A Client Profile for Interior Designers

Interior designers have one tool valuable to their design, and that tool is the client profile. Each designer creates a profile of his or her client who offers pertinent information that assists the designer in delivering a successful home design. Profiles are different because of the individual client, but the process or steps are the same for each profile. The information of the client is important to be accurate and complete. The best way to start a client profile is to build a template with the names, ages, and occupations of the clients. On the document, the location of the address and city, the phone numbers, and e-mail addresses should show for the ease of contacting the client.

After the designer has established a client profile, he or she should understand five key subjects that allow the design to fit within the homeowner’s needs and wants. These five key subjects are the homeowner’s lifestyle needs, decorative needs, bedroom configuration, living room setup, and dining room accommodations. Learning these key subjects is the designer’s job to find a design plan that meets the requirements of the client. For the success of this plan, the following requirements must be understood and met:

Lifestyle Preference:

The designer will discover if the homeowner would prefer a casual or formal lifestyle. For an interest, the designer will learn what the client enjoys in his or her spare time like a hobby or interest. If entertaining friends is one of their interests, the designer would need to know how many guests the space will need to accommodate. A lifestyle can be expensive, so the designer will establish a budget and how much of the home will the homeowner want to focus on in this project. Starting a project of large proportions, another home member needs to come into mind; the home’s pets. Learning the number of pets and the kind of animal is important at this venture.

Decorative needs:

In this a designer will establish color preferences and what the client like or dislikes for color choices. After learning color choices, deciding on furniture style or design is important. With so many styles like traditional, rustic, modern, or eclectic the designer will need to show photos of each to gain a bearing on the client’s wants. Showing photos is a perfect way to see what the client wants because some homeowners are unaware of style definitions. Another way to learn if there is a preference in themes is to determine if there is a selection of collectibles like nostalgic Logos, sports teams, specific artwork, preferred sculpture, or porcelain dolls. The last decorative item is to determine a fabric preference whether it is linen, cotton, chenille, leather, suede, or a naugahyde.

Bedroom Configurations:

Determining a bedroom layout makes up diverse interests for the homeowner. Here they sleep, watch television, read books, or work. When the designer learns the homeowner likes to read in bed, he or she will recommend lighting options for the homeowner. The designer introduces seating selections to accommodate whether the reading is in bed or in the comfort of a chair. Another reason for a seat is for the purpose of entertainment like television, or listening to music, or working at a writing desk. A piece of furniture can fit in the bedroom if the designer follows the rules of scale. A writing desk, a drafting station, sewing machines, or tables are specialty items that suggest mood or ambiance. The last item is storage needs and how or where this will be in effect.

Living area setup:

This point shows where family and friends would meet or how the homeowner can use the space daily. If the home entertains musically, the designer will determine space for portable instruments or the dimensions of a piano. A television is also a piece of entertainment with the option of connecting video components and electronic video games. There is a good transition from games to the function of conversations. After a time, communication takes over, and the guests will need a place to sit and talk. The designer will determine if this space is ideal for displaying art. The artwork and entertainment creates an atmosphere, and the designer will determine what types of ambiance the homeowner wants to express.

Dining room Accommodations:

The designer should determine if the homeowner likes to host or entertain guests. If the homeowner does wish to entertain regularly, the designer will ask and clarify how many dinner guests will the homeowner invite on average. The designer will ascertain if the homeowner prefers formal or informal engagements or whether they are intimate or in a group setting. Another factor would be the type of meals the homeowner serves for dinner. Types of dinner could involve sit down affairs, buffets, or casual gatherings. Last, the designer will offer options for family or business get-togethers.

The design plan will stem from the answers obtained by this client profile. The designer will offer a professional summary prepared and presented to the homeowner, This summary is an explanation of how the designer will meet the client’s needs. The summary will have essential knowledge in space planning, circulation or traffic patterns, organization or storage tactics, and future growth in the family.

A client profile allows the designer to present a sample board of the plan and the schedule on how the work will proceed. Designer’s offering a client profile summary of work completed, the presentation board should show a border around the perimeter of the presentation board, and the writing should be clear and precise. If the designer is working with an assistant or design partner, the names, and contact information should be on display attached to the reverse side of the board.

Tips in Designing a New Home

When the time comes to develop a home, always take accents and style into consideration when designing the dream. Just like starting an outline, a scope of services or a work schedule, one should know the conclusion before work begins. Media and security systems, lighting, and flooring choices to fireplace locations, and decorative wall finishes; these decisions of the complete home interior aid in establishing the general tone one should seek.

When innovative principles or concepts are thought out, the elements—which embody the abstract concept—should match the style of the exterior home as well. The home’s design should show both interior and exterior detail that corresponds with the family's personal values and interest. One process is beginning a client profile, in the form of an interview, which allows the designer to understand the client’s needs and wants for the new home.

