Interior Design - The Truth, the Whole Truth

Have you wondered how it is you can make your home look just like the homes of the many celebrities and affluent people of this world that you seen in the many home magazines? Or is that you just want to make your home look beautiful. These can be done quite simply just through the use of interior design.

Many people often use interior designers to help enhance the architectural features or the furniture they already have in their homes.

An interior designer should know and also take into consideration the many different parts of design, what the proportions of the room, its function, the concept that the owner of the home is look for and how to balance all these together. By being able to do this an interior designer should be able to create the “look and feel” of a room that the house owner requires.

Say for example the owner of the house wishes to enhance the rooms use, thus by using the right combination of colours, layouts and shapes in the design this should be easily accomplished by any interior designer.

At all times an interior designer should include the following seven elements in their design to reach the best results for the home owner and these are shape, form, line, texture, colour, pattern and mass. But there are other things that a designer should also take into account those which include the beauty of the finished design in respect of its function and aesthetics. Knowing that they have reached a good balance of these time items will help to ensure that all elements of their design co-ordinate perfectly.

Unfortunately there may be times when one design may look beautiful to one person and the others may find it unsightly. It is therefore the function of the designer to ensure that as far as enhancing the total look of a space is concerned it should be liked by all people concerned. For this reason, and this reason alone you may find that the interior designer will look at his own idea of beauty and look at how the home owner will see it. However, the designer will always know the most appropriate use for the many different elements that will be associated with the different kinds of materials that he or she will be using in their designs. Thus, at all times an interior designer must take into consideration the likes and dislikes of their customers as they must not forget that they are being paid to enhance a space in the customers according their tastes and how that space is going to be utilized in the future.

By now the persuasive power of an interior designer should be convincing the client on the best design suited to their style. By doing this the designer will find that they will have less trouble in deviating away from the ideas of their clients, or else they may find that this client will no longer request their assistance in the future.

In fact being an interior designer does not mean that you have good taste or are able to improve the space in someone’s home, rather it is the amalgamation of a number of different elements of design combined with the interests of their clients.

About the author:

Allison Thompson a work from home mum living in Spain with over 15 years experience in the property management field. She has set up a number of site relating to property matters as well as being the partner in a small real estate company. The sites she has set up deal with all aspects of property and how to make the most of what you have both inside and outdoors. The latest site she has added relates to Interior Design and Decoration and if you would like to know more please visit http://www.decorating.avonmay.info.

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The Two Pillars of a Successful Interior Design Project!

Whenever I think of any design, be it interior design or product design, a few things very naturally come up in my mind. These are in the form of questions.

The best part is, answers to these questions can give rise to a very successful design in itself. Let's see how.

If I am planning to design a piece of furniture, let's say a double bed, immediate I start relating to what I already know about double beds, some picture/image I have already seen, something I have seen in some furniture shop, etc...Then I start thinking about what material I should think about, the budget, dimensions, age group of people who are going to use it, etc... If you answer these questions one by one on a paper, you will get a blueprint of the design process, so that you can convert in into technical drawings, with all the joinery details and finally the product.

Amongst above mentioned questions some are directly related to function of the double bed as a piece of furniture.

What does this mean?

When I ask myself, what should be the dimensions of a double bed? I have very little freedom to decide the dimensions of the bed, because there are certain norms to be followed in order to serve it's basic function and that's comfort.

But what if I say that I will keep the overall surface area of the bed same , but make it round in plan. Will it be ok..

Now here I am trying to achieve both function and aesthetics, without sacrificing the comfort of the person who will use it. So during any design process there will be times when the designer need to take some decisions where he has to keep aside his wildest ideas and pay attention to function first.

That's why the true success of an interior design project is a good balance between function and aesthetics.

Expressing this kind of balance through design is not an easy task, because function is universally accepted, but aesthetics, not always.

What does this mean?

Beauty is always relative. A washbasin has a common universal function of an appliance to be used for washing hands, but it's beauty is relative. What is beautiful for me, might not hold true for you.

So a design expression can have a unique style of the designer himself. It is possible that the designer is more comfortable with certain kinds of materials/finishes/color schemes, etc.. which can reflect in his designs.

In spite of these personal touches a good designs always caters the needs of the user first. A good designer has a certain kind of convincing power in his/her style which he uses to expresses in the design without sacrificing the likes/dislikes of the user.

There are designers who are more comfortable in designing only a certain kind space such as bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, public spaces such as restaurants, clubs, gymnasiums.

Of course this is entirely of a personal choice, but there is this same message in their designs, shell out your ego and design for the best parameters with worst possibilities taken into considerations. This is what gives birth to a great design.

I hope this article was helpful.

