Article in Outlook Money

The festive season is around the corner and many of us would like to get a home makeover done before Diwali. This really means the planning needs to start now. An interior space is a reflection of your individuality, and requires the same amount of attention, if not more, that you would give to physical appearance. Fundamentally, you can break all the rules. But at the end of the day what really matters is whether the space has a striking personality and enduring appeal. Be open to change and explore the various possibilities.

The first step is to visualise the big picture and assess all the things that you would like to achieve/transform. It does not really matter whether you intend to do this in one go, or over a period of five years. What is important, however, is that you get a sense of the entire space. Essentially, this helps in ensuring that different areas of a house merge seamlessly into one another, regardless of when you actually renovated a certain area. It should have a story and not seem like a randomly put together compilation of thoughts. It is imperative to budget for all the various expenses right at the onset. Once your costs are clearly outlined, you would also have a fair idea if you need to plan the project in phases, without compromising on the design .You are less likely to buy things on impulse, when you have both the design and the financials in place. In fact, when a place is well put together, the budget is never apparent because everything fits beautifully. Budgeting influences your options, but it does not prevent a project from being well planned to suit all your functional needs while giving a free rein to your aesthetic aspirations.

When you have the basic plot in place, you could start collecting your thoughts (and money) and put it down on paper. Think about the layout, the kind of cabinetry and furniture, colour schemes as well as the art/accessories you would like to display. Every aspect needs attention. Take some advice, either from a professional, or friends and family. You would be surprised at the insights and ideas people have to offer. A design board, with colour, fabrics, furniture and design ideas for every room would help you keep the details in place. Here you could also pin a list of the functional needs for a specific area. Make a file with cuttings and swatches of things that you like. Take pictures on your digicam/mobile of things that inspire you and then see whether it works with your conceptualization. This way you would be able to decide if something you see at a store fits into your overall scheme of things. A lot of the time, we tend to figure out things as we go along which is when the costs escalate and the design aspect progressively diminishes and gets replaced by piecemeal enterprise.

Once you have decided on the area you would like to renovate/refurbish, placement and layout are the next step. You could also think about any additional features you may want to incorporate in terms of architectural elements. It is almost mandatory to figure out what the focal point of the room is . Without focus there will be no structure and form. This focal point could be an interesting piece of furniture, a dramatic view or even art. You can decide what is most appropriate. This will determine everything from the layout to the accessories. This will be useful in deciding the placement of the various pieces of furniture, lighting, furnishings, artefacts and accessories. It is also where you can think out of the box and move away from the conventional. Be inspired by everything you have read or seen, but let your space tell you where it finds its heart. You need to open your own mind to the possibilities. If your sofas are screaming to get away from the walls, think about it. When the cabinetry looks dictatorial in a space, cut it down to size and realign the power play.

The theme that you choose for the entire space will also help you find its own vocabulary. For example, if FabIndia is your look you identify with, I don’t mean that you will end up shopping for everything there. But essentially you would know your colour palettes, be partial to motifs and ethnic lines, want the woodwork to be simple with a rustic appeal and probably collect a lot of traditional artefacts. So when you plan the space makeover, you would have a fair idea of the things that would fit the picture and the ones that may be quite out of place. It will still allow you to introduce an element of the contemporary but you would have a distinct visual that will help you decide what works best. Eclecticism is not about putting different styles together without thought. The various elements have to create a composite picture.

The language being defined, you could move on to the grammar. Balance, scale and proportion. Imperative for good design. Balance does not necessarily mean symmetry and more often than not, asymmetry is used to create the drama in a space. Scale and proportion would be applied to all the various elements and enable you to figure out what the dimensions of various pieces should be and how effective they are together. Again, when you stick to the fundamental principles, the primary concern is not cost, but function and design. You will find that it is possible to create a visually dynamic space no matter what the financial restrictions.

Design need not be subservient to practical use, neither should functionality be held hostage. Try to get them to lock their hands together. That’s when magic happens. Give creativity its fair share. Innovative storage ideas and a keen eye for scale will enable you to cater to your needs without detracting from the visual appeal. It is also important that you understand your comfort zone. Knowing what is currently in vogue is not so important. Shaping a space in accordance with your sensibilities is what gives a space its soul.

