There is a definite feeling in the air that the crisis is gone. Clients are taking out the stops and doing the work that they have been holding off on, and having faith that the world will survive this last challenge because their own world has.
As my clients kick into high gear after the holidays, I am reminded of just what an amazing industry this is. I get to spend time with the most amazing people on Earth, and they happen to love working with me to create magic in their homes, or work spaces. I am the lucky one.
So lets all wake up, step out, throw a snowball, bake a batch of homemade cookies, and look at our interior spaces with an open view. They can be better. They can function better. They can be more organized. They can feel more like home.
I challenge you in this new year to take a step. Make a move that you worried about last year. Believe that life is good, and needs to be lived with the best spaces that we can create with all of that energy that is just sitting there waiting to be taken on. I am so proud of clients that have taken projects off of dusty shelves and started to rework them, bite off little pieces or devour the whole thing! It is fun to do this again. It is healthy to believe that spring is coming and Columbus is a beautiful place to express how we live and work, but mostly play through our lives with our own spirit of faith, hope and belief in all that makes our lives the best!
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Month of Love and Interior Design
As we approach February, I am reminded just how important love is in the lives of my clients!
I approach every Master Bedroom project as an inner santion. Questions like "what is your bedtime ritual?" are not meant to pry, but to support some of the most important moments in couples lives. When we get the answer "We always go to bed together." Our hearts leap for joy at the prospect of enhancing this time.
Nothing is more disheartening as a couple that has an office in the Master Bedroom suite, or takes their laptop to bed! The next most disheartening is having a LARGE screen TV staring at the couples bed. The fact that large screen TV's have even invaded the bedroom leaves me startled as a designer. The oasis of cuddling, coming together, and winding down a hectic day together just should not happen in front of the TV set!
My recommendations for couples with work or technology ruling the Master Bedroom is simple.
Create a sitting room adjacent to the sleeping area where those activities are stepped down. The transition to the sleeping space becomes softer. Non invasive colors. Restful and luxe fabrics that encourage snuggling up and letting go. All of us have a process of letting go of our day to engage in sleep. Hopefully most of us have much more going on relating to another person, but lets focus on the letting go part for the sake of the design!
Design is personal. This part of the day should be a surround of nurturing and caressing colors. Surfaces are soft. Bed linens are the highest quality of cotton that can be afforded. The mode is set in softness, and coccooning of a space of relaxation and rejuvenation. Colors that are cool may become too cold if not offset with soft texture. Warmer colors can become too warm if not offset with luxe feel of quality and repose.
I personally embrace soft finishes for most areas. Designers must relate to the couples own style of course, but soften it at every juncture.
My favorite area of the home is the Master Bedroom suite. There I can get into the clients head about what matters to them. I can enter this personal space with respect, compassion, and confidentiality with them. Being a great interior designer does not get any better than this!
I approach every Master Bedroom project as an inner santion. Questions like "what is your bedtime ritual?" are not meant to pry, but to support some of the most important moments in couples lives. When we get the answer "We always go to bed together." Our hearts leap for joy at the prospect of enhancing this time.
Nothing is more disheartening as a couple that has an office in the Master Bedroom suite, or takes their laptop to bed! The next most disheartening is having a LARGE screen TV staring at the couples bed. The fact that large screen TV's have even invaded the bedroom leaves me startled as a designer. The oasis of cuddling, coming together, and winding down a hectic day together just should not happen in front of the TV set!
My recommendations for couples with work or technology ruling the Master Bedroom is simple.
Create a sitting room adjacent to the sleeping area where those activities are stepped down. The transition to the sleeping space becomes softer. Non invasive colors. Restful and luxe fabrics that encourage snuggling up and letting go. All of us have a process of letting go of our day to engage in sleep. Hopefully most of us have much more going on relating to another person, but lets focus on the letting go part for the sake of the design!
