Minding My Business!

Coming from a corporate background and starting a business of your own is nothing short of a roller coaster ride. Where the journey from getting a new client to waiting for the next one is filled with all the excitement, it also comes with an innate fear of what if there is no new client. Giving up a career for 7 years where you were never short of work (if not overloaded with it) and adopting a career where you spend most of your time looking for new projects, I initially lost track of time and days. After days of no or little work, I got invited to a very prestigious conference in the design world and I was so excited about it. I knew exactly what I am going to wear, had my business cards ready along with my list of questions while hunting for a mentor or even a co-struggler to get some solace. Reality of how locked up I have been in my most comfortable “home office” hit me when I showed up for the conference a whole day in advance. I kicked myself all the way back home for being so silly… how could I be so stupid?! It has never happened to me ever before!!! But, it did bring me to a blatant reality and I knew I had to fix things. I could not just sit around and wait for new projects to arrive. I set my daily schedule, including a workout to channel the energy somewhat constructively. Just in time, I started working on my two projects which came through referrals. I got busier and my days and the decision made sense again. On the days when I was not completely soaked up in my projects, I would spend hours researching on how to market my business to my target population and met a lot of wonderful people from different fields who I thought could help.

A key component of success for any new business is marketing, but I quickly learned that people believe in more myths about my field than the facts. Every time I had a conversation about hiring an interior design professional, it would always be the same monologue. By now, I can guess the next sentence in this type of a conversation even before it is spoken… no kidding! Now, I understand the challenge which lies ahead of me. There needs to be a reverse-orientation and re-education of myths vs facts about interior design. This blog is a small step in that direction. Let us begin with the most popular belief, shall we?!

“Hiring an Interior Decorator is so expensive… I don’t think my budget can afford it”

This is a big one! And I have a feeling that you said this too at some point K Hiring someone to help set up your home is still considered such a luxury that most of the times, we don’t even think about exploring the option and finding out more about the associated costs. Just like any other field, decorators provide a series of packages or services varying from end-to-end project management to just an hourly consultation. Hiring an interior decorator may actually save you some money or bring you valuable advise at no major incremental costs. You can easily find decorators who will work with your budget. On top of it, they might be able to offer you some trade discounts not available to general public. Also, hiring a professional gives you access to the trade-only world which makes your design exclusive with a lot of customization. Most importantly, a decorator’s advice may prevent you from making an expensive mistake which may become an eye sore. So anytime you are thinking of a change in interiors, pick up the phone and make that call… Just ask! Most decorators offer a no commitment free 1^st consultation… Now it sounds like a no-brainer right!!! Absolutely!!!    

“I don’t have a huge space… not sure if I need a professional to help design my small rooms”

On the contrary, I have always believed that it’s the smaller rooms which need more professional attention. These are spaces which need to be configured to multifunction and yet need to look roomy, not to mention beautiful. The professionals in this field are usually formally trained in techniques of space planning, color theory, etc which provide much needed ingredients for a perfect room recipe.  So, it doesn't have to be just the media room, but can become a guest room, when needed.

“If it is all about having a good taste while buying things, I can do it myself”

This one is tricky! While the process does involve buying beautiful things, there is much more to that. A recommendation to buy a piece of furniture or accents is made to you keeping in mind the functionality, quality, budget, the overall scheme and also, aesthetics. Many a times you would find a room full of beautiful and expensive pieces but still there seems to be something missing!  Just remember, only liking it is not a good enough criteria to buy it… Trust me on this one!

“I want it to reflect my style, not my decorator’s”

You know those shows on HGTV and some other channels, where a designer shows up, has a short conversation and then there is a surprise reveal at the end! Yeah… well I hate to break this to you but that is not how it happens off-screen, unless, someone really wants to be surprised! The process is more of a supporting role in helping you make the right choices. The decorator works with you to understand your requirements, use of space, you style and liking… basically, any bit of information to pick just the right options for you. So, instead of browsing a ton of choices and getting lost and drained in the process, they help you narrow it down to just a few for simplicity. And, most importantly, you are hiring the decorator for their expertise to ensure that it all does go well together at the end!

