DO YOU LIKE SYMMETRY?

Today's post is an extension of last weeks popular blog on "How To Think Like An Interior Designer." I am going to be blogging about each individual tip I mentioned for the next couple of weeks to bring to you an extended understanding and inspiration on how to manage your renovation and spatial planning more effectively.

The first point I made, which is something that I consistently think about, but mainly when looking at a blank canvas is... symmetry. So, if you are right in the middle of sitting down with an architect or designer to sort out the bones of the new space you are renovating, make sure to think about it's composition. Now not all compositions are symmetrical, but what I mean when it comes to symmetry is attempting to achieve a sense of "even-ness" ( yes I just made up a word ) within certain elements in that space.  Think about windows, heights of windows, lines matching up with other lines, walls matching up or in line with other walls, entry spaces opening up into symmetrically placed windows or positioned centrally looking onto a whole set of bifold doors. Think about how the lines will impact the space visually when it is complete... which by the way is NOT an easy task to achieve, but if you flex that imagination like a muscle it begins to grow and grow. These are all very important things and details that often get missed, which can often take your space from "oh it's lovely" to "wow." Spatial planning is all about experience as well as functionality so having these points in the back of your mind will assist in creating a very unique but functional experience for those who occupy the space.

The thing is, space is all about YOU, which is a core belief of my business by the way, YOU have to love your space, YOU have to understand your space and YOU have to live in your space, so symmetry and things being consistant in a home is very important wether you realise it or not. People love things being symmetrical, it is aesthetically pleasing and it allows you to feel comfortable. It is almost like a little obsessive compulsive disorder in having everything in its rightful place and positioned correctly. This is why for me and someone who is quite compulsive about the details, symmetry in spatial planning is essential, even if it is just as simple as having the windows symmetrically next to each other in a wall or even in lighting or a simple pattern.

That does not have to say that things cannot be a little uneven. Compositions come into play a lot more when it comes down to styling, which is a whole other blogpost for another day.

Hope you are inspired to be a little more even and symmetrical in your day today. Images in todays post are sourced from my Pinterest so make sure to follow me.

THINK LIKE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER

I cannot help but examine whenever I walk into a space, it can be any space, a new hotel, restaurant I am eating at, home etc. I love taking in all of the different elements and I always ALWAYS look up, which by the way not many people do… really there is a ceiling? Lots can be

achieved when it comes to a ceiling. I love touching walls and often feel like a bit of an odd ball when I secretly try and feel the wall to see what kind of finish it is, especially if it is a wallpaper, 

material, metal or timber… I cannot help it, it is built in.

When it comes to renovating and designing a home, these are kind of details that we as interior designer think about when planning. We also very much consider how the space is going to be used and experienced. It is a pretty difficult skill but if you can get it right and nurture it, you can 

become a real pro at understanding how to best use a space and how to make the most of what 

you have.

Here are my top five favourite things to look and how to think like an Interior Designer when you are knee deep in your next renovation.

1. Symmetry 

2. Zoning 

3. Light 

4. Scale 

5. Little Details 

FEATURE FRIDAY: 3 REASONS WHY SHOULD INSTALL BLINDS TO FURNISH YOUR WINDOWS

By Danielle McAnn

Very exciting time for the blog, it's very first guest blogger and guest post. It was a great idea to promote the ideas about furnishing your windows as it is often another part of interiors which are not always thought too much about, but it is critical to get it right. Join me today and my lovely guest blogger, Danielle as she enlightens us on why you should install blinds to furnish your windows. Information and Imagery courtesy of Melbourne Blind Company. Thank you for wanting to be a part of my journey to inform and inspire everyone about interiors. 

Danielle McAnn is a copywriter working with Melbourne Blind Company who offer a range of functional and stylish window coverings. When Danielle is not writing, she enjoys decorating her home, shopping and taking her Golden Retriever for a walk.

So many people think that sticking something over your window is a necessity purely to have the choice whether you let the light in or keep it out, when really, it is just important a feature of a room as a rug or a couch. The right window covering can make your room more inviting, give the illusion of a warm or cool space, as well as maintaining the temperature of a room in summer or winter. Whether you want to maintain a country cottage feel, a modern home or a Spanish villa, the right window furnishing can help make that happen.

