What is my job as your Interior Designer?

In short, my job is to make the process of creating your dream home as stress-free as possible. As an interior designer, I am not just transforming spaces; I am translating your vision into reality while navigating the complexities of project management, design principles, and logistical challenges.

Understanding Your Vision

The foundation of a successful design project lies in a deep understanding of your preferences, lifestyle, and the essence of what you envision your dream space to be. Through detailed consultations, I listen carefully to your desires and concerns, aiming to create a space that reflects your personality and meets your needs.

Designing Your Space

With your vision in mind, I embark on the design process, where creativity meets functionality. I develop comprehensive design concepts, considering every detail from space planning to the selection of materials and finishes. My goal is to create a harmonious balance between beauty and practicality, ensuring that every element contributes to a cohesive whole.

Streamlining the Process

One of the most valuable aspects of my role is managing the project from concept to completion. I handle the intricacies of budgeting, scheduling, and coordinating with contractors and suppliers. By acting as your advocate and point of contact throughout the process, I work hard to make the experience seamless and enjoyable for you. This involves solving problems as they arise, making informed decisions to keep the project on track, and ensuring the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.

Bringing Your Dream to Life

The final stage of the project is where everything comes together. Through furniture installation and styling, I ensure that every space within your home is inviting, functional, and uniquely yours. It's a culmination of our collaborative efforts, where the initial vision is realized, and your dream home becomes a tangible reality.

My role as an interior designer goes beyond aesthetics; it is about creating a journey that transforms your living environment while minimizing stress and maximizing satisfaction. Through a blend of artistic vision, practical skills, and a client-centered approach, I am dedicated to making the process of creating your dream home a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

Click here to read more about my clients’ experiences

How can I, as an Interior Designer, make your home more sustainable?

As an interior designer, my approach to creating sustainable homes is centered on the profound impact that thoughtful design choices can have on both the environment and the well-being of the occupants. Here’s how I, as a designer, integrate sustainability into my projects:

Material Selection

• Prioritizing Sustainability: I choose materials that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally responsible. This means opting for recycled, reclaimed, or sustainably sourced materials whenever possible. I also look for products with low VOC emissions to ensure healthier indoor air quality.

• Durability Matters: I focus on selecting materials that are built to last. By choosing high-quality, durable finishes and furnishings, I help my clients invest in pieces that won't need to be replaced frequently, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Energy Efficiency

• Innovative Lighting Solutions: I integrate energy-efficient lighting into my designs, such as LED fixtures, and make the most of natural light, reducing the home's energy consumption.

• Smart Home Technology: Recommending energy-efficient appliances and smart systems for heating, cooling, and water usage is a standard part of my practice. These technologies not only reduce energy bills but also lessen the home's environmental footprint.

Water Efficiency

• Conserving Water: I specify low-flow fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens to minimize water use. Where applicable, I incorporate systems for rainwater harvesting and greywater use to further conserve this vital resource.

Waste Reduction

• Creative Reuse: I encourage my clients to see the beauty and potential in repurposed and upcycled items. This approach not only adds unique character to their spaces but also aligns with the principles of circular design by reducing consumption and waste.

• Adaptable Design: I select furniture that is versatile and multifunctional, anticipating the evolving needs of the space and its occupants, which discourages the disposable culture often seen in interior design.

We used these vintage doors in this home to add character and also reduce consumption

Enhancing Indoor Environmental Quality

• Healthy Living Environments: I am committed to choosing finishes and materials that contribute to a healthy indoor environment, avoiding those that emit harmful chemicals and pollutants.

• Maximizing Natural Ventilation: Designing spaces that encourage natural airflow helps to reduce the need for air conditioning, promoting a healthier and more sustainable living environment.

Educating and Influencing

• A Role Beyond Design: I see it as part of my responsibility to educate my clients about the benefits and possibilities of sustainable design. By demonstrating how eco-friendly choices can be both beautiful and functional, I aim to inspire a broader adoption of sustainable practices.

Incorporating sustainability into my design philosophy is about creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also kind to the planet and healthy for those who inhabit them. It's a holistic approach that considers the environmental impact of every choice, from materials and energy use to water conservation and waste reduction. My goal is to create homes that are as sustainable as they are stunning, proving that style and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Why does Interior Design Matter?

I had always been interested in fashion and design growing up but when I was first deciding whether or not to make interior design my career, I kind of had the thought that it was a frivolous and unimportant career, until I took Interior design class. I quickly found out that interior design matters for several reasons, spanning aesthetic appeal, functionality, psychological well-being, and even economic value. Here's a breakdown of why it's significant and why you should prioritize it in your home.

Enhances Aesthetics and Comfort

• Visual Appeal: Good interior design transforms a space into a visually appealing environment, making it pleasant and inviting. It involves choosing the right colors, textures, and layouts that fit the personality and tastes of the occupants.

• Comfort: Designing spaces with comfort in mind improves the quality of life for those using the space. Comfortable, well-thought-out spaces encourage relaxation and can help reduce stress.

Improves Functionality

• Space Utilization: Effective interior design optimizes the use of space, making it more functional and livable. It ensures that every square foot of space is used efficiently, which is particularly important in smaller living areas.

• Flow of Movement: Good design considers the flow of movement within the space, arranging elements in a way that makes navigation through the space intuitive and effortless.

Boosts Psychological Well-being

• Mood and Atmosphere: Colors, lighting, and textures play significant roles in influencing the mood and atmosphere of a space. For example, certain colors can energize a room, while others can create a sense of calm.

