Friday, November 4, 2011
How Interior Design Professionals Choose On-Wall Decoration - Selecting Artwork
When I think of on-wall decoration, I most frequently think of pictures. I often tell my interior design team that pictures are critical to making a residence feel personal. Having said that, I will caution that suboptimal placement of pictures can all but destroy even a highly effective interior design scheme. I note that this can be particularly problematic in some of the more cramped London flats. I tell my clients that there is a mental checklist that needs to be filled in - equally applicable for digital graphic prints as for historic sepia-tinted photographs. One of the top rules that I have my team keep in mind at our London interior design consultancy is about "relational picture hanging." By this I mean that everything on the wall should echo or reinterpret another feature in the design. Junior interior designers sometimes fail to put enough thought into this, and the result often looks "accidental" - which of course would be highly unsatisfactory! When I put together interior design concepts, I try to use the colour or content of pictures to make a connection to bookcases, panels, couches or curtains... or even to built-in elements of interest, including dado rails, coving or cabinetry - any of which can be highly fascinating in some of London's more historic period buildings.
I try to avoid placing on-wall decoration in a symmetric configuration (for example, centred on a couch or dresser) because this would risk making the interior design concept feel slightly pedestrian and mundane.
In London, we know all too well that drizzle and cooler temperatures are not unusual during much of the year. As a result, interior designers in the capital will regularly select more cheerful pictures when they choose on-wall decoration. I place significant emphasis on clustering images that are somehow connected to each other. For example, my London Interior Design team might position a series of country scenes near to each other on the wall, or they will take the same approach for pictures of historic factories or waterways. Some of the best-known London interior design consultancies will also cluster on-wall decorative elements that share the same colour concepts or mounting styles.
With the next article in this series on how interior design professionals choose on-wall decoration, I will turn to the hands-on details of how to physically secure pictures to a wall.
Interior Design London - Global Interior Design Consultancy Company in London, UK for interior design services.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Interior Design Colour Schemes: Psychology of Colour
Colour is of course one of the most important considerations for a London interior designer when contemplating the overall design of a room. An experienced interior designer knows that colour need not be expensive - in fact, it can be as cheap as a can of emulsion paint or a bunch of flowers! Yet above anything else it is colour that can make or break the interior design of a room.
This article has been written to give a brief overview of the psychology of colour, with specific regard to colour usage in the world of Interior Design in London.
Interior designers, product designers and fashion designers are constantly working with colour. For them, the psychological effect of colour is reality rather than theory.
Let us explore some of the links between colour and the subconscious, or more simply, the moods and feelings different colours evoke.
Warm colours versus cool colours:
Red, yellow, and orange are always thought of as warm; blues, greens, and violets are cool. However, having said this, experienced interior designers in London, can fine tune the colour temperature by adding red to cool colours to make them relatively warmer, and blue to warm colours to cool them down. Grey can be cool or warm depending on the shade - blue/grey feels icy, red/grey is warmer.
In earlier articles you will find the symbolic aspects of colour discussed, and how different cultures interpret colours in different ways. In this regard it is also important to look at the psychological associations of each with regard to interior design in London.
Reddish- browns, russets and ochre are the earth colours - instinctively associated with warmth and cheerfulness by people who like them, who see their earthiness as an indication of worth and strength when used in an interior design scheme. Shy, retiring types will find them comforting and soothing as indeed may the sophisticates.
Others, however, dismiss an interior designed around earth colours as dull and uninteresting; even the lighter variants, such as beiges and sandstones can be considered by some as lifeless and boring.
The dark browns also have supporters and detractors when it comes to interior design. The former think them sensuous, warm and reassuring; the latter find them drab and lifeless.
Green used in London interior design projects evokes tranquillity, peace, and the countryside. Lovers of green say its strength is in its natural affinities. Others, less enthusiastic, call it boring, rather than tranquil; uninspiring, rather than peaceful.
Blues are loved by people in London who can see the mystery of the oceans, space, calm and silence. Some critics say using deep blues in interior design can evoke coldness and loneliness.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
How an Interior Design Company Really Works
Another question that is sometimes asked by clients of our London-based interior design company is "where can I cut corners to economise on this design and its implementation costs?" Our response in general is that cutting corners is almost never a good idea! Our London-based interior design company is known for our insistence on no-compromise excellence in design and craftsmanship. We do encourage some clients, however, to limit non-essential features if their budget cannot readily be increased. For example, we sometimes encourage clients not to buy something they don't absolutely need or don't perfectly love.
