LOVE AND 2 BATHROOMS

Keeping it real with all my toiletries displayed :)

Having lived in a small apartment a few years back, we had two bathrooms, one of which is near our bedroom on the second floor and the other as powder room/maid's bathroom.

The disadvantage of sharing a bathroom is when the call of nature happens to both of you at the same time. Unfortunately, this happens more often than not! 

You also need to schedule baths and though it does not really take me an hour to shower, it means the other person is waiting for you to finish. If both of you are working, you have to be exact with your timing.  In the event that you have school-aged kids as well, this adds even more pressure to finishing your business quickly. Therefore, when we finally had the chance to build our own home, I had a wonderful dream where we all had separate bathrooms!

Of course, I also wanted to have my dream bathroom! I have my whirlpool tub, my rainshower with extra sprays, my wide countertop sink perfect for all my toiletries, and that gorgeous faucet I was eyeing.

Similarly, my husband likes a strong rain shower head and a huge shower area. He wants a masculine design with a concrete like tile finish.

Is it all we ever hoped for? Definitely! As a married couple, we have the same bedroom. Usually, you compromise with the design style to suit both parties but with separate bathrooms, we get to have some privacy and have our own unique styles as well.

Most important of all, having separate bathrooms means we can use it at the same time!

If you can afford to do so, separate bathrooms are heaven. If not, you can have dual sinks, dual showers (if you like showering together). I recommend an enclosure for the toilet area so you have some privacy while your better half is using the sink or the shower.

If space allows, this is one recommendation that will certainly be worth the splurge! Are you inspired to do the same? Or dream the same? 

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ARE INTERIOR DESIGNERS OVERHYPED, part II

In an earlier post, I talked about some things a licensed interior designer can do for you. Well, there's actually more!

Decide on your material specifications.

What exactly does this entail? It means suggesting the most appropriate pattern, style, color and type of fabric that is suitable for you. It also touches on types of metal, wood, tile, wallpaper, paint, glass, flooring and any other material related to building your space.

Why is it important? For example, do you know that stainless steel has many grades? Yes, I found this out the hard way (before I was an interior designer) when I bought my shower caddy from a local department store. No wonder it was cheap, it was the wrong type and thus, after a few months, you guessed it, it rusted and broke off! Yes, not all stainless steel is equal!

Talk to all those involved in the building of your space.

We talk to architects, engineers, suppliers, contractors, carpenters, painters, electrician, plumbers... ok, all sorts of people. We do this to ensure that everything in your approved design is thoroughly understood and implemented correctly. Different things happen in a job site. No matter how specific we are with our drawings, there are times that clarifications are needed and construction problems need to be solved.

Ergonomics

What is ergonomics and why should we even care? Ergonomics, or human factor engineering, optimizes a human's well-being through proper design. That is why when we talk about ergonomic chairs, it means that the chair was specifically designed for your comfort--less strain, less back problems with the proper lumbar support. We as interior designers are trained to design the proper sizes of furniture and how it affects the user. That is why there are chairs that you can't figure out why they are uncomfortable and there are those that are simply right! I've seen this on many restaurants. You know how the booth seating is one of the most occupied (at least locally here in Manila)? There are some that make you sit awkwardly or simply isn't right.

Light your space!

Light can do so much for you. Whether you want a romantic evening or a casual dinner with the family, the right lighting design helps you achieve that. Lighting can also highlight your book collection or a certain artwork. Even for mundane tasks, we need the right light. 

Look for suppliers!

I don't know if this is normal but I love hunting for suppliers. You know that perfect moment when you finally found the perfect piece! Whatever it may be, I like going to home depots, furniture stores, thrift stores, art galleries, other obscure places... Yes, I guess I love shopping! hahahaha! It's fun to look for elusive things. Although it surely isn't fun when you still can't find it. Anyway, part of my job is to search for items (whether decorative or non-decorative) that you need for your home. It's not just the pretty pieces but also even hardware that makes your life easier--hardware that enables you to just push on the drawer for it to open smoothly... things like that. I guess I'm weird in the sense that I like hardware stores!

