blog
Synthesis
-
With the results of your analysis you are then in a good position to learn about interior design styles. Blogs from Interior design publications have outlines of design and architectural styles to guide you.
-
Gather pictures of images that you like that are suitable for your purpose. Whether or not you are working with a designer this will also help to guide you.
-
This first image was used by one of our clients, amongst others, to communicate the style that she liked for her small business retail premises.
By Serena K Agius
September 29, 2020
-
Most people know what they like however they don’t know how to translate the elements of design into their space. We're going to show you how to decide what can work for you.
-
Forming a concept is the first most important thing you must do because it informs all your other design decisions.
Analysis
-
Firstly analyse how you use the spaces, who uses them, how many people are there and what are your lifestyle needs. For example,your social habits, ease of keeping clean, how long you intend occupying the space and storage requirements.
-
The next thing is to look at are the important elements in your space; the furniture, ornaments and artworks that you treasure.
-
This gives you a feel of what's really important to you .
-
Design is a constant process of analysis and synthesis, research, trial and more analysis until it comes together step by step.
Rugs, benchtops, upholstery & wall paper were selected as hardwearing, to cope with lots of foot traffic whilst gracious elements of fabrics and lighting were out of harms way of sticky childrens fingers. A nod to Art Noveau came in the window decals.
-
The design on the other hand shows a translation of the client's pictures of desired interiors, (some had Art Noveau swirls) with black and white panelling. We took the elements where we could change surfaces, floors, bench tops, furniture ,lighting and added decoration to create a design that worked.
Concept- The mood board
-
The client on this project showed us 3 images which used large areas of concrete, blues and greys in wall colours, black accents and timber panelling. He liked a style that fits into 'Contemporary', that is very architectural with strong, straight lines and shapes, including the use of timber.
-
We created this mood board picking up on muted greys, blues & seafoam colours, areas where we could introduce black accents and grey texture to replicate the visual appeal of polished concrete.
-
You can see the finished result here under the Surry Hills Project.
Know your styles
Knowing what's on trend is important for building good value into your property. Get an understanding of the period in which your property was was built and the typical features of that period. There are so many products on the market that understanding basics of design history really you to helps to decide.
-
Victorian period uses strong colours, rich carpets, heavily layered fabrics with tassles, richly patterned wallpapers, dark mahogany or cherry wood furniture, embellished cornices and ceiling roses.
-
Queen Anne style in Britain is from the turn of 19th Century which becomes “Federation” in Australia. This style is simpler than Victorian, large tiled verandahs, turned verandah posts and fretwork brackets, deep skirtings and window/door mouldings.
Surry Hills living area
-
What we call Art Noveau was Belle Epoque in Europe. Typical of this style is florid swirls on furniture, cornices and bulkheads, elaborate chandeliers and cupids or female figure statuary. Period is from the years 890-1910. A fine example is in Adelaide of Playford Hotel.
-
Art Deco typified the new modernism and the age of the machine with strong geometric motifs in fabric and furniture 1930s-39. Holloywood glam has a cross over with this style.
-
1950s mid-century modern also known as minimalism- championed by architect Mies Van de Rohe, and designer Charlotte Periand, window slim framing in steel or timber, skillion or flat roofs, Refined curves in timber furniture of a small scale, judicious use of colour.
This next shot is from the Bar area of the Playford hotel Adelaide, designed in the Belle Epoque style.Much existing housing stock in Australia has been built with some of these elements. Being able to pick them will help you put character in your home.
Below is an example from the Mosman project that had lots of Belle Epoque Furniture and antiques in a very modern space. We completed the design with nods to this period resulting in a classic interior.
Quick behind the scenes tips- the interior design concept
If you still find it hard to make decisions because you find it difficult aligning your tastes with these guidelines send me an enquiry on the Contact form. I can help you with this.
Visit the Services page for more details about my specialities.
I'd love to hear your comments about this blog post and if you've put any of this tips in action. Send your comments, which may be published, using the form below.