About the author:

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya discusses some great interior design ideas at his website. Visit his website http://www.bedroom-design-and-decorating-ideas.com today to get an overview of decorating and remodeling interior spaces in your home.

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Interior Design For The Home

Any home can be pleasing with the proper application of basic interior design methods. Some people study interior design to be very good at it but there are people who are gifted with an eye for beauty and for interior designing.

A person who is creative can do some interior designing on his own even without formal training. Those who have an eye for what is aesthetic can just as easily decorate and design his own house depending on his tastes. Of course, it helps to read books and articles about designing to be updated on the basic and latest design methods.

Any interior designer can create a specific atmosphere just by putting together several pieces and unifying them in a single theme. There are interior designers who have a bias for certain motifs like eclectic, modern or even country style. Some go for simple designs without the clutter.

Interior design is not only aesthetic but also functional depending on the requirements of the client. An interior designer can make a small room spacious and an otherwise cluttered room into an orderly one. Interior design is used just about anywhere from homes, offices to commercial buildings.

The interiors of a room should always match the personality of the person who will occupy that room. This is the reason why designers always work closely with their clients so they can make sure that they get a feel of what their clients want in terms of design style.

People have this notion that interior design is expensive. However, designers are not only creative people but they are also very good in budgeting. Most designers will work on a design that will match or fit the budget of their clients. A person can allot a minimal amount for the interior design of his home or office and still come up with an aesthetic and functional room.

Professional interior designers who are formally trained usually have basic knowledge on architecture, engineering and even accounting. They need these courses to make their design aesthetic, structurally correct and cost effective.

The terms Interior design and interior decorating have often been used interchangeably. However, the two terms actually deal with different phases of making a room or a space aesthetic. Interior design is basically the process of studying the personality of the occupant of the room being designed in order to maximize and tailor-made the room’s design for that person's behavior and personality.

Interior decorating on the other hand is the process of actually mixing and matching the different design techniques like window treatments, the right wallpaper, wall finish and even the furnishing of a room.

There are a lot of opportunities for those in the interior design and decorating industry. An interior designer can go into designing household, corporate or commercial establishments. Others specialize in the design of health facilities or even tourism establishments.

The latest trend now for those in the interior design industry is to be able to incorporate the right engineering and aesthetic design with sustainable development. Even designers are now more conscious about the state of the environment so they tend to use environmentally friendly materials for their designs.

There are designers who specialize and use Feng Shui in their designs. This requires further study because Feng Shui deals with the Chinese’s ancient methods of designing a space to make the design work for the owner’s health, business and other life factors.

The Chinese believes that a structure should be properly designed so as to allow positive energy to enter the structure. When the structure has already been built without the aid of a Feng Shui expert, the mistakes can be corrected through proper interior design using the Feng Shui methods.

By incorporating Feng Shui in interior design, it is believed that a person can bring out all the positive energies in a room to make him rich, happy and healthy. An interior design using Feng Shui can also get rid of bad spirits that bring in negative atmosphere in an abode.

Getting the services of an interior designer can make a room both aesthetic and functional. Any person who wants to make his home livable and functional should try getting the services of an interior designer to maximize his space.

About the author:

Lee Dobbins writes for http://interiordesign.unique-articles.com where you can read more articles and get tips on decorating and interior design.

More Articles visit: http://home-interior.blogspot.com

Decorating on a Budget - 15 Easy Steps

Many years ago I was told that the least expensive way to redecorate is to rearrange what you have. It was one of the best decorating suggestions I’ve ever had-not to mention the one that can be the most fun to implement. How can you beat it? A new room-practically free! You get such a feeling of satisfaction when you accomplish something spectacular using your imagination and what you already have.

Of course, like many suggestions there is a good way to do this and one that isn’t quite so satisfactory. So here’s a step by step.

1. Choose the room you want to give a new look.

2. Decide on the type of change you would like. Do you want it brighter, lighter, more sophisticated, or more casual? Do you want to give it a contemporary flavor or make it a bit exotic?

3. Take a good look at what is in the room and decide what doesn’t fit the new look/theme that you chose. What is worn out, out of place or out of proportion?

4. Assess the room: Stand in each doorway and in each corner of the room and give it a good hard look. Would the furniture look better on an angle? What is the traffic pattern? You don’t want furniture sitting in the way of how you need to move about the room. Most of us can’t afford to have a room that just sits and looks pretty. A well designed room works for you.

5. Make a list of the items you want tokeep and measure them.

6. Take a buying trip through your house and see what you can use from other rooms. One very important suggestion: double check measurements and colors of the pieces you have “bought” from other rooms. If you want to expand a little, there are frequently friends or relatives who have pieces in their homes they would like to get rid of, so if you don’t have quite what you like, check the family cast offs. Note: You might find you need to freshen your walls with a coat of paint or cover a chair or sofa with a slipcover or purchase new lampshades, but expense should be kept at a minimum, or you defeat your purpose.

