Ask the Experts – Interior Designers – 2

Stephanie Schroeder – A favorite project type of mine is new residential construction – one of the first areas I worked in! I found that I really enjoyed learning about each client, and interpreting their tastes into the new design. New residential construction is extremely creative – you’re melding your own design aesthetic with the tastes of the client, and the needs of the space itself.

Now, at Alchemy Studio, I’m really excited to work on the firm’s many large-scale, high-rise residential building projects. We design not only the typical apartment units, but the public and amenity spaces as well. These projects are like puzzles because you aren’t just designing a singular space, but an entire building. Therefore, you are creating a design attitude, and a lifestyle for the inhabitants.

Pamela O’Brien – Fun is an important goal every day at Pamela Hope Designs and we try to make every job fun. One that sticks out was when I had a great experience working with a client who I met through a Manhattan-based design friend of mine. The client contacted her when he was considering a big move. He did not realize she was in New York while he lived in Houston. He needed full-service design help so a local designer was the best answer.

Going the extra mile is recognized

I worked with him through the entire job, from advising on the best apartments to fully decorating and furnishing his new home. We even visited art galleries with him and met with his daughter so she could participate in the process.

We took care of everything from soup to nuts on moving day and when my team left that evening, we had a CD playing and the wine chilled. About a week later I received a thank you card. As a busy, high-powered executive of an international company, who was used to everyone scrambling around to obey his orders, I was so touched that he went to the drugstore to buy me a thank you card loaded with glitter and sparkles. It was the cutest gesture. He soon referred three other clients to me as well.

Great interior design work yields repeat business

He said he would use me again when he was ready to purchase a house and true to his word, about a year later, we started the process again. This time we looked for new construction townhomes together, chose the right builder and made the color and surface selections. Moving day was easy since all of the original purchases had been made with this transition in mind. We added a few more pieces since the new home was larger and his furniture, art and accessories looked great in the new place. The house was a big hit and the contractor and I were guests of honor at his housewarming party.

Laura Schwartz-Muller – I love all types of spaces and enjoy the challenge and delight that each type of space presents. However, if I had to narrow it down with regard to residential projects, I would have to say I’m a Kitchen and Bath gal. As a hobby Chef and Mom of four, I love spending time in kitchens. It’s not about “size” folks, it’s about function! Of course, the aesthetic possibilities are limitless and so exciting.

Bathrooms – hidden interior design gems in the home

Then there’s the bath! Ahhh, what a delicious space this can be! They are often the sparkly jewel of the home: from small and over-the-top powder rooms, to large master spas and everything in between. Powder rooms, in particular, can be courageous little spaces that make an incredible impression and so often represent the innermost character and personality of the owner/client!

Toni Sabatino – One of my favorite design challenges was an apartment renovation for a sophisticated couple on the East side of New York City. The couple had an extensive art collection and a few pieces of Art Deco furniture that were to be incorporated into my design. Color and furniture selection to enhance the art and show the passions of the clients while creating a space that was warm and inviting led me to her wardrobe for additional inspiration. I wanted her to wear her apartment like her Chanel suits and deco-styled jewelry, and him to smile as he entertained his family and friends.

I remember choosing the soothing pewter tone for the wall to enhance the art as well as their skin tones. It was important to me for her to feel radiant and luxurious so even the kitchen and master bath have some subtle sparkle and lots of bling. The end result is a space that has a romantic sophistication that makes them both proud and comfortable.

Stephanie Schroeder – It is important to hire an interior designer for several reasons. A designer will know how to achieve a design that the customer will enjoy, that will have longevity. Designers are aware of functional requirements demanded by a space, and the best way to design for those needs. We are equally concerned with how the space looks vs. it serving its purpose for the clients. With each project a designer completes, we take away new “tricks” that we pass along to the client to help avoid costly mistakes the first time around. The result is a beautiful space.

One of the best questions a client can ask their interior designer is “what is the design process?” This informs both parties of the steps involved, how long they might take and sets expectations for delivery of the finished product on both ends. Design is a two-way street and the client should be aware of what’s going on at all times, so they feel comfortable throughout the process. At Alchemy, client communication and relationships are a top priority. Without our wonderful clients, we wouldn’t be able to do what we love to do!

Pamela O’Brien – People will continue to be interested in and fascinated by interior design. In todays fast-paced and sometimes scary world, it’s comforting to be able to influence your personal space. Your home is one area where you can have control. In my opinion, a comfortable, functional and attractive space is a fundamental human need. I think design trends will continue to move quickly and travel the globe faster than ever before.

Design Truths

That said, there will be value in proven interior design truths:

• Creating a comfortable bedroom makes a difference in the quality of your rest
• Having good seating in front of the television makes a room more family-friendly
• A nice area rug will last for years

I also think design will take on a bigger role, since homes will be expected to support growing and changing families, multi-generational needs and the aging population. Many people want to design their home in order to live in it for a very long time. New technology, creative design and multi-functional pieces will go a long way towards that goal.

