Quote of the Week: It’s all about the Details

Posted on April 5, 2010 by DishOnDesignGal

You may love this Living Room (courtesy of BHG), but do you know why? Take a better look. Is it the trim on the sheers, the oversized matting in the artwork or maybe the crown molding painted the color of the walls?

Expand your vision. Often we have blinders on. We’re concerned with just getting uptown or downtown. If I expand my vision by even 10 degrees, I notice new details, new color harmonies. ~ Cindy Coleman, Interior Design

Any designer will tell you it’s all about the details. Yes, a good foundation is important, but it’s the details that makes a good design memorable. The problem is that in our busy world… most people don’t take the time to enjoy the details.

I have to admit that until I took an aesthetics class at FIT as part of the Interior Design program, I really didn’t see the details either. Trained to look at everything around us, we discussed why we liked or disliked something. Was it out of proportion? Did the colors not work well together? Was it in perfect balance with the room? This class opened up a whole new world for me. It’s about seeing beyond your normal line of vision and truly seeing the details surrounding you.

Today, I look at everything. When in a space I love I look around to discover why…is it the painted ceilings? The color scheme? The art? By examining my surroundings, I not only learn about things that work well together, but I see inspiration for future projects.

Likewise, when in a space I don’t like, I search for details that make me uncomfortable… is the scale of the furniture inappropriate for the room? Do the colors leave me cold? Is there too much “stuff” in the space? This helps me identify things to avoid in future projects.

Not only is this fun, but I love that I am seeing so much more of my surroundings. Try it. Look around you… have you really looked at the baseboard, the ceiling, the window treatments (or lack of!), the flow of the room, etc… You might just be amazed to see what you are missing!

The thing to remember is there really is not a right or wrong… as you can see when visiting Joy and Janet over at Moggit (love those gals!)… there are always lots of varying opinions about whether something is beautiful or useful! It’s truly is about taking the time to really “see”. Amy xoxoxo

Beautiful Living is Good For You!

Posted on March 30, 2010 by DishOnDesignGal

From Elle Decor: Apartment of Inès de la Fressange—fashion designer, model

I deeply believe that a beautiful decor can have a beneficial influence on our lives. ~ Albert Hadley

It’s true. I believe this too… surrounding yourself with beauty makes you feel good. In fact, I’ll add that it reduces stress and, if it’s a well-organized home, it will save you time and money as well. Here’s what I know…

A home that is beautiful doesn’t have to cost a lot. It’s about surrounding yourself with things that you love and getting rid of things that do not serve a purpose or haven’t been used for a long time and will likely never be used. If it doesn’t have a purpose or you don’t love it, get rid of it.
Arrange your furniture to embrace your lifestyle… create conversation areas, highlight accessories that are meaningful, designate an area for creative projects, define a place for relaxation or reading. Make it easy to be you.
Embrace color. It’s true that colors can affect the way that you feel. My entire lower level is shades of yellow. It makes me smile in the morning and in the evening, warms me with a gentle glow as the sun sets in the horizon. I never tire of comfort those colors provide.
Make time for your home and yourself. I am the biggest offender of this. You would think, being a designer, that my home would be beautiful and organized. The truth is that I have put so much energy into our company and developing company products that my home and self have been on the back burner.

The good news is it is never too late to refocus…I am working like a mad woman… getting my house into shape (on a budget with lots of DIY projects, first priority is using what I already have in my home) and taking time to do things for me and my health. It’s amazing how good you feel when you start decorating, eating healthy foods, reducing clutter and taking your iron supplements. I’ve been revitalized at work as well; there are some pretty exciting things in the works… and lucky you…I’ll be sharing it all with you along the way – haha! xoxoxo Amy

(Very) Personal Note: For all you anemic gals out there, if you have been putting off taking iron supplements because of the incredibly annoying side effect of (whispering…) constipation…try Floravital. I am in no way being paid to promote this product, it works for me and finally I feel like my usually, energetic self.

Quote of the Week: Creating Harmony

Posted on March 24, 2010 by DishOnDesignGal

Decorating is like music. Harmony is what we constantly strive for. At home, we want a peaceful atmosphere where the objects are the notes and nothing is off-key. ~Charlotte Moss

I am striving for Harmony, no doubt…I find as I clean out the spaces of my life; both at the office and within my home, there’s a peace that settles in and wraps itself around me. I’ve found this whole organizational thing is about just that… creating harmony so your soul can dance.

That’s a bit much isn’t it? What I meant to say was cleaning out the crap in my life feels good. haha!

Designer Quote by Billy Baldwin

Posted on May 15, 2009 by DishOnDesignGal

Billy Baldwin (1903-1983)

“Decorators should never insist on throwing out everything the client has. Even when they are far from perfect, loved possessions add personality.” Billy Baldwin

I love quotes. It just seems to me, that quotes are full of such wisdom; inspiration that for some it took a lifetime to find. This quote from Billy Bladwin caught my eye today and is as timeless as ever. It’s actually a great quote to ponder as we all battle this difficult economy.

A good designer will take the time to find out what is precious to you. They’ll come to understand what you love, how you live, and use this knowledge to make your house a home. It’s not about buying everything new. It’s not about creasting a showcase. In fact, a good designer knows that it’s not about them, but truly about you. It’s something to remember when starting a DIY project. It’s always nice to have something fresh and new, but sometimes hanging onto to pieces of the old reminds us of who we are and provides warmth when we most need it.