Now, with the lyrics in place, what you really need is the music. This is where rhythm gives your space its flow. There are various ways to achieve this, the first being the use of pattern, line, shape or elemental repetition. Use colour effectively, play with contrast exercising great discretion, maintain a flow using size/shape and bring in the ‘wow’ factor by enhancing every space with the little details. Transition of space from one area to another is needed to maintain the rhythm.

If something seems out of place, take a step back and re-assess. Find a solution that works even if it means going back to the drawing board. You will find that one effort can change an interior perspective dramatically. A note that jars can ruin an entire song. Mistakes are part of the process. The point is, once you see one, don’t leave it uncorrected. While retaining your focus on harmony, you will begin to see that when you start tying things together, the entire project begins to look effortless. A well-planned endeavour is all about creating a lasting impression that does not reveal the painstaking enterprise leading to its realization.

This brings me to the last lap. As you near completion, it is likely that you reach the end of your tether, and feel frustrated. This is where the tendency to just ‘get it over and done with’ can possibly bulldoze the entire aesthetic. It is important to finish the project down to the last details. Otherwise, those unattended details hang like cobwebs in your space. Keep it manageable, but get to the finish line.

Unless you have inherited a place, most bachelor homes, are small and compact. The first step is the open plan house. The lesser the walls, the better. For privacy, screens or glass sliding doors are a much better option. The open plan makes a place look much bigger, brings in more light AND gives a very contemporary feel.

Guess what the center of gravity of a bachelor’s home is? The Couch !!! It is probably where you will end up spending most of your time at home, and also what most of your guests will notice. Make sure it is comfortable and large. Floor cushions can complement it. Make sure the floor cushions are both bright and colourful or in an extremely luxurious fabric.

If the couch makes a statement of how comfort conscious you are, the coffee table in front of it, speaks about how trendy you are. Get a low contemporary coffee table, preferably square. While working on colour for furniture and woodwork, keep the same tone throughout the house. Use paint to accent that tone on the walls. If you are using subtle tones on walls and woodwork, get some bright accents; but if you are using bold colours on the walls, then keep the rest of the stuff muted.

The entertainment unit is usually the be-all and end-all of a bachelor den. Now this is not JUST about the gadgetry, which is usually well taken care of. The unit that houses the gadgetry makes a bigger statement. Whether it is a big screen TV, the latest hi-fi system or even the coolest games and music collection…..put them together and watch the fireworks. It is great to have a music collection that is the envy of your friends. It is even cooler to have it in a neat rack, in the entertainment unit, rather than lying all over the place.

Whether you drink or not, a bachelor den needs a good mini-bar. A man should know his martini from his melon juice, regardless of which one he prefers !! Get the basic stuff. But get good stuff.

Leather makes a huge statement. Use it on furniture or accessories..but use it somewhere. A hardwood floor is a huge investment but it is the best way to created understated luxury. If the flooring in basic than focus on rugs instead. You don’t have to invest in expensive stuff….but it should complement the rest of the stuff in your apartment.

Colour is something that can change the décor of a room substantially. Elegant black with white and beige offset with a daring shot of flaming orange somewhere is for those want the ultra modern look. If you are inclined to something subtler, go in for taupe and teals with soft accents. A striped paint finish on one of the walls will create some element of drama too.

While you are still near the walls, pay attention to what goes on them. If you cannot afford good art, put up a few advertisement posters….there’s a lot of cool stuff out there, but don’t turn into a dorm wall !! Family pictures, neatly farmed and put on the wall, lend an air of warmth and hospitality. Photos of your travels, will convey the impression of a man who has seen the world.

If you have some money to spare, a little space to accent and a little imagination to carry it through…get a fireplace. It does not have to work…you can place candles in it if you like. A fireplace is the ultimate style statement.

Lighting is the next key element. If you can afford concealed lighting, nothing like it. If not, get some simple straight-line lamps, with adjustable light settings, to create the perfect ambience to complement a mood.

The bathroom is perhaps the most neglected interior space. It should be well lit and clean, even if you cannot afford fancy fittings and fixtures. A shower curtain is an absolute must as are coordinated towels.

If you can walk down to the neighbourhood nursery and ask for low maintenance plants you would have achieved what most bachelors consider to be impossible. Keeping plants (real ones) in their homes. There are many options that won’t require too much attention, but will considerably turn up the style quotient of your home.

Multi-functional furniture and modular units allow you to store everything without it being an eyesore.