7. Once you have your look and know what pieces are available to you, put it all on paper. You need to have a plan, because you could lose your ‘willing’ helpers if they have to move a sofa 6 or 7 times to get the right look because you didn’t do your homework. Pay special attention to electrical and cable outlets, heat and air vents and doors and windows. Lighting is important and unless you’re trying the hard way to keep the kids out, you want to be able to get in and out of the room easily and move around comfortably in it.

8. Clear your room. Take the unnecessary pieces and accessories away and put the pieces you want to keep together in another room.

9. It’s time to paint the walls and clean the windows and woodwork if needed. Shampoo carpets, wash floors and make sure your background is sparkling and clean.

10. If there are any small items you are going to need to purchase to complete the look, go do it while everything is drying. DO NOT go shopping without a list. You have your plan and you know what accessories you need to complete your look. The easiest way to get off budget and end up with clutter is to go without a list.

11. When the paint and floors are dry, place rugs on the floor (before you move in the furniture). It is also easier to do window treatments now while the room is empty. They can be adjusted later.

12. Gather your helpers. Move in the larger pieces of furniture. Add your smaller pieces such as tables and ottomans and then bring in the accessories.

13. Lamps are very important, so make sure they are located where they will work the best. Don’t under light your room.

14. Hang your pictures and adjust window treatments.

A note: less is more. An uncluttered room will give a more of an impression of newness then one with too much of everything.

15. Enjoy your new room. In fact throw a party and let everyone admire what you’ve accomplished. You’ll be able to afford it with the money you’ve saved.

Happy decorating!

About the author:

This content for this article was provided by design consultant to ON THE GO 4 U, Suzanne Copenhaver. Suzanne has years of experience dealing with less than perfect home interiors and infrastructures. She provides in-home consultations on color, space, and design and teaches workshops on decorating for ON THE GO 4 U.

Indra A Books, author of many other lifestyle articles is also the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company’s creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE Go 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net


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Bathroom Vanities - How Vanity Furniture Can Transform Your Bathroom

When it comes to bathroom vanities, there's something to please all tastes and suit all budgets. Nothing adds to the character of a bathroom quite like a well-chosen vanity cabinet or dressing table. Bath vanities take center stage in a room and as such play a vital role in defining a bathroom's look and ambiance. Here are some things to consider when choosing new vanity furniture.

A critical part of planning your bathroom design is deciding on a decorating theme. Think about the décor throughout your home, be it period, country cottage or contemporary, and decorate your bathroom accordingly. Bath vanities come in all kinds of styles and finishes, from hand painted to distressed, from ornately carved to minimalist and functional straight lines.

In smaller bathrooms, replacing a traditional pedestal sink with a stylish sink vanity cabinet can make more efficient use of the space. Bathroom sink vanities combine useful storage space and countertop surface with enduring style. If you've got a big room, a double sink vanity could work well, adding a touch of elegance as well as being practical for couples and families.

Bedroom vanities can fit in well in large bathrooms, providing a convenient and attractive place to dress and perform daily grooming rituals. However, a bedroom vanity is unlikely to be as water resistant as a bathroom vanity, so it must be placed well away from where it could be splashed. Vanity tables with matching stools or chairs, mirrors and makeup trays are often sold as sets, helping you to save money if you're doing your bathroom makeover on a budget.

Whatever your personal preferences and price range, you're sure to find some stunning bathroom vanities or bedroom vanity furniture which can transform your bathroom and give it a beautiful new image.

About the author:

Caroline Smith is a regular contributor to FindVanities.com - an online guide to finding all kinds of contemporary and discounted bathroom vanities, as well as bedroom vanity sets, bathroom vanity stools and more.

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Tips for Custom Home Decorating

So the time has come for bedroom decorating. Perhaps you have moved to a new home, or rental, or have decided to upgrade your current home to a fresh new look. Whatever the reason you have decided to undertake the task of decorating your living space, there are some simple and creative ideas which can make the process easier. The process itself may seem difficult. There is a lot to think about, your time, your lifestyle and your budget are a few examples. These are only three of the many things which need to be taken into account before you embark on the adventure of custom decorating your home.

Many people simply hire an interior designer to help them decide the best route to go with their new look. However professional designers are not cheap and you can easily double the price of your project by using a professional consultant. Besides, decorating does not have to be a daunting or tedious task. The reason that professional decorators are so good at what they do comes from education, experience and resources. If you don't have the money for a decorator, or want to be creative but don't know where to start then this article is for you. By utilizing a few simple tips and knowing where to look you can come up with a professional look at a budget price and also, have fun doing it.