Accents and Styles for the Home

Quality Flooring Options: Wood flooring can beautify any home when selecting a decorative floor treatment of high quality. With different wood choices and stain colors taken into consideration, bamboo or cork offers the most durable and decorative home flooring finish. Many manufacturers and flooring contractors offer more than 20 different colors in both cork and bamboo flooring accessible for the homeowner’s preference.

• Bamboo Flooring: In the case of high traffic areas, early floor wear is an enormous problem, especially if the product is substandard material. Whether the homeowner desires a beautiful look or a durable surface because of use in the home, bamboo is the material for both purposes. A bamboo floor with a coat of high quality protective urethane offers the greatest durability. Manufacturers will specify this protective coating to influence the decision and with good cause.
• Cork Flooring: For flooring that withstands prolonged use, cork is an excellent product for the duration. This practical product prepares an impressive and fashionable floor. The cork is resistant to damage, and easily maintained at the same time. Cork has many uses besides flooring, as it can decorate ceilings and walls. A wall installation can aid in sound proofing and replaces the overused panel affect that is historically popular. Cork is a universal material and is an excellent product.

Matching Wood Flooring: Believed in the past, the kitchen’s wood flooring should match the wooden cabinetry. In reality, one should not match the two products of wood stain. In design, it is ideal to have the two products complement each other because matching can be a difficult task unless stained at the same time. When a designer has the option to use other goods like linoleum or stone, the two products—flooring and cabinetry—do not match, but complement the appearance by finding products that look nice together. Designers will always make sure the wood flooring accents with wood cabinetry, but never attempt to match the two.

Visual Enhancement

Painting and wall covering: Wall finishes have the capability to detail personal interests both in beauty and durability, especially when installed by an experienced contractor. The use of different paint colors or wall paper is taken into consideration, and the wall finish dictates the tones for design. Some painting professionals present more than different color choices in paint, but offer valuable advice in proper product, placement, and quantities. Wallpaper is available in various finishes that create an attractive appearance of cloth, leather, sanded designs, hand-painted patterns, and commercial vinyl. Commercial papers are manufactured in larger sizes set approximately at 54” wide, whereas a standard size varies from 21” to 27” in width.

Lighting Styles and Meaning: One can tell much about a home by the lighting fixtures and the benefits of the lighting use. Lighting affects the mood and the comfort of the home. This effect is caused by the variance of natural lighting, combustible light, and the use of cool or warm tone lamps or bulbs.  There is a purpose for most lights in the home, and a few are task, accent, and direct light or diffused light. These choices give a soft or sharp image to any space or purpose. The sharp or direct light concentrates and draws attention to a specific item or area of the room.

The diffused light floods the space with indirect light that creates a softer look and less eyestrain if used properly. Lighting can enhance or take away from the color of a room by reducing or enlarging the appearance of the space. With this in mind, there are many lighting styles that show off diverse aspects of any room.

Fireplace Options: The use of a fireplace adds immense charm to any home, by giving it that warm and comfy feeling. With so many fireplace designs to choose from, the only limits foreseen by designers are space requirements. Factors to consider with a fireplace are how much heat is needed for the room. This would require information on capacity versus square footage. What fuel source is desired for use? The options are wood, gas, or pellet. Is the fireplace used solely for decoration or will there be food preparation? Depending on use, this will dictate style and capacity.

Specialty Areas or Needs

Kitchen Design: Functionality and style are balanced to a properly designed kitchen. The kitchen displays the homeowner’s personal design style, which creates a satisfying environment the homeowner could be comfortable with daily. The finished kitchen design is the product of a properly executed construction of the most frequently visited space in the home. The balance is important as the kitchen is a safe dwelling for family and friends. Functional attributes such as slow closing cabinetry, storage space of tracked pull-out drawers, and hidden revolving trays; accompanied by stylized woodwork and decorative colors. This well-situated kitchen can result in a kitchen the family will take pleasure in for years to come.

Elderly and Handicapped Design: For many homes, elderly design can become an issue with homeowners as disabilities become more prevalent in the elderly. The largest problem with home design is bathing and dressing. As the homeowner ages, mobility around the home, especially in the bathroom, it becomes difficult to use a conventional bathtub. Walk-in bathtubs are extremely helpful as they provide easy access because of a door and the availability of a seat. These attributes make bathing easier and more comfortable for the elderly. Other benefits of these bathtubs are safety and the relief homeowners can rely on for personal hygiene. Installing a walk-in bathtub is one of the many ideas to apply in elderly design, and others are the use of safety bars, non-skid flooring, a counter top sink, and a raised lavatory.

