Furniture Finish Color Selection
April 26, 2009
There are several types of finishes that can be applied to furniture. In this segment, I would like to talk about the color selection. As we all know color plays a very important role in our day to day life, as such it does the same in our homes, office and surroundings therefore the color of our furniture is important. Don’t be afraid to ask your finisher to mix custom colors for you. Pull three, four….ten colors and work up some specifics. Use the wood grain to highlight a red under a gold maple finish. Do a four color rub through. By taking the time to make sure your finish is just right will make the furniture piece standout and really be one of a kind. Also, don’t be afraid to use different colors and types of finishes in the same house even the same room!
Custom Furniture vs. Premade Furniture
April 13, 2009
We all have worked on a project where when shopping for furniture we couldn’t find the perfect size or piece. If we found the piece the manufacturer wouldn’t or couldn’t customize the piece for our specifications, so we were back to square one.
Having been in this position myself, I know how difficult it can be. Custom furniture has a place in all of our projects, whether it is a new design or a reproduction, keep an open mind to using custom furniture manufacturers. Many times the cost and lead time is quite reasonable and the client will appreciate the attention you have paid to them by giving them a piece that was made just for them.
Meeting with an interior design client for the first time
April 12, 2009
When meeting with a client for the first time, I like to have a list of questions prepared. It is always best to find out how they live, do they have children, do they entertain, do they have pets? Is this their primary residence or a vacation home? What colors do they like? How do they respond to textures? What room or areas of the house do they prefer to use when alone? These are just some of the questions we would ask during our initial meeting.
It is always important to understand that the clients are allowing you into one of their most private areas of their lives. Their home! Always treat them, their family, their home and their belongings with the utmost respect. You as a designer never know what trinket their 3 year old found during their summer vacation that now is the most valuable accessory in their house, valuable doesn’t always have a hefty price tag to it. Remember that we as designers work for the client and they depend on our professionalism and expert knowledge and are entrusting us to convey their personality and vision within their homes.