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Posts Tagged ‘Designers’

by SLDdigital

In their training, student interior designers often learn about the history of their profession. This can be a really important way to give context to their subsequent careers. In this article, I will draw on my experience as an interior designer and educator to discuss the history of this exciting field.

The early professional interior designers were based in London – the British had become intrigued by Egyptian techniques of decorating household objects and wanted the same for themselves. London families became desperate to employ an interior designer to create magical spaces and accessorise their interiors. As interior designers came to be recognised as professionals, they increasingly found a need to draw on history to create mythologic results. This was particularly true when creating designs for historic London mansions or listed buildings – they saw historical reflections as a way of preserving the past while also looking to the future.

THE ANCIENT ROMANS

In Ancient Rome, citizens demanded comfort, luxury and wealth. These elements are still important in the work of interior designers crossways the world today. The lavish decorations, tapestries and iconic stonework this day remain as timeless and favourite in London as in Tokyo or Sydney. The Ancient Romans adored bespoke furniture and loved calibre textiles and costly fabrics.

MONASTIC TIMES

After the collapse of Roman rule, the church assumed power and largely discouraged the most creative interior designers. Opulent interiors were taken out and interior designers were instructed to install quiet and easy oak panels with dark lines and sharp edges. This influence was felt throughout Europe – from London all the way to Florence.

RENAISSANCE AND REVIVAL

The Renaissance saw the emergence of professional French or French-inspired interior designers. It was a new age of elegance and sophistication, which saw the rebuilding of the London Interior Designer community and a fresh take on creative and beautiful living spaces. A “palatial” feel was rediscovered, and interior designers began to take advantage of new transport axes going through London to the continent and to the Americas in order to rediscover their profession and herald the next generation of design.

This brings to an end my article on how the work of interior designers has changed over the ages. In my next article, I’ll reflect on how interior designers use interior fashions for great effect.

DESIGN PROBLEMS TO AVOID WHEN HIRING LOS ANGELES OR VENTURA INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Hi. My study is Jo-Ann Capelaci. I’m the owner and principal designer for Colours and Concepts. We’re one of the more experienced Ventura Interior Designers serving both Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

One question many people ask is…

What are some problems to refrain when hiring and working with professional Los Angeles or Ventura Interior Designers?

Well first, hiring a eligible professional Interior Designer should minimize the stress associated with

- selection of materials and colors,
- poor workmanship,
- errors in specifications, and
- unreliability of contractors.

It can also greatly reduce the time needed for many design projects. Obviously the longer a project takes, the longer you will be inconvenienced by a mess and perhaps an unlivable home.

Sometimes it’s necessary for you to temporarily relocate while the work is being done.

Experienced Los Angeles and Ventura Interior Designers with project management skills can usually coordinate contractors and suppliers to minimize any disruptions and create a more seamless design process.

Of course, you want to make sure you are selecting someone with the right mix of design skills, time management and project management expertise, and someone with effective listening skills.

Several times I have been told that a client was not happy with a designer they hired previously. Often the client will explain that, the designer told me I need to do this, this and this and I didn’t want to do this, this and this. In these cases the client would explain that the designer presented a design that was not what they wanted to do and had a color palate they were not happy with.

To me, I’m not sure this is doing your job properly, if you’re a designer.

As one of the more experienced Los Angeles and Ventura Interior Designers, I’ve learned that it’s important to listen effectively to the client and not inject too much of my own ego into the design suggestions.

So therefore, first of all, when you hire an Interior Designer, make sure they ask you a lot of questions, and are someone who can comprehend what you are trying to articulate to them.

You can often tell this in the first interview.

Some clients will go further and hire Los Angeles or Ventura Interior Designers for a few hours at the concept stage, to get a sense for how the Designer works and interacts with them.

If the Designer does not have a broad background, where they have worked on many types of projects over their career, that might also be a problem. They might simply be a “one note” designer, providing a limited palate of ideas and resources.

Also, if the designer has poor time management skills, this can be a real red flag. From their returning calls to you in a timely manner to their delivering the initial plans, you can often get a sense of their professionalism and dependability.