Roman blinds or sheer drapes for the windows work best. Keep it simple, but keep it elegant. Don’t put standard curtains in prints or checks.

Now that you possibly have the coolest bachelor pad in town, you could work on the accents. A Queen size bed instead of a single or double. Good quality sheets. A clean kitchen. Stenciling on walls. Detailing on cornices. Exterior finish on interior walls. Area rugs that define various sections of the apartment.. A day bed. A wine-rack. A bookshelf. An antique or a retro piece that will become a subject of conversation. A plasma TV

You may think that a small balcony does not give you an opportunity for too many possibilities in terms of beautifying the space, but that is not the case. A few additions and you will have an inviting balcony. The first step is to decide on some kind of theme. It could be a season or it could be a certain kind of look you would like. Once you have that in mind, the rest will come more easily.

Painting the wall of you balcony in a bright colour to match your theme would liven the space. You could paint the wood trims, mouldings and railing in a contrast colour as well. The second step is to focus on the most obvious way to liven up a balcony—plants. This is the most important exercise when you plan on decorating your balcony. You could pick out the space for potted plants, as well as some additions like a trellis, climbers and hanging planters. Choose the plants according to the kind of look you want. Since floor space is limited pay a lot of attention to vertical space and use it the best way you can. It does not matter if you have a great view, as long as the space looks inviting. Plants should be used in various levels all around the balcony instead of just having a row of potted plants. Levels will also make the space look much bigger than it is, while adding colour vertically.

The next step is the lighting. You could change the outdoor light to a hanging colourful piece and add a few more lights in various lengths that hang from the ceiling. Hanging lanterns are an interesting way to bring in some drama as well. Add at least one interesting light fixture on the wall and have a few terracotta wall pieces or some brightly painted artefacts that you could put on the wall and bring in some interest.

If there is space for seating you could choose from various options. Throw out those plastic chairs and opt for interesting garden furniture. It could be a bench, or even a bistro set depending on the space available. You could also have a box bench where you could store the cushions when not in use and put a cover to shield it from the heat, dust and rain. When you want to use the balcony all you need to do, is pull out the cushions and voila!!—you have a seating arrangement. Make sure the cushions are very colourful.

Another way to create a soothing atmosphere is to have some kind of running water in a small fountain in one corner. This works wonders in creating a calming ambience and if you have some terracotta urns and plants around it you could also place candles—floating or even in votives with holders.

For that added interest, you could consider an awning if you can afford it to shelter the space from direct sunlight. If that is too expensive an option then use bamboo blinds at least on the two sides to screen the balcony and use hanging vines for the facing. Flooring is usually very basic in balconies and you could bring in some warmth here by putting interesting tiles that do not hinder cleaning but provide a lot of visual depth.

Since mosquitoes are a big problem, you could buy big mosquito nets, dye them an interesting colour and hang them on a frame on all sides of the balcony. Keeping an overlap in the middle will allow you to open them and tie at the corners in case you want to enjoy the rare evening breeze that one gets. It will not stop the dust and rain of course, but you will get spared the odomos!!

You could bring your balcony into your living space by having French doors or larger windows that will give a nice view of the balcony. It will also bring in colour and light through the balcony and act as a lovely backdrop for your living room. It is important to use a lot of colourful flowers in the balcony as just greenery would become too monotonous.

If the view is great, half your work is already done. If not, which is more often the case, make something in your balcony a focal point of interest. It could be the fountain, the seating, the use of colour or lighting. Anything that engages a person’s attention.

Some of the balcony basics, which surprisingly most people ignore or do not consider, are the following

If you want the balcony to be a living space, then do not use it as storage. Clutter and cartons will take away from such a space and render is unusable and bland.
Lighting should be considered if you want to use this space in the evenings.
Plan the space according to what you will use it for. If you have barbeques then cater for that.
Interesting seating and plants compensate for even the most basic space.
You do not have to keep it bare because it is outdoors. Get as much interest on the walls as you possibly can.
The more interesting your balcony is, the more likely you will spend some time getting fresh (!!!) air every once in a while.

It may seem that all you need to be a good interior designer is a sense of aesthetics and a flair for design. That is a good start, yes, but it gets you about five feet forward in terms of your career. The first thing to do is to turn a latent, in-born talent into an effective tool. Just because you can figure out what looks nice and what doesn’t does not make you a good designer or decorator. You may know how to use light and colour, how to synthesize architectural elements with design details and how to integrate space and design, but that is about five percent of the work. Most of the real work begins when you come to the execution.

