Legendary designer for Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, once said, “Trendy is the last stage before tacky.” Great design is achieved when a space remains beautiful and functional long after it has been created. With social media and home design sites constantly updating today’s trend, it can often feel overwhelming to select a design you love for your home now, that will not seem dated only a short while later.
So, what is the secret to accomplishing classic, timeless, design sophistication?
Begin by gathering ideas of what you like and love for inspiration. This could be through social media outlets such as Pinterest or Houzz, via design magazines or even something that caught your eye in a friend’s home. Allowing yourself the time to research what you like will help define a starting point. Know what you would like the overall result to look and feel like, rather than worrying about how you will achieve it (leave that to the professionals!). Keep a scrapbook or an online album to share when you are ready to select your designer.
An experienced designer can help sift through your inspirations and determine how to incorporate your taste and style into your spaces without compromising the timeless look you aspire to achieve.
While gathering your ideas, don’t forget to determine and pay close attention to budget. Be realistic with your expectations, and be mindful of how much your ideas will actually cost. Sometimes the selection of items we love may actually cost double or triple our estimated budget. This is where consulting a design specialist can really help you achieve your overall look while staying within a reasonable budget.
When selecting a designer for your project, be sure that their portfolio matches your style and taste. Use your inspiration as a guide to ensure that you are both on the same design path to achieve your goals.
Many clients are surprised to find how involved a renovation project can become - often including plumbing, electrical, flooring, cabinets, and/or countertops. Selecting a designer that comes experienced with all aspects of a renovation allows unforeseeable issues to be resolved quickly and quietly. If a designer for your project through completion is out of the budget, many designers can be hired as consultants by the hour to help get you started on the right path.
Once you have a design plan in mind, the next step to renovating your home is to assemble the perfect team to tackle your project flawlessly. Hiring an architect, draftsmen and subcontractors that have solid reputations in your community are an indispensable component of your project. If you are considering a renovation prior to putting your home on the market, an experienced real estate agent will also become a valuable resource to ensure that your investment in your design choices and renovation costs will pay off in your sale.
My job as an award-winning designer is to motivate my clients to step out of their comfort zone as we work from concept to completion. We make selections based on what’s right for your usage of the space, your lifestyle, and your needs - not the current trend. Allowing a professional designer to guide you through the process will not only ease your mind, it will help to create a cohesive plan and a beautifully finished, timeless result that will continue to feel like home for many years to come.
Provided by Monique Breaux, Posh Exclusive Interiors