Remember, your Interior Design project is not just about getting a few great ideas on paper. It’s also about your Designer’s capability to coordinate the various contractors and suppliers who might also be involved in creating an astonishing living space for you. That’s why it’s so important to only work with Los Angeles and Ventura Interior Designers who have relationships with numerous types of contractors and suppliers.
Los Angeles and Ventura Interior Designers with poor time management can cost you time, but can also impact the eventual budget of your project. Without effective Design Management, the potential for problems can skyrocket.

Of course, with each Design project, there is a possibility for unforeseen problems, as well as last minute changes and ideas, especially on the part of the Client. A professional designer should be flexible enough to accommodate not just the initial wishes of the client, but also, changes that might come up because of a last minute inspiration or a potential problem situation that arises during construction.

For this reason, a good designer should be solution driven and flexible.

With all the doable variables, it is especially important that your Designer have considerable experience with many of the suppliers and contractors that will be used.

Of course, problems will periodically arise with even the ideal suppliers. But working with an experienced professional Designer will generally reduce the likelihood of unreliable suppliers.

Needless to say, an effective Professional Designer should listen carefully to the Client’s needs and requests. But they should also be healthy to make recommendations beyond the client’s initial ideas.

You are hiring a professional who, in many cases, will have a vast experience and knowledge base that you can tap, including ideas you might not have considered that could really help.

If your Designer doesn’t present fresh ideas, then you might be getting short-changed in the possibilities for great design of your home.

Certainly, the biggest problems arise when a Designer does not guide the client through the decision process based on the client’s specific lifestyle, budget and preferences.

Truly effective Los Angeles and Ventura Interior Designers will take the time to comprehend your lifestyle, budget and preferences so they can Design a living environment that meets or exceeds your goals and wishes…a design that reflects your personality.

If you’d like more free videos like this one, click on the link or go to — www. SoCal-Interiors. com

ABOUT COLOURS AND CONCEPTS

At Colours and Concepts, as one of the more experienced Los Angeles and Ventura Interior Designers, we’ve been providing a wide range of professional Interior Design services throughout Los Angeles & Ventura counties for nearly a decade.

We serve a wide range of clients and collaborate with:

- Developers and Builders who want to increase the value of their properties and projects;

- Contractors, Architects and Homeowners who are renovating or building new; and

- Individual Homeowners desiring to improve their living environment.

I studied design in Toronto, and went on to found and run a design firm for ten years. I then relocated to Southern California, where I have been creating beautiful and effective living spaces throughout the Southland for nearly a decade.

I am a Certified Interior Designer and am a past Vice President of the Tri Valley Chapter of the Interior Design Society, one of the nation’s largest design organizations dedicated to serving the residential interior design industry.

I am also an affiliate member of the American Institute of Architects, and an active member of the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, where I recently redesigned their office spaces.

As one of the more experienced Los Angeles and Ventura Interior Designers, our firm has extensive experience working with a wide range of projects massive and small, in diverse environments, and serving clients with all types of personalities and tastes.

For example, in Toronto people are often interested in more traditional styles, with jeweled colors and deeper tones. Whereas in Southern California there is more of a mix, from Tuscan and Spanish to French Country to Contemporary, often with lighter color tones.

We can design in all these styles and others.

We have redesigned floor plans, opened up spaces to make them roomier and more inviting, created extensive media and entertainment areas, developed outstanding family and child-friendly rooms and spaces, and enhanced kitchens and bathrooms.

We have improved work spaces, helped select:

- furniture,
- paint,
- surround and window coverings,
- refurbished and redesigned after fire and water damage,

and prepared complete turnkey custom home design.

And sometimes we’ve had an inspiring time with those clients simply wanting to improve, beautify or just inject some fun into their living environments.

People are often surprised at the astonishing possibilities and options acquirable to them.

If you have a project or are simply considering the possibilities of changing your living space or your working environment, We’d love to chat with you.

Call us anytime, at 818-259-2752.

And if you’d like to see more free videos like this one, check out our website at – www. SoCal-Interiors. com

I hope this was helpful. Thanks for listening

By : Nat

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS IN LOS ANGELES

Hi. My study is Jo-Ann Capelaci. I’m the owner and principal designer for Colours and Concepts, listed under Interior Designers in Los Angeles. We’re a Thousand Oaks-based Interior Design firm serving Los Angeles & Ventura Counties.

