Gathering the Facts for your Project- Budget

-->

Post 2/5 in the series Gathering the Facts for your Project 

You've decided you're ready to redecorate a space...

The next step is figuring out your budget.  It’s so easy to say “oh, I don’t know”.  Or “I’ll spend whatever it takes to get the room done”.  While shopping at the mall or online for a new outfit, you know which retailers to focus on because you are keenly aware of how much you are willing to spend for certain clothing items.  The same will be true when you begin shopping for home furnishings and accessories.  The stores and websites you buy from will be determined by your budget.

You MUST know your financial parameters in order to accurately spend for the space.  I tell clients, “we can spend $800 on a new sofa, or $8000- where do you want to land in that range??”.  This usually evokes a response.  Push yourself to answer this question honestly as it is the key to starting the process on the right foot.  There is no shame in any size budget.  I’ve worked with folks who have $300 to spend on only accessories for a room, and others who have $30,000 to redo their space from top to bottom.  Everyone will have a different budget, and there are plenty of stores that offer items within your price-range.   If you aren't sure where to start when planning a budget, do some online research to see what price ranges of furnishings are out there.  You will quickly be able to determine where you are comfortable spending-wise.  

The upholstery pieces you purchase will take up the bulk of your money.  They will get a lot of us over the years, so you want to make sure they are sturdy and of good quality.  Your casegood pieces (side tables, coffee tables, bookcases, etc) will be the next most expensive category.  If your budget is getting tight, you can afford to lessen the quality of these items since you and your guests won't be sitting on them.

Extra tip- I recommend leaving some cushion room within your budget to allow for unexpected expenses.  You never know what might come up once you start redoing things.

Stay tuned for next week's topic: TIMELINE

Fall Colors - How to Use Shades of Brown in Decor

Paint Colors

blog.homedepot.com

Although gray and greige paint colors are still going strong, brown hues like taupe and beige are on their way back in! These colors are great to use as wall colors because of their rich, warm tones. These were mainstays for years and years before the popularity of grays came on. The great thing about using these colors is you don't have to worry about them going out of style because they are truly a classic choice.

themagicbrushinc.com

Fabrics

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Another way to use shades of brown in your decor is by introducing it with fabrics. When you think about browns you may think dark and heavy but it doesn't have to be that way. The window treatments shown above have a bright creamy background with rich brown embroidery. This combination works so well because of the stark contrast. Keep this in mind when using shades of brown in your decor. 

wayfair.com

Furniture

dimplesandtangles.com

Finally, you can use shades of brown in the furniture in your home. Brown upholstery is VERY forgiving and can stand the test of time especially if you have kids or pets. Again, when using browns remember to balance that darker richer color with a lighter contrast. Try light tans and creams on the pillows for a balanced neutral look!

countryliving.com

HomeMint

It’s no secret, I am a boy band connoisseur.  It started in my teenage years and has stuck with me ever since.  While I prefer the musical stylings of Nick Lachey and 98 degrees over those of Backstreet Boys or NSYNC, I am a JT fan (Justin Timberlake, that is).  I was excited to read yesterday about Mr. Timberlake’s newest business venture- HomeMint.

HomeMint is a home decorating website offering various furniture, accessory and art lines including some designs created by Justin and his former NSYNC stylist. The whole concept seems pretty neat- shoppers can determine their personal style through a series of visual questions and then shop for items that suit said style.   It does require a log-in to go further than the questionnaire, so that is where I stopped.  I try to avoid signing up for more emails, but if curiosity gets the better of me, I might try it out.  If you look into it, let me know your thoughts.  If it’s like everything else the former NSYNC crooner does, I’m sure it will be a raving success. 

Double Duty Furniture

I say it all the time- I am an efficiency nut!  I adore anything that has more than one purpose. A furniture piece with multiple functions becomes my favorite item in a room that I am working on.  As I was reading up on trends in the design world for 2012, I was delighted to read that multi-purpose furniture is catching on.  I could care less about the fact that I could now be considered trendy.  I’m thrilled to pieces because it means I will have more options for my clients who also love a piece that is full of function!  I had to share a few photos of some items I am in love with.  Enjoy!

 Seats tuck neatly under this cocktail table so they are out of the way until needed for guests.

