By CLARICE SMYTH
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7 DESIGN BELIEFS YOU MUST CHANGE
They Are Lying To You Here Is The Truth
We are surrounded by information. We have information overload. Almost anything you want to do you can find information and learn how to do that thing. Yes, there is a lot of skilled knowledge involved when designers design and there has to be because we design for a variety of people with very different needs and style preferences. But you are designing your one home for yourself and your family.
You have an inside advantage of knowing the wants and needs of the occupants – your family. Be patient, research, and take your time – don’t rush. You can create a home that is functional and that works for you – one project at a time.
Will your final design look like a designer created it? No, probably not.
This is not meant to be discouraging. It’s because a designer will interject some of their vision for the space and this is normal since we are the ones creating the design. Because a designer works with a wide variety of furnishings and fixtures, they may suggest things for the space that you didn’t know existed or that may be outside your immediate comfort zone – so you wouldn’t have considered them but maybe learn that you really do like them.
Will your home look any less designed or beautiful? Yes, No, Maybe. You are in control and the final opinion that matters is yours. If you are lazy and don’t do the research needed to put together a good design – which has numerous moving parts – it could look like a Hot Mess. If you analyze your space, needs, and wants, do the research, plan the design out, and remain very patient but at the same time firmly flexible, It can be done.
What is Firmly-Flexible It is being confidently firm in your vision and decisions while flexible enough to pivot when necessary.
You will have that confidence if you have done the work it takes to learn what you need to know.
I am not here to convince you that all Trends, Fads, and Popular things are bad. I created it just to bring awareness so we can all appreciate them, maybe be inspired by them, but NEVER ruled by them
These are my opinions and interpretations of interior design – all designers have their own. Tell me what you think. Do you agree? Do you disagree? What are your guiding beliefs around Interior Design?
Share below and let’s have a conversation.
1. If it’s not Trending/Popular/Fad it isn’t good interior design?
First of all let’s define what Trend, Fad, and Popular actually mean.
–TREND is a general direction in which something is developing or changing (Oxford)
BOUCLE FABRIC: yarn with a looped or curled ply, or fabric woven from this yarn.
Curved Sofa Boucle- ManHat Home: http://shrsl.com/36vuq (Ordered Swatches 10/5)
Hans J Wegner Circle Chair – ManHat Home: http://shrsl.com/36vud
–FAD is an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived and without basis in the object’s qualities; a craze (Oxford)
BOUCLE BALL PILLOW : https://amzn.to/3mpKFJs
HAPPY KOALA BOUCLE KNOT BALL PILLOW: https://amzn.to/3laiGhp
–POPULAR is when products are intended for or suited to the taste, understanding, or means of the general public rather than specialists or intellectuals. (Oxford)
ADDITIONALLY
– It is helpful to understand Condition… not meaning new or used but….
-CONDITION is to have a significant influence on or determine, the manner or outcome of something. (Oxford) Here I am referring to its meaning related to design but Condition can occur within different generations or in politics as well.
Think of CONDITION as repeated exposure to something so consistently that a person just accepts it or is strongly influenced by “it” – IT being Trends, Fads, and what’s Popular.
Exposure occurs in ads, social media, TV, movies, YouTube, or people we follow or know. It comes to some degree from everywhere.
If we look at these as a whole, what we learn is that if we allow ourselves to be swept along by these waves of influence we are designing the spaces around us for the masses and moving farther from discovering and developing our personal sense of style. Our custom design style.
It isn’t possible to create a personal signature design for our home and it simultaneously become the personal signature design of the masses. These do not co-exist, only the original person’s personal signature design is authentic. So, reverse that, and we can understand how following trends, fads, and popular design is not personal, or signature, or authentic.
Which leads us into our……
2. If my design style doesn’t look like everyone else’s design style, I must be doing it wrong.
No, Different is good. Because when your Farm House design looks exactly like your friends Farm House design which looks exactly like hundreds or thousands of other peoples Farm House design then it is mass design… trends, fads, and popularity, driven by marketing. Which we already touched on.
Personal Design is not like everyone else’s. Personal or Custom Design is taking from a design inspiration the things that resonate with you and then creating your concept design in a new way. If you are taking the basics design concept like common colors, shapes, treatments and putting your spin on them then you are doing it right.
