The most incredible looking spaces that you have ever stepped foot in may have been inspired by many many factors (color palette, a feature wall, a trendy style category, etc.) it's true. However, the single unequivocal reason (ask any designer) that a space looks complete, balanced, sophisticated is because of the space planning it's self.
*General Layout of a space (furnishings)*
Furnishings need to be chosen based on NEED/FUNCTION and SCALE/PROXIMITY of ALL of the pieces in the space, as a whole, as it relates to the function of the space and the permanent elements therein.
What is the furniture arrangement? Does it make sense for how the space is used? Are there adequate walk paths? Is it practical for activities that happen in the space? Are there areas or pieces that need to be multipurpose?
BY... THE... INCH...!!! Furniture is NOT sized and scaled the same universally! Windows ae not "standard". Nor are lighting fixtures, fireplace mantles, area rugs, window treatments... name anything! There is no such things as "standard" in the industry. Widths, depths, heights of any given product or material... are all over the place. The same is absolutely true for *Architectural/permanent elements* selections for new construction or remodel projects. Wall/window/cabinetry/switch placement. For all of the above mentioned reasons. An Interior Designer will always be considering size and scale of everything going into the space... as a whole... end result... you may not know it, but they are. Scale drawings, floor plans, elevations, calculations and mental mock-ups are a constant for the interior designer.
*** Want a fun example??? ***
CLIENT: "what do you think about long dramatic drapery panels here in the living room?"
DESIGNER'S BRAIN:
How tall are the ceilings? Does that make sense for the height of the fireplace near by? Do we need full drapery panels? Are they functioning/ opening and closing? If so, what mechanism/rod should be used? Is the drapery hardware and rod at that point able to carry the weight load of the finished drapery? What side should the controls be at as far as function, is anything in the way? Is the drapery lined? Is the lining blackout or sun or fade resistant, and how heavy will this end up? Is it a split draw or stacked left or right, we need to calculate if there is enough room for stack before it hits the nearby wall? What kind of material is the drapery made of? Will this material stretch over time? What is it made of? Will it wrinkle? Are we doing a pinch pleat? Which kind? If we do, will it lay the way we want it to? What about the structural integrity of the wall/ceiling where it is to be mounted, is that okay, is anything in the way? Are there any outlets/ registers or switches in the way? How much fabric needs to be ordered? How full should the drapery be (calculate/add yardage)? But, how big is the pattern repeat (calculate/add yardage)? How wide is the fabric? How does the fabric come off of the bolt? Is it railroaded? What kind? Are we using tie-backs? Is all of that in stock, in one piece, in one dyelot? Will it cause a long lead time? What is the lead time for the fabricator? Where does it ship to? Is there added freight for the amount of fabric ordered?
DESIGNER: "That might be a good possibility"
An Interior Designer's job is to identify possible problems or pitfalls that can hinder the needs of the space as it is meant to serve it's user... backed by studies/education, field/project experience. They have to absolutely be able to identify which types of materials, & application must be eliminated as options, or what is definitely and option and would work out for the client in terms of how those materials/pieces are going to perform and be used.
After all of the technical and functional data is assessed... it is THEN that the actual pieces/products can be considered/chosen... and THEN... "pretty" color palette part can happen. It is a ratio of about 80% technical application... and 20% "pretty" time... 100% of the time.
The overall finished look of the room... the "pretty" factor? It should always be "pretty" in the end. That is something that any interior Designer should be able to pull off. The easy part if you will. "Pretty" should always be the one "given" in the equation. The exceptional design, is the one that is whole from the inside out. The design that is "pretty" but, also functions and performs to it's fullest potential in it's "live and living" fully implemented end result.
Comments