Style and beautify. 

With all the processes and details involved in interior design and construction, normally what you see is the result of all that work. Of course, we want your space to look gorgeous! Who doesn't? We studied history of art and architecture and we constantly update ourselves to ensure that we know the rules. When you know the rules, then you'll know how to break them, right?!

One of the best things that make me happy is after all the hard work, when I see the delight and happiness in my client's eyes, I truly know that I had done my job well!

In case you missed my earlier post, check HERE!

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ARE INTERIOR DESIGNERS OVERHYPED, part I

Mood/Swatch Board

I get this a lot. I don't want to hire an interior designer because they are only for the wealthy. I myself, to be honest, did not hire one when I had my home constructed. I thought I can save the money and use it for my Spanish tiles... Boy, was I mistaken! The problems I can see especially now that I am a licensed interior designer are numerous. Had I invested in one at the very start, I think I wouldn't have to redo a lot of things in my home. The mistakes I did make were quite a number, it's embarrassing.

First, I had the wrong color for my doors. Yes, believe me, it didn't work and at the time, I didn't know why. So yes, I had it repainted. Second, my kitchen is a nightmare! I literally have so much stuff on my countertop. Yes, I'm planning to renovate it next year. Third, I have the wrong height for my kitchen cabinets that I have a stool to reach the very back parts. Yep, the contractor did not know that! Fourth, my furniture selection didn't match. I bought my dining tables first because who can live without a dining table, then I purchased my living room set the year after. Well, my living room set looks real good but when it was placed beside the dining table (as I've got an open living/dining room set-up), it did not match and I was literally having nightmares for days... Yes, I now have a new dining table and chairs. And yes, I had a difficult time selling my original dining table even though it was of good quality.

Ok, I probably have more stories for you but let's get on with it shall we? What can a licensed interior designer truly provide for you?

Define your style.

It really isn't easy to define your style. As you grow and change, your style continues to evolve. We can help you remove all that noise in your head and nail it down for you.

Satisfy your style with your husband's.

I'm lucky my husband defers to my style. However, it does not mean that there are things he wants that I don't consider. Of course, it's a marriage and both parties need to be delighted. We help you capture a style that marries yours and your husband's.

Display your collections.

For those collectors out there, whether you're into art, books, figurines, china, or other collectible items, we can assist you in planning your collections and displaying them into something that's worthy of their value.

Help you in your purchases.

Purchasing can be done by either the client or the designer. It all depends on your agreement. If you do hire a designer, consult her/him on your planned purchases whether it’s accessories or furniture to make sure that you are buying the right size, style and quality for your needs. I’ve seen plenty of sad stories where the buyer did not get the right furniture and the problem with that is the store will not refund the item to you because you changed your mind. So now, you’re stuck with something you bought that did not work and who wants that?

In line with your purchases, assist you in your budget.

Ahh, that budget word. Yes, I don't simply buy something because it looks good and it's expensive. Right? I'm sure you feel the same way. After all, we need to be practical. I, for one, worked in finance for eight years that I believe that's definitely something I've nailed down. The usual practice is that you allot 10% of your budget to other miscellaneous items. Why? Prices are volatile. Sometimes, there is something in the design you want changed or redone. Then, definitely, this will affect construction cost. Or even if you're only doing minor renovations, the same thing goes. Proudly, I've got to say my actual miscellaneous for my home and my clients has been 2% so far. Of course, along with that, I do have to say that you need to be realistic as well. You can't expect high quality finishes with low price. What you should expect is a reasonable price for a good quality. That is what's important for me. Value for money.

Plan for safety.

Safety might be a boring topic but it's importance cannot be underestimated. This means planning for all types of people who live in your space, whether they're babies, children, teens, adults, or senior citizens. Each person has a different need. Even if you are a capable adult, that does not mean simply drawing whatever comes to mind but ensuring that your safety needs are considered. 

