Decorating
The
Magic of Interior Design
by Melody Foster
There was a time
people thought the world was flat. At another point in history it was
believed that women didn't have the know-how to run a business or
change a tire. Then there was the one about man not being able to
fly. Over time all of these fairytales have proven untrue.
So it is with
interior design. Until recently, many people held the belief that
having their home decorated by an interior designer was reserved for
the rich and famous. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Fact is, many
people of average income who live in a middleclass neighborhood are
frequently surprised to learn they can easily afford the services of
an interior designer. In other cases, many folks prefer to learn tips
about design so they have the flexibility to redo a room on a whim.
Either way, you have more choices today then ever before.
It is not uncommon
to completely redo a room for a one time social event such as a
birthday celebration, a graduation or a wedding. With some simple
tips, even the most inexperienced person can easily spruce up a room.
Before you begin,
think about the style you are interested in. Is it art deco,
traditional, Mediterranean, western, modern, or contemporary? These
are only a few of the multitude of choices you have. Think through
how functional the room will be with what you have in mind. Avoid
rugs and chairs that stain easily if there will be a lot of traffic
in the room.
Be very careful to
scale your furniture to the size of the room. If you have a very
large space you can break up the area into little sitting groups or
area groups. You can easily shift the "feel" of a room with
the use of lighting and/or plants. Area rugs are another tool many
designers use to break up large spaces. A variety of paint colors and
wall textures can make even the most mundane room come to life.
Small space
decorating is fast becoming a favorite topic for many people as real
estate prices rise. Think priorities when it comes to small spaces.
Do you need to use an area of the room for more than one reason? In
some cases you can easily convert the kitchen table to your workspace
provided you have cabinet space handy for supplies. A chest of
drawers can easily serve this purpose by holding office supplies,
linens, or even computer components.
If you are
considering utilizing the services of a designer, do your homework.
Check their portfolio and references. Find out how they are to work
with, did they deliver on time, were they easy to work with and did
they listen to the homeowner. If you get an affirmative answer on all
of these and their fees are suitable to your budget, then take the
leap. Often, interior designs services are provided at no additional
cost to you, and will give you the extra edge you need to create
exactly the feeling you want for your home.
A great designer
can make recommendations you may not have thought of. Ultimately,
their goal is for you to be ecstatic with what you were able to
accomplish together. After all, you are the one that has to live in
the space long after the designer has done their magic.
Copyright: ©
2004 by Melody Foster
About The Author
Melody Foster
is the proprietor of The Cozy Home. The Cozy Home recently received
the award for Best Interior Design for 2004 from the Parade of Homes
and Salt Lake Home Builders Association for homes in the $400,000 -
$700,000 range. Located in historic downtown Draper, Utah, The Cozy
Home has a retail outlet that offer a unique selection to those who
want the ability to furnish and accessorize their homes in a very
individual way, with one-of-a-kind pieces that cannot be found
elsewhere. The Cozy Home also focuses on interior design for homes in
the $200,000 and up range, specializing in the enhancing the average
American home. Visit: www.thecozyhome.net
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