So, if you have read through the piece and are still not convinced, like I said before, pick up the phone and make that call. Nothing puts your mind at ease at the end of a hectic day than coming home to a beautiful place, designed just for you! After all, there is no place like home. So, let us help you make your place nothing short of a Home Sweet Home!! :)

Manhattan Studio Project

Once I finished my certification curriculum in design school, I had a short sigh of relief and huge separation anxiety from my passion. I started to look for volunteers brave enough to let a newbie experiment with their space and money. My biggest challenge was to convince people that it does not have to cost big to have a beautiful home which suits your style and comfort. So, although many people promised to seek my help, many did shy away assuming it might cost them a lot. Finally, I found my first (and most skeptical) client who happened to be my friend and a colleague (and now, the other half of better half !). So, if I didn’t get it right, not only will I have to listen to it for the rest of my life, but my reputation at work was at stake as well (You can’t imagine the speed of news travel in a professional corporate environment).  Of course, I had to cut him a very good bargain and just settle for a dinner as my fee! 

When I first went to his apartment, I could understand why he did not like staying at home that much. He lived in a decent sized studio in Manhattan. The apartment looked dark and depressing, not to forget, injurious to the knees (Yes, I did bump mine at least once per minute!) His space had everything that suits his comfort and it all looked expensive, but just very chaotic and misfit to the size of his room. He liked watching TV while lying down comfortably, so he had 6ft log sofa in front of his TV. He liked a separate place to eat so he had a dining table. He did not like to place his laptop on his laps (irony?!), so he has a computer desk and chair. Of course, he had a sleigh bed, which he barely used. He slept on his sofa most nights watching TV. He liked to empty his pockets as soon as he entered home. So, half of his dining table was used to display everything from wallet to belt to tic-tac. After having enough bruises, I offered him to help redesign. He said NO. 

I did design my apartment with a lot of passion. And, so when I invited my friends for a house party, they could see some credibility to my skills. After 2 months of dating and a fabulous house party, my friend agreed to letting me redesign his place. We set a budget and the goal was to stay within. His furniture was too much and too bulky for the space. When we look at anything in front of us, we consider it as congested or open, big or small or bright or dull, in relation to a benchmark. In spaces, that benchmark is the stuff you put in it, like furniture and accessories. His place was small to begin with, and his big bulky furniture did not help.  So we decided to sell it all away and start fresh with a clean slate. 

We now had to work very closely with the measurements allocating appropriate space for movement (for knee safety) and furniture. Moreover, the furniture needs to be optimized by serving multiple purposes. So, we began our hunt for new furniture and accessories. It is very common for people to buy each piece separately without coordinating the shapes, styles and schemes. A collection of furniture put together keeping these is mind looks very coherent and can lend a strong sense of style to your place.  We bought an ottoman which also served as a coffee table. A low height bed was placed facing TV. Low height creates an illusion of high ceiling, so does half-way pulled window shades. Breakfast table for two was big enough to serve as a dining table and a computer table. Beautiful jute baskets were placed to conceal his pocket treasures. Room was flooded with light to create an illusion of openness. Combination of deeper colors was used with bright colored accessories to create drama and excitement. Area rug and very different colored accessories were used to define spaces as sleeping area vs. a living area. 

His newly designed studio is now clutter-free, cozy and comfortable. I received my first confirmation of a good job when he told me that he prefers to hang out at his place on Friday nights to relax. The second confirmation came in when he was looking to sublease his apartment. Almost all the prospective renters agreed to buy the furniture and accessories in the apartment as is upon moving in. Total time for redesign was three weeks. Total cost including everything was less than $1900. He recently leased his apartment and re-sold the furniture and accessories for $2000 after a year. So, contrary to the common belief, interior design ideas can add value and comfort to the rented and small spaces at only a nominal cost.

Bit Too Much!!