Your budget is the first thing that you should consider when developing a plan. When considering this you should think about the fact that the average person spends about a third of their life sleeping, in addition to the time you spend in your room relaxing, getting ready for work and spending time with your loved ones. Considering this it is important to remember, that investing in quality materials is worth it. It is also important to be creative; if you have skills such as sewing, construction or anything else be sure to fully utilize these skills in your plan and therefore your budget. Using skills that you already have will allow you to save money and invest more in quality materials, enabling you to create a long lasting, beautiful, and comfortable ambiance.

The next key to success is to come up with your design. Think about the basics of what it will encompass. Overall the focus will be the color palette and common design elements. Use existing elements in your home, the color of your carpet, your wardrobe, even your kitchen to create a palette. There are some good resources on the internet to help you come up with coloring which fits your lifestyle. Check out Waverly's website. Waverly has developed tools for you to use to help you determine the tones, and the styles which will work for you.

Once you have developed an idea of the look that you want, the next step would be to choose the products you will use. In a bedroom, the focus will most likely be the bed and therefore the bedding. Utilizing the color palette you have decided on you can choose from bedding ensembles from any of the major manufacturers. However, some companies offer several advantages for the amateur decorator. Thomasville is a great company to check out. Thomasville has the advantage of being able to choose from either complete ensembles or mix and match individual pieces to create a customized look. In addition Thomasville sells their fabrics by the yard so you can create additional items to compliment your ensemble. Lampshades, table coverings, upholstering furniture, these are just a few of the things that you can do.

If you are feeling really adventurous you can take advantage of Waverly's beautiful fabrics to hand create custom bedding. Since Waverly does not sell bedding ensembles if you want to use their fabrics you will need to construct your own, or hire a seamstress to create an ensemble. However, there are manufacturers who create their own custom ensembles using Waverly fabrics. Aj MOSS has their own line of ensembles created from Waverly fabrics. These fabrics have legendary quality and beauty, using Waverly will definitely create an elegant look.

Once you find the right bedding ensemble designing the rest of your bedroom is next. Look for great Waverly wallpapers, which are sold in patterns which match their fabrics. Waverly paints or standard store paints which match the color palette of your design can be used as well. Croscill and Thomasville sell some very nice bathroom accessories which you can purchase to tie your master bathroom into your master bedroom.

Creating a comfortable home with a warm feeling is not difficult when you have the tools necessary to complete the job. The internet is a great source of information when looking for design tips, ideas, and suggestions from experts etc. If you have the time and inspiration you can create a beautiful living space which will have an expensive look at a budget price. You will look at your creation and know that you made it, adding to the warmth and personality of your home.

About the Author:

Written by Jared More for aj MOSS, for more home decorating ideas or to find out about the aj MOSS line or Waverly products highlighted in this article please visit http://www.ajmoss.com today. Give us a call 1-877-863-1270 and one of our helpful representatives will be happy to help you!

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Western Decorating Ideas For Your Kitchen

If you are into the Western decorating theme, you can have a lot of fun using it to decorate your kitchen. In fact, you can take one element of the theme and go crazy with it. For instance, one Western decorating idea is to focus on a Western object like some cowboy boots or a cowboy hat. You can even combine elements and use both of them as your central decorating theme.

You can find all types of decor in the Western decorating theme. Try looking for cookie jars or other ceramics that you can sit out on your counter for an interesting effect. Also look for western themed curtains and light switch covers. One fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon is to scour the local antique shops for Western themed decor. You’ll be surprised at the interesting items you can find! You can use browns, red, navy, or cream to pull in the Americana theme to the mix as well.

One great way to pull off the theme is to also look for accents made of unfinished wood. You can often find tables and chairs that actually look like they were made with unfinished logs. These are perfect for a Western decorated kitchen. In addition, you can use photo frames that look unfinished and put pictures of your family or of western mountains and hills in them. You can also find many items made from tree branches or logs as well as items made from deer antlers and items covered in cow hide (either faux or real!)

Another great thing to use is copper or black iron accents. You can get away with either of these. If you have a pot hanger over your kitchen island, you should try mixing both copper pieces and cast iron pieces. In addition, you can even use cast iron skillets or pans as wall decor and hang them accordingly. And don’t forget pot holders, tablecloths and dish towels made with Western theme fabrics.

Try your own Western decorating ideas in your kitchen to see exactly what works for you and what doesn’t. The Western theme is perfect if you love to constantly feel like you are the “Wild West” or in a log cabin. It can look great in any home if you are consistent with the decor. Using Western style accents on the counters, window treatments, floors and walls will help pull the look together and make you feel like you are rustling up grub for your cowhands on a Western ranch even if you are living in a modern city home!

About the author:

Lee Dobbins writes for www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com where you can get more ideas for decorating your kitchen.

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