Economical Choices

In today’s economy, even furniture stores are accommodating the bargain wise shopper. While finding a good deal once involved a hunt of sorts, it is now much easier with useful tools provided by the store itself. Online, we can find specific sections dedicated to these good finds that are updated regularly. For Crate & Barrel, there is a section titled “Best Buys” which gives a list of their products that are priced surprisingly low. At Pottery Barn’s website, a similar idea is titled “Affordable Designs,” highlighting incredible deals. With these helpful lists online, anyone can find a way to design a desirable space without leaving their budget.

To give an example of the bargains available, we have selected some of our favorites. In Crate & Barrel’s “Best Buys” we found the Vendome II Bed, which prices at $899.00 for a Queen.

In Pottery Barn’s “Affordable Designs” we love the Chloe Coffee Table at the amazing price of $349.00. It’s style will hold itself next to pricier items, while balancing out anyone’s budget.

The Plus House Project

Pre-Fabricated home are becoming more prominent as simplicity becomes more appreciated. Pre-Fab Homes, for short, are growing in popularity for a number of reasons including sustainability, timely construction, and affordability. Swedish architect Claesson Koivisto Rune created The Plus House project consists of a pre-fabricated house that requires only 20 days or preparation in the factory, and an incredibly short on-site building period of also 20 days. The aesthetics of this house are surprisingly pleasing, with an open floor plan and plenty of natural light. These houses are surprisingly inexpensive. This being said, the demand for such pre-fabricated houses has the potential to grow in today’s economy. Arkitekthus, a development company in Sweden, offers 12 models of these homes, and has begun work on over 60 houses in the area.

A Home That Grows With You

Universal design, by definition, is design that creates an environment anyone can enjoy, regardless of any disability. It is custom for each individual, and rids the inconveniences that a person may have previously faced with standard design. The idea behind universal design is that design can go further than the aesthetics of a space. If the individual’s needs are taken into consideration further than just color, material, and layout, it is possible to better the quality of that person’s life. Visual difficulties are met with distinguishing colors and textures, while mobility difficulties are met with accessibility throughout the home customized to each individual. A home should make the owner completely comfortable, and it certainly should not propose any obstacles for them. Taking every aspect of the owner’s capabilities and lifestyle into account allows a designer to create a space that broadens their independence. Courses for Universal Design are beginning to be introduced into the educational world, as it is becoming more of a demand with each year. Learning Universal Design goes beyond codes and regulations within a region, as it is meant to create a livable space without having to sacrifice aesthetics. No one should feel out of place in their own home.

Sunset Park Home

Privacy is generally a high-priority for home owners. A contemporary home in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Santa Monica has tested these ideals, as the owners have opted to trade a backyard in for a community oriented front yard. The architects placed the L-shaped home in the back corner of the lot, ridding the property of a private backyard, but adding a large front yard on the corner lot that the entire neighborhood can enjoy. A small garden placed behind the house is the only private outdoor space this home offers. The house’s open floor plan is visually exposed to the community, with large windows and wide decks directly facing the corner. The outer windows and doors are clear glass, while the interior doors are frosted to add some privacy to the rooms within the house. The great room, kitchen, and dining room are fully visible from the outside. While many people are stunned by the owner’s comfort with exposing so much of their home to the people around them, it has reminded the neighborhood of how we can still utilize the space in front of our homes. These days, it is rare to see a family enjoying their time on a front porch or deck, as most people prefer the privacy of their backyard. This family in Sunset Park proves their neighbors shy, as the owners have expressed how happy they are in their open home.

http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-0228-king-pg,0,5733770.photogallery?1

Computer Rendering vs Free Hand Sketching?

Guest bedroom quick free hand sketch

In my opinion, one of the most important pieces of the design process is the creation of a color sketch to visually explain the desired outcome of a design. This is the professional part that so many clients are craving and we as designers are able to offer in our list of services. But why do so many companies choose to use virtually sketching instead of hand drawn renderings?

I am absolutely not one to shy away from technology (especially as I sit next to my BlackBerry as though it is my life line) but I really feel strongly against computerized renderings for residential project. That is not to say that they don’t have their place in the commercial market for large developments and such, however, there is something so human and soft about a hand drawn rendering, be it from an artist or a quick hand armature sketcher. I think it shows a real connection between the designer and the space.

Do you agree with me? It just seems like there is such an amazement over computer renderings that is not justified. They are often very cold, stark, and lifeless. I understand that from a business standpoint there are many nice benefits…having the ability to make revisions quickly and often, as well as keeping the time for developing a rendering low.

Well it hasn’t taken me away from doing hand drawn sketches for my clients. I get such great feedback from the drawings and I think it is something that future Interior Designers should have in their toolbox of skills.

Interior Design and the Internet!!!

As an Interior Designer, one of the most valuable assets I offer to my clients are all of my resources. There are labor people, artists, and workrooms that I have great relationships with who are there for me to create what I need. Above and beyond that are all the companies and resources where I actually purchase furnishing, accessories, art etc.

It dawned on me the other day that I am so lucky to be a designer in this moment in time. Even though I have the youth and energy to wonder around countless stores….I don’t have to!! I can’t think of even 1 thing that I cannot resource online. Everything I need is available…and sometimes more than what I need.

