will want to give you your ideal home, whilst also being true to their own standards. However it can be difficult to ascertain what is and isn’t reasonable without an honest discussion about what you want to spend. Making sure your designer can work within your desired budget means you’ll both know what to expect.

All these things can make the difference between a smooth and successful project and one wrought with stress and strife. I aim for my client’s experience to be a delight from start to finish. A selection process that takes all these things into consideration can go a long way to making that happen.

You’re building a new home. You’ve hired an architect, and selected a general contractor, or perhaps you’re buying into a new development and you’re able to specify options. You plan on having your interior designer come in once the build is complete. You’ve covered all the bases, right? Wait a second. Rewind. There’s one thing to reconsider here. You could be making a mistake that many people make when planning a new build. Instead of waiting until after the build is complete, your interior designer should really be involved from the very beginning of the process. A recent project illustrates why:

A client’s beautiful new home has thrown up some challenges due to inadequate consideration for the furniture and electrical placement. The windows in one of the bedrooms are too low, and the nightstand will sit higher than the window sill. In another room, the windows have been positioned too high. When sitting, the views are very restricted, and only the tops of the trees are visible. In some cases these sorts of constraints can be designed around, but they place limitations on design choices and furniture selections. Perhaps a nightstand can be found that’s low enough, even though it may not be the client’s preferred style choice. In other cases, these restrictions can result in expensive change orders, such as when standard electrical outlets were included, but not USB outlets in the bedroom and kitchen island. The electrician will have to be called back and the walls disrupted. An expense of both time and money that could have been avoided. In our case, another bedroom has windows too close together but the client wants a queen size bed, which will now extend beyond the windows. Less than ideal.

These are examples of things that are not obvious when designing a house. Architects are trained to look at the overall space; the dimensions, proportions, and how the spaces flow together. Builders are looking at the technical aspects of the build, and ensuring the specifications and regulations are being adhered to. It’s the job of the interior designer to look at how the home will function; how you will live in it, where the furnishings will go, and how it reflects your lifestyle preferences and personal style. Involving your interior designer from the outset means they can ensure every detail is covered, both functionally and stylistically, saving you unnecessary expense and compromise, to achieve your ideal result.

For most people, the first and foremost consideration when purchasing or building a new home is to decide their budget. This is the starting point from which all other decisions stem. It can factor into the location, size, and style of property you choose to buy or build. But what does this budget really mean, and what should it include?

A common scenario I come across is a client who finds themselves having spent so much of their budget on the purchase price or build, that they have much less than needed to complete the interior to the standard they desire. They may end up with unfinished rooms, or having to make major compromises in the quality of materials and decor. In other words, they are faced with a less than ideal final result. This is what I call a case of “over purchasing” or “over building.” It can happen in many ways and for many reasons.

Real estate agents may encourage you to extend beyond the initial budget or scope. It’s always tempting to stretch to the next price point, but will this get you to your end goal? Are you envisioning a beautifully finished home within months of completing the purchase or build? A larger space or more expensive property won’t get you there if you’re living in unfinished rooms. Architects are artists, and for them and their clients it is exciting to imagine all the possibilities, but it’s important not to lose sight of the bigger picture. Additional expenses always come up, such as town and wetland permitting, lawyers fees, closing costs etc, that may not have been initially anticipated and accounted for. All of these can eat away at the overall budget.

Completing your project over a longer period of time is certainly a valid strategy. This could well be your intention, and the interiors can be planned accordingly. But if that’s not your plan then it’s wise to be aware of falling into the trap of “over purchasing” and “over building”. When setting or spending your budget, rather than thinking of it as buying or building a house, think of it as making a home, which includes everything from the physical footprint, the rooms and other spaces, to the fixtures, furnishings and decor. Keep this in mind when making all purchasing decisions throughout the lifecycle of your project.

My goal, as an interior designer, is always to exceed my client’s expectations. When a project has been planned with the end goal in mind, it will lead to a result that delights, rather than disappoints.