The Perfectly Imperfect World Of Wabi-Sabi

I recently attended a Sherwin Williams color forecast seminar. They spoke about what trends we will see in 2018 and what influenced them. Sincerity, unity and connectivity were the three topics of discussion. Some of 2018's trends were based upon silence, Instagram, treasuring your flaws, revamping our sense of community, techies being the new hippies, productivity and environmentalism. Thought provoking and moving as they were, the topic of finding beauty in the imperfect was what stood out to me the most.  How a hyper-local approach allows us to connect with our roots in a sustainable way. They spoke about the world of Wabi-Sabi. It's not the fiery paste that ignites a storm in your nostrils, but a decorating style and way of life. Wabi-Sabi interiors favor a more minimal approach and sees the beauty in timeworn treasures. There is a mutual respect for natural objects which can overlap into our everyday lives. The way one thinks, works and the mindset of becoming increasingly unencumbered. For example clearing the clutter from your home. The more clutter the more one feels distracted from whatever calm your home provides. The Wabi- Sabi approach teaches one to simplify, don't buy what you don't need and take time to block out noise and technology. This approach does not have time for the over-stressed consumer culture.Wabi-Sabi tends to lean into minimalism. In an intentionally modest way, but not in a stark way. One can appreciate the flaw and injured in the Wabi-Sabi thinking. Go ahead and be conscious of a room's unwitting flawlessness. Enjoy the imperfections of your grandparents rich oak dining table, or a crack in vase that makes it more interesting, giving it a greater meditative value. The quirks that can arise in the construction of an object add to it's uniqueness and beauty according to the Wabi-Sabi way. Its patina or visible repairs heighten the love of a space. If you find yourself in favor of this style, then earthy tones is the best way to go. Browns, greens and grey colors with worn unfinished, imperfectly shaped pieces will fit perfectly with the Wabi-Sabi concept. Look for natural handmade fabrics and accessories. Natural stone, clay and wood become interesting in a Wabi-Sabi space as they exhibit changes that can be observed over time. Remember this style  is not a shabby chic . These pieces are not intentionally distressed to look antique they are pieces that have evolved over a natural cycle of growth.  I'm also in favor of letting filtered light permeate our homes. Too much harsh light doesn't give one lift one's mood and general well-being as much as filtered light. A Wabi-Sabi aesthetic is big on hanging thin, gauzy curtains inside.With all that said go ahead and look at some ideas below and get inspired!         

"The Great IKEA Challenge" Part II

Ikea Blog 2When we left off last week we were at the Ikea store, unattractively gaping at the impossibly gargantuan number of options in the furnishings warehouse.(Recap – Beasley & Henley Interior Design has been tapped by Lennar Homes to create 2 unique model home using IKEA furnishings only. This has never been done in a regular single family home! This Blog is our second entry about how we are going to make these IKEA homes happen! Click here to read the previous week’s Beasley & Henley/Ikea/Lennar adventure!)  We find Sam, who it turns out, didn’t sneak off. She is actually elbows deep in huge blue bin searching for coordinating sofa pillows.Let’s stop a moment. This is good time to dispel some of the delusional dreams about the glamorous life of an interior designer. It certainly has its glam-moments, but more often than not you’re elbows deep in a blue bin full of pillows.But anyway…We leave IKEA, exhausted, and head back to the Beasley & Henley design studio. Sam is already diciphering the notes and measurments she wrote on the floor plan and trying to make sense of it all. Was that the Karlstad corner sofa or the Ektorp sectional? Is that number a 3 or an 8?Back at the office Amanda, Sam's assistant on this project, helps sort out all the details, and there are a lot! Along with Sam, Amanda searches the IKEA site for product images, double checks measurements, jots down pricing and slowly begins to put the presentation together for Lennar. At this point Kim, interior detailer, enters the room looking for the furnishings dimensions so she can lay all the pieces into the CAD floor plan with proper sizes and details. Amanda hands over all she has, and not missing a beat, gets right back to the website and her fledgling presentation.According to Lennar Homes, the idea of the IKEA home is to tell propestive homeowners- You can furnish you home in IKEA only and look how great it can look! Not just that, but this is how much it will cost. You can afford that!Of course, it's our job to make it look great, and we will.Amanda hands the pricing list over to Leah, the new assistant. She's quick on excel and soon her fingers are flying across the key board and the pricing begins.A few minutes later I wander over to Amanda and Leah to ask how it's going. When I get a muffled group response of, "It'g going" and no one looks up from their computer screen, I know that means it's a good time to back away and let them do what they do.As I leave I can't help but look at the presentation as it nears completion. OMG this is going to be great!_________________________________________________The phone rings and my Lennar contact is on the other end. She is so excited the thrills are just dripping from her voice.“When will you be ready to show us the ideas for the two models?” she asks. I know she’s trying to be calm, but she’s really revved up to see how we are doing.“Tuesday!” I volunteer hopefully. I’m not sure where Sam and her team are in the process, but I’m pretty sure it can happen.  I figure we’ll be ready on Monday, but Mondays are bad for client presentations. What if something goes wrong late in the process or someone gets sick and you can’t finish properly?  On a Monday there is not much you can do to fix it, but by Tuesday, well, we figure it out!So Tuesday it is. I let the team know.  The response is clear as eyebrows are silently raised in my direction. Their pace picks up and I back out of the room.One more time, selections are checked to make sure they coordinated in color and style with the ‘backgrounds’ in the home (ie the flooring, countertop, cabinetry etc). Each piece of furniture is properly sized for each room. Furnishings are scrutinized again with the end user in mind. Do they match the demographics?  Are the rooms family-friendly? Does each bedroom have a unique personality? Colors are coordinated. Artwork is selected.  Last minute reselections are made where needed. Double check. Triple check.It’s Tuesday. Sam has her water and her game-face on. We load the car with the presentation boards and print outs and head off to the Lennar office.It’s go time!

