Interior Design - Details Make The Difference

Finding your color palette is the first step toward choosing colors for your home. Answer a few questions below and you will be on your way toward choosing the right palette.

1. What colors are in your closet? Look over your wardrobe and choose the colors that you like to wear the most and that make you feel the best. 2. What style is your current home? Narrow your style so you can focus your ideas. You can research different styles through publications and magazines. You local paint store will have certain styles already divided on charts to assist you. Such as modern, historical, beach side, etc. 3. Where do you reside? Do you live in a high rise apartment or a bungalow by the beach? Take a look at your surroundings and make note of the colors in your outdoor palette. 4. What colors inspire you the most? Do you love the look of a red rose or maybe the tones of natural wood? Narrow your likes and dislikes. 5. What colors do you already use? If you currently love any colors that you already use in your decor, then build from that palette. Maybe you love the fabric on a chair or the colors in a piece of art work. Make notes and then choose colors accordingly.

The idea is to build from colors you love and that inspire you in your everyday life. If you are still confused, you may need to do more research through publications, magazines, your local paint store or hire a designer just to help you with color.

Once you have a direction, then it is time to choose colors from your local paint store. Here are a few more tips:

1. First choose your main color. Let your other colors flow from this first choice. Choose color chips and bring them home and take your time. Once you know what your main selection will be, then choose several tones of that color from the chart to purchase in sample sizes. 2. Paint your samples on heavy white poster board then move each poster through out the room during the daytime and nighttime. Paint colors change at different times of the day. 3. Always confer with the paint store professionals if you are looking for a certain tone. Their advice is free! For example: If I need a blue that has a more gray undertone fro a soft look, then I confer with the paint rep on the ingredients of each color. I will choose a blue that has more additional black then maybe another choice I like. Let your paint store help! 4. Take your time and sample the colors you love. Your paint store has experience and is your friend!

Hope these tips can help you achieve the look you are striving for in your home. Remember, if you love it, then all is okay.

Buy Design - Details Make The Difference. I am an Interior Designer that strives to bring the best products and information to the consumer that have not been readily available except to those in the design profession. Look for those ideas and products that set you apart. Why be like everyone else? Visit our blog for more ideas: www.TheDesignerInsider.blogspot.com. Other site: www.TheDesignerInsider.com.

Photo above: Gray Paint - SW7047
Rust Paint - Custom
Trim Paint - SW7529
Stone - Appalachian Stack

Design professionals are your resource to the latest trends, best products and ideas to help assist you in the best possible way to achieve your goals. The designer will do the footwork for you while providing the very best for your budget. They can save you hundreds of dollars on just one project by helping to prevent costly mistakes. The agreed upon fee can be by the hour or by the project depending on the client's needs. Below I have outlined some tips for choosing a designer:

1. Interview several designers to find the best fit for your project.

2. A professional will be upfront about the fees and cost so there will be no hidden fees that will surprise you in the end. Ask questions!

3. Find a designer that fits your budget and project. Some professionals only deal with certain aspects of design and have a minimum charge. Interview over the phone first and get some pricing upfront.

4. Be sure to express your feelings to the designer and keep the lines of communication open.

5. This should be an enjoyable experience! If not, then choose another designer. Any recommendations you can get from other clients are always helpful.

6. A true professional will be able to buy at wholesale and save you money!

7. Get references! A professional will have references and photos that show projects that have been completed. Ask detailed questions about any concerns you may have about the projects completed. Actually check the references from the portfolio.

8. Address any concerns about the time that you have appropriated for the project, monies involved and the overall schedule that you must meet.

9. Discuss the quality you expect and what you hope to gain from this project.

10. Get any details in writing that you feel necessary. Such as: project time limits, monies to be paid to the designer, contracts, agreements and the scope of the work.

Remember that your designer is a complete resource for the creation of the lifestyle that you want to bring to your home or office. Hiring a designer can be one of the best decisions you ever make!

Buy Design - Details Make The Difference. I am an Interior Designer that strives to bring the best products and information to the consumer that have not been readily available except to those in the design profession. Look for those ideas and products that set you apart. Why be like everyone else? Visit our blog for more ideas: www.TheDesignerInsider.blogspot.com. Other site: www.TheDesignerInsider.com.

Chandelier Size: A general guideline is to choose a chandelier that has a diameter equal to one half the width of the table. Take into account the style of the chandelier because styles have changed the last few years and we are now hanging pendants, lanterns and unique lighting choices above our tables.

How Low To Go: On a general note, hang your light about 30" above the dining table in a typical room with an eight foot ceiling. If your ceiling is much higher, then increase the distance between the bottom of the fixture and the table. Let your eyes be the judge. The chandelier needs to provide light for the table but not so low as to block anyone's line of vision when sitting at the table.

What Size: Start by adding your room dimensions together. If the room is 12 x 10, then add 12 + 10. The answer would be 22, which means that your chandelier would look proportionate if the fixture is 22" wide or round. Remember to take the style into consideration as well as the size of the room and the height of the ceiling. If the room is large and has several different areas, then treat the chandelier space as a room when measuring.

Use these guidelines for any room or setting and always purchase a great chandelier!

Great chandeliers may be purchased here: www.TheDesignerInsider.com.

Well, the old cabinetry of yesteryear just does not cut it anymore. New homeowners as well as remodelers want more for their baths then the usual basic bath cabinet. There are many new styles for cabinetry as well as pedestal sinks. Your designer can help you with the many choices available for your project. Our example is a beautiful french style two sink vanity cabinet shown in distressed ivory. This comes with a single or double sink and includes a beautiful antique style faucet. Gorgeous!

Other sizes and styles available through: www.TheDesignerInsider.com.

It is now possible to get the sofa you want! When it is time to look for a new sofa, choose a company that can give you multiple choices of style, sizes, types, etc. For example, the company shown on the chart above offers one sofa with 48 different choices . You should have a choice of arm style, leg style, seat and cushion style, back cushion style and multiple sizes. You build your own sofa! This will ensure that the comfort level and look that you expect will be worth the wait. So go for the gusto and really get the sofa of your dreams!

Find all of this at our site: www.TheDesignerInsider.com.

Get the latest Interior Design information at our blog: www.TheDesignerInsider.blogspot.com.