Not long ago we were fortunate to be called into a project that allowed us to showcase our residential interior design services. Clients relocating from California fell in love with 1700s stone farmhouse in Pequannock, New Jersey, and dreamt of restoring it to its old world charm. They first retained a firm that specializes in [...]
A new year begins full of new firsts...like this blog for example! Let me introduce myself, I am the PRACTICAL DESIGNER. I hear the collective gasp from the audience...PRACTICAL and DESIGNER used in the same sentence! Impossible, preposterous, you say? Believe me, it's true, I am an anomaly! Blessed with talent and a keen eye [...]
When my husband and I were searching for our first home it was all about the neighborhood and the school district, there was barely a thought of it being the single largest financial investment we would make in our lives. As long as we were pre-qualified, we were good to go. We were young and naive and as luck would have it, we did make [...]
Budget is one of the first topics of conversation I have when meeting with a prospective client and it always plays out the same. The designer asks to know the budget and the prospect does not wish to reveal what they can afford. Is it right for a client to withhold their budget? As in any industry there are those [...]
No matter how logical we like to think we are, buying a home is an instinctual and emotional process. Often potential buyers will dismiss a home within seconds of visiting the property before a realtor has any opportunity to point out its features or benefits. A real estate interior design consultation can help homes sell and may just be worth [...]
QUALITY PLANNING Each project has its own set of unique circumstances. Before the first line is drawn on paper, be sure to know the parameters that your project must fall within. A design that is created without considering these issues may never receive the approvals needed to actually execute the work. HIRE A TEAM [...]
In today's fast paced, society of instant gratification it has become challenging to convince clients that "good things come to those who wait." Today's consumer just wants to go to a website, search, add to cart and check out to have items magically appear on their doorstep in a few short days. A local contractor [...]
In our culture visual cues are everywhere enabling us to quickly assimilate information. When we "brand" ourselves, our businesses and our environments, we are hoping to automatically engage the public and program them to simultaneously "upload" information in their minds associated with ourselves and our businesses. A literal brand on a head of cattle relayed [...]
My passion for planning grew out of the fact that often times I was called upon to assist with a project in the midst of construction. Framing had been completed, sheetrock was about to be installed and decisions were needed on finishes and materials to allow construction to continue at a steady pace. Upon entering [...]
Cost overruns on construction projects are typical and even expected on projects today but can they be avoided? Absolutely! Follow these home renovation budget tips to avoid surprise costs during your home renovation: Have a detailed plan prepared of exactly what your renovation will look like prior to beginning the bid process. Renovate in keeping [...]