Some formal education in the basic concepts of interior design is absolutely essential. There are many schools, which will give you a basic background course, and most of them are diplomas, but they are all very elementary in terms of the knowledge and the skills they provide you with. You could either pursue a full-fledged course at a reputed institute, preferably one with accreditation; or you could learn by working with someone who is a storehouse of talent. Work with the best, work for free if you have to, because it will be worth it. But regardless of where you get the education and for how long, the one thing an interior designer must always remember is that one is a lifelong student. Every day gives you an opportunity to learn something new about the trade and explore another aspect of its limitless potential.

If you have an eye for design, make sure that is turned into an artful skill, by practicing at every opportunity. Read everything you can, observe design aspects wherever you go…make mental notes and if possible keep a journal with points you pick up along the way. There is no substitute for hands on experience so get into it as early as possible. If you aren’t paid for it, don’t worry…learn all you can and explore every opportunity to test your know-how. Because it will tell you all you don’t-know-how-to. Use your home and any space that is offered to you as a guinea pig. Work out your concepts and present your vision. Explore the dimensions of your own creativity before you ask others to entrust their money ,time and space to you.

Create a portfolio of your work. Try to do as many varied projects as possible. It will teach you all you need to know first-hand and also work as a showcase for your talent. Interior design or decor is about space planning, conceptual genius and a lot of hard work. While design is a major aspect, if you don’t have fundamental business skills, you will never be able to succeed independently. When you strip it of the design and glamour accoutrements, what you have left is a lot of planning and time-management skills, labour management, client handling, costing analyses and execution abilities. If you cannot transform what is in your head into something that is concrete, you are perhaps better suited to the drawing board.

Research every aspect of your trade. Find suppliers, understand products and build relationships. These people will be your backbone. The stronger they are, the more upright your standing will be professionally. They can get you better deals, which means you can offer clients a better deal, and that is one way a new kid on the block gets business. Once you are familiar with different styles, concepts in flooring, wall coverings, soft furnishings, accessories and art you must find the suppliers who will actually deliver the goods.

While you are meeting clients, learn to do one thing. It will determine your success as an interior designer. It is not your ability to design. It is your ability to LISTEN. Understand your client. Find out what their lifestyle is. Discover what their likes and dislikes are. Find out what they need and desire. You will find that it may not necessarily coincide with what you would instinctively recommend. Which leaves you with two choices. If you can find a point of convergence, try to assimilate their wants into your presentation as much as possible. If you find no meeting ground, you are better off recommending someone who can deliver the goods rather than work on a project where you will derive no satisfaction, and the client will offer no appreciation. At the end of the day your designing style and their requirements have to meet halfway. For it to be a worthwhile enterprise.

A smart thing to do while you train to become an interior designer is to specialize. You could always diversify later, but initially it is a good idea to find a niche for yourself. If you would like to do residential interiors focus on that for a few years. If commercial spaces are your cup of tea, gain experience in such contracts. If you think you want to be left only to design and stay away from the rest of the madness, then stick to just designing. If organizational skills are your forte, turn to project management. Find out what your skills are and then start honing them. Until you reach a stage when you can start honing another skill.

A good interior designer should be able to work well with anyone from the architect to the civil contractor. If you just want to do your own thing regardless of their suggestions or requirements, the simplest project will turn into a nightmare. At the end of the day, if you, along with all the others involved in the project, including your client, cannot be a cohesive team, the whole thing will fall apart.

If your creative genius can be coupled with practical ability, you are well on your way to becoming a successful interior designer.

Learn the ABC of being a good designer

–Integrate concepts and styles to give a unified décor

–Maintain a sense of equilibrium. Balance is the key.

–Know your field. Know your client. Never presume to be bigger than either.

–Never stop learning–Never stop listening

–Innovate. Don’t get trapped into predictable design.

–Never underestimate the value of good service. It tends to pay higher dividends than design.

–Time management and scheduling skills. Plan and execute.

–Coordination skills and being a team worker.

–Business expertise. Do an MBA if you have to but get your business concepts right.

–Patience–Eye for detail–Design Skills–Style

–Knowing the latest trends. Information keeps you ten steps ahead.

