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Designer Top Tips 2017
Planning the home of your dreams? Be sure to take on board all of the expert advice from our team of Interior Designers from the Interiors Association. Each of our expert designers can be contacted for their services and contact information is provided. |
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Top Tip #1Make sure your new furniture will fit.
Furniture sizes can be deceptive when on display in large showrooms. Measure potential purchases, and the entrance to your property, to ensure the furniture will fit before purchasing. If you’re unsure hire an Interior Designer who will make the most of your space. Mistakes can be costly. |
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Top Tip #2Be honest with your designer, let them know what you don't like as well as what you do like. We love working with clients because then we know they'll be happy with the results.
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Top Tip #3You only have one chance to make a good first impression.
The same rule applies to your home. Make sure your Entrance and Hallway reflects your personal style and sets the tone for the rest of your home. Like a good book, it should draw the visitor into your home and create a great opening chapter as the visitor becomes eager to explore the other rooms. |
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Top Tip #4Hiring an interior designer can sometimes be intimidating, the biggest concerns are generally, “how much will the service cost” and “will they impose their own style”, however working with an Interior Designer will save you time and money, helping you to manage your budget and avoid expensive mistakes, a professional designer will also invest considerable time as part of the design process to realise a clients requirements and style in order to build a design concept, primarily focusing on functionality.
Taking on a renovation can be overwhelming, before thinking about your furniture and fittings a realistic approach is vital, your initial considerations should be windows, roofing, insulation, electrics, plumbing, heating, energy efficiency, doors and floors, do you need to hire an Architect etc, and are you entitled to a renovation or energy efficiency grant? It is important to accumulate numerous quotes from building contractors, and crucial that all professionals will work well together. It is vital that your Interior Designer is brought in at the start of the project in order to liaise with your Architect and Tradespeople, this will allow them to plan your timeline and manage your interior budget from the outset, the colour of your windows will effect the design of your interior and before reconstruction it is important to plan your interior layout. If your budget is restricted, prioritise, invest in quality when it comes to your fixed items, a kitchen is the most important room in an Irish home, your bathrooms, fireplace and flooring should be at the top of your list. Don't be afraid to customise furniture, sofa and storage units, with quality you get longevity. Consider lighting from the beginning of the project, the influence of natural light on the building and how you will counterbalance with light fittings. Soft furnishings and paint colour is the most enjoyable and final part of the process. It is difficult for an Interior Designer to give an estimate for their services without meeting a client, book an initial consultation, the Designer will do a site visit, analyse plans, get an overview of the project and put together a proposal with an estimate of cost. |
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Top Tip #5Tips on how to pick your sofa and chairs.
Before you purchase your soft upholstery for your sitting room you need to consider these rules to avoid a costly mistake What style do you want?
Will it fit? There is no point know your style to find when it arrives it won’t fit!
Is it comfortable?
Is the covering fit for purpose?
Call on expertise advice
Look up the Interiors Association for recommended professionals. Happy Hunting! |
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Top Tip #6Painting with Dark colours
Dark colours are in, whether on walls or furniture: Kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms, and more… painted in rich shades from grey to navy to black. Take a risk, use dark colours you might be pleasantly surprised. 1. Room size: Don't let the size of a room stop you from using rich, bold colours, keep to dark colours on maybe one wall and lighter furnishings and linens to balance the room." 2. Add accents for dimension: Whether it's a painted chair or a throw pillow, place a few bright-coloured accents in a dark room. This redirects the focus to the forefront, allowing the walls to disappear, acting simply as a backdrop. 3. Start small: Dark colours can be a pop of colour or act as a deep neutral depending on your home's lighting. If you're anxious by colour, start small. Small rooms painted in these dark tones create a little jewel in your home. 4. Kitchen Units: I personally when painting a dark kitchen prefer my floor colouring to be lighter, it makes the kitchen stand out more and frames it in a way. Another way to frame in the colour and add a luxurious touch, is to dress you’re windows in rich vibrant coloured fabrics. |
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Top Tip #7How to embrace this years Interior design trends?
Trends are by nature somewhat transient and “of the moment”, so use with caution on high cost purchases. It’s simpler to incorporate this years "must have" colour or pattern on accessories like cushions and decorative objects that are inexpensive to replace. Style fusion allows the introduction of trends without changing your entire scheme. For example, vintage and contemporary styles, when combined in a creative way can complement each other beautifully. Older looking items give the space a sense of history; so don’t feel restricted to one type. By fusing various styles, you can re-use existing furniture and accessories, repainted or reupholstered to create unique new designs. Then simply add a dash of your preferred current trend for an up to date yet individual look. |
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Top Tip #8Just a few special touches can add so much personality & soul to your home. Until these elements are included, no room is quite finished. We always encourage clients to include the below items & we really enjoy helping you create a space they love, want & need.
Art: Display your personality, stimulate intelligence and add interest to a room. Statement Lighting: For increased drama combined with practicality. Window Dressings: The type of window dressing you choose really defines the style of a room. One Talking Point: Stimulates a guest's curiosity, tells them more about your interests or quirks. Antique Or Heirloom Pieces: Give presence to pieces with a story and let them influence or compliment your space, whether that space is contemporary or traditional. |
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Top Tip #9Lighting is one of the most important elements of design, and should be considered as early as possible in the design process. Natural light is very important and shouldn’t be blocked by poorly placed curtains and blinds. The placement of mirrors directly across your source of natural light will allow the light to bounce around the room. You should have multiple light sources illuminating your room to create different ambiances for the different functions of the room. Ensure the lighting you have is bright enough for the function but not so bright that it blinds you, dimmer switches are a great way to get multi-functions from your lighting.
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Editorial Team
Bairbre Power
Fashion Editor Irish Independent |
Mary O’Sullivan
Features Editor & Interiors Writer Sunday Independent |
Mark Keenan
Residential Property Editor Irish Independent |
Dr Eleanor Flegg
Interiors Writer Irish Independent |
Sinead Ryan
Property Expert Irish Independent |
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