You won't find dust bunnies under this bed!  Built-in drawers provide a place to store sweaters or maybe even extra bed linens.  (I have a similar piece in my bedroom and cannot say enough good things about it!)

Room to Move

Space plans are the most important thing I do for clients.  Those plans are why I am so helpful to them.  Without a space plan, too much furniture gets shoved into one room leaving very little space to comfortably move about and to enjoy everyday tasks.

The tasks that are most commonly forgotten when placing furniture in a room are:
-Sitting down for conversation.  It's the truth.  People tend to line furniture up along the walls making it difficult to converse with each other without shouting across the room.  Seat groupings allow for easier conversation and a more intimate feeling for guests.  The number of groupings you can fit into a space depends on room size and furniture scale.

-Getting up from the table.  There is a lack of understanding about how much space should be allowed from the edge of the dining table to the wall or even just the edge of the area rug so chairs can be pulled out comfortably.  It is awkward and uncomfortable to have to squeeze into your seat because the chair is backed up against the wall.  How silly do you feel when guests scoot their chair out and end up with uneven chair legs because the front two are placed on the rug and the back two are on the flooring below.  Simple mistakes to avoid, but it requires attention (and a space plan).  30-50 inches of space is recommended around the table edge.

-Sitting in front of a cocktail table.  This can be a bit of a balancing act.  You want the table close enough to be reached when placing a drink or a book on it, but far enough away to allow for legroom when sitting and ample space to pass between the sofa and table.  My typical rule of thumb is 15-18 inches.

Family Home

I had the pleasure of working on a project for my friend, Allison, last year.  The challenge presented was to turn a house that once belonged to her grandparents into a home for her and her budding family.  They were moving from a good sized home in the city to a large plot of land in the country with a house that once was cutting edge but by today’s standards could be considered simple.  As you can imagine, there was a lot of sentimental attachment to all elements of the house requiring much consideration for any decisions.  Each change had to fast forward the look of the home by 50 years and be a nod to the architectural style, all while keep the family memories made there intact.  This was like Christmas to me.  So many possibilities were available.  Do we go retro to suit the age of the home? Would elegant country be more fitting due to location?  How do we blend the needs of a young family with the space available in the house? My mind was reeling with ideas.  After weeks of various discussions, a plan was formed.  With the skill of many talented carpenters the space took on a new life.  Some of my favorite features include: 

                                                          (bottom photo is before update)
The tall cabinets in the kitchen.  No need to replace something that has good bones and can be updated with just a little paint, some nice hardware and beautiful countertops. (left photo is before, right is after)

                                                                               (bottom photo is before update)
The oversized family room that affords plenty of space for seating guests to watch TV and converse while the play area behind the sofa offers an easy solution to keeping an eye on their son.

 

Each furniture piece in the house has a story.  What I realized during the project was that this house and it’s contents were influential in shaping Allison’s personal style through the years.  She and her family couldn’t fit more perfectly in their new home.    

 

While I had a very small hand in the process, I felt so honored to be consulted and to help guide them toward what they have now.  When Allison shared photos of the home through her blog, she wrote, “Although I wanted to update things, my heart was a little heavy. What I kept remembering, though, was that both of them would have wanted us to give the house new life. Each time I was there, I could feel my Papa smiling down on us, loving the fact that we were making our mark on a place he loved. I only hope that while we are here, we can honor the memory of Mama and Papa and live a life of which they would be proud.”

Colors and fabrics excite me but words like that are what drives me.

Best Dressed

I love all things fashion.  In college I studied Merchandising, Apparel & Textiles which offered an emphasis on fashion while still being very applicable to the interior design world I am in now.  In my opinion dressing a room is very similar to dressing yourself.  There are a few key pieces that you must have to be on point.  

The Rug-  A rug in a room is like good undergarments on a lady.  That is your foundation for a good room.  Your outfit would be ruined if you had on a super-cute dress but didn’t wear seamless undies.  Or imagine how awful a shirt would look if (not to be too crass) your bra were too small.    We are appalled by this, but everyday people buy rugs that are too small for their space.  Don’t skimp on size!

Quality furniture- Trendy is fun, but it can be costly to keep up.  If we only buy clothing that is the latest trend, we would be shopping and spending a lot.  Our best bet is to find quality pieces that will stand the test of time that we can update with trendier accessories.  The same is true with furniture.  By selecting some classic upholstered pieces we set ourselves up to bring in trends through other elements in the room.  This helps us to avoid being unhappy with our sofa when newer models come into the stores.  

