by InspiredSpaces | May 17, 2012 | Arts & Crafts, Business Services, Family, Home Improvement, Home Repair
The Interior Designer, a Cushion Tosser
When the film industry portray an “interior designer” images of Martin Short as Franck Eggelhoffer, the neurotic designer from Father of the Bride II come to mind. Designers’ are often portrayed as people who are egocentric, expensive and who spend their day going around say “darling” and throwing cushions around. This description could not be further from the truth. A qualified interior designer is a mine of information, contacts and your money saver. They are your co-ordinator, designer, creative thinker and budget controller. Certainly not terms generally seen as associated with the profession.
So what does an interior designer do? They take the needs of individuals, families or companies and blend aesthetics with function within the constraints of the space and budget. They ensure form and function meet, let’s be honest what attracts you to a book in the first place is it’s cover, and this is the same as the space you live in or work in. If you feel good in a space you will use it or luxuriate in it.
By using an interior designer you can:
- Maximise the use of your space, ensuring all areas are used efficiently and effectively
- Save money by preventing costly errors
- Save money as they often have access to trade prices
- Access to materials and fabrics that the majority of people do not have
- Have a list of trustworthy and quality tradespeople, they can be a one stop shop
- Complete your brand image for businesses by continuing it into your work space
- Increase work productivity and subsequent profit by ensuring ergonomic work spaces are created. A happy work force means a happy bank balance
- Make sure you are not contravening any Building Code or Australian standard. For eg did you know that with any new office fit out that the minimum size of any door is 850mm and that egress points must have a walk through area of 1500mm. Probably one rule that most people are unaware of is the maximum distance anyone can travel to an exit is 20m without contravening the fire exit rules. Heaven forbid your were to have a fire and you did not meet these conditions, then you or your company would be liable
- Make your makeover relatively pain free and save your relationship.
An interior designer is a person with a multi-faceted set of skills who improve the interior of buildings, the living and working spaces of people and ultimately their comfort and/or productivity. Oh yes and they do toss a few cushions around.
by Sue Blake | Sep 8, 2011 | Family, Home Improvement
My client was dismayed! Her 1934, delicately painted, fine bone china afternoon tea set was worthless…not because it was poor quality but because she had failed to use it. We were de-cluttering her attic and she decided the tea set inherited from her Uncle could be sold, but upon inspection, the antiques expert advised that it was full of star cracks and would disintegrate once filled with hot beverages. To stay useable, fine bone china needs to be used. By storing it for “good” she had denied herself years of pleasure using it and several hundred dollars from ultimately selling it. The saying “Use it or lose it” is applicable to more than fitness; it can also apply to our possessions.
We have expensive dinner sets, wine glasses and cutlery, which we “save” for special occasions. For twenty years I hung on to a set of glasses that were a wedding gift. Several years ago the ordinary kitchen glasses needed replacement and I decided not to purchase new ones but to commission the “special set” for everyday use. The whole family commented how nice they were to drink from.
Using “special” items we already own, rather than making another purchase, saves more than our hip pocket. The environmental cost of purchasing duplicate items for “good” and for “everyday” is worth considering. And then there is the issue of space. A recent survey by the Australia Institute revealed that one in eight Australian families have moved house in order to accommodate their “superfluous stuff”. Although retailers may wince, one simple step towards de-cluttering your cupboards could be to start using your “special” items for everyday and in doing so make every day more special.
Using quality items means simple pleasures are enhanced. A cup of tea is nicer from a fine cup than a cheap clunky mug. Of course there is always a risk that in using it, it may be damaged, broken or become worn, but you will have had the enjoyment of its use on a daily basis. So I have now resolved to use the special for everyday; as the ad says “because I’m worth it”. So what beautiful items are lurking in your cupboards that are crying out to be used?
Sue Blake is a Professional Organiser who seeks to give ideas and inspiration to help others become better organised. for more information go to www.organisedfashion.com.au
by InspiredSpaces | Sep 16, 2009 | Home Improvement
It has been shown that people make up their minds within seconds of seeing a property as too whether they wish to purchase it. An instant emotional attachment will mean that the buyer will over look any other defect however if the appeal is missing they will only identify with the negatives of the property. It is important that when you are selling your home that you look at it from the eyes of a prospective buyer. As you are emotionally attached to your home it is often better to have someone without any connection with the home to critically analyse it. The obvious only become obvious once it is pointed out for eg, weeds growing in the pavers of the driveway, the old favourite chair that has seen better days being on display when you enter the front door. Remember the adage “less is more” is very relevant when putting up the for sign sale. For more details on affordable property styling with proven results, the last two properties gained $15 000 and $25 000 over original listing price and sold within one day of being put back on the market contact Robyn from Inspired Spaces on 9894 7548 or visit www.inspiredspaces.com.au
When the film industry portray an “interior designer” images of Martin Short as Franck Eggelhoffer, the neurotic designer from Father of the Bride II come to mind. Designers’ are often portrayed as people who are egocentric, expensive and who spend their day going around say “darling” and throwing cushions around. This description could not be further from the truth. A qualified interior designer is a mine of information, contacts and your money saver. They are your co-ordinator, designer, creative thinker and budget controller. Certainly not terms generally seen as associated with the profession.