May 2022
Creating a Home.
02/05/22 07:46
Almost everyone at one point in time will have to create a home whatever their circumstance or space.
Ironically the basics of designing an interior space and the art of making a home are rarely taught to anyone with the exception of a professional interior designer. My intent here is to provide insight into the art of creating a home regardless of size, budget, ownership, or renter.
Regardless if you are blessed with a natural sense of style, "flair" or a good eye for design the fact remains regardless of anyone's ability it must be backed by practical knowledge and honed by experience.
Most of us have learned that trial and error is truly the best way to gain meaningful experience in most fields however when it comes to decorating, renovating, or simply furnishing a home, it can result in disappointment and sometimes be quite costly. That being said, should you desire to decorate your own home in a pleasing and practical way with the least amount of stress; you will need to understand the fundamentals of design.
I think we can all agree our home should reflect our personality and style. But more importantly, a home should first be safe and serve the resident's needs. In design, we often use the phrase "form follows function" which simply means the emphasis is placed on the functionality of the space vs purely the appearance. Yes, appearance is important but function should always be the priority. Each of us operates differently and the space needs to suit how "you" personally intend to use the space. Example: A three-bedroom home can work quite differently for two different families or even one family at two different stages in life. Perhaps one of the bedrooms is dedicated for sleeping and studying while one family but another family may use the same room as a hobby room, studio, office, exercise room, playroom, etc.
When considering the aesthetics of space the function will dictate your direction. For example, if the direction is to create an elegant and visually stunning area but it does not feel welcoming or comfortable or suited to your lifestyle it may prove to be a costly endeavor not to mention an unusable space.
The first step for any project is to identify the function, who will use the space, list in detail what is to happen there, and inventory all existing furnishings to be used in the space. We call this the programing stage in interior design. Regardless of size or budget, a program must be established before moving forward on any design project.
Ironically the basics of designing an interior space and the art of making a home are rarely taught to anyone with the exception of a professional interior designer. My intent here is to provide insight into the art of creating a home regardless of size, budget, ownership, or renter.
Regardless if you are blessed with a natural sense of style, "flair" or a good eye for design the fact remains regardless of anyone's ability it must be backed by practical knowledge and honed by experience.
Most of us have learned that trial and error is truly the best way to gain meaningful experience in most fields however when it comes to decorating, renovating, or simply furnishing a home, it can result in disappointment and sometimes be quite costly. That being said, should you desire to decorate your own home in a pleasing and practical way with the least amount of stress; you will need to understand the fundamentals of design.
I think we can all agree our home should reflect our personality and style. But more importantly, a home should first be safe and serve the resident's needs. In design, we often use the phrase "form follows function" which simply means the emphasis is placed on the functionality of the space vs purely the appearance. Yes, appearance is important but function should always be the priority. Each of us operates differently and the space needs to suit how "you" personally intend to use the space. Example: A three-bedroom home can work quite differently for two different families or even one family at two different stages in life. Perhaps one of the bedrooms is dedicated for sleeping and studying while one family but another family may use the same room as a hobby room, studio, office, exercise room, playroom, etc.
When considering the aesthetics of space the function will dictate your direction. For example, if the direction is to create an elegant and visually stunning area but it does not feel welcoming or comfortable or suited to your lifestyle it may prove to be a costly endeavor not to mention an unusable space.
The first step for any project is to identify the function, who will use the space, list in detail what is to happen there, and inventory all existing furnishings to be used in the space. We call this the programing stage in interior design. Regardless of size or budget, a program must be established before moving forward on any design project.