Design is personal. This part of the day should be a surround of nurturing and caressing colors. Surfaces are soft. Bed linens are the highest quality of cotton that can be afforded. The mode is set in softness, and coccooning of a space of relaxation and rejuvenation. Colors that are cool may become too cold if not offset with soft texture. Warmer colors can become too warm if not offset with luxe feel of quality and repose.
I personally embrace soft finishes for most areas. Designers must relate to the couples own style of course, but soften it at every juncture.
My favorite area of the home is the Master Bedroom suite. There I can get into the clients head about what matters to them. I can enter this personal space with respect, compassion, and confidentiality with them. Being a great interior designer does not get any better than this!
Design Ranking in Importance a Key Element
Recent surveys by the National Association of Remodelers stated that the design and outcome of a space are the most important aspect to long term satisfaction. This is not surprising to those of us that spend our lives pleasing people and satisfying their needs. In fact that was number two, satisfaction of needs in the new space!
Oftentimes the unsung hero of the project is the designer that spent time with the client and made details count, created spaces that spoke of their personality and their way of life. As a designer that puts satisfaction at the top of my list, I know that it is not always easy to interpret for the client. Some clients never verbalize their needs, but show you all that is wrong with the way that they live currently. We must bring them solutions to those problems that are also following good design decisions. It is up to us to gauge what will truly make them happy with their surroundings.
When clients really have no idea what would please them, good designers kick into high gear. We show by example. We sketch, get large samples of finishes and large photos of pieces that will work. We work all of these approaches, and then suddenly POOF! the client begins to see our vision, and we are on our way. Many designers talk about clients with no vision and how frustrating it is to them. Those are the best examples of how we must lead, and guide them to great decisions financially, and follow good design rules to create a solution that really works.
Our greatest responsibility is to interpret clues, ask the right questions and lead by example. Credible design works for them. Creative design just works!
Oftentimes the unsung hero of the project is the designer that spent time with the client and made details count, created spaces that spoke of their personality and their way of life. As a designer that puts satisfaction at the top of my list, I know that it is not always easy to interpret for the client. Some clients never verbalize their needs, but show you all that is wrong with the way that they live currently. We must bring them solutions to those problems that are also following good design decisions. It is up to us to gauge what will truly make them happy with their surroundings.
When clients really have no idea what would please them, good designers kick into high gear. We show by example. We sketch, get large samples of finishes and large photos of pieces that will work. We work all of these approaches, and then suddenly POOF! the client begins to see our vision, and we are on our way. Many designers talk about clients with no vision and how frustrating it is to them. Those are the best examples of how we must lead, and guide them to great decisions financially, and follow good design rules to create a solution that really works.
Our greatest responsibility is to interpret clues, ask the right questions and lead by example. Credible design works for them. Creative design just works!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Approaching the end of a year of wonderful clients
I cannot help but look back on this past year with wonder.
I have so many great memories of achievments made with the best clientele in the world.
My clients speak. My clients share.
I am lucky enough to be there to help them realize dreams and make their homes or their
offices special and productive for them.
I continue to marvel at how amazing this market this is for great design and great changes in
lives. The accomplishments are many. The gratification is immense. Thank you for sharing
your lives with me.
I have so many great memories of achievments made with the best clientele in the world.
My clients speak. My clients share.
I am lucky enough to be there to help them realize dreams and make their homes or their
offices special and productive for them.
I continue to marvel at how amazing this market this is for great design and great changes in
lives. The accomplishments are many. The gratification is immense. Thank you for sharing
your lives with me.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
2010 is almost over, and it was landmark for Christy Collection
Sorry for the hiatus from this blog! I have been so busy with fabulous design work in Columbus that I honestly did not feel I could take the time for this ten minutes a day.
Not a great reason. What prompted me to get back on it, was the explosion of quotes and sections borrowed from my blog for National publications because of my words!! I had no idea that I would reach so many people because of constant, and painstaking writing of my own ideas and my own creations. I am so pleased, so flabbergasted by this response!
So here starts 2011 with a BANG! So much more to say to the world about what I do for others! I am so excited, that my words are becoming jumbled at the thought of it all!