On my commute back from work today, I sat next to a couple visiting from Orange County. They were here “to enjoy seasons”. Maybe perfect beautiful sunny days with clear blue skies, one after another, can get very boring?!! Anyways, they were all cozy and tucked up in snow boots, when there is no snow or ice or even water for that matter, and down jackets, when it was 55F outside. For some reason, they decided to ask me about directions. In public interest, I would make an honest confession. I should be the last person to be trusted with subway directions. I would never turn you away, just because I think it’s rude, and will always give you an answer “to the best of my knowledge”. But, honestly, my knowledge is not all that best also. After I gave them incorrect directions “to the best of my knowledge”, we started talking about their visit to the city. They spent their entire day in some of the best designer furniture stores, while I was running SQL codes at work on a beautiful sunny day. I asked them about their experience and not to my surprise, I got the most common reaction. “It was good but a bit too much… a little over the top.” This is not an uncommon reaction. I have often observed the fear of experimenting, the fear of standing out in the crowd when it comes to making choices.

There is a very old saying. “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.” Thanks to years of self-imposed conformist discipline to the mind, this saying has lost its true meaning. Looking at an object instantly forms a first impression in our minds.  However, due to the years of mental training, we often over-write our true instinctive impressions by “what is normal and conforming”. We often find ourselves worrying too much about doing “too much”. If one’s space is an extension of oneself, then why give your space a poker-face? Let your choices truly reflect you. During my usual browsing of stores for unusual accents and designs, I came cross a beautiful metamorphosis shelf.

The piece of furniture is an artwork of nature in every true sense. However, it is a typical “it’s beautiful but …” kind of a deal. If science was to be believed, mind is oblivious to usual but instantly reactive to unusual, well mostly, unless we are truly bored. So, to simulate the mind and get reactions, it is important to present the out-of-the-box unexpected.

So, what does this mean in terms of interior designing? Simply put, it means creating drama and filling you space with surprises. A note of caution is that anything in excess is bad. A dash of drama and a couple of surprises create exciting spaces. Tons of drama and infinite surprises create a haunted mansion. If refurnishing a room, for starters, pick just one piece of furniture or accent which you truly find “too much” but secretly find a liking for it. It is easy to fall into temptation and stick to usual zone of comfort. But you must make a conscious effort to avoid this. 

Now, build the rest of the collection in such a way that the remaining pieces do not conflict with the main centerpiece, but compliment it. Multiple focal points in a space can create confusion, so try to attain a cohesive look. Also, creating small visual treats and surprises in unconceivable spots can add the excitement.

If you do not intend to invest in new set-up, it is very simple to create a treat for eyes by contrasting the current set up appropriately with new accents. You can also try to use the sharp contrasting colors to attain the dramatic effect. Picking bold patterns and color choices for walls is the new favorite trend of the designers. 

To add a touch of self, now might be a good time to get crafty. This jar chandelier is one of the simplest, most creative and cost-effective ways to add a zing to your space. 

In words of Pablo Picasso, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up… Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not….” So, start with an idea, step out of your comfort zone and try the “too much!!”

Splash some color on!

splash some color on!

Summer is finally here. Finally, everyone has shed away their layers of clothes and embraced brightness. Happy faces everywhere (especially on weekends!!) The best of nice bright summer rags are out of the closet… Colorful clothes everywhere… But when its time to get back to work, on comes the safest (most boring!!) choice of neutrals. Only the most daring and rebellious dare to add only a splash of striking contrast. Why do we shy away from experimenting with colors? This play-safe attitude is also reflected in our selection of interiors, be it walls, furniture or accessories. In the name of elegance, we often embrace boredom.

One of the first things we related to as children were colors. My two-year old niece has assigned one to everyone in her circuit. Hers is yellow mine is peach… her dad is red and mommy is green… All of us have associations with colors. So if we bring the same colors in the space we live in, we lend a bit of our personality to it. Define your space instead of the space defining you.

Color therapy is instrumental in Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui institutions as well. The colors have power to influence our moods and stimulate our minds. As per astrology, certain specific colors are related with certain planets and are believe to provide additional benefit to the residents by balancing energy and increase harmony. The flip side is that certain colors may be completely unfavorable to your stars. So, if you want to go that route, always seek professional help of trained vastu or feng shui consultants… (because, if even one door swings the other way, god save you… just kidding!!). On a more serious note, if one believes in accommodating vastu or feng shui to interiors, professional help is prudent. Another branch of color therapy is called chromotherapy. It is a simple method of treatment where colors are used to provide some relief from certain ailments. Each of the colors in a rainbow is related to one of the seven chakras. For example, green connects to lung and heart, blue connects with brain aiding in meditation and yellow connects with stomach and liver. So, infusing some the suitable colors in the interiors as well, after professional chromo-therapists’ advise, may promote one’s mental and physical health.

