Great interior design has a huge impact on how you live. It’s just as important as every other aspect of building or redesigning a space: Great design pays homage to the architecture and makes your space a functional, fulfilling place to be.
That’s why we approach interior design with intention, the same way we approach our architectural designs, knowing that every design decision is part of a whole and that design deeply affects every person who spends time in a space.
When you hire an interior designer, they’ll use their eye and expertise to shape a space and the way people experience it.
There’s No Such Thing As “No Design”
Every space is designed. It can be poorly designed or well designed. Period. Whether you recognize it or not, either will have a profound impact on how a space makes you feel.
Interior design is not a frivolous add-on but a fundamental — even an unavoidable — creation process. If a space is well designed, it will have a positive impact. If it’s poorly designed, it will have a negative impact. But there’s no way for interior design to have zero impact. Your choice is to pick which experience you want to have.
Good Design Doesn’t Just Happen
Creating places that are pleasing means paying close, maybe even slightly obsessive, attention to detail.
Every tiny detail matters, from the veining in the countertops and the style of faucets to the field color of a wall covering and even the finish edge details on upholstery. But the biggest impact of good design comes from the way these elements interlock to create a space that has real soul, a place where you just want to be.
It’s an intentional process, and a time-consuming one, to get the elements just right. Thoughtfully pairing and grouping things — out of all the products available out there — is hard, particular work. But once it’s done, a well-designed space feels like magic.
Your interior designer should carefully listen to your desires and interpret and evolve them using color psychology, a deep knowledge of materials, and modern sensibilities.
They should handle all aspects of the interior design process, from conceptualization through design administration during the construction phase. We recommend that they also procure and install all furniture and accessories once construction is finished so that your space feels well designed from start to finish, down to the last little detail.
Interior Design Is Part Of A Whole
Every single design decision works together with every other to create a whole. That’s where the architectural-interiors partnership really shines.
Your interior designer should highlight the best parts of the architecture while also using architectural elements to highlight furniture, carpets, pieces of art, and other objects in the home.
At the same time, a great interior designer should couple your style (modern, traditional, eclectic) and your desires for a given area with the way a room uses light and space.
If you want a space to feel cozy and classic, for instance, your interior designer may suggest a sofa with deep cushions and rolled arms. But whether it’s, say, a sectional or a chaise will depend on both the flow and purpose of the room and the intended use of the piece. Your designer should consider the dimensions and shape of the room, whether the piece will be used more for reading or for conversation, as well as the overall impression it will make.
An interior designer should also know how to incorporate existing pieces that are important to you, such as a vintage table or a treasured piece of art. They can even help you discern which pieces to highlight and which to let go of in order to make your space feel the way you want it to feel.
Specific Interior Design Choices Matter
Imagine a great room with a curved counter that mirrors a tall bank of windows. Now imagine that countertop finished with a lackluster laminate. And now imagine what that countertop will look like in 10 years: It might be chipped at the edges and scarred with burn marks. Though it has a compelling shape and function, our counter will not be as compelling or durable as it would have been if it were finished with a material that’s more beautiful and made to last.
Here’s another for-instance. Let’s say you have a gorgeous new home designed by the best architects — the size, shapes, windows, doors, and the installed hard finishes all telling one vibrant and considered story. Now imagine that you bring in your old furniture, furniture that is not only tired, but that tells a completely different and incongruent story. This new space — the result of deep investment — is now less visible and less compelling than it would have been with fresh furniture and accessories.
Poor interior design choices can blunt even the most beautiful architecture. All design choices matter, for better aesthetics and for better function.
Hire An Interior Designer To Create A Holistic Space
Even if you change the interior design of your space one room at a time, it’s important to enlist the services of an interior design professional who has a solid, holistic philosophy, one that takes everything — the architecture, the function of the space, and your preferences — into consideration.
Good design is more than pairing the drapes with the throw pillows. It’s about creating an integrated space that beckons.
Posted on August 01, 2024