One question many people ask is…

What qualifications should I look for when selecting professional Interior Designers in Los Angeles?

The selection process for a professional Interior Designer can be relatively easy if you think about these criteria.

They should have credentials by CCIDC or ASID.

CCIDC is the California Council for Interior Design Certification, and is the highest standard of professionalism for interior designers in the Say of California.

ASID is the American Society of Interior Designers and also has a stringent certification process.

These certifications also help ensure that your Designer has extensive knowledge of building codes and construction practices.

Beyond schooling and certification, the superior Interior Designers in Los Angeles tend to have experience with a wide range of clients and projects, so they have a vast resource of ideas and solutions for you to tap.

Your Designer should have worked with a broad range of local contractors, who have delivered their products and services on time and on budget.

With so many variables, this is essential to the smooth flowing of your project from conception to completion.

Also, your Interior Designer should be dedicated to lifelong learning.

One way to know this is to find out if they are an active member of different industry associations… such as the American Institute of Architects, The Interior Design Society and other associations where they mingle with other professionals, take ongoing classes, etc.

Also CCIDC and ASID require designers to take continuing education credits each year to improve their skill set.

Ddddd The superior Interior Designers in Los Angeles are also actively involved in their communities, contributing time and resources to local charities, Chambers of Commerce, and other local organizations.

In essence, they should be an active participant in the community.

Your professional Interior Designer should be experienced enough to design your type of project, whether it be

- a sophisticated media room,
- a child’s room,
- a creative workspace,
- an inspiring environment to entertain guests,
- a solitary space to reflect
- and much more.

Many people don’t realize that Certified Interior Designers are required to sign a “Code of Ethics”. Part of the code says that “the Designer “shall undertake to perform professional services only when he or she, together with his or her consultants, is eligible by education, training or experience to perform the services required.

A Certified Interior Designer should not work outside their specific area of expertise. ”

Your can view the complete code at – www. CCIDC. org.

If you’d like more free videos like this one, click on the link or go to — www. SoCal-Interiors. com

ABOUT COLOURS AND CONCEPTS

At Colours and Concepts we’ve been providing a wide range of professional Interior Design services throughout Los Angeles & Ventura counties for nearly a decade.

We serve a wide range of clients and collaborate with:

- Developers and Builders who want to increase the value of their properties and projects;

- Contractors, Architects and Homeowners who are renovating or building new; and

- Individual Homeowners desiring to improve their living environment.

I studied design in Toronto, and went on to found and run a design firm for ten years. I then relocated to Southern California, where I have been creating beautiful and effective living spaces throughout the Southland for nearly a decade.

I am a Certified Interior Designer and am a past Vice President of the Tri Valley Chapter of the Interior Design Society, one of the nation’s largest design organizations dedicated to serving the residential interior design industry.

I am also an affiliate member of the American Institute of Architects, and an active member of the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, where I recently redesigned their office spaces.

Our firm has extensive experience working with a wide range of projects massive and small, in diverse environments, and serving clients with all types of personalities and tastes.

For example, in Toronto people are often interested in more traditional styles, with jeweled colors and deeper tones. Whereas in Southern California there is more of a mix, from Tuscan and Spanish to French Country to Contemporary, often with lighter color tones.

We can design in all these styles and others.

We have redesigned floor plans, opened up spaces to make them roomier and more inviting, created extensive media and entertainment areas, developed outstanding family and child-friendly rooms and spaces, and enhanced kitchens and bathrooms.

We have improved work spaces, helped select:

- furniture,
- paint,
- surround and window coverings,
- refurbished and redesigned after fire and water damage,

and prepared complete turnkey custom home design.

And sometimes we’ve had an inspiring time with those clients simply wanting to improve, beautify or just inject some fun into their living environments.

People are often surprised at the astonishing possibilities and options acquirable to them.

If you have a project or are simply considering the possibilities of changing your living space or your working environment, We’d love to chat with you.