This past year has been landmark for Christy Collection Inc. The next year is looking amazing now, before it has even started!
First of course is the launch of our new studio in the Short North. I have vowed to be a slave to my clients not to a space, so it will be by appointment only! Not a great committment, you may think! But it is just the opposite. As I add employees they too will be with clients, or serving clients and will not be manning a studio, or waiting for a walk - in. Our focus is YOU, and will always be YOU! I say that with every true intention and focus of service and perfection.
Thank you my dear dear clients that have become dear dear friends! This year is on the record books as a true breakthrough for me personally and professionally. And it is all because of you.
My thanks can never be enough. But my service will be there. I will always serve you with my whole being. My committment to you, always!
Not a great reason. What prompted me to get back on it, was the explosion of quotes and sections borrowed from my blog for National publications because of my words!! I had no idea that I would reach so many people because of constant, and painstaking writing of my own ideas and my own creations. I am so pleased, so flabbergasted by this response!
So here starts 2011 with a BANG! So much more to say to the world about what I do for others! I am so excited, that my words are becoming jumbled at the thought of it all!
This past year has been landmark for Christy Collection Inc. The next year is looking amazing now, before it has even started!
First of course is the launch of our new studio in the Short North. I have vowed to be a slave to my clients not to a space, so it will be by appointment only! Not a great committment, you may think! But it is just the opposite. As I add employees they too will be with clients, or serving clients and will not be manning a studio, or waiting for a walk - in. Our focus is YOU, and will always be YOU! I say that with every true intention and focus of service and perfection.
Thank you my dear dear clients that have become dear dear friends! This year is on the record books as a true breakthrough for me personally and professionally. And it is all because of you.
My thanks can never be enough. But my service will be there. I will always serve you with my whole being. My committment to you, always!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
This Glorious City Rocks for Interior Design!
While I work nonstop and create beautiful interiors I am reminded every moment how easy it is to do business in Columbus Ohio. Designers are well respected. Resources consider us central and upscale. Designers have a chance to make a difference in the lives of everyday people that need help navigating the aspects of building a new home, renovating instead of moving, and making their living environment beautiful for thier family.
Our contract work is growing. Our residential work is off the charts!
I am grateful everyday for the chance to work with wonderful people, and change their lives.
The school year is almost upon us, and we are trying to finish up projects that will ease the back to school burden of less time with our kids.
Enjoy the waning days of summer, and make that project at home a reality. Call on Christy Collection Inc. to help you through the decisions that scare you. Use our expertise to create beauty where you work and live.
Our contract work is growing. Our residential work is off the charts!
I am grateful everyday for the chance to work with wonderful people, and change their lives.
The school year is almost upon us, and we are trying to finish up projects that will ease the back to school burden of less time with our kids.
Enjoy the waning days of summer, and make that project at home a reality. Call on Christy Collection Inc. to help you through the decisions that scare you. Use our expertise to create beauty where you work and live.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Summer Design Time, Summer creative time.
I have always loved the beginning of August. Kids are still knee deep in summer vacation, but the end is near. Conversations start about "back to school" and parents start to visualize having more schedules to keep with their kids. Practices start. Home becomes an active beehive again.
Christy Collection Inc. has been extremely busy for the last three months. I keep thinking things will slow down, but referrals are very strong. And the heat of summer gets people either socked in to air conditioned rooms where they realize that there is work to do. Or into pool complexes in back yards that remind them that outdoor living also needs to be beautiful!
Either way, we are staying busy with change and creativity at the family level. Either way, we are needed to direct and supply the creativity to implement change. Either way, design leads and we are there!
Christy Collection Inc. has been extremely busy for the last three months. I keep thinking things will slow down, but referrals are very strong. And the heat of summer gets people either socked in to air conditioned rooms where they realize that there is work to do. Or into pool complexes in back yards that remind them that outdoor living also needs to be beautiful!
Either way, we are staying busy with change and creativity at the family level. Either way, we are needed to direct and supply the creativity to implement change. Either way, design leads and we are there!
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