Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Good Decorating = Good Planning
My Decorating Plan
www.mydecplan.com
805.933.0222
Except for the few rare instances of luck or magic, most great rooms started with a decorating plan. A professional interior decorator does not work with a magic wand - they work with a comprehensive plan. Therefore, it follows that a novice decorator really needs a good solid plan before any decorating project commences.
So with that point being made, what exactly needs to be in a decorating plan? Simply stated, you should have everything that is going to be done in the room and everything that is going to be purchased for the room written down on paper.
Common elements to your plan are:
Budget. This is the first step to a feasible plan. You must decide how much you are going to invest in your room and when you are going to be able to invest it. This knowledge will help you move forward on a schedule of priorities until the room is completed.
A floor plan. This is a scale drawing of the room and every item that is going into the room. Yes, that does mean that you must get out your trusty 25 foot tape measure and measure the walls, windows, floors, ceiling and all the furnishings that you now own that will remain in the room. You can use a 1/4 inch scale piece of graph paper to create this drawing, using 1/4 inch per foot as your basis.
A color scheme. The easy way to do this is to select paint chips that you like and compile them into a color palette for the room. Your palette should have a dominant color, a secondary color and an accent color. Keep in mind the size and architecture of the room when selecting your color palette.
A style point of view. The four basic styles are traditional, modern, country and eclectic. Also decide if the room will be formal or informal.
Window treatments. In deciding the window treatments consider not only the aesthetics, but also the function. Consider light, solar heat and ventilation. Is the window view a focal point? Appropriately treated windows are crucial to a successful room plan.
Furnishings. If you are adding new furniture, make sure it is in scale and proportion to the room and its occupants. If you see a piece in a store, measure it, then add it to your scale plan to be sure it will work for you. After it is determined that the piece will fit properly, decide if it fits into your planned style and color palette.
Lighting. Often an afterthought, good lighting is essential. Your room should have sufficient general lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. The lighting needs to be balanced around the room so that there are no dark corners or too brightly lite areas. Mark where your lighting will be in your scaled room plan.
Flooring. What will be on the floor? Carpet, rugs, wood, laminate, vinyl. So many great choices in today's marketplace, but be sure it is appropriate to the function and style of the room.
Accessories. The accessories should be in line with your function, style and color palette. Consider silk plants, wall decor, table top arrangements. With accessories, less is more. Clutter is the opposite of good accessorizing.
Beauty. Everything in your room should be beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If a piece is unsettling or "irritates" you - get it out of the room. It is not beautiful to you.
Now you have a plan that should assure a fabulous and functional room!
