AbbeyK — On Interior Design

Interior Design Rules

Architectural Digest asked some of the most influential designers and architects a series of questions in the January '08 issue. I thought I'd answer the same questions for my readers. Each question is its own entry and will appear Mondays through May.

There are many rules designers and architects should keep in mind. One is...
Color can only be determined in the actual space you are working in. Light conditions, exterior environment and scale and proportion are different in the office than at a client's home. Make sure to look at colors for all surfaces in the space you are designing. If the space isn’t built yet, at least look at the colors on the site.

My Own Home

Architectural Digest asked some of the most influential designers and architects a series of questions in the January '08 issue. I thought I'd answer the same questions for my readers. Each question is its own entry and will appear Mondays through May.

I change my own interiors...
Like a cobbler with no shoes, my house is rather incomplete. Too busy doing other people's homes. I have the basics, but it's rather unfinished at the moment. I just bought 2 side tables for next to my sofa. Before I just had plants there.

My Favorite Rooms to Design

Architectural Digest asked some of the most influential designers and architects a series of questions in the January '08 issue. I thought I'd answer the same questions for my readers. Each question is its own entry and will appear Mondays through May.

My favorite room to design is...
Living rooms and bathrooms are interesting to me for a variety of reasons. A bathroom is where you start and end your day and a good one can have major impact on quality of life. I love tile design so bathrooms are always fun. In living rooms there is so much opportunity for play of pattern, color and texture. Plus, they are comfortable so it's great to create a living room people enjoy coming home to.

Design Mistakes

Architectural Digest asked some of the most influential designers and architects a series of questions in the January '08 issue. I thought I'd answer the same questions for my readers. Each question is its own entry and will appear Mondays through May.

My biggest design mistake was...
I learn from each job. Like most designers, I once ordered an item that did not fit in a client's home. Now I am obsessed about measuring and checking all dimensions before ordering. This is especially the case for items going in basements, up stairs and in elevators.

Projecting the Future of Interior Design.

Architectural Digest asked some of the most influential designers and architects a series of questions in the January '08 issue. I thought I'd answer the same questions for my readers. Each question is its own entry and will appear Mondays through May.

In the next ten years, the most important thing in design or architecture will be...
Green design with sustainable materials. Look for more products and new technologies. It will be an exciting time.

Home Electronics

Architectural Digest asked some of the most influential designers and architects a series of questions in the January '08 issue. I thought I'd answer the same questions for my readers. Each question is its own entry and will appear Mondays through May.

In the area of home electronics, people are asking for…
The biggest TV the better. I have consultants help with installation of these items. Smart homes are gaining popularity although there are a lot of controls to understand how to use your own home.

Interiors as Investments

Architectural Digest asked some of the most influential designers and architects a series of questions in the January '08 issue. I thought I'd answer the same questions for my readers. Each question is its own entry and will appear Mondays through May.

One of the best this right now to collect for an investment is...
Invest in your life and how you feel in your home. There is always value to quality of life, despite any market trends.

Clients and the Interior Design Process

Architectural Digest asked some of the most influential designers and architects a series of questions in the January '08 issue. I thought I'd answer the same questions for my readers. Each question is its own entry and will appear Mondays through May.

Clients can make the design process more smoothly by…
Being decisive and communicating clearly. Some clients feel they will offend me if they say they don't like something I suggest. I am never offended; I am full of ideas and if a client doesn’t like the first idea, many, many more are in the pipeline.

Working with an Interior Design Budget

Architectural Digest asked some of the most influential designers and architects a series of questions in the January '08 issue. I thought I'd answer the same questions for my readers. Each question is its own entry and will appear Mondays through May.

For someone who wants a big look on a small budget today...
Start with the basics and buy the best quality you can afford. This may mean doing one room at a time or doing things in stages. For example, buy a rug, sofa, and coffee table and wait to do the drapes until budget allows.

Design Mistakes

Architectural Digest asked some of the most influential designers and architects a series of questions in the January '08 issue. I thought I'd answer the same questions for my readers. Each question is its own entry and will appear Mondays through May.

The mistake most people make when doing their own decorating is…
Furniture that is too large and rooms that are poorly laid out. Not being able to see the whole picture – do you really need to love every single object? What's more important is how it all fits together.