The Inside Story- What Designers REALLY Do

WHAT DO YOU DO ALL DAY?

Back by popular demand we are reposting our "What Designers Really Do" blog today. We found  a deep interest in our design process and are happy to share it with you again.

I recently met with an intelligent reporter who focuses on architecture and engineering in the media.  We had a good conversation that eventually came around to the subject of interior designers.

Turns out that this well-meaning woman had almost no idea what interior designers actually do.  She knew about furniture and fabrics, which is great, but little else.As interior designers, we live and breathe our work, so it is always a surprise to us when people assume we spend every day picking paint colors and sofa fabrics.Most of our projects go on for more than a year. The important ‘furnishings and fabrics’ part takes place in the last 3-6 months of job. So what could we possibly be doing the rest of the time?  Here is a glimpse into a ‘day in the life’!1. The first stop for any project is a review of the architect’s Floor Plan. We work with good architects so we are always thrilled to get their good floor plans.  But designers and architect’s don’t look at spaces with the same eyes.  We start with a general furniture layout using typical features or even specifics (like, a client may say I need room for my Baby Grand or I have a huge collection of antique books).  We make sure things fit and that the floor plan flows per the furniture plan.  We make sure the doors swings won’t hit the furniture, the windows are aligned to the furniture layout, the walls make sense and are long enough for the client’s fantastic huge sofa or California King bed. We also look at the bathrooms and often make suggestions for changes there as well.TIP: The sooner we are involved in the floor plan the better.  It is a lot cheaper for the client to change things on paper and make sure they are built right, then to change things in the field where every alteration costs money and time. Cha-Ching!2. Lighting and Electrical.  We receive the lighting plan from the architect and make sure it works for what the client told us and how the house flows.  Again is easier to work out problems on paper then with the electrician standing there, waiting for decisions, charging by the hour. Lately, there is often an additional expert, the lighting consultant, on the project.3. Reflected Ceiling Plan (RCP).  The RCP is the project’s ceiling details, beams, coffers and other interesting details. Usually the architect gives us the RCP with very little on it.  They know we will create the designs to match the other aspects of the interiors.  This is a huge part of the project and when we create it, we are also consulting with the mechanical, electrical, engineering and HVAC specialists, plus we make sure the new lighting plan works as well.4. Flooring Details. We determine what flooring will go where, like carpet, tile wood, etc. It may not be the exact tile, but at the early stages we determine the concept of what the material will be.  These are decisions that need to be made very early, even before the slab is poured, because the final flooring material will affect the thickness of the slab the builder needs.  And believe it or not, the Flooring Plan goes with the Electrical Plan, because floor outlet locations have to be decided before slab is poured to avoid a loud guy with a huge saw cutting concrete months later.