One of the more popular options at the moment are blinds, they are versatile and affordable making them a great option in most homes.

1.     Affordable. Blinds are made to measure window coverings, so you only ever pay for exactly what you need. They are one of the more affordable options because they don’t require masses of fabric for gathering, they sit on a sturdy roll with a chain to adjust their level, rather than needing a huge steel rod to keep your curtains up.

2.     Stylish. Blinds come in a variety of colours and styles to suit any home. The fabric range at companies like Melbourne Blind Company is quite extensive, so you are sure to find a pattern and/or colour that suits your décor. They also come in different styles that open and close in different ways, from Roller Blinds, to Panel glides, Romans, Verticals and Venetians, not to mention coming in a range of materials, they are a stylish solution to your window furnishings.

3.     Versatile. With the options of materials, your blinds can come in either block out, standard or sheer finishes that let in varying amounts of light depending on your needs. For a sun room, you may want sheer blinds to merely limit the amount of light, however in often used rooms that also face the afternoon sun, a block out blind allows temperature control.

Find out more about Melbourne Blind Company by clicking here and follow them on Facebook. 

BTS : HOW DO YOU KNOW?

It is all systems go at JDZ HQ today despite the miserable weather. A full two walls of tiles has gone up in our latest bathroom project and here are some more behind the scenes shots from the site this morning.

I am so happy with the way it is turning out and it is beyond rewarding seeing something you have specified happen before your eyes. For most people picking tiles, grout colours, finishes and fixing is a nightmare, they don't know were to start or what goes with what and even when you make your choices, you are only picking a single tile for a huge wall... so how do you know it is all going to turn out?! In my personal opinion, apart from having a good eye for detail and being able to visally imagine the end result, it is all about intuition and confidence in your choices. And trust me when you are on site and surrounded by a hundred other people who have their own opinion, it is very difficult not to doubt.

Here are my five easy tips on how to give yourself the confidence you are making the right decision.

1. BASE OR FEATURE : Pick either a base colour to work from, I.e: a neutral tone that you can easily mix other textures and colours with Ie: fittings etc OR have a feature element ( or colour ) that is a feature which you draw inspiration for the rest of the room from.

2. DEVELOP A VISION : Try and have a particular style in mind, research that style, gather only 5 images of that style for a particular room and ask yourself what you love and what works in these images. These act like a guide to give you ideas and confidence to see how it will look when it is done.

3.  SET LIMITS: If you start looking at over 100 different images or the same thing and 100 different images of different products you will only confuse yourself and the look. When looking for lights, tiles, colours, have the intension from the vision so you dont spend hours going over and over the same thing. If you look at one light and love it, think, does it work with the space? Yes! Then presto that is the light. Do NOT go searching for a "better" option.

4. LISTS: Write yourself a list of everything the space needs, find images and or get samples of a all the bits and pieces and stick it to a wall ( even if they are just printed images.) By seeing it visually in front of you it gives you some understanding of how all the elements compliment each other. You can then generally see what isnt working and what is. For example, you want a grey feature wall, but the colour grey you have chosen looks brown in tone rather than a cool blueish tone and you have picked to have a huge black feature mirror hanging on this wall. Straight away you can see that black and brown tones generally don't compliment each other. So you know you have chosen the wrong colour or wrong mirror. Decide which element is more important and then use that element to help make the decision. If having the mirror is what you want then easily change to a cooler grey tone and presto problem solved.
That is why I really recommend looking over all your choices through images, paint chips etc to make sure it all goes together. Any element that doesnt will yell out to you.

5. TRUST: Once you make those decisions they are it. Do not doubt yourself, as I find the first instinct and choice is about 95% always the decision you end up going with. I trust my instinct so much and it never lies to me. Someone always has a different opinion but if you LOVE it and feel good about the decision, go with it. I specified a dark grout colour for these tiles in the image above so that they will pop when you walk in the room.  Today because dark grout is not always seen and it is being "risky," my choice was questioned. I had about a 5 minute window where I thought... "Oh no, maybe they are right." Then I took a step back looked at the result and trusted my decision. 

I bet anything once it is done, everyone will be speechless. 

Stay warm and trust your inner design instinct. 

JDZ x