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.

 

Tips for 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.

Interior Design by Yourself

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.

Setting the Holiday Stage

As the weather becomes cooler and the colors take on that muted fall tone, while the gardens become dormant, it is always comforting to add color to the interior of the home that makes the homeowner feel alive and energized. In the beginning, the changes should be soft and subtle, by adding a wreath to the front door, some garland branches to a staircase and mantel or some extra candles for some ambiance; this gradually can make one think of that ever-approaching holiday season. 

2012 Holiday Home Tour Design

This Residence is reminiscent of Spanish Colonial design with its soft aqua and antiqued red hues. Many of the homeowner’s pieces portray authentic style from carved throne chairs to elaborate iron works and vintage fabrics. With such collectables as the restored sconces and the classical interests in music, the cultural beauty inspires a plethora of long conversations and entertainment. Many of these treasured items bring peace and comfort to a hectic life of a professional. The walls are plastered in a pristine glow of off white accented in pale clay tones and intricate colorful tiles, setting off the rich hues and tapestry features; inviting one to come, relax in comfort and style. Iron and dark tone woods douse the home in Spanish Flavor.

Choosing a Color Palette

Choosing a color palette is easy if the homeowner looks at the colors they already use in their home, focuses on what they love, and organizes a plan.

When choosing a decor palette for the house, the homeowner should look through their home for items that he or she love and will keep once they have planned a color scheme. The homeowner may have a beautiful art piece with bright or earthy hues or maybe an heirloom such as a rug or furniture piece that could have a desirable scheme. Some may even choose to copy a color scheme from a china collection that has a pastel theme or style.

This can be a perfect starting point for a palette that will accentuate the homeowner’s personal treasures and style. Once he or she has picked the theme, the homeowner should study the theme piece for colors that are acceptable for the home. Looking through a paint fan deck or using colors that coordinate at the paint store, the homeowner should have a collection of paint samples that they should bring back to the natural lighting of the home for final decisions on paint.

Choosing Proper Color Tones

Once the homeowner has chosen colors to compare to his or her themes, the homeowner should try a variation of the color in different tones to highlight their selection. It doesn’t always work to match everything perfectly; the homeowner could run into an unpleasing situation if they do not explore other variations of color. Hues can be more pleasing by adding brighter or darker complementary accents.

The homeowner may discover a hidden color as they are using art work or a favorite painting or photograph. As he or she selects a color to accompany the art work, the homeowner should make sure that the color enhances the art so it will pop out of the frame. This does not mean the brightest color in the art piece but not a white, either. The homeowner should try a happy medium that will take on a soft hue from a complexion of a character to the intensity of a sunset on a prairie. If the homeowner is using a monochromatic theme of black and white, he or she should try a Smokey gray-beige to a straw gold. It will take guest’s breath away every time they enter the room.

Using Color as an Accent

The homeowner will always want to have guests focus on the accents of the home. By having several shades of the color, the homeowner may direct the attention to a particular area of the room. Yes, the “accent wall” will always come back to design, and if the homeowner remembers to make one wall an accent, it will not become tiring for the homeowner to live in as well.

The whole purpose is to have a homeowner look at the most dramatic aspect of the room, usually it is the first wall they see as he or she enters. For an example, if a guest walks into a bedroom and the bed is against the back wall, that wall should be a darker shade in accent for a deeper or bolder statement than the remaining walls. If the bed has been accentuated with bedding to accompany the rooms shade, the homeowner will have a beautiful accent people will speak of for years.

When accenting a work area or office, the homeowner should make the wall an inspiring shade they love. The homeowner should not put it on the wall directly in front of them, but behind or to the side for a brief pick-me-up. He or she will enjoy this more as it will be subtle and not a huge deterrent as they try to focus on their work and not the walls. Homeowners should save the bold and more playful colors for a non-public area such as the hallways or private zones.

The entrance is also a perfect place for a bold statement. Homeowners will have fun with a splash of brilliance in a hall or closet, sometimes it can increase the interest in cupboards as it is a non-public area. This can add some added surprise as the homeowner walks through the hall or opens a door to a closet.

Creating a Color Theme

Homeowners should pick a palette for the entire home that they can feel comfortable with and not become tired of quickly. Homeowners should avoid using the newest trends, and focus on his or her most precious interests. The homeowner could take this new palette and make a scrapbook or color-board so he or she can see the direction they are trying to place throughout the home. Homeowners should want the palette aesthetically to fit as well as project peacefulness to the eye.