Give you the following important documents:

a.    Floor plan with furniture arrangement

A floor plan gives you the flow of the space and what is contained in each area. It dictates how well your space is maximized and what furniture (and size of furniture) you can place. Although we cannot magically increase your space (after all a 50 square meter area can only be 50 square meter, right?), we can help you make full use of your space, including all those nooks and crannies. 

b.    Mood board/Swatch board

The mood board gives you a feel of your space. It can include photos of furniture, colors, fabric, floor swatches, lighting, window treatments.

c.     Interior perspectives  

These are views of the interior so you can visualize them properly. It conveys an idea of how your final project will look like.

d.     Elevations

These include design details of each wall like the wood moldings, wallpaper or paint finishes, wall sconces, door finishes and any other treatments.

e.     Lighting and Ceiling Plans with specifications

This gives a comprehensive plan of the ceiling design together with all the lighting included like chandeliers, pendant lights, cove lights, and the type of lights, wattage, and housing of the light as well.

f.     Furniture list and specifications

A furniture list includes all types of furniture, fabric, photos or drawings and the type of material used for the furniture. For example, the size and type of wood, glass, metal and the finishes for each material as well.

g.     Custom furniture drawings (if applicable)  

An interior designer can make custom furniture for you. Your space is very unique to you. Especially for smaller spaces like condominiums or townhouses, the selection or the size can be prohibitive. The nice thing about bespoke furniture is that you can have the exact material and size specified uniquely for your space. I have experienced quite a lot of times trying to search for furniture that are either the wrong size, the wrong style, the wrong fabric… It’s a nightmare sometimes. A good combination of furniture, custom and off the rack can be a good choice. Just be aware that custom furniture takes at least a minimum of 2 months for production.

I hope this post enlightens you on what we can provide. There are many responsibilities that we as licensed interior designers have for our clients. To continue reading more about this, click here.

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EASY WAYS TO GET THE FRENCH PROVENÇE LOOK ON A BUDGET

Have you ever wanted to have the casual elegance of French country design in the comforts of your own home yet are worried that it will cost an arm and a leg?  Do you have that moment where you’ve been captivated by the beauty of how the Southern French ornament their homes but don’t have enough money to do a total renovation?

As an interior designer, I always work within the means of my clients – and I can proudly say that you do not have to be rich to achieve your dream look. Well worry not, because I have ways on how to achieve the French country look even on a shoestring budget!

PHOTO: Courtesy of Overstock

Wood

Every house definitely has some wood on it – whether it’s doors, furniture or flooring. Use them to your advantage – the people from Provençe love to include wood in their designs. You may even paint them too!

For wood furniture (tables, organizers, et al), paint them in a different tone or shade as your wall—that means go lighter and brighter or go deeper and darker. For the doors, paint in warm, pastel colors to give it more character!

PHOTO: Courtesy of Sipfon Home Deco

Paint

Use soft colors for your walls like lavender, pale purple, and soft blue. This will give your room a sense of calmness. If you want to give a striking impression, you can also use warm sunny colors – warm yellows and golds. 

PHOTO: Courtesy of Sipfon Home Deco

Plants

The French love the outdoors. They want to be with nature and appreciate its beauty. Invite the French vibe in your home by adding some ornamental plants to add a sense of calmness in your interior. You can place them atop your study table for small ones, and near the fireplace for bigger plants.

Looking for another alternative for plants? Fresh produce will do! Common vegetables can be a good addition to those ornamental plants. Just put your decorative vegetables in a nice basket or in a wooden bowl.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Overstock

Furniture

Most Provençe-themed homes include classic country furniture such as ladderback chairs, hutches, trestle tables among others (check out my newsletter for more information about this - see link at the bottom of this post). Buying furniture is an investment. You may buy brand new furniture if you have the extra cash but if you are on the budget side, you can still use your existing wooden or dining chairs and paint them in your color palette or paint them white. 