Laura Schwartz-Muller – What I love most about being an interior designer actually is the dynamic, intimate and always-spontaneous relationship between me and the project. Each one has its own unique client, materials and space, yet all come with the challenge and inspiration that change always presents. I love the quest to take the client’s vision and transform it into a space that is more useful, healthy, creative and of course, more beautiful and truly reflects “them.”

It’s an incredible feeling when clients tell us they feel the completed transformed space is a perfectly true visual illustration of their inner spirit and vision; and one that is productive, enduring and skillfully executed. What are the keys to for an effective client/interior designer work relationship? Communication, honesty, transparency and care.

Stephanie Schroeder – One of my go-to interior design tools to make a room pop is dramatic accent walls. Whether the project is a complete design package, or just a quick refresher, using a different wall color is a great way to ground the space. Wall treatments can easily capture the desired mood or energy and achieve a sense of completeness.

Pamela O’Brien – Pop culture and the current prevalence of design as a television subject has brought a higher level of interest to interior design overall. Today you can find good design at any price point. Glamorous interiors on television and budget retail products being designed by high-profile artists allow good design to be available to us all.

Period Piece TV Series

Periodic-specific shows are always a treat for design lovers. Mid-Century Modern is a lot of fun and Mad Men certainly provided a lot of eye candy for the style. I think That 70’s Show did a brilliant job with set decor and nailed the culture of that decade perfectly. It’s hard not to smile when seeing Kitty’s kitchen or the kid’s bedrooms with Star Wars action figures on the shelves above their beds. At the other end of the spectrum, Downton Abbey was a visual feast for design enthusiasts and created new interest in Georgian and Edwardian style.

Laura Schwartz-Muller – Chic live/work loft apartment spaces are becoming more mainstream and, for small spaces, they are no longer representative of those with “less” or “cheaper” living. Clients want a space that’s beautiful and luxurious (and yes, glamorous), efficient and can be used for modern entertaining as well as work. No longer is the client willing to sacrifice style over size, which is such a positive trend for the design community. In fact, downsizing is now considered thoughtful, responsible, smarter living, which makes multi-purpose functionality in design “in demand.”

Also driving the trend is vibrant new client: The transitioning multi-generational client. We now see this new client as the single parent, city dweller with a second residence outside the city, the young professional, student, entrepreneur, empty-nester, or the eco-conscious dwellers without vehicles looking for a “community” way of life. Therefore, we see the trend moving towards a wider offering of loft apartments as far as size, location, style and cost.

Interior design recommendations for artist’s loft living

Go Big

My advice do you have for people living in a loft or small apartment is to go big! Select grand quality pieces that can function in multiple ways, staying effective without too much encroachment on the overall design and functionality of the space. Standard and even large pieces (furniture, appliances and art) in small spaces can and do work.

It depends of course on the proportion, scale and color, but most importantly, large pieces work best when the finishes are tone-on-tone. For example it’s best to select finishes that “blur” the edge lines between the large objects and wall color, flooring, etc. This gives the space a much larger feel as the eye is free to capture the entire space and not stop and start trying to define the negative space, which smaller contrasting furniture can evoke. Color and contrast can then rest effectively upon these pieces for a dynamic small space.

Path of least resistance

Path of travel in a small space is key! A thoughtful space plan gives the area a sense of ease, comfort and operating accessibility, especially between the static large furniture pieces. They should be placed strategically in all operating “positions” to encourage effective use. Who wants to move furniture to get into bed? The bed will either end up open all the time or not at all. Why go to the trouble of designing a gorgeous space that doesn’t work?

Toni Sabatino – The bathroom is interesting to me because it has come out from the shadows. What used to be a simple hidden hygienic room has become for some a showplace as well as a personal spa or retreat. There is also a trend for “ease of use”. This trend is about universal design, or products that work for people of all abilities. I like to use comfort height toilets and add attractive handrails in showers for people of all ages. What works for those planning to age in place also works well for young families.

Limited space can also play a major role when planning as practicality is not the same for everyone when it comes to personal grooming. When there is no space limitation for creating a personal oasis, luxury baths can include saunas, steam showers, towel warming drawers, refrigeration and lounging areas. When space is limited, I like to take inspiration from the client’s passions about fashion, art and personal style to create a balance of luxury that IS functionality.

Bathroom interior design “go-tos”

The vast array of gorgeous products currently available makes the bath selection process as interesting as any room in the home. Some of my favorite luxury products that make even the mundane beautiful include:

• Faucets with Lalique glass handles
• Graffiti look hand-painted tubs
• Houndstooth tile
• Stylish drains

Adding makeup mirrors and organized easy-access storage for all things that help you feel ready to tackle the world are also important to me. Ultimately, luxury with functionality is about planning what works for the lifestyle of each client and choosing amazing products to meet that need.