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What to write in a blog about the myriad of things that I have learned?
1. People need interior design and decor assistance- a fresh pair of trained eyes- even if only a consultation will guide you to a plan for years of no wasted time or money. 2. Paint every 7 years... Does your make-up withstand all the washing and wear or the environment for more than a day? 7 years and start again... The drywall will not perform without a coating on it. After years of living through people's lives...it needs a new dress! 3. Furnishings- to reupholster or not? Reupholstering is rebuilding the structure and the springs are tightened, fixed when damaged...and new fill is installed...then your new fabric. Seriously, unless the piece is SUPER sentimental- it is going to cost you more than purchasing a new piece. 4. Fabric is not cheap. Cheap fabric is not necessarily an environmentally sound idea.... How many times do you buy a cheap tee shirt and toss it out? Not that smart unless you can repurpose. 5. Accessories make the room. change an accessory and see the change in mood, atmosphere, season... Being creative can be as easy as changing it up! 6. Symmetry is expected. Asymmetric spaces are interesting...but more difficult to execute. Arrange to rearrange...another simple solution to a design consultation...floor plans for years on non ennuie! 7. Trends- are only trends. Do not spend serious money on them. Accessories only! 8. As an interior designer- I have never inflicted my taste on any one of my clients. I produce custom work for everyone... not a carbon copy of your cousin, neighbour or other designer's work. Live your life- as you...not as the person that you want to be. 9. Beige is not a colour. It is the interior of a lunch bag. Please do not live in beige- it is boring...and I can bet that you and your life is not! Remember your best holiday? I bet it was full of colour and texture and light...apply this theory to your homes. workspaces and see if you are happier! Well, that is it for now....write me, and I will write back! Remember to enjoy your spaces, and there are always solutions- to all issues. Call to consult with a professional - it will save you time, money and a headache! Cheers! Tracy O'Brien, ARIDO, IDC, BA.,NCIDQ, IDD, IDECEC reviewer and educator.
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Definition of Interior Design- by NCIDQ, "Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants and are aesthetically attractive. Designs are created in response to and coordinated with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.
Interior design includes a scope of services performed by a professional design practitioner, qualified by means of education, experience and examination, to protect and enhance the health, life safety and welfare of the public. These services may include any or all of the following tasks:
I have taken this quotation from the NCIDQ Governing Body for Interior Designers "Many people use the terms "interior design" and "interior decorating" interchangeably, but these professions differ in critical ways. Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building. Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design. Interior designers apply creative and technical solutions within a structure that are functional, attractive and beneficial to the occupants' quality of life and culture. Designs respond to and coordinate with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology -- including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process — to satisfy the client’s needs and resources. U.S. states and Canadian provinces have passed laws requiring interior designers to be licensed or registered and to document their formal education and training. Many states and provinces also specifically require all practicing interior designers to earn the NCIDQ Certification to demonstrate their experience and qualifications. By contrast, interior decorators require no formal training or licensure". In Ontario, our association is called ARIDO ( The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario). To be professionally qualified to be titled a Registered Interior Designer of Ontario, you are required to be a Member in good standing. IDC is the Interior Designers of Canada who is our second body which regulates our continuing education requirements, as well as, other issues. As I sit here overlooking the lake and Toronto, watching the traffic and hear it swooshing past, I reflect on the year past.
For our family, it has been very overwhelming. Our, Mark ( Susan), Tara and myself, had suddenly lost our mother to aggressive brain cancer,and Susan lost her mother to Alzheimer's 3 months to the day before our Mom. What can I say, life changes and we sort through it. It has been a lot of sorting- and I am still doing it. Ah change... The best changes in my life- I moved again! ( 5 times in 5 years...no, I do not enjoy moving- I did it for my parents). This move was for myself- back to Toronto. A fresh new start! What I have learned about moving....MANY things! 1. Give yourself more time than you "assume" to " clean house" and pack up. a) Rid yourself of extraneous things before you move. They cost you more to move... b) All those things that you do not require- recycle them to Good Will/ Value Village etc. or a charity shop. If you decide that your "stuff"is valuable, sell it... online. Kijjiji.com or Craigslist.com or Freecycle.com are great! (Garage sales are usually too much hassle). Furniture: Call someone who will pick it up- The Furniture Bank will...if it is in good order.Toronto area. c) Hiring movers- interview them first. Have them come to assess your stuff- after you pack it- or have them do it. I have tried many- a realtor usually has some good ideas for the area. Also, have a mover that is in your area. ..those KMs add up. Homestars.ca is another resource for all things "home" related. d) Do not ask your friends, the kind ones will offer to help. Thanks to those who have seen me through this last one...Holy Godsends! e) Use a real estate agent to find a new place for you and your "stuff". The latest renting schemes could leave you poorer and without a space. f) Treat your movers well...water bottles, coffee/tea, paper towels to wipe their faces, food for lunch- non greasy... and appreciate that they are saving your body from physical pain...as you will have enough rearranging to do later. g) Have the new space, painted and ensure that the floors are going to be cleaned for you. Carpet needs to be cleaned prior to your move and hardwood/lam etc. Take photos before you move anything into the space- for reference and date stamp them. Send a set to the landlord and keep a set for yourself. No contesting imagery if anything happens. h) Before you move in- allow two days grace..The day before you move into your new space: Take the above mentioned imagery. - Go to check that there is toilet paper, paper towels, the space is clean and deliver your food. Clean the fridge again- for yourself. Clean the bathrooms again too. Your clean is not someone else's clean. Clean whatever you need to...as your clean is not someone else's clean. After you move, allow yourself one day to return to ensure nothing was left, the space is clean enough and to deliver the keys. i) Storage for those non required items- always check if there is a locker or enough for your stuff. Never store family photos in a locker....if there was ever a flood - or a fire, you would feel sick! Never store clothing, wood in a cold or too hot of a space, or paint or art. Temperature is important! j) Always have a radio playing while a move is going on- it keeps the mood upbeat. If the movers are slowing down- play something uplifting! |
Tracy O'BrienAfter 20 years in the interior design business, I have seen and learned many things. These are a taste of what I have learned... ArchivesCategories |
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