–Understanding different decorating styles, their uses and limitations

I was sent this link by Maria and I really enjoyed reading this post by James Curry, Executive Editor  of Epicurious, who blogs about renovating his kitchen. If you have recently renovated your kitchen, or are planning to, I am sure you will identify with this article. I was recently was asked by a client if their kitchen could be completely re-done in 10 days. Here, we do not have the paperwork issues, but there are other issues. Cooking out of a microwave is not an option and Ranibai refuses to work in a makeshift place !! The design is finalised, and even though we do not have all the appliance options available in other countries, and there is a budget restriction —deciding on a new fridge,chimney,backsplash and flooring is turning out to be a whole project in itself

This is what James has to share —-

So how’s the kitchen renovation going? S-L-O-W-L-Y. Here’s what I’ve had to face over the last few weeks:

Architect/Contractor Negotiations
I love the folks I am working with but they have questions, lots of questions. Not just: How much can you spend? But also: Do you want an island? (Yes, we want one.) Should the island have electrical outlets? A heat source? Wheels? Internet/TV like in the photo from dvice.com (uh, no thanks). Do you realize that moving plumbing and/or electrical outlets will devour your pathetic budget? And finally, are you prepared to cook exclusively with a microwave for a few months?

Asbestos Testing
It’s going to cost $500 (by far the cheapest rate we could get) to find out if demolition will unearth unspeakable chemicals into the air. Another few grand if the walls are asbestos-filled. Our house was built in 1910. My fingers are crossed. My stomach in knots.

Filing Paperwork
The city government will have to approve our plans. So our architect, Susan Sloan, has drawn the most detailed plans I’ve ever seen; she included shelves, lighting, and even nooks (technically “niches” on the plans). The finished design looks nothing like our existing house (a good thing). Soon, we file and wait for a stamp of approval. Or something like that. It is the beginning of many fun waits, I am assured. 

Appliance Indecision
I thought I’d know which brands I wanted by now. Yes, we decided to go with a “French door” fridge, a member of the side-by-side family. We especially liked the CleanSteel GE Appliances 25.0 cu. ft. GSL25JFTBS recommended by Consumer Reports. But now we’re wondering if we should take advantage of one of those buy-a-bunch-of-our-appliances deals and select range, fridge, and microwave from the same company.  Or is that a sucker ploy

If you are looking at lighting tips that will save electricity this piece from India Today Home is interesting

If you have the will, here are some simple ways by which you can save energy and cut down on the evermounting electricity bills.

1: Replace an ordinary bulb with a CFL (compact fluorescent lamp), which uses one-quarter to one-third the energy to produce the same amount of light. Even if we replaced just one GLS bulb (incandescent lamp) with a CFL in every electrified home in India, we could save 10,000 MW of electric load, enough to light up 100 million homes.

2: Always remember to turn off the lights that you’re not using in the house. You will be surprised to know how far this goes in conserving energy.

3: After use, take household gadgets off their stand-by mode and switch them off. Not many know that plugged-in gadgets, even in stand-by mode, use energy. In fact, gadgets in stand-by mode can amount to about five to 10 per cent of your electricity bill.

4: Use task lighting instead of general room lighting and use multiple switches in order to conserve power.

5: Make use of natural daylight in combination with artificial lighting at the design stage itself. Also ensure effective insulation as poor insulation causes a great deal of energy to escape outside.

6: Go Green. Switch to new methods like solar lighting or make use of renewable sources like wind and bio-gas. This will increase efficiency as well as control energy costs and save energy, all at the same time.

(The writer is the President of Indian Society of Lighting Engineers)

The float bed was designed a few years ago by Max Longin ,but I have yet to see another bed that inspires such a feeling of ’suspense’ and awe. Designed on the concept of a suspension bridge, and held on steel elbows this bed is a marvel of design and creativity.

More recently,six months ago to be precise, I came  across another bed that reminded me of the one designed by Longin. Not because they are similar in design–but because this one took me on the same flight. Created by Janjaap Ruijssenaars the slab is held to the floor by thin cables. It floats on the technology of repulsive levitation in magnetism.

While checking out the lamps at Kapoor Lamp Shade Co. I realised that the pendant lamp had become a hot favourite again. Not just the contemporary ones, but the classic style as you see in the pic above. With it, one has also seen the return of the chandelier, which had all but disappeared from many homes in India to make way for its contemporary brethren.