By : nat

In Mark Oser’s world, light is art, and the most important design element in a house. A trained painter, he likes white walls to showcase canvases and sculptures, and dramatic lighting to highlight the architectural details of his 6,000-square-foot modern home in Holland.

It’s not your typical Bucks County fare, but that’s not why clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida call on Oser, an interior designer for 20 years who now does many design/build projects.

His own home features glass for staircases, stainless steel for curved walls, granite for floors, and open spaces for paintings that make it feel like a modern museum or a slick motion picture set. A comfortable one, though.

“My main goal was to create an ultramodern [house], but warm at the same time,” states Oser, 44. “I softened all of the hard materials with warm lighting, thick carpets, and warm touches of color. ”

Building his home from the ground up was a challenge, Oser says: “I have been exposed to so much over the past 20 years and had so many resources that I loved to use. How do I narrow it down to what I like?”

First, he had to find where to build. He wanted to be in Bucks County, but he didn’t think a huge development would be right for him, his wife Lisa, and daughter Halie, now 9. He found a community of 10 homes where the builder would grant him to design and construct the interior.

Like the rest of us, Oser had to contend with that awful word budget.

“When I thought about all of the things I wanted in this house, I thought, ‘I can’t afford myself. ‘ If there was something I wanted that I could not afford, I tried to do it with more cost-effective materials. ”

It took Oser a year to design the whole home and another year, after they moved in in Might 2001, to design the lower level. He bounced ideas off his wife, who was involved in the projects.

“My most important stipulation was that my home feel inviting while being warm – modern design sometimes has a cold feel to it. Mark blended a modern style with a sense of warmth,” Lisa Oser says, crediting his use of lighting with making that happen.

The basement that took so long to design? It features a six-seat theater with ticket booth, a bar, a seating area, a gaming area, and the requisite home gym. The rooms have a motion picture theme, and there is even a life-sized clay sculpture of a motion picture meeter in the ticket booth.

The soundproof theater has artifact walls and dramatic sconces, and a 125-inch motion picture screen behind remote-controlled curtains.

“This is my favorite room,” Mark Oser says, “because you feel so different here. It takes me away. ”

“You can do anything using this screen: show family photos, play games, and watch movies, of course,” states Oser, who often hooks up his personal and works there.

Adds Lisa Oser: “My friends and Halie’s love this house. It is really set up for entertaining. ”

The bar and seating area have fun pop-art touches such as puzzle-piece ottomans and chairs done in artifact that looks like film reels. Oser painted an “Al Pacino in Scarface” motion picture mural onto the surround near the pool table.

Upstairs, in the main living spaces, however, “I wanted to have an art room effect,” states Oser, who mixes his own work – his take on a Roy Lichtenstein is on one surround – with that of other artists.

For the kitchen, he wanted sleek and angular blended with curved design elements. The granite floors match the countertops, and white custom cabinets conceal small appliances. The intake area has a Jetsons-like triangular plateau and colorful seats.

In the square family room, Mark Oser wanted curves. He created them with flooring cut in a wave shape. The room features a built-in television over the fireplace and, on an opposite wall, an airbrushed sky effect with the words COOL in 3-D.

“Paint can be changed, so if I get exhausted of it, I can easily change it,” he says.

The master bedroom needed lots of storage. Oser tucked it away behind curved brushed-steel and lacquer custom woodworking that looks like an architectural element. A fireplace and television are built into a surround opposite the bed, which rests on a glass-block base, lit from within.

“The lighting and glass create a floating effect,” Oser says.

He painted the molded ceiling a warmer color than the walls, and tucked away cove lighting to give the space a wonderful glow. And he created a meditation area for his wife, who owns an insurance-brokerage agency.

Three years ago, Oser took his talents outside, adding a pool that transports visitors to his favorite state, Florida. He brought in sand from the beach and palmlike trees, worked his illusion with lighting again, and dotted deck areas with art and sculpture from favorite artists.

“The ideal part of living in a modern home is it is open and airy, one-of-a-kind and timeless,” Lisa Oser says. “I feel like I am on pass in Florida or California in my own home. ”

Mark also thinks of it as a living portfolio.

“I could have a showroom,” he says, “but I select to live in mine. ”

By: Designs by Mark