Deck and Patio Design: The entire property is an extension of one’s home and should be designed as such. Nothing is more peaceful than sitting on a comfortable patio chair or chaise outdoors while talking. This space can be formal or informal, depending on the needs and desires of the homeowner, and decking or informal patios are provided in decorative woods or splinter less composites. Whether the homeowner entertains guests, enjoys barbeques, or watching their children play; decisions are made by individual homeowner interests. Online resources are available to assist in designing and building one’s vision of his or her deck or patio. Like interior wood flooring, decking, and patio materials come in multiple colors and styles and can be purchased through retail stores or local designers.

Dressing Concrete: A simple method in covering lackluster concrete is covering it with a wood deck. There are other applications involving stones sealed in polyurethane or decking tiles. A composite wood tile is a quality material durable and design friendly. These wooden tiles are a speedy and low-maintenance solution and can offer a façade that gives one all the benefits of solid hardwood flooring without the hassle of building a conventional deck. Decking tiles can cover nearly any hard surface, and the homeowner has the option to use them both indoors and out. Some other problems than concrete are damaged brick, cracked ceramic tiles, distressed asphalt, rough wood decking, and compressed gravel.

When crafting a specialty home for the homeowner, developing the home plan is not that easy. Understanding what consists of the client’s needs or lifestyle assists the designer in creating the home a client wants in comfort and serenity. This understanding comes with listening to the client and shaping what he or she asks for in the finished product. As mentioned, creating a client profile, determining desires, providing quality products, and offering valuable guidance, is key to delivering a homeowner’s dream into a reality.

Patrick Tremblay

Interior Design by Yourself

RL Huntingcoat Red

If the house has not changed in some time, home design can be boring. Many wish they could have some help from a professional. One problem is the market, which makes acquiring professional help out of one’s budget. In times like this, one thinks there is nothing to be done. Nevertheless, do not give up hope, there are plenty of interior designers willing to give his or her concepts freely that one can apply on their own if the need arises. At this juncture, here are tips on doing one’s own home interior design.

Software used in Home Interior Design

Using home interior design software is a careful way to do ones interior design. This unique software allows the homeowner to decorate the home on his or her computer in a basic plan prior to executing any ideas. This is ideal if one plans to rearrange furnishings or paint colors. If the homeowner moves the furniture about it is strenuous and usually requires assistance. The homeowner does not want to waste the day pulling heavy furniture from one end of the room to the next. In its place, one could apply different scenarios on the design software. Additionally, using this software can assist in viewing paint choices as well. One does not have to purchase the expensive software to see paint colors to use in design. The homeowner could use inexpensive design software and get a basic idea of colors just the same.

Home Improvement Stores

Many people do not realize the potential a home improvement store has to offer besides lumber and tools. The homeowner may use the home improvement store to help in one’s interior design. One tip is to look for a local home improvement store’s class schedule. Many home improvement stores have workshops to assist in learning fundamental home design concepts. These workshops feature standard painting styles, color combinations, and unique carpentry, or construction concepts for the home. These workshops assist one in designing any room one wants to design.

To conclude, one should consider looking through paint selections in the store. Many paint selections are set in harmonious styles. The paint strip or fan deck of paint colors often display attractive accent colors. If the homeowner identifies colors that go well together, he or she should look for combinations of paints that accentuate the paint one is using as a main color in the home. These combinations take the guess work out of home interior design, making one think positive about his or her design choices.

The Holiday Palette

Winter Holidays are not set in the traditional colors now; you can go beyond the traditional red and green and make your home glitter with any palette.  Whatever colors you use, keep it unified with harmonious tones. You can use a color in general or try using various colors per room. Whatever palette you choose it should reflect your decorating preferences and highlight the rooms with personal touches. 


Use wintery white hues or ivory with a
brilliant combination of aqua, chartreuse, and blue. Another option would be to use a royal blue or purple with gold or silver garland, or use a rustic affair with rusts, gold, and autumn greens accompanied by crystal fruit or butterflies.  Wherever you decorate it should be dripping with metallic silver or gold, icy-blues or greens, and shimmering cascades of frosty crystals. These tones will set the stage for a dazzling holiday theme that will be everyone’s dream and envy.

There is more space than just your tree to decorate; using ornaments sporadically throughout the home in a simple way can be an unexpected surprise.  Use natural elements, such as your mirrors to reflect trinkets of beads and ribbons.  Use sprigs of frosted berry branches and add glittery ribbons and bows. Tie your lamps, table legs, and many handles with ribbons to add a spirited sparkle of glitz. Wrap potted plants and various boxes and accessories with bows to portray gifts, and safely use votive and seasonal candles to warm the room with comfort and joy. 


 

Nothing brings out the holiday spirit more than a compellation of seasonal music. The setting can reflect a spirited or muted environment, depending on the music you choose.  Set the stage for a beautiful holiday season and invite friends and family over for a cup of tea or eggnog.  In whatever manner you choose to decorate—or celebrate—Set your palette for high spirits and holiday cheer.