Don’t get me wrong though…there is no substitute for going to a store and physically touching the furniture or fabric you are planning on purchasing. But once you are so familiar with materials, colors, and manufacturers, that need slowly goes away. Online shopping has gotten so sophisticated that I can tell what grade of fabric is on a chair and what material is framing a mirror just my looking at the picture and reading the description.

I can’t imagine the days when a designer had to literally drive around to source all of their items and then revisit all of the stores to make all these purchases!! It must have made them nuts and taken triple the amount of time!

Due to the vast resources from the internet I can literally design a living room or bedroom for someone across the globe, source everything out for them to buy and have delivered to their home, and never leave my office in Los Angeles. This even applies to working on an all green project or even a style specific project.

So, in honor of my enthusiasm for online shopping, below are some links to my favorite online stores….enjoy!

www.roomandboard.com
www.designwithinreach.com
www.cb2.com
www.overstock.com
www.vivaterra.com

Interior Design Tips: 5 ways to design for spring…

A.S.D. Interiors modern flowers for spring!

1. Nature – Now that spring is in the air, some of the most beautiful flowers and plants are available to buy for your home or office. Getting a low, clear glass vase with a bundle of flowers can really brighten up a room. Our recommendation is to the place flowers on an entry table, in a powder bathroom, or on your office desk. Stick with one color and remember to keep the water fresh!
2. Sleep – Spring is a great time to get a fresh new set of bedding and/or sheets for your bed. Sleep doctors recommend dark colored sheets to mimic the night and a way to produce deep REM sleep. We recommend solid colored bedding as a way to emphasis tranquility and peace.
3. Art – Even if you are not a huge art connoisseur, spring is a great time to relocate the art in your home that you already have. You may even own a pieces of art that has been sitting in storage! Take it out of there and try placing your art somewhere new and maybe group them together to create a suite of pictures.
4. Color – Now is a better time than ever to freshen up or even change the paint on your walls. Try changing your plain white walls to a crisp green or taupe color. If a whole room is too much, try an accent wall for starters. You will be amazed at the difference a little bit of color can do for a space!
5. Reflect – One of the best accessories that you can add to a room is a mirror. Now that the sunlight will be shining brighter, use mirrors in a dark space to reflect the wonderful sunlight. It is one of the most often used tricks of the trade!

When to hire an Interior designer?

So often I get hired to start a new project and the same topic always comes up….the client tells me “Wow we should have hired you months ago!!” Yes it’s true, many people underestimate how many details there are and how useful it is to hire a designer at the beginning of a project. Not every designer works the same, but for us, we are really here to help save you TIME, MONEY, and STRESS!

So why do people wait? Well part of it may be that there is a stigma over designers in that consumers believe we cost a lot of extra money. Much to the contrary, we can actually save our clients huge dollars when it comes to making the right decisions and not paying extra for mistakes.

Another element to the mix is the Architect and Contractor. Not to take away from the importance of their jobs, but there is an absolute difference between the job of an architect….who is there to deal with the overall structural design…and the contractor, who is there to construct. Neither should be taking on the job of a designer as it dilutes the real overall finished picture.

So when should clients think of hiring a designer? It should happen just as soon as you think you might want to alter or add a new space to your home or office. Yes an architect can get to work on drawings, but there is never enough time to resource for the perfect items and materials to go in each room.

Just recently, my client had a realization of my importance for something as insignificant as the plugs for their home office computer. As the electrician and cable company were installing these 2 items on the wall, there wasn’t a selected desk at the time and therefore no one to say, “The desk that we are purchasing is 84″ long, therefore put the plug here!” Now my client has to pay for the electrical and DSL cables to be moved, the drywall to be patched, and the painter to touch up the wall.

So, if you plan to do any renovation, remodeling, additions, or design changes to your home or office remember to hire an Interior Designer in the beginning of your project. We will take care of all the details!

New White House Interior Designer

A.S.D. Interiors would like to say congratulations to Michael Smith on becoming the new White House Interior Designer for the Obama Family. It is so great that a Los Angeles based designer has been selected to represent the design community!!!

WHAT MAKES THIS FURNITURE SO SUPER?

SIMPLE. CRYPTON SUPER FURNITURE RESISTS
WHATEVER LIFE, KIDS AND PETS CAN THROW AT IT.

About-CryptonFurniture
When two state-of-the-art companies come together, something extraordinary is bound to happen. And it did. Crypton Super Fabrics, together with Hiatt Furniture, set out to redefine furniture, to create evolved furniture that’s designed to function for the way people really live. Furniture, yes furniture, that makes life easier and cleaner.
How? Why? Our Super Furniture is upholstered with Crypton Super Fabric, a patented fabric that resists stains, spills, odors and bacteria. Unlike topical treatments, Crypton’s environmentally friendly process is engineered into the fabric, encapsulating every fiber and ensuring permanent performance. This prevents moisture, bacteria and stains from entering into the fibers, allowing spills and stains, even old stains, to be easily wiped away. In addition, Crypton Super Fabric has an integrated, breathable moisture barrier that prohibits liquids or bacteria from penetrating the fabric to the cushion below. This means that both the outside and the inside of your cushions will remain fresh, clean and bacteria and odor-free.
With Crypton Super Furniture, there are no more tears (or awful odors) over spilled milk and no more worries about errant marker or muddy paws.