Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Wednesday Ramblings....

I have been stuck at home too many days than I would like to think about. I had a surgery and the side effects are sticking around longer than I thought they would. So, I have been catching up on lots of rest. Which brings me to my ramblings today. I have been thinking about this a lot and I feel like it is time to put it out there to you. Recently, I have been in contact with several interior designers. Many of these designers are older women in their fifties, who have an established business. Look at these images below that some NJ designers posted on their website, case in point.








These designs are well thought out but I often find that their take on design ideas are very "in the box." What I mean is that they tend to be on the safe, traditional style of design that doesn't seem to fit the young modern families in our area. Golden yellow colored walls, plum color damask fabrics, cherry cabinetry and that famous camel colored granite, etc.  I was in an interior shop in Princeton, NJ and overheard a conversation of a woman who was desiring to modernize her home because she feels like when you walk in, it feels more like her mothers home instead hers. Her mom was right next to her agreeing. This exemplifies the challenge. Most of the homes in the northeast have architectural elements of a colonial design and I think that designers get stuck. Colonial design is one of my favorites but you can easily update a colonial with flooring, colors and furnishings and make it hip, modern and fun. I have walked into too many homes of young families that feel like an older couple in their 60's live there instead of family in the late twenties. One factor that contributes to this is that we often start out with passed down furniture pieces from grandma and others. So, I guess what my purpose in writing this today is to encourage doing research when choosing an interior designer. Their portfolio tells a lot about their take on design as does their appearance. Our home should be a reflection of who we are as individuals and families. Designers that push us out of our comfort zone with fresh ideas are worth considering. I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject, please leave me your comments!!!

10 comments:

  1. Hi Denise,
    Hope you're feeling better. I agree with what you're saying but sometimes its very difficult to break the mold, especially when spending a lot of money...mistakes can become very expensive. "Old" designing is nice and comfortable, but I do believe "New" design can be exciting and interesting. Silvia

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  2. I, personally, love a mix of old and new. Which I think is where you need to be, especially in your area with all the older colonial homes. I watch a lot of HGTV and the younger designers really try to get a feel of what the couple (or person) really likes and go from there. It seems that some of these designers have one set of mind and stick with that. But what about the client? What do they really want? Then again, those photos may be reflective of their clientele, older with money. A lot of young couples don't have the money to spend on a designer in the first place. Which I guess that's why I like HGTV, they give a lot of good ideas to save money but have great design elements. Now if I was only crafty maybe I could implement some of them, lol! Are you asking about how to brand yourself?

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  3. I agree with Nyree old money begets old money. I love my 1846 center hall farm house but would never design around it. My big country kitchen is flanked with black shaker cabinets and absolute black granit. My point is there should never be a box in which all design ideas come from and most design rules are made to be broken.

    Tara

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  4. Interior designers are much like graphic designers - you use your expertise and experience to guide your client to an end result that portrays THEM, usually in ways they never realized. As professionals, we have an obligation to show them it doesn't have to be the same old thing. Of course sometimes they'll want the same old thing anyway, lol (& in something as personal as their home it's more difficult), but fresh ideas are what it's all about. And if an interior designer doesn't have ANY "new" ideas in their portfolio, I would think that's a red flag!! Timeless is one thing - Dated is another.

    I couldn't make out the top picture, but (YAWN) the second picture is so dated and BORING! And the third has potential but nothing exciting & lacking personality. I understand why you say in the box design. Hand me down furniture can push young couples into a style not their own, but it doesn't have to! There are LOTS of ways to transform into a style fitting of a hip young family with a lot of personal style. And I'm sure you'd be one who could show them how!

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  5. Good Point!!!!! Thinking back to your last blog, you showed a lamp in your bedroom, which was older & from a thrift store. . .BUT you modernized it simply with a coat of paint. Lovely!!!
    We all have a collection of hand me down things, VIA grandparents, garage sales, or just starting outs. A true designer can modernize what our staples are with new ideas. I agree with you on picking a designer. What they choose to put in a portfolio tells you how adaptable they will be in their design. Colonial begets colonial: modern begets modern: The key is to choose a designer who truly gets you.

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  7. You make such a good pt! I have a lot of family in your area and their homes look like pic #2 :)
    I think they all use the same designers and end up just trying to outdo one another. So ultimately they lose track of what they want, who they are, and you get that cookie cutter, lacking unique personality. So sad.

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  8. Thank you readers for all of your feedback! It is reassuring that I am not the only one feeling this way. I always hope to share my thoughts and encourage my readers to go out of the box of design trends and remain true to who they are as individuals!

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  9. oh, i totally agree. sometimes i look at other designers portfolios, and think "WHO is hiring this person??" i guess i tend to appreciate homes that are an updated version of traditional, and find "straight" traditional a little stiff and stodgy.
    anyway, hope you feel better soon!!
    :)

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  10. i hate the second picture....too formal and not inviting....the third is alot warmer. i think a combination leaning with new young ideas can make a world of difference to any traditional pieces in the room. Just like the bride...something old and something new...simone

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