In my last course, I was assigned a project to design a living room. I chose a beautiful light walnut wooden floor, dark chocolate cabinets, and fabrics in light olive green, steel blue with slight touch of deep hot pink. So far so good… all happy... my classmates & my instructor & moi… Now came the time to pick wall color… I painted the room in golden olive color with a deep yellow tinge. I was so proud of myself and so excited to show my creation! Reaction from the instructor “How long before you start taking drugs in this room?!” :O (did she just say that out loud… in front of the whole class?!.. yes she did!!) All I could say in my defense was “Why not?!” And then it was shown to the rest of my class… common reaction “I love those walls”… When we laid out our final projects in a row, all I saw was “beautiful” walls in shades of beige and neutrals… and then was mine in green-glory… everyone loved it and the guest celebrity designer loved my bold use of colors… and so did my instructor (possibly due to public & celebrity pressure…!!)

This brings me to a very valid question, “how much of a color should one use in a room?” The answer really depends on the feel one is trying to attain. If the room needs a softer and calmer look, you can use softer shades on walls or furniture and touches of striking contrasting accessories to bring in some drama and add some focal points. On the other hands, colors may be used boldly to define the mood of a space. A room with lot of activity may use bright vibrant colors boldly, whereas as resting room like libraries or bedrooms may use deeper colors for relaxation. For example, shades of blues and greens are very soothing to the eye and remind us of skies and open fields. They maybe a good selection for outdoor, bathrooms etc. White is a very tricky color. If used just right, it has a very calming effect, but if it is builder white overdone, it is outright “blah!!!” Red is a very intense color and different shades of it reflect different emotions ranging from love and passion to anger (so if you notice more aggression than passion, maybe you picked a wrong shade!!).  Earthy tones of browns bring in warmth of earth. The list is endless. One thing that we must look out for is the shade of color we intend to use. If one uses softer color on furnishings, a bright dramatic wall or contrasting accessories can spice up the room. Word of caution: Too many focal points may sometimes lead to a chaos. But if done in harmony, it can be a treat to eyes.

Colors create optical illusions. Using darker colors can cozy-up a space and lighter colors can open it up. So using Dark color furniture or rugs or wall paint for a smaller room will make it appear even smaller. However, using the same in a bigger room, will help in lending the warmth of small comfortable space. Using one single color is left unnoticed, unless it is compared against a second color. This is the reason, why you would see the walls of a different (mostly darker) color than the ceiling.

Different colors tend to have varied effects on different people, based on their gender, ethnicity and experiences… but I firmly believe… To Each Their Own… The trends will come and go, but the people will continue to stay in those spaces. So people, lay out your color palette and rediscover YOUR colors. Play with them… splash some color on!!

Wall-to-Wall

Designing a space sounds synonymous with expense, too much work, new furniture etc. So, we often tend to wait for a perfect moment when we have all the right resources and courage to take the plunge. Once we have taken the big step of deciding to re-design a space, we instantly start thinking about the new furniture and accessories which would fill up the place. More so, we tend to ignore some other simpler and effective alternatives. One of the easiest ways of designing a space is using a huge canvas present in every room, the walls. So I decided to dedicate this one to commonly underestimated, underutilized and misunderstood facet of interior designing, ‘The Wall Treatments’. 

If a room has started to make you crave for change, the easiest and quickest fix to the problem is a fresh coat of paint. The biggest challenge here is to pick the color. While picking a color, it’s good to remember some basic rules. Selecting light colors make a space look bigger and brighter. As they reflect light, they create an illusion of space and fill it up with energy.

On the other hand, dark colors make a space feel warm and cozy. Since darker colors are more light-absorbent, they can help generate a more private and relaxed feel to a space.

Using different colors or shades of same color on different walls can create a pattern which blends well with the ambiance. It is key to get the combination and order right, otherwise, it can create immense chaos.

