STARTING FRESH
Tips for designing your new home from scratch
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You have just moved into your dream home.
Now what?
As you stare at the blank walls and empty rooms, it all may seem overwhelming.
Believe it or not, even professional designers experience this same feeling when launching a new interior design project. But what sets a pro apart from a novice is having the education and experience to understand key design elements such as space, size, scale and color.
Getting started
As a professional interior designer, I always advise clients to begin with the basics; in other words start big and then small.
Imagine a tree. You should start with the trunk before moving to the branches and ultimately the leaves. The same is true for home décor. It is critical to begin with what I call "foundation" pieces — these are elements such as sofas and even rugs.
Sofas and rugs also help to anchor a room, so it is important to choose these elements early in the design process. When choosing rugs, I often suggest choosing them either first — for color, graphic or design inspiration — or last, to tie everything together.
Defining your style
I always suggest, when looking for the "springboard" for design inspiration, to focus on two key elements, your favorite color and your "favorite things."
These two defined design elements can help you begin your design path. Beyond this, taking photographs of designs you love, either on your everyday travels or on vacation, perusing magazines and in person or online retailers will help you to hone in on what speaks to you and help to create a starting point for your design journey.
Working with a professional designer
Hiring a professional designer is an investment one should not take lightly.
A designer typically charges either hourly or flat fees for their time and often a percentage of the furniture budget. Aspects such as shopping, emails and phone calls often are considered to be billable services.
Keep in mind that an interior designer should be qualified in their field and this often means they have earned qualifications recognized as industry standards.
Professional organizations such as American Society of Interior Designers and the International Interior Design Association provide accreditations and maintain directories of providers who have earned qualifications. These are great places to begin a search for a professional designer.
Beyond this, consumer events such as trade shows, showcases and local events can provide insight into the work of some of the professionals in your area.
Once you begin working with an interior designer, most of them work in phases: „
■The design phase: When a plan is formulated for your space. „
■The procurement or purchase phase: When furniture, artwork and accessories are compiled. „
â– The installation phase: When the design vision becomes a reality.
Saving vs. splurging
When it comes to making that first big purchase, make it a well-crafted sofa or bed. These foundation pieces are well-used and should be built to last for the long haul, not a year or two. Look for elements such as solid hardwood in materials such as walnut and oak instead of softer woods such as pine or veneered pieces made of particle board.
For upholstered pieces, I always suggest using commercial-or hospitality-grade fabrics. They cost a bit more than traditional fabrics, but it will go a long way as far as longevity with minimal care and maintenance.
Cathy Hobbs is the owner of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes, a home staging company based in New York City (www.cathyhobbs.com), and the owner of Highland Passive House, a Home Staging + Design Center based in New York's Hudson Valley (www.highlandpassivehouse.com).