Catering to Client Needs, Not to Profits
Knowing how to give splendid advice to clients is one of the hallmarks of a superior interior design company. At our London-based interior design studio, Global Interior Design, we always ask about the intention of a given project and we tune our efforts and focus accordingly. For example, if one of our London clients is only looking for "design to sell" services to quickly get their third home on the market, it would be inappropriate for us to suggest an expensive, lengthy and highly comprehensive renovation programme. In such cases, our interior design company may simply recommend a focus on kitchen and bathroom upgrades, together with some fresh floor finishes, wall repainting, and perhaps a couple of lighting improvements.
Colour at the Centre of Every Home
Understanding colour is a crucial part of any interior designer's basic training. There is so much to learn. At our London-based interior design company, we specialise in translating that quality education into clear, understandable learnings and recommendations for our clients. The number one rule to colour is that everyone has their own tastes and preferences. We ask ourselves which colours will delight and enchant our client? Our interior design company will never talk a client into a colour that doesn't make them joyful. One of our designers may love "London Slate" paint palettes, but if the client is more of an aquamarine fan, we will reconfigure our plans accordingly.
Structures Plus Inspiration Equals Interior Architecture
Mapping interior design onto structural architecture is the final ingredient for success in any respected interior design company. At Global Interior Design, the London-based interior design company that I founded several years ago, we know that the size of the room will always influence the design trajectory. For example, large rooms often sway us towards lighter, paler and more neutral colours. By contrast, our interior design company may use almost any depth of colour (including darker shades) for a smaller London bedroom that has plenty of natural light for a homeowner who prefers more subdued shades. Brighter colours emphasise grander, more airy openness, while darker colours will enhance the personal qualities of a more constrained space.
How an Interior Design Company Really Works
Another question that is sometimes asked by clients of our London-based interior design company is "where can I cut corners to economise on this design and its implementation costs?" Our response in general is that cutting corners is almost never a good idea! Our London-based interior design company is known for our insistence on no-compromise excellence in design and craftsmanship. We do encourage some clients, however, to limit non-essential features if their budget cannot readily be increased. For example, we sometimes encourage clients not to buy something they don't absolutely need or don't perfectly love.
Catering to Client Needs, Not to Profits
Knowing how to give splendid advice to clients is one of the hallmarks of a superior interior design company. At our London-based interior design studio, Global Interior Design, we always ask about the intention of a given project and we tune our efforts and focus accordingly. For example, if one of our London clients is only looking for "design to sell" services to quickly get their third home on the market, it would be inappropriate for us to suggest an expensive, lengthy and highly comprehensive renovation programme. In such cases, our interior design company may simply recommend a focus on kitchen and bathroom upgrades, together with some fresh floor finishes, wall repainting, and perhaps a couple of lighting improvements.
Colour at the Centre of Every Home
Understanding colour is a crucial part of any interior designer's basic training. There is so much to learn. At our London-based interior design company, we specialise in translating that quality education into clear, understandable learnings and recommendations for our clients. The number one rule to colour is that everyone has their own tastes and preferences. We ask ourselves which colours will delight and enchant our client? Our interior design company will never talk a client into a colour that doesn't make them joyful. One of our designers may love "London Slate" paint palettes, but if the client is more of an aquamarine fan, we will reconfigure our plans accordingly.
Structures Plus Inspiration Equals Interior Architecture
Mapping interior design onto structural architecture is the final ingredient for success in any respected interior design company. At Global Interior Design, the London-based interior design company that I founded several years ago, we know that the size of the room will always influence the design trajectory. For example, large rooms often sway us towards lighter, paler and more neutral colours. By contrast, our interior design company may use almost any depth of colour (including darker shades) for a smaller London bedroom that has plenty of natural light for a homeowner who prefers more subdued shades. Brighter colours emphasise grander, more airy openness, while darker colours will enhance the personal qualities of a more constrained space.
How an Interior Design Company Really Works
We think of our London interior design company's services as being a "considered purchase" for luxury-orientated homeowners worldwide. In my opinion, the number one priority for any interior design company should be "understanding the client's needs". At Global Interior Design in London, we use a specialised and proprietary matrix process to achieve optimal results for each and every project - our goal is to outfit "luxury homes of the world" and we think long and hard about how to customise our service offerings to meet the unique needs of every client with an effort level of 100% or more!