Use wood carvings or trimmings for accent.

FLEUR-DE LYS. PHOTO: Courtesy of Ebay

Add a sense of class to your existing furniture by adding trimmings, mouldings, and decorative markings to your furniture. Insignias such as fleur-de-lys, scrolls, shells can be included as design in your wooden cabinets and other furniture. Mouldings and decorative markings can be put in your wooden racks, kitchen doors, and even in your chairs. You can purchase these trimmings in your nearest home depot and paint them accordingly.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Overstock

Patterns

Another inexpensive way to achieve the French country look is with the use of patterns. You can buy pillow sheets, table runners, tablecloths, and even rugs that contain floral patterns, accents,  botanical prints or toile (a single colored pattern with a pastoral scene usually in white background). 

PHOTO:  Courtesy of Overstock

Decorate with a painting on a wall!

Finally, every French country-inspired home contains at least one painting. This does not mean buying expensive paintings by the way. Look for local painters with country style themes like fruits, florals, or botanical prints.

There you have it! Simple tips to achieve your dream French country look on your home even on a shoestring amount. Happy decorating!

If you haven't checked out my FREE E-BOOK on French Country style, do join my newsletter with link below the page. It details the basic elements that make up this style.

SAVE OR SPEND???

One of the things I'm sure you want to know more of is what to invest in and what you can buy cheaply!

Here are some pointers on what to save and what to spend for your place:

FURNITURE - IT DEPENDS

Ok. Why? If you have a very tight budget, if you're still in the process of saving to acquire your furniture, then, by all means, start with lower priced items. However, if you are at the stage where your income is more substantial and you want something that will really last, I suggest looking for sturdier furniture. How will you know the quality? Well, honestly, it takes a while to learn. I myself started with cheaper furniture when I first got married because that is all I could afford. Now that we've built up our savings, I do invest in higher quality furniture. Knowing what types of furniture are of high quality and those that are less quality will take another blog post though.

PLANTS - SAVE

Plants are all the rage nowadays. What I love about this is that they naturally soften the place and makes it look inviting. If you are a new plant collector, I do suggest taking the time to learn which ones are sturdy! Air plants haven't died for me yet. Try tillandsia-- beautiful and I only water twice a week.

ORGANIZERS - SAVE

These are life savers in making your day better by ensuring that everything is at its right place. I say save on the organizers. There are expensive ones but trust me, you'd need a ton. Before buying any, find out first what items you will store, then categorize them and count the number you need. Oh and do be resourceful-- there are plenty of things you can use as organizers even if it wasn't meant for that purpose.

PILLOWS - SPEND

Ok. This might be personal for me... Maybe it's my age! I do prefer a soft (but not too soft) fluffy pillow. I have been searching for the best one ever since and so far what I have always loved are those Shangri-La pillows. Arghh! They are fluffy and has just the right softness. The problem with that is they are custom made for Shangri-La. Maybe I should just buy it there. Believe me, I've collected a ton of pillows over the years. If you have the perfect pillow, do comment below.

DÉCOR AND ACCESSORIES - A MIXTURE

Some say don't spend while others like to do so. I think this is more personal. I have collected décor over the years... sometimes, I just cannot resist! Some came from my travels while others are from my local jaunts. For items like throw pillows and table linen, you should not spend a fortune because these are the ones that are easy to change depending on the season or for occasions. 

ART - SPEND

I believe art is subjective. However, having said that, in your most prized areas, let's say your living room, a piece of well-chosen art can totally make or break your space. No prints please! If you've never owned any painting or sculpture before, maybe this is the time to go for it. You don't need to spend hundreds of thousands to find something you love. You just have to be resourceful. Perhaps start with looking at galleries. Do it in person, not online... Yeah, I know... but for you to truly find one that is worthy of your attention, you must see it LIVE. Not to worry, in future posts, I will discuss more on collecting art.

Alright!!! This is my first post for the blog. I will be having more posts about what to save or spend. Let me know your thoughts or questions below.

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