This is not hard to do even if the homeowners are remodeling or starting over fresh. Observe how all the swatches of fabric, all of the color chips, and various surface samples tie into each other, and the homeowner should try to keep it all in the same palette. This will assist him or her in any future endeavors to move onto another project in the home if they can’t do it all at once.

Finally, the homeowner should always carry a color-board or scrapbook with them wherever they go, and if the homeowner finds something that may work with the current scheme, he or she can compare samples on the spot. The homeowner should not forget to enjoy themselves, and always return to look at their choices in the natural light, before they make the final decision.

How to Home Stage

Staging successfully is a process of using a detailed checklist on ways that the homeowner can prepare their home before placing it on the market to sell.

When home staging is being done by the homeowner or a professional stager, there are 10 steps that can yield a timely and profitable sale. Dividing the steps into four stages: making a good first impression, presenting each room well, removing clutter and cleaning, and attending to details during the home is being shown. These steps are the key issues that real estate agents have observed from various buyers as they look for their new home.

How to Make a Good First Impression with Home Staging

First: declutter, declutter, declutter!

• Create a good first impression by cleaning the entry and making sure the front of the home is appealing to the eye. The homeowner should change or brighten the address numbers, manage any unwanted webs or debris, pay close attention to the front door's appearance, and make sure to mow and trim the front yard to enhance the curb appeal.
• The homeowner should make the entry and living room welcoming by removing any shoes and toys strewn on the floor. The homeowner should add a nice bouquet of flowers and make sure the lights are on to welcome the guests. Vacuum the floors and sweep. Fluff up any pillows and make sure the area is clean and clutter-free.

Presenting Rooms When Selling a Home

• Kitchen: Create a spotless kitchen by clearing off any appliances and making sure the counters are clean; washing the dishes and making sure they are put away. The homeowner can wipe off fingerprints and water spots from stainless steel and have a nice bowl of citrus to accent the room.
• The master bedroom and bathroom: Turn the master suite into a sanctuary or a place of peace and tranquility. The homeowner should make sure it is clutter-free, painted if need be, and with a nice set of bedding and pillows to show off the bed, which is usually the focal point of the room. By making the bedroom shine, the seller makes the buyer feel more comfortable about the potential space. Because the master bath is an attachment to the master bedroom, by adding a nice set of towels in the master bath along with some specialty salts, with this the homeowner can impress the buyer. The homeowner may want to clean up the closet and reduce the contents to show the storage space better.
• Present an exceptionally clean and fresh bathroom, by washing everything with a nice disinfectant cleaner, check and repair the shower stall for spots or mold. Clean the areas well and again change the towels, repair or replace the towel rods, replace the bar of soap or fill the soap bottle and have all of the toiletries put away and out of sight.

Maintain The Home During Home Staging.

• Tidy all closets by clearing out the closet and pack away excess belongings. The homeowner can enlarge the closet by leaving 10% of the contents in the space. The homeowner should allow the closet floor to be empty as well as clean, and they should consider freshly painted walls and scuff marks repaired. This way the buyer or client remembers a large and clean closet space.
• Brighten the walls if need be, add a nice neutral color to the walls and make sure that any wild colors are minimal. The homeowner must make sure any unsightly areas are clean and freshly painted to show off the home in a pristine manner. The homeowner ought to use the appropriate sheens for every space, and try to eliminate any outdated and worn-out wallpaper.
• Reduce clutter to a minimum, the most important aspect of staging the home is by reducing any clutter that may be unsightly. The homeowner should make sure to pack everything up not being used and store it cleanly in the garage. Buyers want to envision their own items in the home. This is the key to a faster sell.

Attend to Details During the Market

• Thoroughly prepare the garage, backyard and pet kennel by making sure that if the garage is full, pack up the belongings in boxes and make sure the space is organized. The homeowner is moving, after all, and they want to look as if they are ready to vacate the space. The homeowner should clean up the backyard, and hose it down to make the area fresh and clean. Mow the lawn and add some flowers to various areas to show character. The homeowner must make sure the kennel is clean and the animals are secure. The homeowner can leave a note for the real-estate agent and buyer if there are special instructions for felines or little dogs that like to wander off.
• Create an attractive environment. Many home buyers have very personal tastes; when a homeowner shows their home; they should remove any personal aspects of the family, and any religious or collecting habits. If the buyer has a clean slate to look at, they can perceive themselves in the home and not feel that they are taking something away from the homeowner.

Home stagers apply this 10-step staging strategy, and understand by experience that their clients can effectively prepare their homes and promote a quick and successful sale. In today's tough market, the homeowner can use this process to partner with home stagers and real-estate agents to prepare the home and guarantee the sale of the home for the best price.