Hello World, It's Me London
When I started my London-based interior design company, Global Interior Design, I always knew that we would end up catering to clients all across the world. From the very beginning, I have understood that value that international clients will derive from the designer flair of our professional London team. Today, as we move towards serving every corner of the globe, we have a tight quality control process through which all of our designs are approved to the highest quality and finalised with oversight from our interior design company's head office in central London. Whether a client is requesting "cool luxury" or "warm luxury" styles, we guarantee a no-fuss and hassle-free service - whether we are sourcing cabinetry and panelling from the Cotswolds or antique furniture with gold leaf detailing from Paris!
Eco-Friendly Interior Design
We must learn to use energy more efficiently, and for most people there is no better way to do that than to start right at home. Several years ago, our London-based interior design company started to focus on so-called "green design" for our most discerning and future-thinking high-end clients. Since then, we have supported countless homeowners and office redevelopers both in London and worldwide through their efforts to maximise energy efficiency. This spirit of innovation truly reflects the essence of how an interior design company should work - showcasing a collaborative relationship with our clients, and uncovering new ways to customise our designs to help build a better reality for our environment and for future generations.
Unique Value Comes From Experience
A great interior design company can only be built on experience. With every new project come new learnings and fresh perspectives. One of the questions asked most often by clients of our London-based interior design company is "what should I spend extra on to beautify this design?" This question can only be answered effectively by a highly experienced interior design company. As with so many things in interior design, it is all about the end client. We might encourage a family to spend a bit extra on a high-end living room entertainment system. By contrast, we might recommend that a wealthy single businessperson with a showcase luxury home spend extra on a wonderful set of antique furniture items from Italy.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
London Interior Design - Interpreting Designer Flair
London Interior Design - Interpreting Designer Flair - Notes of White
As an interior design professional, I will sometimes create a design concept for a busy London client that incorporates many different notes of white. Some clients would be startled at the very idea, worried perhaps that the outcome may lack the designer flair that they crave. But today I would like to reveal a secret - London's very best interior design teams understand deeply that the many available offwhite, crème, snowflake or chalk options can build into wonderfully inspired motifs and ornamentation. Many of today's most prestigious London Interior Design consultancies are able to create speciality designs with fresh, harmonious and lifestyle-friendly schemes – the spectral-hue white philosophy really steps aside, letting the illumination to reign, move and shimmer throughout the interior space. Of course, December in London can be a little dull – rainy skies, drizzly mornings and the occasional snowflake. Accordingly, multiple of our clients crave bright, fabulous, sunny designs that really let the light take hold. Interior designers will incorporate visual flair by adding dimpled specks to the paint or perhaps using ultra high reflectivity coatings to build shine and resilience.
London Interior Design - Interpreting Designer Flair - Ancient Inspirations
A new movement in interior design came into existence in the latter half of the eighteenth century – namely the search for ways to include Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman motifs and ornamentation into new concepts for discerning clients. The shift occurred partially as a consequence of the new excavation work by archaeologists in Rome and at other Italian sites of interest. Interior design boutiques - including London’s most famous designers - had previously focused primarily on the “Rococo Style” but they adored the incoming Ancient Greek or Ancient Roman inspirations, which perfectly offset the Rococo stylisations, making for a more true-to-life picture of natural figures and shapes. Eventually this new movement came to be called the neo-classical approach. It is quintessentially focused on Palladian columns, footsteps, and stone facades. Marble is a centerpiece. The best London Interior Design boutiques will select neo-classical designs for tables, chairs and couches since their clients often crave clean, fresh lines and timeless design philosophies.
London Interior Design - Interpreting Designer Flair - Into the Limelight
Ask most London interior designers what they require in a spotlight system, and they will point to three major alternatives, namely surface-inserted, track-inserted, or 100% in-ceiling recessed. Spotlights normally illuminate using a fairly tight cone of white, but they can be made more versatile with lenses that broaden and dampen out some of the intensity. The best interior designers will use purpose-designed lenses that filter out ultraviolet light in order to preserve ancient artwork or fragile paintings, bought perhaps from one of London’s celebrated galleries. I have worked with top London Interior Design teams who purposely select spotlights for artwork that features multiple coats of paint or heavy, blotchy textures. This can enhance the atmosphere and drama of the overall scheme. Any mirror-shine effects on account of the varnished mounting will be reduced substantially when the interior design team uses a spotlight in uplighting mode, for example.