Using our Farm House design as an example, let’s say you like shiplap but you don’t want all of your walls covered in it and you feel signs everywhere looks cheap. Perhaps you decide to do shiplap on the back of the island, a window seat box, or on the fireplace facing. If that is too much then maybe you install a shiplap “mudroom” nook with names in your favorite script. Perhaps you decide you don’t like shiplap at all and that rustic is more your vibe. Take the elements that really resonates with you and leave the rest without guilt.
Say you want a plaid table runner but red or blue is not your favorite…then look for a plaid runner in a color you like. If you can’t find a readymade one get the fabric and make your own to coordinate with your color scheme.
3. To Design my home everything needs to be replaced/new. I have to start from scratch.
Not necessarily. If you are going in a completely different direction then maybe – but there are usually pieces that can be restyled or repurposed into your new design style. More often than not we have pieces in our home that represent our personal style and, keep those, and build your design from there. The trick is looking at everything else in a new way and use it or passing it on and replacing it.
Always look at the shape of an item before tossing it. If the shape is right and it’s in good condition perhaps you can paint it, reupholster it, or repurpose it in some way. This saves you money and helps extend its useful life.
4. It will cost a lot of money to design the interior of my the home.
Maybe or maybe not, it depend entirely on the individual, the time, the budget, and the design goals. Also depending on your choices budgets can vary greatly. It is possible to invest in your design all at once and have it completed and many people go this route. But it is also possible to edit and design with what you have now and add or swap it out over time. This is why you don’t want to follow the trends, fads, and what’s momentarily popular. Because, if that’s your sole design focus, they may lose favor before you complete your home or space. Or you will have spent a lot of time and money to complete your space and it’s no longer popular.
5. I have to design my space to be a certain Design Style in order for it to be done right/correctly.
Design Styles are descriptive categories or labels that communicate a lot of information in few words. There are currently over 40 touted Design Styles and this is growing every day. It’s the chicken and the egg riddle all over again. Originally Design styles were defined after designers designed spaces sometimes for decades. We conveniently labeled them, as we humans are prone to do, and that is what they are known as today.
This is why we now have numerous Design Styles today. Someone combines elements into a space declares it different from all spaces that came before it and… gives it a new label.
For example, we have Farmhouse, Modern Farmhouse, Urban Farmhouse, Rustic Farmhouse…..you get the idea.
So, The important factors in designing a space are the elements of design and not what you label the design you create.
I could take a very detailed description of any design style and follow it exactly and it could turn out completely wrong and bad design – completely wrong for me and the totally opposite of good design.
But, I can take the elements of design, learn them, and apply them to any space and it will be a good design whether its style falls under a convenient label or not.
Elements of design are your fundamentals and “Design Style” is your fluff.
Learn the elements of design and look at the furniture and accessory designs you gravitate toward and create your own custom design.
6. I have to define my design style and get it perfect/right?
NOT TRUE. Design is metamorphic it changes over time and in response to the space and its users. Even if you had your space professionally designed, you will notice changes occur over time.
You will create and recreate your space, adjusting it as you live in it and learn more about how you and your family interact within it.
When you design your space strictly following trends or a defined interior design style you are, essentially, designing by numbers – based on someone else’s equation.
You might buy this (SHOW IMAGE) When you actually need this (SHOW IMAGE)
When you analyze your space, incorporate the needs of the occupants, and design the space with furnishings you like and that serves you…that is custom design.
Regardless of which design method you choose, it will change over time because design evolves in accordance with how the space is used. This may or may not result in an esthetically pleasing space but it will change nonetheless.
7. I don’t have the knowledge, eye, or creativity to design my own home.
We are surrounded by information. We have information overload. Almost anything you want to do you can find information and learn how to do that thing. Yes, there is a lot of skilled knowledge involved when designers design and there has to be because we design for a variety of people with very different needs and style preferences. But you are designing your one home for yourself and family.
You have an inside advantage of knowing the wants and needs of the occupants – your family. Be patient, research, and take your time – don’t rush. You can create a home that is functional and that works for you – one project at a time.
