The White Paint Dilemma

Because Choosing a Shade of White is Clearly Rocket Science

Congratulations, you’ve made it to the pinnacle of decision-making in your adult life: picking the perfect shade of white paint for your walls. I mean, who needs a stable economy, world peace, or a cure for the common cold when there are over a million shades of white to choose from? Clearly, your quest for the ideal shade is the most pressing issue of our time.

If you’re still lost and staring at your color samples like they hold the secrets to the universe, let me simplify things for you: just pick a flipping white already.

Read more...

Launch Your Own Business

Steps to Transforming your Interior Design Passion into a Business

Venturing into the thrilling adventure of launching your own interior design business? Starting an interior business is more than just creating the perfect room. It requires creativity, strategic planning and skillfully blending both business and art. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential 10 steps to transform your passion for design into a thriving entrepreneurial venture. Consider this your blueprint for navigating and starting your very own interior design business.

1. Education & NCIDQ Certification: Obtaining an interior design degree and securing NCIDQ certification propels you into the esteemed realm of a “Interior Designer.” This title resonates with a declaration of having mastered the intricacies of space planning, ensuring the safety and welfare of clients and occupants without causing design chaos. On the flip side, if you’re pursuing interior design without the degree and certification, you’re more like an interior enthusiast, armed with a keen eye for aesthetics and a bold disregard for the rules.

Read more...

Designing for Disappointment

Financial Truths in Interior Design

Embarking on an interior design project is a thrilling journey, but midway through the project, the disheartening truth hits you like a rogue throw pillow. The dream of a curated living space fades, and the once imagined photo-worthy home becomes a testament to compromise and missed opportunities.

New construction clients often find themselves entranced by the seemingly endless possibilities of creating a home from the ground up. The prospect of handpicking every detail and fixture can create an illusion of affordability, as they become enamored with the potential of their dream home. However, as the project progresses, reality starts to set in, and the true cost of customization becomes apparent.

Read more...

Choosing a Countertop

A Comprehensive Guide to Countertop Materials

Choosing the right countertop material can be a tough decision to make. The deciding factors to take into consideration when choosing the right material for your space are durability, stain resistance, cost, sustainability, and heat resistance. It is important to choose which factors are right for you and your project. We are here to help you navigate through the countertop choices, providing a comprehensive guide with most of the available countertop materials along with the pros and cons of each.

Read more...

Labyrinth of Revisions

The Endless Tweaks and Adjustments that Designers and Architects Endure

In the glamorous world of architecture and interior design, where creativity is the primary focus there exists a secret struggle that goes unnoticed by the untrained eye. It’s a battle of opinions and a test of endurance. We’re talking about the epic journey in the maze of revisions – those endless tweaks and adjustments that designers and architects endure in their quest to please the ever-elusive client.

The seasoned interior designer with an eye for elegance and perfection, begins a project with a clear vision. The project begins innocently enough. Carefully curated designs, each element meticulously chosen to create a harmonious sense of style, unfold. Explaining choices with the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store, only to be met with a raised eyebrow and a hesitant nod from the client, the designer becomes aware that the artistic masterpiece is about to become a canvas for the whims and fancies of the client.

Read more...

Finding Inner Peace

A Guide to Meditating When Your Design Gets Trashed

Amidst the evolving trends in interior design, it’s not uncommon for creative professionals to encounter moments when their carefully crafted work is met with criticism, rejection, or, in some cases, replaced with DIY (Do It Yourself) ideas. While these situations can be disheartening, it’s essential to find ways to navigate the emotional turbulence and regain a sense of calm and focus. In this article, we’ll explore the art of meditation as a powerful tool to help designers cope with disappointment and foster resilience in the face of unexpected challenges.

Read more...

Confessions of an Interior Designer

Mind-Readers and Saving Relationships One Ottoman at a Time

Today, let’s set out on a journey through the mysterious and often misunderstood world of interior designers. Contrary to popular belief, our job involves much more than picking out the perfect shade of turquoise or debating whether the throw pillows should be round or square. Brace yourselves, because being and interior design is not for the faint of heart. It is a rollercoaster of creativity, chaos and an occasional battle with the rogue throw pillows.

First let’s address the misconception that our sole purpose is to select furniture. Sure, we can tell a Chesterfield from a Chaise Lounge, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. We are the unsung heroes of the home, juggling roles that range from a marriage counselor to a self-defense guru. Forget about picking out swatches; we are busy saving marriages. Picture this...

Read more...

Pink Marble Incident

When a Client Wants a Refund on Installed Material

In the business of interior design, the pursuit of perfection often leads clients on a quest for the finest materials, handpicked by seasoned designers. This experience unfolds with a client seeking the elegance of white marble, guided by the expertise of their trusted designer. Little did they anticipate that a seemingly straightforward transaction would transform into a narrative of unexpected hues and impatient decisions.

Enthused by the vision of a pristine white marble adorning their space, the client eagerly ordered the material from a vendor recommended by their designer. The allure of a designer discount sweetened the deal, and they eagerly awaited the arrival of the coveted stone that would redefine the aesthetics of their home.

Read more...