Glitz & Glam- Everyone has their preferred level of WOW! when it comes to accessories.  With some people, you can’t put enough diamonds on them.  With others,  a simple pair of stud earrings and their wedding ring is all they choose to wear.  I, myself, fall somewhere in the middle.  I think accessories are where you can afford to play around with trends and get a little funky.  Accessories in the home are not all that different from those we wear in fashion.  We have pillows, window treatments, candlesticks, finials, etc to layer upon the furniture just like we have bracelets, necklaces, belts, scarves and leggings to create a layered outfit on ourselves. 

Conversation pieces- I use my shoes as conversation pieces.  When the sky is dark and dreary but I am wearing a black & gray ensemble, I throw in bright yellow shoes for cheer.  I rarely select a plain shoe.  I’m gazing into my closet now and don’t see one pair that doesn’t have an oversized buckle, a fun texture or sheen, or a bold color to it.  The same should hold true for your art.  Select pieces that catch your eye and lead you around the room.  Think about what has meaning to you, what makes you feel comfortable and what might strike up conversation with your guests.  Those are the pieces you want on your walls.  Don’t feel like you have to put the same thing up all over.  Not every pair of shoes you have goes with every outfit, and your artwork won’t naturally fit in every room.  Mix it up with mirrors, painting, photos and framed prints.  

Think about some of these things and how you’ve dressed your house.  Does it really reflect you? 

Vintage Vantage Point

I’m Liz and I’m a Madmen-aholic.  It’s true.  I love some Roger Sterling and Don Draper.  Better yet, I love eyeing the set design for the show.  Set in the 60’s- one of my favorite eras for fashion and furniture- the homes and offices used for the show are so eye-catching.  Sleek, low-profiled sofas.  Sprinkling in metal and glass furniture to modernize a room.  Clean lines and silhouettes.

I think this period is my favorite because everything fit well.  We weren’t wearing baggy clothes OR bustles under our skirts.  A woman’s feet would touch the floor when she sat in a chair, as opposed to the overstuffed and incredibly deep seats abundantly available now.  Tailoring is classic and beautiful and the 60s were full of tailored pieces.  Here are a few things from that decade that I find inspiring:

Portrait Collars

Streamlined furniture

Picture Windows

Hidden Potential

I am always on a quest to re-purpose things.  If an item has multiple uses, you can bet that I will buy it.  I'm not sure where my affinity for function is rooted, but it's rooted deep!  That's why I had to share my top three favorite pieces that are off the charts in both beauty & function!

1.  Cocktail table seating.  A storage ottoman that also serves as a bench seat during parties.  A round glass-topped table with four seats tucked below.  Either option makes a room that is short on space more useable.  I have implemented these options for clients who regularly hosted friends and needed additional seating.  The dual purpose makes me giddy!

2. Trundle Beds.  I know bigger is considered better nowadays.  But I still love twin beds, especially daybeds!  They are perfect solutions for kids or small guest rooms.  Storing a trundle underneath affords you the option of allowing the kid's friends over for slumber parties or creating a double bed when your out-of-town friends come for the weekend.

3. Serving Platters.  Pewter, ceramic, wood or glass trays have a million uses.  Of course, they come in handy for displaying yummy appetizers at parties.  But their function goes so much farther than that.  Platters can be used to adorn the top of your kitchen cabinets or dining room hutch.  They can be placed on your coffee table to serve as a gathering place for the remotes or magazines.  Resting on top of your bedroom dresser, a tray can be the gathering place for loose change, your wallet and car keys. 

If you are tight on space or a neat freak (like me!), these three pieces can completely change your space!

Houndstooth Heaven

Bear Bryant & Alabama got it right.  At least when it came to houndstooth!  A classic pattern that looks stunning in a simple black & white color scheme, or when jazzed up in brighter hues.  I am a huge fan of this design in home décor as well as fashion.  It’s a perfect accent for solid colors and shouldn’t be overdone.  I have seen more and more of it lately in furniture stores when out shopping.  Here are some of the coolest pieces I ran across:

Comfy side chair in stylish shades of green.

Chic ottoman in the tried & true black and white.

Throw pillows are also widely popular for this pattern.

Whatever your fancy, happy houndstoothing!