From the Desk of Global Interior Design, London's No-Fuss Design Consultancy
Introducing a Touch of Historical Authenticity with the Davenport Desk
I am always greatly honoured when journalists, authors and students seek my input on articles they may be writing for interior design magazines, books or coursework. Not so long ago I was asked to supply some insights on the davenport desk, a truly fabulous example of traditional English interior design from the 1700s. A timeless classic, this item is still often used by London's most prestigious interior design firms today. Nobody really knows where the name comes from, but historians think that it probably derives from a late 1700s bookkeeping manuscript wherein lies the inscription "a ladies' desk, sold to Captain Davenport." The davenport really caught on among London's young ladies of society in the nineteenth century. At the top is a desk, which can be drawn out to cover the knees when in use. Immediately beneath are a set of nooks for pens, inkwells and looseleaf stationery. In 2010, modern interior design firms are most likely to choose a replica davenport as a convenient laptop station in a room that requires preservation of London's interior design history. I have no doubt that our interior design boutique will similarly have the chance to install one of these amazing furniture units as part of a future project!
The Snow Kitchen
Lighting up a DesignerGarden!
Hidden Secrets of Top Storage Solutions
Today's top London interior design boutiques are never far from the news. Hit designer programming on Sky and Channel 4 draws in massive TV viewership - the public really can't get enough of the contest-style reality show wherein a group of interior design mavens fight to build the most fabulous interior design schemes! Drama often ensues - both tears of sadness from interior design teams who can't quite finish before the countdown timer hits zero, and tears of delight from the winning stars who often get to present their very own network shows in subsequent seasons! But one thing that these programmes often miss is storage. In reality, a lot of London's newer apartments are sometimes a little space-constrained.... residents yearn for interiors that promote relaxation and harmony but a critical part of that needs interior design firms to incorporate innovative storage systems that perfectly complement our busy London lifestyles! Every day, design-conscious city-dwellers call or email London's most prestigious interior design boutiques, requesting much-needed storage zones that will boost residential market values. Such clients are also keen to show off their most fabulous outfits, while creating "sanctuary zones" where they can luxuriate and simply enjoy life. London's top interior design firms see this need every day, and they will often recommend practical but beautiful embellishments - pull-out rotator bars, expandable cravat cases, designer gemstone vases and heated towel zones to name just a few!
From the Desk of Global Interior Design, London's No-Fuss Design Consultancy
"Casting Light" on the Design Process
Illumination is a 100% essential element in the work of London's interior design experts today. And for our most opulent design schemes, computerised controls are just the ticket. Some designers refer to these as "pre-sets" - simply beautiful lighting contexts that are pre-loaded by the interior design team in order to supply the client with a selection of ready-made scenes for a variety of scenarios.
Not too long ago I was supervising the work of a London interior design trainee who was quite keen on lighting. I demonstrated for her the use of dimmer controls in an interior design concept so as to allow our client to create their own atmospheric changeovers to match daypart transitions from afternoon into dusk. My London interior design trainee got the hang of it quite quickly. She grasped the most critical concept, namely that illumination design is both about building and metamorphosing drama. As an interior design consultant myself, I work hard to design interiors that can start out feeling like airy and crisp task-orientated workspaces by day but that transform into dramatic, atmospheric venues of repose and tranquillity after dusk. Illumination concepts really are such an important element of my interior designs.
Design for Schoolchildren
"It's not me, it's HUE!" Experts have shown that, when incorporated into interior design colour schemes, the primary colours can speed up the development of nerve cells in children's brains. I was amazed to learn that it just requires that the interior design expert include a handful of key items in primary colours. It's totally unnecessary to overdo it by asking the interior design team to recolour all four walls in luminescent yellow!
"Rough, smooth or wrinkly - FEEL counts for heaps!" Kids love to experience the universe through a good fairytale, and to be honest I find that the majority of top London interior design mavens are storytellers themselves. Adhering various swatches of fabric or flexible plastic to the walls in the form of caterpillars, London streetscapes and cartoon characters is really effective in connecting kids with the interior design process.
"But Miss, I need somewhere to put my STUFF!" London's schoolboys and schoolgirls naturally have to be at school many hours, but it's essential that the brain development keeps going even back home with the parents. Interior design mavens need to provide creative storage solutions with built-in icons or lettering to explain where things belong. This can help even the youngest kids to discover organisational skills - valuable life lessons that I count on all the time as a busy interior design professional!
An Amazing Design Scheme for a Spa
Lighting Up a High-End Designer Bathroom!