Will your final design look like a designer created it? No, probably not.
This is not meant to be discouraging. It’s because a designer will interject some of their vision for the space and this is normal since we are the one creating the design. Because a designer works with a wide variety of furnishings and fixtures, they may suggest things for the space that you didn’t know existed or that may be outside your immediate comfort zone – so you wouldn’t have considered them but maybe learn that you really do like them.
Will your home look any less designed or beautiful? Yes, No, Maybe. You are in control and the final opinion that matters is yours. If you are lazy and don’t do the research needed to put together a good design – which has numerous moving parts – it could look like a Hot Mess. If you analysis your space, needs, and wants, do the research, plan the design out, and remain very patient but at the same time firmly-flexible , It can be done.
What is Firmly-Flexible It is being confidently firm in your vision and decisions while flexible enough to pivot when necessary.
You will have that confidence if you have done the work it takes to learn what you need to know.
Ways to get Design knowledge:
SUBSCRIBE to my channel and I will Share Everything You Need To Know To Design Your Life and Space
YouTube
SkillShare
Conclusion
If you are looking to design your own space, schedule your complimentary call with me, I would love to work with you to create your next design project. I offer design services locally and via virtual to other locations.
Be sure and leave your thoughts in the comments below. If you found this post helpful or entertaining PLEASE share it on your socials.
Check back often. It is my passion to Empower You To Design Your Life.
Thank You for spending your time with me. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart.
#InteriorDesign #DesignBeliefs #BadHabits #ClariceSmyth
VIDEO #5 SEVEN DESIGN BELIEFS YOU MUST CHANGE
PRODUCT SLIDE # 1 BELIEF 1 “If it’s not Trending/Fad/Popular it isn’t good interior design?”
TREND is a general direction in which something is developing or changing (Oxford)
BOUCLE FABRIC: yarn with a looped or curled ply, or fabric woven from this yarn.
-FAD is an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived and without basis in the object’s qualities; a craze (Oxford)
-POPULAR is when products are intended for or suited to the taste, understanding, or means of the general public rather than specialists or intellectuals. (Oxford)
PRODUCT SLIDE # 2 BELIEF 2 “If my design style doesn’t look like everyone else’s design style, I must be doing it wrong.”
Powell Furniture Hall Tree (WHITE SHIPLAP LOOK)
Timeline Shiplap Classic White
PRODUCT SLIDE # 3 BELIEF 3 “To Design my home everything needs to be replaced/new. I have to start from scratch.”
Krylon Sea Glass Spray Paint – Multiple Colors Available
Krylon K18202 Coarse Stone Texture Charcoal Sand
Fabric By The Yard Search Results
Kaufman Mammoth Flannel Plaids Rust
Eovea – Shaggy Faux Fur Fabric Gray
PRODUCT SLIDE # 4 BELIEF 4 “It will cost a lot of money to design the interior of my home.”
Alternatives may vary in price, color, and style. (Even for the same item at different stores – shop around)
Bali Antique Grey Rocking Chair
PRODUCT SLIDE # 6 BELIEF 6 “ I have to define my design style and get it perfect/right?.” “IF NOT COPYING THEN I MUST DEFINE WHAT IT IS”
BUY THIS 1
BEST QUALITY FURNITURE 8-PERSON DINING TABLE
NEED THIS 1
—-
BUY THIS 2
Terrazza 118″ 2-pc Modular Fabric Sofa
NEED THIS 2
—–
BUY THIS 3
Sanders Tufted Low Profile Platform Bed
NEED THIS 3
DAPHNE UPHOLSTERED LOW PROFILE PLATFORM BED
PRODUCT SLIDE # 7 BELIEF 7 “I don’t have the knowledge, eye, or any creativity to design my own home.”
YOUTUBE
Skillshare is an online platform with classes on many subjects including Interior Design
JOANNA GAINES HOMEBODY: CREATING SPACES YOU WILL NEVER WANT TO LEAVE
MINIMALISTA: YOUR STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO A BETTER HOME, WARDROBE, AND LIFE
BEAUTIFULLY ORGANIZED: A GUIDE TO FUNCTION AND STYLE IN YOUR HOME