5. Wall Elevations and Details. At the same time the other design work is being done, we are also creating the details for the walls; creating special detailed features, niches, making sure walls meet up with proper, trim, baseboards, fireplace design and all built-ins and media centers.

   6. MEP (Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing). We also consult with the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing professionals to make sure things like AC chases and mechanical closets are detailed in. If not, we re-draw the plan and make them work.7.Wall textures and base paints.  Walls that are to be painted need a different treatment than those that will get wallpaper or faux or decorative treatments. All these details go on a spreadsheet and are sent to the builder and painter.8. Then comes the ‘Specifications’.  Such as, the exact plumbing fixtures in the project including toilets, showers, faucets etc.; the exact flooring materials and detailed patterns for them all drawn out so the installers can follow the plans; cabinetry and hardware in kitchens and baths are determined or custom designed; countertops decided on often after visits to the marble yard to select exact slabs; lighting fixtures, paint colors, wall textures, faux or decorative treatments; wall paper, etc etc, all set up on detailed spreadsheets for the builder, the client and anyone else who needs a copy.9. During all this,  an introductory color and furniture plan is presented to the client.  This way we know the colors and general style of the home. All the details, ‘specs’ and drawing are all geared toward the meshing with the final vision.10. Then we do furniture. :)THAT is what all the fuss is about.  That is why only a talented interior design firm with dedicated resources and a talented team of professionals aimed at completing all these important steps  should touch your design project!And that, is what we do all day!

4 Of The Best Reasons Why You Should Hire An Interior Designer

1.  YOU WILL HAVE HIRED A JACK OF ALL TRADES

Your designer will act as the liaison between you and your architect, vendors, contractor and spouse. While building a strong bridge between you and everyone else, designers have a trained eye and are always a head of the game. They address issues before problems arise and think about things that may have been overlooked.

2. RESALE VALUE

If you choose to sell your home the benefit to hiring an interior designer is two-fold. Not only will you have a faster turn-around, but it will bring more money to your pocket. An interior designer will add an increased appeal and beauty to your home that will attract your future buyer. They are trained to show your home in the best possible light.

3.  YOU WILL HAVE AVOIDED COSTLY MISTAKES

Scale and proportion can be a difficult subject for amateur decorators. Purchasing furniture that does not fit can be extremely costly. Things like plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, flooring, wall color and window treatments are just a few selections carefully thought out with the space and design in mind.

4.   YOU WILL HAVE AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF RESOURCES TO CHOOSE FROM:

Your designer has access to a vast variety of furnishings, fabrics, fixtures and accessories that’s only available to them. The look and feel to your home won’t be cookie cutter and will wow your friends and family!

3 Simple & Effective Bathroom Organization Tips

Alright everyone, time to get it together!  The New Year is upon us and so are our resolutions!  Did you know that only 8% of people are successful in achieving their new years resolution? Where do you fall?  Let's make this easy on all of us and find a resolution we can all stick with.  According to Statistic Brain, the #2 goal people have for 2014 is organization - so we are choosing THAT one!For many Interior Designers, organization is our passion!For homeowners however, that is not always the case.  Bathrooms can definitely be an area of mega-clutter so here are some simple but highly effective organization ideas that I can tell you work first hand!This make-up drawer from the Container Store practically organizes your toiletries for you.  Seeing everything at a glance instead of rifling through deep cluttered drawers makes all the difference.  Have a small decorative dish on the counter for items you use daily for when you’re running late. Beautiful!Your friends might think you’re OCD for this one, but part of being organized is knowing when to get rid of things, especially when it comes to make-up.  I am definitely guilty of having make-up for months, even years past when I should because it seems like I’ve only had something a little while.  Placing a sticker on the bottom of a new product will keep you organized without even trying.As I said before, simplicity at its finest.  A shower “caddy” if you will, is perfect for organizing and keeping the shower clean.  Take advantage of vertical real estate! It will also force you to actually get rid of those empty shampoo bottles!So there you have it!  Let's get organized :)