Creating patterns on the walls can accentuate the patterns of furniture and accessories. Some of the easier ways to attain this is using tools like wall papers, masking tape, stencils, etc. 

Taking it to the next level, one of the most effective techniques of rendering texture to the walls is Faux. The decorative wall finishes can create illusions of depth, age, look and material of the wall.  

A feature wall can help re-orient the focal point in a room and lend a character. Some techniques to achieve that are painted murals, wall stickers, etc. One can also decide a simpler choice of furniture with such a wall treatment.

Walls can also be covered with a wide variety of products and coverings available, ranging from wooden tiles, 3-d tiles, metallic, fabric and paper wall coverings, etc.

Walls may be used to showcase collections, interests, wall art including wall panels, rasterized custom images for a personal touch, etc. Using fabric panels or wall-art matching with the furniture can create beautiful blended effects.

Eco-friendly design is the need of the hour. This can easily be incorporated by replacing bio walls with most popular wall art forms. For example, these hexagonal tiles made from waste of the wood are a great choice for incorporating environment friendly designs

These are just a few of the many choices of wall treatments. It offers great opportunities to get the feel, look and ambiance which we try to aim for. Our spaces reflect us and these are a few of many ways to achieve that. 

Once I decided to give blogging a shot, I was very confused about the topic. Just when I needed it, BOOM! the topic presented itself. Like any other day, I took the train to go for my much dreaded painting class where I started talking to an investment banker. His first question was “But why design?” This is one of the most common questions people ask when I tell them of my interest in the field of Interior Designing. So I thought “why not?!” Lets see if I can answer his question well. Answer lies in these keywords: Functionality, Comfort and the “WOW” factor.

When I upgraded to an open, spacious 2-bedroom 4-closet apartment from a tiny little 1-bedroom no-closet (I will never call that thing a closet!) apartment, I thought we will have way too much unused storage. But before I knew, the closets were filled, but not over-flowing (Long Live Salvation Army!), with clothes, shoes, bedding etc. Right choice of furniture came to my rescue. I then chose to design my apartment to meet our needs using the furniture with added storage. If the house is designed to meet the needs of people living in the house, it can make their lives much simpler. For example, in a condo with smaller rooms, bunk beds work great. But one must also keep in mind that different homes have different needs. What suits for one may not be suitable for another!

A lot of times we tend to form impressions of people by looking at their homes. For example, a cluttered house implies a clumsy person or dust in house implies an untidy person. I think it happens when the décor of the house does not make its residents comfortable, and the residents rebel against the setting! It is important to understand our interests and preferences while making good design choices. Dedicated areas for prime interests like exercise rooms for health-conscious, study areas for students (yeah right!), painting rooms, music room or TV room (my favorite!) can add much needed comfort and a relaxation joint. Someone who enjoys yoga or meditation may enjoy a meditation room more than a media room. We all know how crazy expensive real estate is, so make every square foot count wisely to make you comfortable and relax!

And now, the most commonly known side of interior design: the “WOW” factor. One can accomplish functionality and comfort in a space but make it look incoherent and displeasing. Just like a very nicely presented dish is very tempting, a nicely presented house is very inviting. Like the famous quote goes, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”. Designing your house can give you that joy… joy of owning it, relishing it and flaunting it (why not! Got it… Flaunt it!) every day. We all must agree, we all love compliments… Although we may try to fake modesty and a not-a-big-deal attitude, we love it when someone says “nice!” as soon as they enter. So people, bling it up proudly… its possible even on a budget!

I’ll be honest with you; I got interested in interior designing because of all the wrong reasons. Some of the most “mean-but-fun” reasons are: “I can shop all the cool things on someone else’s money with bonus! I don’t have to be stuck with them”, “ I wont have to do regular 9-5… I’ll be my own boss”, “Interior Designer sounds super cool”…  I will stop listing now before I lead you to a “not-so-cool” impression and get back to the point. Not until I actually worked on a few projects did I understand “why design?”. Simply put, it can make our living a bit more simple, a bit more comfortable and a bit more pleasing… Isn’t this what we all aim for!