Why Patience is Key to Achieving Sophisticated Interior Design on a Budget | An Interior Decorator’s Perspective.
One of the three pillars of our design process is – patience. As an Interior Decorator, I preach patience during the design process because this virtue will be your best friend If you want a sophisticated look in your home without the million-dollar budget attached.
When clients move into a new home, the inevitable excitement and euphoria come with it. The rush to decorate as quickly as possible is likely because you want to be done with the design process or believe decorating is the automatic next step in making your home feel cozy and comfortable. Another thing I emphasize when clients work with us is that good design takes time, and it is indeed a process. The rush to decorate can sometimes cloud our judgment, leading to decorating with non-functional, dreary-looking furniture pieces versus choosing longevity and durability. Clients like it and want it home right now; I mean, who does not love the convenience of next-day delivery?
Of course, we all want to feel comfortable in our homes when we get the keys. We want the couch and counter stools ready for use upon move-in. We want every room completed with a snap of a finger. However, let’s break it down a little bit more. I say start with the design fundamentals. By design fundamentals, I mean spending time and investing more in the furniture pieces you use frequently. E.g., your couch, counter stools, dining table and chairs, bed, Television. For example, ask yourself, what room my family and I spend the most time in? Do we like the outdoors? Are we home buddies? Do we want to cozy up on the couch to watch movies? Do we watch television every day as a form of entertainment? Do we eat dinner together at the dining table? Yes, I want you to start there. You might narrow it down to the kitchen and say, we love cooking and make it a daily family activity. In this case, I encourage clients to spend more time choosing cohesive furniture and appliance pieces and investing a little bit more in choosing a comfortable counter stool, refrigerator, stove, and the perfect kitchen pendant lighting because, you know, good lighting is like jewelry in any room. Since you love cooking and value that time with your family, I can guarantee that you will consistently enjoy entering the kitchen and feeling happy about your choices.
When I began the design process of our home, I was intentional about spending more time on the design of the living room and couch I’d like to purchase. I know we get a lot of use from our couch, and I wanted to make sure I would not be buying another couch in 6 months' time. (I wrote another blog post on my quest to purchase the right couch; check it out here.
I wanted a living room that exudes comfort, the perfect balance between formal and informal, warmth, and a casual feeling considering we are generally casual and not too formal in our everyday lives. Another tip is to design your home based on your personality. E.g., are you a formal vs informal person? – (I will elaborate more on this in a different blog post). But for now, I hope that you, too, can begin to ask yourselves the questions that are often overlooked when making a space your own.
In case you are searching, here are some of my favorite items to make a kitchen look comfortable and elevated for your needs.
This Arhaus Jagger Counter Stool looks comfortable and simple at the same time - here
Temi Counter Stool from Lulu and Georgia. It’s sculptural, simple, and a conversational starter while you cook - here
Netro Counter Stool from Article. I like the cane, and the back height looks comfortable - here
Organic Ceramic Pendant from West Elm. The matte textured look of the ceramic is lovely - here
This Devon Pendant Light is also from West Elm. The cone shape and the touch of wood add a bit a warmth to your kitchen - here