• Personal Space: A well-designed space reflects the identity and preferences of its occupants, making it feel like a personal retreat. This personalization can enhance emotional well-being by making individuals feel more connected to their living or working environment.

Increases Economic Value

• Property Value: Aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces can increase the market value of a property. Good interior design is often a key selling point in real estate transactions.

• Cost Efficiency: Thoughtful design can lead to cost savings in the long run, through efficient energy use (by optimizing natural light, for instance) and durable, timeless design choices that reduce the need for frequent renovations.

Fosters Social Interaction

• Entertaining and Hospitality: Spaces designed with entertaining in mind can facilitate social interaction, making it easier to host guests and hold gatherings.

Enhances Safety

• Safe Environments: Proper design incorporates safety measures, ensuring that spaces are not only beautiful but also safe for all users, including children and the elderly.

Interior design matters because it significantly impacts our daily lives through the environments we occupy. It's not just about making spaces look attractive; it's about creating environments that improve our quality of life, support our well-being, and meet our functional needs.

What interior design style do i like?

Discovering your preferred interior design style can be an exciting journey! It involves exploring various elements, themes, and aesthetics to see what resonates with you most. Here are some popular interior design styles to consider:

I often don’t know how to describe the style of a home I design, what would you consider this project? I think I would describe it as modern transitional with a few coastal farmhouse elements.

1. Modern: Features clean lines, a simple color palette, and the use of materials like metal, glass, and steel.

2. Contemporary: Focuses on the here and now, with an emphasis on space rather than things. It often includes open spaces and natural light.

3. Minimalist: Takes notions of modern design and simplifies them further. Color palettes are neutral and airy; furnishings are simple and streamlined, and nothing is excessive or flamboyant in accessories or décor.

4. Industrial: Draws inspiration from an urban loft or an industrial warehouse. High ceilings, old timber, dangling metal light fixtures, and sparse functional furniture are common.

5. Mid-Century Modern: Characterized by refined lines, minimalist silhouettes, and natural shapes. It gives a nod to the 1950s and '60s.

6. Scandinavian: Inspired by the simplicity of life demonstrated in Nordic countries. It blends textures, soft hues, and clean lines.

7. Traditional: Reflects classic European decor. Themed around dark woods, rich color palettes, and a variety of textures and curved lines.

8. Bohemian: Represents a carefree lifestyle with little rules, emphasizing vintage furniture, globally inspired textiles, and light fixtures.

9. Rustic: Draws inspiration from the outdoors and incorporates raw and unfinished elements, including wood and stone.

10. Shabby Chic: Utilizes antique style and vintage fabrics to create an appearance of age and signs of wear-and-tear.

Reflect on which materials, colors, and furnishings make you feel most at home or excited. Consider looking through magazines, websites, or social media for inspiration.

As we work together, I will guide you through a few questions to help narrow down your preferences, or you can share more about what you're drawn to in your living space. This exercise ensures that we are on the same page and you love the design throughout the process. Also keep in mind that you don’t have to fit into one of these styles, I always love mixing and matching to create a unique but cohesive design.

How Interior design affects mental health

Interior design significantly influences mental health by shaping the environments where people spend much of their time. It's not just about aesthetics; it's also about creating spaces that promote well-being, productivity, and emotional balance. Here are several ways interior design impacts mental health.

Compare how this image makes you feel vs the one on the right

This image is much more dynamic while the bathroom is calming

1. Color Psychology: Colors in an environment can have a profound effect on a person's mood and emotions. For example, blues and greens are often seen as calming and can help reduce stress, whereas reds might stimulate energy and passion but can also increase feelings of anger or hostility in some settings.

2. Lighting: Natural lighting is known to boost mood and productivity, reducing feelings of depression and anxiety. Spaces designed to maximize natural light can positively affect occupants' mental health. On the other hand, poorly lit spaces can contribute to depression and vitamin D deficiencies.

3. Clutter vs. Minimalism: Cluttered spaces can lead to increased stress and anxiety, making it difficult for individuals to focus and relax. Designs that emphasize organization, minimalism, and clear spaces can promote a sense of calm and control.

4. Nature and Biophilic Design: Incorporating elements of nature into interior design, such as plants, natural materials, and views of the outdoors, can reduce stress, enhance creativity, and improve cognitive function. This approach, known as biophilic design, underscores the importance of our connection to the natural environment for mental well-being. (click here to learn more about how to add plants into your home)

5. Personalization: Spaces that allow for personalization can help individuals feel more connected to their environment, providing a sense of comfort and identity. This can be particularly important in settings like homes and offices, where people spend a lot of time.

6. Ergonomics and Comfort: Designing spaces that are physically comfortable and reduce strain (e.g., through appropriate furniture and layout) can also affect mental health by minimizing physical pain and discomfort, which can contribute to stress and frustration.

7. Space and Layout: The layout of a space can influence how individuals interact within it. Open spaces can foster social interactions and feelings of freedom, while smaller, cozy spaces might promote intimacy and security. However, the wrong layout can lead to feelings of isolation or overcrowding, impacting mental well-being.

8. Sound and Acoustics: Controlling sound through design can significantly affect stress levels and concentration. Environments that are too noisy can increase stress and make it difficult to focus, while too quiet spaces can feel isolating. Designing with sound in mind can help create balanced environments that support well-being.

This bathroom is mostly calming but the floor makes it feel more energized because of the pattern and lighting

By understanding and implementing these principles, interior design can create environments that support and enhance mental health, making spaces not only more aesthetically pleasing but also healthier and more comfortable to live, work, and play in.